Other appliance notes: Think seriously about that stand mixer you're eyeing. Do you have room for it (and will you ever?)? If you're a baker, that big motor will be a constant companion—beating butter, whisking egg yolks, and kneading dough. But if you don't have room, seriously consider forgoing in favor of hand beaters, which are admittedly not as high-powered, but immensely storable, and sometimes handier. (Seven-minute icing, for example, has to be beaten over a water bath—something you can't do with your stand mixer.)

I've lived without a microwave for a decade, but if you eat a lot of frozen food, you'll probably want one. Hardly necessary, but I am generally in favor of waffle-makers (which can double as sandwich grills) and ice-cream makers. But you do not need an electric juicer (a $4 wooden citrus reamer takes almost the same amount of effort); ditto electric can openers and electric knives. Unless you are Paula Deen, you do not need a deep fryer—you can heat oil in a deep-sided pan. You do not need a crock pot—you can do your slow-cooking in a heavy Dutch-ovenlike pan on the stovetop or in the oven.