Kitchen Gifts for Robot Lovers
As a science fiction lover, I've always been fascinated by automata and artificial intelligence. Evil overlords, newly self-aware intelligent lifeforms, loyal guardians of long-dead civilizations; robots are ever-romantic and deeply thought provoking. They remain one of the most charming and beloved pop culture remnants of the modernist era.
Collecting Robots
Not only do I love robots, I also collect them. Robot socks, robot jewelry, robot t-shirts, robot pencil sharpeners, wind-up robot toys, robot statues, robot art... I can't get enough of them.
Being the robot girl is convenient because my loved ones know they can't go wrong with a robot gift. When people find out you have a collection, you may be surprised at how many want to help add to it. My friends enjoy my identity as the robot collector almost as much as I do. Between the wonderful gifts I've received and the robots I've bought for myself, I've had quite an opportunity to test and assess various items of robot kitsch.
Below you'll find my favorites. They're fun, useful, practical, and whimsical. I guarantee the robot lover in your life will like them (and actually get some use out of them) because I've owned and loved most of them myself!
Robot Tea Infuser
My robot tea infuser is my absolute favorite robot item. His hands and arms are both movable, allowing him to adjust to fit any size mug. He opens easily and unfolds completely for thorough cleaning. He's even dishwasher safe. The strainer holes are a little big, so very small pieces of tea sometimes escape into my mug, but it's never bothered me. Put him in a gift bag with a tin of loose leaf tea for a classy present (the whole thing shouldn't cost more than $15-$20, depending on the quality of tea).
Robot Salt and Pepper Shakers
These salt and pepper shakers are really neat. Instead of passing the salt, wind him up and point him in the right direction. Both salt and pepper are working windup toys. They only hold about half as much salt and pepper as a normal shaker (because the wind-up bits take up some of the inside), but refilling them more often is totally worth it.
Robot Ice Cube Tray
These flexible silicon molds are pretty nifty. Use them for ice, to make Jell-o jigglers (or Jell-o shots if you're so inclined), as a chocolate or hard candy mold, and for tons of other stuff. They're oven, dishwasher, and microwave safe. The only drawbacks are that it can be difficult to remove the ice bots without breaking the legs off (take them out slowly and carefully) and that they don't hold very much. If you're getting them as a gift, I recommend buying at least two.
Robot Wine Opener
Always a classic. A wine opener is a gift you know will see some serious use. This style is my favorite (but be aware that his arms don't move up and down like a true butterfly corkscrew). It's easy to use and dishwasher safe. Give this alongside a bottle of wine for bonus points.
Robot Measuring Cups
Oh my gosh, this thing is THE BEST. He disassembles into a fully-functioning set of measuring cups (including 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/4 cup). Each of the measuring cups are marked with their sizes in relief, so you don't have to worry about the size numbers washing off over time. He's easy to take apart and put back together. He's dishwasher safe, and best of all, sits nicely on the shelf (saving you ever-precious kitchen drawer space).
Robot Beer Opener
Not a ton to say here. He's a robot. He's a bottle opener. He tirelessly opens your bottles of beer (or soda) as only a robot can. He's dishwasher safe and can balance on his feet. He'll look cute on a shelf, counter, or fridge top waiting patiently to serve you.
Bonus points for printing out a DIY Rusted Robot label and decorating a beer with it to give alongside the bottle opener.
Which Robot Is Your Favorite?
Which robot kitchen accessory did you like the most?
Did you get one of these robots for yourself or as a gift? Tell me about it in the comments below!
So interesting, Christy. I just had to read them all and now I wonder what others you have in your collection.
Chillbots RULE, just picked up the ice tray.. Does robots like rum n cokes? Me shall finds out! -- J
Those are pretty cool, Christy. Pretty handy around the house. I like the teabot as well. Voted up for interesting!
that is super cute, i never had robot utensil in my kitchen, voted up, i wish there is voted cute
I don't own any but I could definitely see the appeal - especially the ice cube trays. Wouldn't it be fun to have food-colored ice robots floating in a punch bowl? ;)
Great hub! I love stylized kitchen accessories, and looks like you're really enjoying yours! My kitchen fetish is retro diner :-)
These are great! I've never seen such cute and unusual presents. Your article gives a whole new meaning to robots being useful around the home. Voted up.
I just love these! I can't see the salt and pepper shakers but the ice cube trays would be a hit at my house when my grandchildren come to visit. I love it! Voted up, awesome and shared!
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