It may not be obvious right away, but the amount of time you spend in the kitchen organizing, preparing, cooking, and cleaning up multiple times each day can add up. That's why our team of editors believes in investing in products that are functional and, where possible, also provide a little fun. When it comes to kitchen utensils, generally he can be classified into one of two groups. There are classic necessities like knives, measuring cups, and cutting boards, and non-essentials like disposable kitchen tools. While it's certainly more worthwhile to invest in the former category, you may find that your favorite gadget is one that not only makes cooking easier, but also more fun.
Some of our favorite kitchen gadgets include chic ice cube trays, pastry slicers, cute steam tools for cleaning (+) microwaves, and more.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailer
The best part? Many of these recommended products are really useful and very affordable. To help you differentiate between the gadgets that are actually great and those that just cause unnecessary clutter, we asked chefs (and our own expertise) about the tools they really love. I relied on you). From ingenious wine storage systems to magnetic trivets for hot pots and pans, these 15 cool kitchen gadgets are sure to level up the way you cook, eat, and clean.
Favorite Cool Kitchen Gadgets of 2023
This stainless steel accordion cutter is designed to cut evenly through cookie dough, pasta dough, pastries, and more, saving you prep time. “I love this cutter because it slices brownies, blondies, and other treats that need to be portioned into perfectly even slices,” says Jesse Shevczyk, food stylist and author of Cookies: The New Classics. says. “Just pull the cutter to the exact width you're looking for and roll it over your baked goods like a pizza cutter. You'll never use a ruler again to try to get the perfect slice!”
Additionally, the Oleex set also comes with a multi-functional dual-blade cutter. One side has grooves for cutting ravioli, and the other flat side is perfect for slicing pizza or pie.
Getting rid of those pesky stains inside your microwave may seem like an impossible task. The GB Quality Angry Mom Microwave Cleaner is a gadget that cuts your cleaning time in half for less than $10. To use, fill the base with a mixture of water and vinegar and place in the microwave. Once the appliance warms up, this little lady releases steam to loosen the stains, making them easy to wipe away with just a towel or sponge. No need to apply oil.
This cushioned mat is not a gadget per se, but a kitchen accessory that makes cooking and cleaning while standing up much more enjoyable. Thanks to its thick, non-slip construction, this linen floor mat provides comfortable support for your feet when chopping vegetables, standing over the stove, or handling piles of dirty dishes. . Plus, it has antibacterial properties, so it's easy to keep clean. Choose from two sizes (3 x 2 feet or 6 x 2 feet) and 10 neutral colors.
Have you ever opened a new bottle of wine and wanted to enjoy a glass of wine, but hesitate because you know you won't be able to finish the entire bottle before it loses its freshness? You never have to face such a scenario again. This ingenious tool allows you to store open bottles of wine for up to four weeks, guaranteeing that your last sip will taste just as refreshing as your first. Here's how it works: After opening the wine bottle, remove the cork or screw cap and install the pivot bottle stopper and preservation device. When you press the button on the device when pouring into the stopper, food-grade argon gas is injected into the bottle to protect the wine from oxidation. Once you have swallowed enough, remove the device, close the stopper and store the wine.
If this seems confusing, there's no need to stress it. You don't need to fully understand the mechanism behind it. Just know that you won't find a better wine storage system for less than $120.
Do you lack freezer space but want to have ice on hand? This 2-in-1 ice tray and storage box will become your new best friend. We love this product for several reasons. First, the ice cube tray (which also serves as the lid of the container) is made of soft silicone, so you can easily remove the ice cubes. The plastic container, on the other hand, is larger and can hold up to 132 cubes. The two parts combine to create an airtight space that blocks out odors, so you'll never have to worry about funky-flavored ice ruining your drink again.
Not much bigger than a toaster, this sleek composter from Lomi reduces your carbon footprint and looks much more stylish than your average compost bin. But that's not the only thing that makes this option special. With the push of a button, the Lomi composter turns any food waste, including banana peels, coffee grounds, and apple cores, into nutrient-rich soil for gardening and flower pots. What's more, you can do all of this in just 4 hours.
While a traditional food processor probably doesn't qualify as a kitchen appliance, this 5-cup KitchenAid model certainly does. “This small but mighty food processor doesn't have the old-fashioned bowl and chain. It's cordless,” says food editor and TV host Alice Whitney. “Remember to charge it and you'll be ready for everything, whether it's sautéing onions and garlic for meatball paste or mixing silken tofu for eggplant miso dip.”
In addition to the charger, this chopper (made in partnership with Target's luxury home brand Hearth & Hand with Magnolia) comes with a stainless steel multi-purpose blade and whisk attachment, both of which It is dishwasher safe and fits inside the dishwasher. Container for 5 cups.
A cleaner alternative to garlic presses, this beautiful grinder can crush garlic with just a few twists. To use, simply place the peeled garlic in the chamber, put the lid on, and twist it back and forth until the allium is minced to your liking. Once you have the minced garlic in your recipe, you can put the grinder (made of BPA-free nylon and silicone) in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Whether you're an aspiring mixologist or an experienced home baker, a juicer is an essential tool for making citrus-infused snacks and drinks. If you're looking for a manual option, look no further than the Williams Sonoma Dual Citrus Juicer. It comes with two raised cones of different sizes to accommodate a variety of citrus fruits and a BPA-free plastic container to catch all the seed and pith-free juice. Once you have all the fresh OJ you need, you can put all parts of the juicer in the dishwasher.
Of course, you can use a sharp chef's knife to separate the corn from the cob, but the OXO Good Grip Corn Prep Peeler perfectly removes all the kernels in one easy motion . It's also easy to hold and maneuver thanks to its sharp stainless steel blade and ergonomic non-slip handle.
Crafted from beautiful long-grain acacia wood, Le Creuset's modern trivet is no ordinary trivet. Made with magnets that instantly attach to the bottom of metal pots and pans, making it easier than ever to transport hot cookware from the oven to the dining table.
“My favorite journey (and well-worn path on the floor) is from the stove to the dining table. I always bring something delicious in a warm bowl,” says recipe developer Dan Pelosi. “For years, while traveling, I would tuck a trivet under my armpit and awkwardly drop the pot on the table in advance of a bowl of hot food, praying that it would fall somewhere I wanted it from a distance. …and it was like shaking the pot and attaching the trivet to the correct position. But with this genius magnetic trivet, you can carry the trivet at the bottom of the container straight to the table where you want it. You can place it exactly where you want.'' Are you worried about the heat? please do not worry. This trivet can withstand temperatures up to 482 degrees.
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If your recipe calls for continuous stirring or heating and whisking, there's no need to roll up your sleeves and wait. Instead, this automatic bread stirrer allows you to rest your arms while doing the heavy lifting. All you have to do is choose the speed and run time. This quirky gadget then kicks in and spins in the pot for up to 3.5 hours if you purchase the battery-powered option, or up to 9 hours if you choose the more expensive rechargeable option. Please note that this stirrer cannot be used with boiling liquids.
Just ask any accident-prone home cook. As long as you wear these cut-resistant gloves, you will never have to worry about cutting your fingers or forcing an oyster knife into your palm. Made from a mixture of spandex, fiberglass, and polyethylene, these Amazon bestsellers are covered with tiny grip dots to prevent slipping and provide a thick layer of protection between the sharp knife and your skin. Make sure the pair fits snugly. Glove sizes range from extra small to extra large.
Cleaning a whisk covered in sticky dough and buttercream can be nothing but a pain, but this 2-piece set (which includes an 11-inch stainless steel whisk) makes it easy. It can be cleaned. When you slide the wiper over the whisk and pull it apart, anything stuck to the wire will fall off, leaving you with a clean whisk. Another option: You can leave the gadget in the middle of the loop and use it to whisk on the counter or in a mixing bowl. (Please note that the whisk wiper is not compatible with all whisks. It is best suited for other his 7 wire models.)
Brown sugar will harden quickly. This means that when stored without this adorable clay bear, the moisture level of the brown sugar can be maintained for up to 6 months. But that's not all this extremely affordable gadget can do. Let it soak in warm water for 20 minutes and place it in an airtight container with hard cookies or dried fruit to restore moisture.