August 9, 2024 | Sarah Ng

34 Kitchen Gadgets You Never Knew You Needed


Make Your Life A Little Easier

There are so many nifty kitchen gadgets, but which ones fit your cooking style best? Whether you're a grill master, baker, or an apprehensive cook, these are all bound to make your life a little bit easier.

Kitchen-Gadgets-Msn

Milk Frother

Do you love getting your daily latté at your local café, but are tired of spending so much? Maybe it's time to invest in a milk frother. This allows you to make delectable foam for your morning coffee easily.

Woman whisking milk in cup with mini mixer (milk frother) at white marble table, closeup.New Africa, Shutterstock

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Silicone Grease Container

It's never a good idea to dump oil down your kitchen sink. This is where a silicone grease container can be a downright lifesaver. Pour in all your bacon grease or frying oil, and let it harden in the freezer. 

This makes for easy cleanup and disposal, preventing your drain from getting clogged in the long run.

In the messy kitchen, at the sink, a man holds in one hand a dirty, greasy frying pan with wateryManeki Zeyna, Sutterstock

Handheld Knife Sharpener

I can't tell you how many times I've let my kitchen blades get dull because the idea of sharpening them intimidated me. Well, a handheld knife sharpener was the solution all along—simple, safe, and easy to use.

Handheld Knife SharpenerPaul Martin, Zinnmann, CC BY 2.0  Wikimedia Commons

Air Fryer

You may have seen air fryers popping up all over your social media—and for good reason. Not only does it make your meals crisp and delicious, but it's a much healthier alternative, as it doesn't require oil. And that isn't all.

Depending on which one you purchase, an air fryer has multiple functions: roasting, baking, broiling, re-heating, and even dehydrating.

Black Air Fryer on kitchen table.I am R., CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Tortilla Press

If you purchase a well-made tortilla press, it's bound to last you a lifetime. It's the perfect way to elevate your taco game. The truth is homemade tortillas are just better than store-bought ones. 

A little bit of masa flour, a little bit of water, and you're off to the races.

tortilla press on the table.Phil Lees, Flickr

Fermentation Lids

If you're new to fermenting, fermentation lids are a great place to start. These lids can fit a number of jars and can help you make your very own fermented vegetables, pickles, or even kombucha.

fermentation lids on jars.Devlyn, Flickr

Pizza Oven

A pizza oven might just be a game-changer if you have a suitable outdoor space. Not only is pizza-making a great family activity, but the ovens are also known to make pizzas that are just as good as anything a restaurant can offer.

Person Taking a Pizza out of the OvenRene Strgar, Pexels

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Cookie Scoop

Calling all bakers! If you don't already have a cookie scoop in your drawer, this might be your sign. It ensures that all of your cookies are equal in size and is so much easier to use than a spoon. This is the secret to a perfect batch of cookies.

Uncooked chocolate chip cookies and scoop on parchment, closeupNew Africa, Shutterstock

A Handheld Soap-Dispensing Brush

Do you know what makes washing dishes so much easier? Using a brush that dispenses soap. They're easy to refill and keep your plates bubbling with soap suds at all times.Dish-Washing Brush With Integrated Soap DispenserAmada44, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

LED Lightsaber Chopsticks

LED lightsaber chopsticks are fun conversation pieces—but are also the perfect way to devour your sushi while watching Star Wars...in the dark.

Green luminescence of crossed japanese chopsticks with led light in a glassBoligolov Andrew, Shutterstock

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A Mini Fridge/Freezer

A mini fridge/freezer is a great addition to your bedroom, ensuring that you always have a cold beverage on hand. It can also be the perfect way to hide your personal stash from the rest of your family, or a stylish accent piece if you purchase one with a retro style. 

Outdoor mini bar in roomVereshchagin Dmitry, Shutterstock

Automatic Pan Stirrer

Those who have a hard time keeping an eye on the stove might be pleasantly surprised by an automatic pan stirrer. These usually come with timers, which can give you peace of mind that your meal won't burn while your back is turned.

Two woman cooking in the kitchen.Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels

Handheld Garlic Press

Do you despise mincing garlic by hand? Well, if you want to tackle your garlic in seconds then a handheld garlic press is an essential kitchen gadget to add to your collection.

A Person Holding a Garlic PressEva Bronzini, Pexels

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Coffee And Spice Grinder

Do you know what tastes better than coffee made from pre-ground beans? Coffee made from freshly ground beans. A coffee grinder will not only up your coffee game, but can also be used to grind spices.

A Person Putting Peppercorns in a GrinderALINA MATVEYCHEVA, Pexels

Eight-In-One Spiralizer

A spiralizer is already a handy gadget to have as it can help you zest up your salads and easily produces zucchini noodles. However, an eight-in-one spiralizer offers up so many more options, including grating and juicing.

Zucchini noodles spiralizer.Nicole Lee, Flickr

Magic Bullet Blender

Magic Bullet blenders have been around for a while for a reason—they're simple to use and work well. If you're hoping to kickstart a morning smoothie habit, this tiny blender is excellent for prepping single servings.

Magic Bullet BlenderMack Male, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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AeroGarden

If you love having fresh herbs on hand and have a green thumb, then the AeroPress might be the little slice of bliss your kitchen needs. No more wilting dill, because herbs in the AeroPress are bound to flourish and grow.

AeroGardenRuth Hartnup, Flickr

Mug Warmer

It can be so annoying when you forget about your mug of coffee or tea, and it gets ice cold before you even have the chance to drink it. Mug warmers are an excellent solution and you'll be able to enjoy a hot beverage—right to the very last drop.

An electric cup warmer used to warm coffeeDenik Turbadinda, Shutterstock

Cuisinart Griddler

If you love BBQ and mourn the loss of your grilled meals during the winter months, then the Cuisinart Griddler will let you satisfy your cravings any time of the year.

Sandwich press for panini.IngaMun, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Food Chopper

Sometimes a recipe calls you to "finely chop" your ingredients, which can be a tedious task. If you dread chopping onions every day of your life, it might be time to invest in a food chopper.

Detail of female hands turning on an onion chopper on the kitchen counterImpact Photography, Shutterstock

Culinary Blow Torch

A culinary blow torch might seem like a fancy addition to your kitchen, but if you're a chef at heart, this gadget can be so handy. You can melt cheese, toast breadcrumbs, roast veggies, and of course, start making crème brûlées all the time.

A small butane torch, specifically made for making Crème brûléeHustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Batter Dispenser

A batter dispenser can guarantee perfectly-shaped pancakes—but for folks who want to get their kids in the kitchen, it will also cut down on a lot of time and mess.

Batter Dispenserpegasusa012, Shutterstock

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Microwave Popcorn Maker

Are you tired of using popcorn packets to make your popcorn? A microwave popcorn maker offers up delicious popcorn, but without the unhealthier additives of salt, butter, or oil. 

You can add them, but with this method, you don't really need to.

Homemade fat and salt free popcorns in a silicon BPAgrandbrothers, Shutterstock

Pasta Machine

Making pasta might sound like a daunting task, but it's definitely easier than you think it is—and your pasta will be fresher and tastier. If you're a carb lover, a pasta machine might be in your future.

Pasta Machine with Rolling Pin on TopKlaus Nielsen, Pexels

Mandolin

Some might argue that a mandolin isn't just a kitchen gadget, but a kitchen essential. It can help you thinly slice any vegetable. From potato chips to paper-thin cucumber salads, the results are extremely satisfying—just watch for fingers for goodness sake.

woman using mandoline slicer for cutting applePressmaster, Shutterstock

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Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Okay, so a breakfast sandwich maker might sound like a gimmick, but the reviews don't lie. Users have reported excellent results. You simply input all your sandwich ingredients, and your meal is ready only minutes later: eggs cooked, buns toasted, cheese melted, ham warmed.

Breakfast sandwich makerBeth, Flickr

Nonstick Microwave Pasta Cooker

A microwave pasta cooker is an excellent purchase for those of you who are always short on time. If you can't wait for your water to boil, this gadget will have your pasta ready to go in a flash.

Potatoes and Pasta Cookermacro videography, Shutterstock

Corn Butterer

A corn butterer is such an aesthetically pleasing kitchen gadget. It curves around a corn cob perfectly, ensuring that every kernel gets an even slathering of butter.

Corn on the CobTim Sackton, Flickr

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SinkShroom Strainer

You may have already heard of the famous TubShroom, but there is also a very handy SinkShroom that will protect your sink from getting clogged. Go nuts with what you pour in your sink, cause this strainer will be sure to catch it all.

Sink StrainerBelchers Albert, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rapid Egg Cooker

Eggs are easy to cook, right? Well, imagine if it was even easier, because that's where a rapid egg cooker comes in. This device is downright magical, and can make any kind of egg your heart desires: scrambled, hard-boiled, poached, and even omelets.

Egg CookerSelena N., CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

All-In-One BBQ Tool

For the grill masters who have trouble keeping track of all their tools, an all-in-one BBQ tool keeps everything in one place. It's easy to store and will prevent you from rooting around in your kitchen for all of your grilling needs.

Grilling Tool Set on grill background. BBQ Utensils SetIryna Imago, Shutterstock

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HyperChiller

A HyperChiller is pretty self-explanatory. It chills your beverage in less than a minute. Get ready to be converted, because now you can make the perfect iced coffee every time.

Girls having good time,cheering and drinking cold drinks, enjoying friendship together in coffee shop, close up view on handsNijat, Adobe Stock

Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor

This gadget is a major investment, but is it worth it? Absolutely. Ice cream isn't cheap, and if it's your dessert of choice, this machine is going to save you big bucks in the long run. It's also a great way to make vegan ice cream, which can be difficult to find in stores.

Person Holding Strawberry Ice CreamKumaran, Pexels

Toaster With A Touch Screen

Picky about your toast? Do you like it to be an exact shade of brown? Well, this very fancy toaster with a touch screen allows you to customize every aspect of your toast. It feels very futuristic but makes breakfast a smooth-sailing venture.

The world's first toaster that runs the open-source Symbian^2 operating system.James Nash, Flickr


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