If you’re looking to minimize your cramped kitchen or starting fresh with a new kitchen to stock, I’ve got my top 10 kitchen tools listed below to give you inspiration. I’ve spent thousands over the past 20 years, trying practically every gadget on the market, and I can say that the following tools are what I would stick with if I had to choose all over again.
1. Stainless Steel and Cast Iron Pots and Pans
I started out with non-stick, as I believe most beginner cooks do, but those pots and pans have a very short shelf life. I would start by learning the basics of using stainless steel and cast iron, then buy one of each. My absolute must-haves would be a 12-inch skillet, a cast iron dutch oven, and a stainless steel sauce pot set. With these basics in the kitchen, you can cook anything from soups, stews, chilis, pasta, bread, cake, and more.
I would look at only buying pots and pans with a handle and lid that can withstand going from the stove to the oven. This way, you increase your uses to include almost anything a recipe could throw at you. Here are my specific recommendations and what I personally use in my kitchen:
2. An Avocado Slicer
This one may come as a complete surprise but an Avocado Slicer truly is a useful tool in the kitchen for those who eat avocados. I can say from experience that removing the seed from an avocado can sometimes be dangerous, but with this handy tool, it will make it a breeze. I personally keep more than one and it’s top of the list for a practical, inexpensive housewarming gift.
It can easily cut the avocado, remove the seed in one quick movement, and remove the flesh from the skin with either side of the tool. No need to use a knife AND a spoon or leave precious avocado behind – grab this tool and you’re all set!
3. Mason Jars and Lids
There are so many pretty containers to choose from for kitchen storage, but nothing compares to the classic mason jar. This one isn’t just for canning! I’ve used my mason jars to portion individual meals like overnight oats, salads, eggs, and a variety of foods that I’ve prepped like washed fruit, celery and carrot sticks, homemade peanut butter or preserves, and homemade vanilla extract.
The sky is the limit! In my kitchen, you can even spot a mason jar on a kitchen towel, holding my straws for drying, or on the side of the sink holding my dishwashing brushes. And at the end of a busy day, it’s the perfect container for a refreshing drink.
Not only does a mason jar have a multitude of uses, but it can help you minimize or eliminate having to purchase several other tools like meal prepping containers, glassware, and utensil holders. You can even get a set of storage lids instead of using the rings and lids they come with. These lids can be used over and over again and look pretty too.
4. A FoodSaver or Vacuum Sealing Machine
A vacuum sealing machine is the perfect tool to have for any size family or household. It can help save money by buying in bulk, separating the food into smaller portions, vacuum sealing, and then freezing or storing for later use without risk of freezer burn or deterioration. It can also be used in a single person household to preserve extra portions of food in the freezer for quick meal options later.
It reduces food waste AND can help reduce the grocery bill by preserving the bulk bought items. It’s definitely one of the best purchases I’ve ever made for my kitchen.
5. A Multi-Use Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot
You may already own a pressure cooker and use it make quick meals or you may have avoided getting one because it appears to be an intimidating gadget (or maybe it’s been sitting in its box since Christmas like mine did for 6 months haha). However, this handy tool is more than meets the eye!
The instant pot duo and many other makes and models of pressure cookers offer several different cooking settings including slow cook, pressure cook, saute, yogurt, rice, beans, and more. You can easily begin cooking your meal in the pressure cooker by selecting the saute mode, cooking your onions or veggies, then adding the rest of your ingredients and either slow cooking or pressure cooking after that.
It also can save on the gas and electric bill! It’s one of those tools that won’t heat up the kitchen and dinner can be done in under an hour with most recipes. PLUS, the stainless steel insert is usually dishwasher safe. It also comes in a variety of sizes to suit any household. It’s a MUST-HAVE in any kitchen, in my opinion.
6. Sharp Kitchen Knives
Kitchen knives do not need to be super expensive but they DO need to be sharp. Not only is it safer to use a sharp knife when cutting food, but it also saves time as it will make prepping faster.
Don’t forget to keep a honing rod on hand to help keep your knife sharper for longer!
Honing Rod for Keeping Knives Sharp
7. A Kitchen Scale
Kitchen scales can easily be found for less than $20 and can help reduce the amount of tools needed for a recipe and can also assist in making better food. Since I started using a kitchen scale to weigh out ounces and grams while baking, I’ve seen much more consistent results. PLUS, it eliminates the need to use SO MANY measuring utensils – better on the wallet and on the person who has to do the dishes!
8. A Wood Cutting Board
Plastic cutting boards are so inexpensive and easy to wash, it’s no wonder why that was the first cutting board I purchased when I moved into my first apartment. However, when I bought my first wood cutting board, things quickly changed. I noticed that the wood cutting board was much easier to cut on, as it was much more substantial and even, compared to its plastic counterpart.
When my plastic cutting board would get scratched and harbor bacteria, I would have to go out and buy a new one. And yet, I’ve had the same wood cutting board for nearly 20 years! All it takes is a little upkeep – wash it with soap and water right away and give it a good oiling with food grade mineral oil every few months. That’s it! And they don’t need to cost a fortune. There are plenty of super affordable wood cutting boards these days and they’ll certainly save money in the long run versus buying and re-buying plastic ones every year.
9. A Food Thermometer
Whether it’s digital or analog, a food thermometer is one of the most important tools any cook should have in their kitchen. Poultry and many other meats should be checked with a thermometer to ensure they are fully cooked through before they are served. Using a thermometer will yield a deliciously juicy cut of meat that isn’t overcooked! Not to mention it can almost certainly help you avoid a visit to the doctor due to consuming undercooked poultry.
I also frequently use a thermometer to make preserves and candy around the holidays. I use it nearly every day in my kitchen and it’s helped me be a better cook.
10. A Set of Spices
Now I DON’T recommend going out and buying one of those huge sets of spices on a carousel that you may have seen at Bed Bath and Beyond. I highly recommend heading to your nearest ALDI, Walmart, or Target and grabbing some spices that catch your eye. There are many places that have spices for about a dollar each, which can make it easy to build up a collection of tasty additions on a budget.
Spices are one of THE most important tools a cook can have. They can make all the difference in how a meal turns out. It’s always a good idea to have several spices on hand to really jazz things up!
I hope y’all found some inspiration from this post and I would LOVE to know what you feel is a MUST-HAVE tool in your kitchen!
Happy Cooking Y’all!
Disclaimer: This post is the opinion of the author. The information provided in this post is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal, or other professional advice. Read and/or use any of the information from this post at your own risk. Some or all of the links displayed on this site may be affiliate links.
