Don’t be a minimalist when it comes to essential kitchen tools and appliances because you gotta eat!
If you purchase any essential kitchen tools and appliances at least give this a read so you have a very functional kitchen,
27 Essential Kitchen Tools and Appliances
For those that love tools of the trade, this article is dedicated to you!
However, I am referring to essential kitchen tools and appliances to splurge on so that you can make whatever you need to when you need to.
I am not referring to a useless cookie cutter with a specific shape, but actual items that you will use.
In fact, the more you use your kitchen, and the better equipped it is, the more you feed these essential kitchen tools and appliances.
Whether you are preparing pasta dishes or making smoothies, I’ve got you covered.
Essentials for your kitchen
These are kitchen tools and appliances you might not have thought about purchasing because you never saw a reason to have them
Three words that make these essential kitchen tools and appliances: “Eat To Sustain!”
Yep, you eat to sustain yourself, and the more you can prepare, the less expensive your take-out bill.
Quite frankly, the more you prepare your own eats, the less ‘bad stuff’ in the ingredient list and the more healthy you may become!
The fab list of kitchen tools and appliances
So let’s start off easy.
Do you have the basics?
1. Reliable Measuring Spoons are essential for your kitchen,
These essentials for your kitchen are the basics you’ll want in your drawers. I always vote to pass on the dollar store junk, because unless they are for outdoors, you won’t be satisfied, as they rust and break.
Pro Tip: Invest in ONE Good Set of Measuring Spoons and You Will Have Them for A Life Time. You’ll want commercial grade measuring spoons like these.
You will use measuring spoons in almost everything you do unless, of course, you cook a lot of, perfect for a pinch of this and a dollop of that!
My other tip is one you are not using and it is practical and a time saver!
A secondary set of basic measuring teaspoons (teaspoon 10 pack) specifically for baking soda or baking powder, or other spices and ingredients you often use small measured amounts of.
Yes, there are actually packs of one teaspoon available and it’s the solution to needing many of the same sizes, without buying sets of measuring spoons for just the teaspoon!
Since I bake with frequency my most used measuring spoon is a teaspoon. I actually purchase packs of teaspoons because you can and that eliminates having to wash, rinse, and put away. I stow it in the can it is being used in and it’s always there!
2. Collapsible Strainers/Colanders
Don’t take up more space in your cabinets than you have to, collapsible strainers and colanders have come a long way over the last few years.
You can actually hang some of these collapsible on the inside of your cabinet doors which takes up zero cabinet space!
Colanders are for draining pasta, and veggies.
Also, for rinsing fruit and greens when rinsed.
The uses are endless, and you need a good set!
Really they are a huge part of Essential Kitchen Tools and Appliances that you will use over and over.
A good set of collapsible strainers includes at least a large and a small, I’d be inclined to push a medium one on you too!
3. Thermometer
Use it for grilling, or in the kitchen, and make sure your food is cooked!
4. Parchment Paper
Sometimes I buy it by the roll, and other ties I buy it by the pre-cut piece.
Price determines which I purchase.
One thing about parchment paper, I am NEVER without it!
Line baking trays to keep the mess so much less.
Other times I separate cookies in containers, or I use them for cooking, grilling, steaming, and air frying.
DO Check what temperature your parchment paper can take on!
5. Silicone Mats
So, my other lifesaver in the kitchen is reusable silicone mats.
I have these in every size and for multiple trays.
Silicone mats are so amazing when it comes to food and baking and prep work.
Make caramel candy on these, or bake cookies, and nothing sticks.
Wash, dry, and reuse!
Your kitchen needs at least one.
Plus look for some with predestined slots for cookies.
Essential smaller kitchen appliances
6. Instant Pot
I want to know how I ever cooked before this appliance came around.
The old-fashioned stovetop pressure cookers were awful and unsafe and I don’t’ care what brand you use or used!
Instantaneous gratification.
There’s no recipe I have not updated in my cooking arsenal and they all take minutes, not hours.
Naturally, there is a slow-cooker mode, but in our world, fast, and furious leads the way, and Instant Pot cooking rocks it!
7. Air Fryer
Goodbye oil, Hello good-tasting food!
The healthier alternative to frying, but remember if you cook with unhealthy foods, it’s still not healthy, lol!
What a difference an air fryer makes.
From grilled cheese to cookies, pizzas, bread, seafood, and meat.
Again, that’s the shortlist.
Between an Instant Pot and an Air Fryer, the kitchen is your oyster!
Buy it as an Instant Pot/Air Fryer combination or buy them separately!
Keep Storage Tight with tools and appliances
8. Mixing Bowls with Lids.
When it comes to Essential Kitchen Tools and Appliances in the kitchen, these are a must-have!
- a set of nesting stainless steel mixing bowls for keeping organized and stacked into themselves is perfect
- a set of microwaveable mixing bowls with lids
- 3 piece glass mixing bowl set – endless uses for glass mixing bowls (freezer, microwave, salads, batters, etc.)
From prep work for baking and meals that need to be marinated, mixing bowls with lids are a lifesaver.
In a pinch they can be doubled as storage, but, I prefer to keep a separate set of storage containers.
Make sure you can use these in the microwave, freezer, and oven safe.
Also, use these for storage of your chips and pretzels plus open.
Yep, this is my go-to brand and for all the reasons above, including once washed there’s no lingering flavor or smell to ruin other recipes!
9. Airtight Storage Containers
Here are the things with airtight food storage containers for leftovers.
You need to make a firm decision, fresh food is kept well or fresh food is not kept well.
Then what good is a leftover?
It’s not!
Now, that’s the thing, the containers I will share stack in one another but not nesting.
However, they are the best airtight food storage containers I have ever tried and I use them over and over again.
Yes, they are plastic but, they are different from anything else I’ve ever used.
In fact, I was first introduced to them on QVC Or HSN back in the day.
10. Baking Trays are essentials for your kitchen.
Don’t over-invest.
Trust me your silicone mat will help you so, don’t worry about nonstick, worry about zero cleanups other than the mat!
Also, over time, you’ll want to freshen these, so don’t get sucked into megabucks on baking trays.
DO buy large trays, unless you are making like 12 cookies (no one does that!)
Whether you are making a pan meal, cookies, a large flat cake, or brownies, you get the idea, these are your kitchen workhorses!
The commercial size is best!
11. Pizza Stone
You might not guess a pizza stone as part of my list of Essential Kitchen Tools and Appliances but it is!
Buy this pizza stone that can be used in the oven and on the grill.
If you bake fries or chicken, bread, or breaded foods, this is crazy good at crisping and taking off that moisture.
Pizzas will be nice and crispy on the bottom and just overall taste better.
The fact that this one can be used on the grill is why I am suggesting it.
Don’t but separate stones, buy ONE!
12. Magnetic Strip (for knives and kitchen tools)
Attach this organizer that is magnetic to your refrigerator without any hardware.
Or, it has adhesive to mount it or screws.
Seriously, this is totally a MUST have.
Don’t put a knife block on your counter, what a PIA.
Keep that counter space to yourself.
This magnetic strip is perfect for so many cookie tools beyond just knives!
13. OLD FASHIONED GLASSES
Whether you are creating an ‘old-fashioned’ beverage or need a round cookie cutter, this is your go-to!
A set of 2 is perfect!
14. Multi-Purpose Cutting Board
From food prep to serving and entertaining this board has what you need!
Don’t buy multiple serving trays etc.
One that has multi-uses saves u storage space!
15. No more Stinky COOK Fingers
Goodbye stinky fingers.
If you cut the garlic, onions, chives, tomatoes, or grass, this is your bar!
NO soap is needed.
Do you prepare seafood?
Your hands smell after right?
Get this ingenious little steel bar and rinse with water working it over your fingers and hands goodbye smell!
16. Continous Stir Without Stirring
Automatic Pan Stirrer (if you are a caramel, candy maker, sauce creator, or risotto fiend)
Stop stirring and move on to what you need to do.
17. Fresh Pepper or Salt Mill
A solid brand is what you need when it comes to pepper and salt mills.
How many I have gone through in a short span of time.
So I sought out a solid brand and good gadget
Try this particular mill for either salt or pepper or buy 2 for one of each.
You will love this!
Gift a chef in your life with these too!
18. Mini Food Prep Machine
I use mine for everything from nuts to puree, herb, and hard cheeses and that’s my shortlist.
Maybe it’s one of the most used appliances in the kitchen.
Buy a good one, use it, and appreciate that your work is cut in half!
19. Blender, food processor, smoothie maker
Drop the mic!
20. Pie Bird
She redirects the steam and moisture out of your pies, pot pies, etc.
For anyone who bakes pies, she is a Must-Have.
21. Coffee Grinder
Grind your coffee beans at home, not in the store.
Our new normal dictates purchasing one of these!
22. Immersion Blender
Make sure it has more than one use!
Blender, frother, and whisk, that’s a good trio in an immersion blender!
Don’t overpay, they all break with use!
If someone says that’s not true, then they have obviously not used theirs enough to understand.
Your welcome!
23. Iced Coffee without the ICE Cubes in 60 Seconds or LESS
For those that want iced coffee and hate the ice in it.
Problem Solved.
Ice your coffee in 60 seconds or less!
24. Spin To Organize
Do you know how things in the back of the cabinet are not used as they should be?
Somehow ingredients get lost?
Use this lazy Susan pack to stop that insanity and get organized.
There are so many applications of use in a kitchen, a 2 pack will serve you well!
25. Wine Bottle Opener
Yes, many wine manufactures are moving to twist off, but there are many wines that need a wine bottle opener.
This particular one is simple to use and is perfect for opening wine!
26. Foil Wine Cutter
Inexpensive and amazing!
27. Sphere Molds Silicone
Make your own chocolate filled with nuts, or peanut butter, or cherries.
Create your own Hot Chocolate Bombs.
Perhaps bite-size desserts.
These are so easy to use and nothing sticks.
SO many different applications!
Happy shopping and essential Kitchen Stocking! ~ Dana XO
