1. Electric, indoor grill We’re a fan of the well-known George Forman grill, especially for its lean cooking method, but the G5 can handle any meal and features easy clean-up. The grill features five removable grilling plates: a traditional Foreman grill plate, two waffle plates, one steak plate and one shallow-pan plate. With the interchangeable plates, this grill can go from breakfast to dinner and can even bake cookies. The 72-square-inches of cooking surface make it easy to cook enough to feed a hungry family and the temperature control, floating hinge (allows even cooking for thicker items such as a steak or Panini) and non-stick, dishwasher-safe grilling plates make cooking and clean-up a snap. MSRP: $129.00

2. Microwave and/or toaster oven LG combines the best of both worlds with its combination microwave/toaster oven. Other models come equipped with a coffee maker or a microwave/radio combination for those who want to heat and get a news fix simultaneously. You can toast, brew and cook depending on the combination of choice with LG’s MD-6653GT microwave. The appliance features 9 power levels, including reheat, popcorn and defrost presets. Available in white, black and stainless finishes, the dual appliance helps save precious counter space in addition to time. MSRP: $139.00 to $169.00

3. Compact refrigerator Don’t be fooled — the typical dorm-room refrigerator can also serve as your personal beverage center in the den or downstairs family room. Co-eds can keep snacks and soda chilled and ready to go, while you do the same on movie night. Haier’s 1.7-cubic-foot HNSEW02 Dry Erase Write fridge is the perfect fit to any dorm room or office. The fridge features a writeable surface on the front where you can write notes, lists and reminder and then wipes clean. The unit accommodates 2-liter bottles and features adjustable shelving for maximum flexibility, and a holder for that marker to keep it handy. MSRP: $169.00

4. Slow Cooker The slow cooker is the ultimate time saver when it comes to meal time. With only a few minutes of prep time in the morning, you can literally turn on, put the lid on and walk out the door and return to a hot meal at the end of the day. Can it get any easier than that? We certainly don’t think so. Especially with West Bend’s Versatility slow cooker that has a removable pot that can safely go in the oven or on a burner. This lets you brown beef or chicken on the stove, and then immediately place it on the slow cooker, eliminating clean-up. The base can also double as a griddle. This three-in-one punch saves time and money with its low price point. MSRP: $70.00 For smaller families, we like the Hamilton Beach Multi 3-In-One Slow Cooker that comes equipped with three bowls in 2-, 4- and 6-quart sizes. The slow cooker features electronic controls, which enables you to program the appliance to cook for specified times and then switch on to a warming setting to keep your food piping hot and ready until you are to enjoy it. MSRP: $69.99

5. Pizza Oven Now you won’t have to worry about kids burning the house, or dorm, down. With the Pizzazz Pizza Oven by Presto, you can make your own seven- to 12-inch pizzas in what feels like a magical minute. The Pizzazz can be used for frozen, homemade and take-and-bake deli pizzas and doesn’t require any preheating. A rotating, non-stick baking pan ensures even baking all the way around, and separately controlled top and bottom heating elements let you control how crispy the crust and cooked the toppings become. The Pizzazz reportedly saves 60 percent in energy compared to a conventional oven. MSRP: $69.99 Caption – The Multi 3-In-One Slow Cooker from Hamilton Beach can expand (or shrink) to fit any size meal. The slow cooker features three bowls (2, 4 and 6 quarts) and is programmable to cook for set times and then switch to a warming mode automatically until you’re ready to eat.