Small Appliance Workshop

New, trendy small appliances seem to be coming out on the market at a rapid rate. These are often marketed to consumers to save time, money and energy. These products are often purchased without being fully researched and the consumer is left with a new machine that they do not know how to properly use. This contributes to money invested in a product that is not being used and space that is now being occupied by bulky boxes. 

In an effort to educate consumers about new small appliances on the market, the Family and Consumer Sciences agents from Wayne and Cumberland counties presented Small Appliance workshops. The following small appliances were demonstrated: Air Fryers and Electric Pressure Cookers. Specific aspects that were covered included time-saving features, cost and storage space for the appliances, and nutrition of food prepared.

A total of thirty-eight people participated in the workshops. Of those, twenty-five currently owned one of the small appliances and twenty reported currently using the small appliance.  100 percent of participants reported on the evaluation that they had gained knowledge and that the program helped them make a decision on purchasing a specific small appliance. Twenty-five participants stated that they planned to use the small appliances that they currently owned more often. All participants reported that they were going to try the demonstrated recipes at home. One participant stated "I will use the appliances that I had previously purchased more often and with more confidence because of this program". Another stated "I plan to use my small appliances more often to make healthier meals at home and eat fast food less". One participant stated, " I am going to Walmart, get groceries, then go home and try out my air fryer and feed my family!"