If there is one thing that UnderCurrent knows better than anything else, it's that Christmas is a time for serious over-indulging. The whole of December becomes a month for entertaining, and when everyone gets together on Christmas day, the kitchen is invariably the centre of proceedings. And with that focus on the kitchen comes a focus on the products that help us prepare the Christmas meal – appliances.
UnderCurrent took this opportunity to compile a list of its favourite appliances for preparing Christmas lunch. Ahem, 'yule' love them.
Mince Pies – Sunbeam Pie Magic Traditional 4 Up (MP4800, RRP $79.95). Good for use all year through, this appliance really comes into its own at Christmas.
Baked Ham and Turkey – Smeg Double Oven (DOA330X, RRP $6,990). There is never enough space to cook everything required to feed the whole family. Solution? A turkey in one 123-litre oven and a ham in the other. Nothing says Merry Christmas like multiple meats.
Stuffing – Kambrook Essentials Direct Drive Food Processor (KFP400, RRP $79.95). Stuffing is nature's way of telling us that we're meant to eat roast meats. So whether you use breadcrumbs, nuts, herbs and spices or your own crazy concoction, get it mixing in nature's best mixer: a food processor.
Christmas Pudding – Kenwood kMix Boutique Kitchen Machine (KMX99, RRP $699). Mixing up the ingredients for a Christmas pudding or Christmas cake is best done with a little festive colour. Perfect time to whip out the Glam Green bench mixer.
Champagne – De’Longhi single zone triple glazed wine cabinet (DEWC166S, RRP $2,499). What's a good Christmas without a little champagne? With a large capacity, this cabinet will hold enough wine so even Uncle Gavin can get his fill.
Platters & Prawns – LG Door-in-door Refrigerator (GR-D907SL, RRP $4,599). Prawns are an Australian Christmas must, and French Door fridge is perfect for holding a big platter of them. Plus, thanks to the door-in-door design, Georgie Parker can sneak into your house and take prawns when no one is watching.
Mulled wine – Bosch FlexInduction 60cm cooktop (PIN675N14E, RRP $2,599). Sure, mulled wine is a little more British than Australian. But surely the fact that everyone sweats over the stove making glazed ham and steaming gravy on a 40° day is a sign that we haven't given up all our English traditions? So get the mulled wine heating quickly on an induction cooktop.
Custard – Electrolux Turbopro Stick Mixer with mini chopper and double whisks (RRP $139). UnderCurrent is baffled by custard. Something that has to be whisked constantly and resembles nothing short of yellow goop is not UnderCurrent's idea of a good dessert. But a good electric whisk is easy on the arms (for custard, whipped cream and so on), plus this one can chop things too. Bonus.
Ice Cream – Breville Smart Scoop ice cream maker (BCI600, RRP $399.95). Delicious ice cream that you make yourself. 'Nuff said.
Leftovers – Sharp Midsize Inverter Microwave Oven with Black Stainless Steel Fascia (R395YBK, RRP $349. If you aren't eating your weight in leftover turkey or Bubble & Squeak on boxing day, you're doing it wrong. The second best thing after Christmas lunch is a reheated meal made from all the leftovers.