Common Appliances, Uncommon Uses
Imagine our delight at seeing a soufflé rise up in the slow cooker, a frozen mixed drink take shape in the ice cream maker. Our late-night snack cravings found succor with a waffle iron. And if you don’t have these appliances, or don’t understand why anyone would veer from the standard, there are conventional instructions for most of the recipes too.
Not sure I agree with the criterion that it has to be faster than the conventional way; if it’s better or somehow more convenient but takes longer (e.g. a novel use for a crock-pot), then I would have included it.
I agree about the #2 criterion. To me, the important part is using the appliance in a way (or at a time) you wouldn’t normally.
The #1 criteria should go without saying. It’s why I don’t use my microwave to heat bread, pizza or steaks. No amount of time-saving is worth what it does to the texture.