The best kitchen gadgets are the ones that make cooking tasks easier and more efficient without cluttering up your kitchen drawers. Moreover, they shouldn’t break the bank. In this article, I will share with you some affordable and useful kitchen gadgets that I personally use and recommend. These gadgets may not be essential, but they have become indispensable in my kitchen when I need to get dinner on the table quickly.
One kitchen gadget that I highly recommend is the Victorinox Honing Steel. A dull chef’s knife can make dicing vegetables or slicing corn cob a frustrating and time-consuming task. A honing steel helps to maintain your knife blades by realigning them. Consistent use of a honing steel can reduce the need for actually sharpening your knives to once every six months to a year. The 10-inch Swiss Classic Honing Steel from Victorinox is an affordable option that comes with a comfortable handle, making it easy to master the motion of honing a knife. Best of all, it costs less than $30.
If you cook meat, an instant-read thermometer is a must-have kitchen gadget. It takes the guesswork out of braising, searing, and roasting animal protein, ensuring that your dishes are both safe to eat and delicious. The Lavatools Javelin instant-read thermometer is not only affordable (priced at $27), but also accurate to within a single degree Fahrenheit. It features an antimicrobial coating that claims to inhibit 99.9 percent of pathogen growth. Plus, it comes in nine different colors, including a cheerful “Wasabi” green hue.
Another kitchen gadget that I find essential is a food scale. It streamlines every aspect of cooking, especially meal-prep, by eliminating the need for measuring cups and providing more accurate measurements overall. The OXO Good Grips Food Scale is a stainless steel model that comes with a handy pull-out display, making it easy to read even when you have a large bowl on top. It also has an imperial/metric toggle, making it versatile for different recipes. Although it is slightly pricier than other food scales at under $60, it is worth the investment.
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When it comes to measuring spoons, I have found that magnetic ones are the most practical and convenient. The Prepworks by Progressive Magnetic Measuring Spoons are thoughtfully designed with both round and narrow ends. The narrow end is perfect for measuring spices as it can fit into most jars. Magnetic spoons are easier to separate and clean, making them a great addition to any kitchen.
A Microplane grater is a game-changer in the kitchen. Unlike a box grater, a Microplane is smaller and easier to maneuver over bowls and dishes. The Microplane Professional Series grater is my go-to choice for grating cheese and zesting ingredients. The “Fine” model is perfect for zesting, while the “Ribbon” variant is great for shaving chocolate and cheese. Its wide blade and clean design make it a superior option to a traditional box grater.
A vacuum sealer has become an affordable kitchen gadget that can help reduce waste and prolong the shelf life of meat and produce. The Zwilling Handheld Vacuum Sealer Machine is budget-friendly and perfect for small kitchens. It supports an ecosystem of reusable bags and containers, which helps reduce plastic waste. The bags are freezer- and dishwasher-safe, making them easy to sanitize. The only drawback is that the vacuum sealer charges over micro-USB, which may be inconvenient for some users.
A silicone utensil rest is a simple yet indispensable tool in the kitchen. It helps keep your cooking tools within reach while reducing cleanup. After you finish cooking, you can simply toss it into the dishwasher. Zulay Kitchen offers a silicone utensil rest for just $10, making it an affordable and practical kitchen gadget.
An electric kettle is another kitchen essential, making tasks like boiling water for tea or coffee easier and faster. The Cuisinart JK-17P1 Cordless Electric Kettle is an affordable option that boils water quickly and looks attractive on the countertop. While there are more expensive kettles with multiple temperature settings, I believe that for most people, a basic and affordable electric kettle like the Cuisinart JK-17P1 is sufficient.
Lastly, a salt cellar is a must-have for anyone who wants to properly season their dishes. The acacia wood salt cellar from Crate and Barrel comes with an attached lid, so you never have to worry about losing or separating the two parts. It’s a stylish and functional addition to your kitchen.
In conclusion, these affordable and useful kitchen gadgets can make cooking tasks easier and more efficient without taking up valuable space in your kitchen drawers. From a honing steel to a vacuum sealer, each gadget serves a specific purpose and can enhance your cooking experience. Consider adding these gadgets to your kitchen arsenal to make meal preparation a breeze.
