Almost everybody has those kitchen essentials that are needed to cook basic dishes. But beyond your spatulas and pasta pots, there are some little-known gadgets and accessories that can turn you into a professional home cook in no time, making dishes that you cook and bake a lot easier to accomplish — and more fun. Here are the ultimate kitchen gadgets that you didn’t know you needed.
1. Digital scale
This has nothing to do with weight loss and counting calories — in fact, using a scale is the best way to accurately measure ingredients, and it’s a secret that many chefs use. Instead of a body fat scale, get one that’s designed for the kitchen and is easy to clean.
2. Spiralizer
If you’re counting carbs and looking to replace bread or noodles with healthier alternatives, you can make instant veggie spaghetti with this device, which is available in both manual options and electric versions that churn out zucchini noodles for you. You can also use spiralized veggies and fruits in stir-fries, salads, or gluten free recipes.
3. Meat Thermometer
This can be used for fish and meat — there’s nothing worse than undercooking or overcooking your protein, and this nifty accessory helps you avoid too-rare meat and food-borne illnesses by reading precise temperatures. Since meat cooks long after it’s on a hot surface (especially a grill) this is a useful gadget. It can also be used for making candy or beer.
4. Air Fryer
Oh, French fries and corn dogs. Deep-fried foods are one of the best things the world has to offer, but their effects on our health aren’t as exciting. An air fryer allows you to make all those tasty fried foods — with up to 75% less fat. Using hot air and just a tablespoon of oil, it’s a healthier way to make everything from fried chicken to samosas.
5. Instant Pot
This multitasking must-have truly does it all. It can make rice, act as a slow cooker, steamer, warmer, and even a yogurt maker. You can save shelf space by reducing the overall amount of appliances you require. You can program it and do your own thing while this cooker does all the work, making you anything from stews to overnight oats.
6. Clip-On Strainer
Never again will you have to deal with the stress and mess of making pasta, wondering if you’ll spill hot water or lose a few noodles. This provides perfectly burn-free (and waste-free) pasta every time, and takes up an extremely small footprint in your kitchen, unlike oversized mesh strainers that are also tough to clean.
7. Rapid Egg Cooker
Eggs aren’t the hardest to cook, but they can be a hassle, especially if you’re making them for multiple people. An egg cooker like this can make up to 6 eggs any way you want, whether it’s soft, medium, or hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, or scrambles and omelettes. Breakfast lovers, invest in this ASAP.
8. Aeropress
Do you need a daily cup of java? Getting an espresso machine can be expensive, even if it’s one of the more affordable Keurig models. A genius alternative to that is the Aeropress hack — this low-tech brewer can make coffee drinks and espresso while costing a fraction of the price.
9. Stainless Steel Soap
Cooking is fun, but the odors that it leads to isn’t always as exciting — especially if you’re hosting a date or dinner party. Whether you’re looking to get off the smell of fish, garlic, or onions away from your skin, this metal bar of soap will remove the smell from your skin
10. Avocado Knife
Piercing through an avocado skin and properly halving it can feel impossible. In fact, some people even damage their nerves and tendons when trying to cut open an avocado. This smart knife keeps your fingers safe while puncturing the avocado with ease. It also allows you to pit it and cut into IG-worthy slices.
11. Automatic Pan Stirrer
Are you the type of person that gets bored standing over your pan and walks away from the stove, only to find that your sauce or recipe has burned to the bottom of the pan or not cooked evenly? Then invest in this high-tech stirrer which continuously stirs and has a built in timer, letting your arms rest.
12. Salad Dressing Mixer
Prepackaged salad dressing is both boring and unhealthy. It can also be difficult to dispense at times — no one wants to end up with a too soggy or too dry salad. This jar lets you make your own dressing, then twist the dial on the lid to mix, and dispense with ease.
