In the bustling world of culinary arts, kitchen gadgets simplify cooking tasks and can be significant money-savers. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner, the right tools can enhance your cooking experience, reduce waste, and save on energy and ingredients.
Storage space in your kitchen sometimes comes at a premium, but these appliances and cookware are worth the space. Here are 16 kitchen gadgets designed to make cooking easier than ever before.
1. Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a versatile multi-cooker that combines several kitchen appliances in one! It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and rice cooker, depending on what you plan on making. Add this to the top of your list of kitchen gadgets. It saves energy by cooking food faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.
2. Food Processor
A good food processor can chop, slice, dice, and puree in seconds, saving you time and labor. You’ll also minimize food waste and reduce the temptation to eat out. Food processors are useful since they prepare large batches of ingredients, which you can then use throughout the week.
3. Digital Kitchen Scale
Even if it seems fancy, you’ll be happy to have a digital kitchen scale to prepare your meals. This tool ensures precise ingredient measurements, which is important for cooking and baking. Accurate measurements improve the quality of your dishes and help manage portion sizes. Invest in one of these kitchen gadgets if you want to improve your culinary skills and lose weight.
4. Quality Chef’s Knife
A sharp, high-quality chef’s knife makes prep work much quicker and safer. You’ll hold onto a good knife for years, saving money since it doesn’t have to be replaced as often. Sharp knives also make you more efficient in the kitchen. Ultimately, they’re safer to use since dull blades could make it harder to slice, causing you to use more force.
5. Mandoline Slicer
A mandoline slicer allows you to quickly and uniformly slice vegetables and fruits. Your meals will look more appetizing and presentable, which is beneficial if you’re like the 69% of millennials who post food pictures on social media. Of course, these useful kitchen gadgets aren’t only about the looks. They also allow for efficient prep, which helps you retain the nutrients that might be lost in slower slicing methods.
6. Silicone Baking Mats
Silicone baking mats are reusable alternatives to parchment paper and non-stick sprays. They provide an easy-to-clean, non-stick surface for baking and roasting. By investing in silicone baking mats, you’ll save money on disposable products, oils, or sprays. Plus, you’ll look way more professional when making cookies for the holidays!
7. Immersion Blender
Do you like to make your own soups, sauces, or smoothies? An immersion blender simplifies the process of putting these dishes directly in the pot. Immersion blenders are less cumbersome than traditional blenders. They’re also significantly easier to clean, making cleanup an easier process.
8. Food Thermometer
Whether you’re making a steak sandwich, scrambling eggs for breakfast, or cooking fish for dinner, a food thermometer is an absolute must! It ensures your food is at the right internal temperature, which prevents poisoning or serious illness.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the safe food temperature for most products is anywhere from 145 to 165 degrees, depending on what’s being served. You can use this handy tool to check any type of meat, eggs, fish, and even leftovers and casseroles.
9. Herb Scissors
Using fresh herbs is more flavorful and healthier. To snip these herbs for your dishes, you’ll need a reliable pair of herb scissors. Many herb scissors come equipped with multiple blades that can quickly chop or mince fresh herbs. This enhances the flavor of your meals without the need for artificial flavorings or excess salt.
10. Vegetable Spiralizer
If you love pasta but are trying to lose weight, then a vegetable spiralizer should be at the top of your must list. This gadget can turn vegetables into noodles, offering a healthy, low-carb alternative to linguini, spaghetti, and other pasta dishes. Kitchen gadgets like vegetable spiralizers encourage healthier eating. You’ll end up adding more vegetables to your diet, while still feeling like you’re eating a hearty comfort meal.
11. Air Fryer
French fries and mozzarella sticks from restaurants are always tasty, but they’re not the healthiest choices. Splurge on an air fryer, which offers a way to “fry” foods with little to no oil. By using an air fryer, you’ll significantly reduce fat and calories. It’s also energy-efficient compared to an oven and doesn’t heat up your kitchen, which could save on air conditioning costs in the summer.
12. Coffee Maker with a Timer
Skip out on that daily trip through the Starbucks drive-thru! You can make your own coffee at home by buying a coffee maker with a programmable timer for your kitchen. Set it to brew a fresh pot of coffee right before you wake up. This not only reduces the temptation to buy expensive take-out coffee, but the smell of coffee helps you wake up earlier in the morning.
13. Electric Kettle
Some people assume that electric kettles are only used for tea. In reality, these handy kitchen gadgets can do so much more than that! Because an electric kettle boils water faster and more efficiently than stovetop kettles, they’re perfect for making and reheating instant soups. When you have a cold or flu, you’ll be thankful to have these kitchen essentials within arm’s reach.
14. Reusable Storage Bags
People waste a lot of money each year on single-use storage bags for their kitchens. Save money and reduce plastic waste by investing in reusable storage bags instead. You can use these bags while meal prepping, or for storing fresh ingredients. They’re also great for leftovers and help keep the food fresh longer.
15. Bread Maker
Home-baked bread is delicious. It also happens to be cheaper and often healthier than store-bought alternatives. A bread maker automates the process, making it easy to produce a variety of breads, including gluten-free options. Invest in one of these kitchen gadgets to take your sandwich game to the next level!
16. Portable Grill
Do you live in an apartment with limited outdoor space? You may not be able to fit a charcoal grill on your deck, so a portable grill is the next best thing. George Foreman grills are the most recognizable name, but you can buy cheaper models from brands like Cuisinart and Weber. Grill bacon, burgers, chicken, hot dogs, and even grilled cheese sandwiches, all from your kitchen counter.
Get to Cooking
Equipping your kitchen with the right gadgets can transform cooking from a chore into a delightful experience. You’ll also feel good knowing you’re saving money along the way. Keep in mind that kitchen gadgets and appliances can take up a lot of storage space. By choosing the tools you’ll use the most often, you should be able to find space in your kitchen. Happy cooking!
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Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.