We can all relate to having our favorites when it comes to kitchen appliances, utensils, and other gadgets. We crave good food and we want our lives to be as easy as possible when it comes to preparing our beloved meals.
Having efficient larger appliances for the larger tasks, and smaller counter top appliances to help us with the smaller tasks, helps to make cooking a delight rather than a chore. Of course, we also want efficient handheld tools for prep, cooking, serving, etc.
Until we become Inspector Gadget himself with his many attachments, we have to rely on what’s realistically available to us.
As I may have mentioned before, food is one of the loves of my life. My horizons have broadened so much through my adult years, there is no looking back now! I’m a total addict to good food and drink across a very large spectrum.
That having been said, we do tend to keep our kitchen stocked with some very useful items, ready on the “Go” for any occasion. These items make life easier for us, and add smiles to faces, all over the place.
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Personal Favorites…
Whether it be that you have a gathering you’re hosting, quick snacks you need to make for the family while managing the rest of it all, OR you have that special person on your list that loves kitchen gear….These products are worth a look!
They can all easily be found on Amazon.com with the below links. These are items we depend on regularly in our home, and highly recommend them for your own.
They all contribute something that makes the kitchen work less stressful and tedious.
1. Keurig Coffee Maker
I love my Keurig. If you don’t own one of these bad boys, you’re soo missing out. If you do own one, but have a family member who doesn’t, you should help them see the light!
Making an entire pot of coffee in this house, makes absolutely no sense. My husband and I have different preferences when it comes to our morning shot of caffeine. He likes coffee most times. I like my Earl Grey. I only ever have one cup of tea, where he might have 2 cups of coffee.
Either way, a Keurig is super convenient for both of us. He can drop a k-cup in for a cup of coffee at the size he prefers. I can drop a tea bag in my cup, hit the hot water button and be done! Every cup takes about 30 seconds. Not to mention, it’s useful when company drops by. You can offer hot liquid options to that one person we all know who prefers coffee or tea! (No Stress!)
Hint: (make sure there’s no leftover k-cups in the slot if you’re just trying to get boiling water! Had to learn that one the hard way…)
2. Programmable Slow Cooker
Yet, another item I don’t think I could live without. This is the exact model we have. I love the fact that it has a lid holder, and a lid lock feature to prevent air from seeping in during the cooking process. It is easy to program for your desired temperature and it comes with a food thermometer! The handles make for safer mobility and it is a breeze to clean. When I began really getting into using my slow cooker, I started with larger roast like meals, such as beef pot roast or corned beef. When I discovered how to prepare chili, soups, wings, etc…it was on!
3. Set Of Multi-Sized Colanders/ Food Strainers
Sometimes, I need only a small strainer for a handful of vegetables or pasta. Sometimes, I need to strain a larger quantity of food. I like having the option of three different sizes at my disposal. If I can get away with a smaller strainer, it’s less work to clean, and it takes less time to dry after washing. This set stacks and stores nicely. The sizes are perfect for anything.
4. Set of Mixing / Serving Bowls
I use my mixing bowls constantly. This particular set comes in a variety of sizes. They are perfect for mixing and serving. No need to dirty another bowl for the serving…the stainless steel aspect is already attractive. They are super easy to clean and come with a variety of attachments to make preparation a breeze. The Best part is they stack neatly and take up less space in the cupboard!
5. Wine / Bottle Opener
This is definitely a must have for any kitchen if you or your guests enjoy wine or beer on occasion. I must admit, in all my years in the hospitality business, I was never able to quite get the old school corkscrew. I had to use it plenty, but it took a bit of practice to become more talented at opening a bottle of wine with the “plain jane” version. It appears more impressive if you’re good with the old school corkscrew, but I prefer to not struggle to get to my wine. This is a super easy method and a bottle cap opener is a part of the design…Perfect!
6. Food / Meat Thermometer
Literally, one of my Best Friends! My husband is the natural food talent around here…Not me. I can’t even pretend to have his sense of timing. However, I have one thing that has helped me to become more successful in the kitchen…my trusty little food thermometer. If I wait until the food is close to the time it is suppose to be done and check the temperature, I can usually gauge how much more time I should give it before it is perfect. It has certainly helped to give me perspective on timing of various dishes, from cakes to larger roasts. My savior…
7. Multi – Function Air Fryer
When I learned all of the different things I could do with this gem, I became an instant fan. Our son and his friends love chicken fingers and french fries. It was a no brainer that the air fryer would be a hit for that reason alone! BUT then, I discovered it’s ability for yummy sandwich melts. I’m a huge fan of hot, gooey sandwiches…so is everyone else in the house. When I saw how easy it was to slap together a sandwich and take it up the notch to create a “melt”, I was in heaven. It’s great for any kind of warming up if you’re looking for a bit of crisp. We have even used it for warming up apple pie and other deserts.
Check out my post, 38 Easy Air Fryer Recipes…Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizers, Dinner, Sides, & Dessert! for the various recipes we have enjoyed, utilizing the air fryer.
8. Pot Holders & Rags
I have to admit, I am no stranger to getting burned. I have been “touched by fire” on my fingers, my hands, etc., more times than I care to admit. It is no fun. Why would that happen so often? Well, it’s usually because I’m pressed for time and more heat resistant materials are nowhere nearby. Not to mention, if you have an accidental mess along the way, you waste time locating something to clean the mess up with, thus becoming more pressed for time!
Rags and pot holders are crucial, but perhaps not something you would consider off the top of your head. Keeping these minor things easily accessible in the kitchen, will save you time and maybe a bit of pain!
9. Microwave Dish Reheating Covers
These covers get used every single day in our home, a few times a day. They are great for warming any food up, while protecting the interior of your microwave from unwanted splatters. They also keep the food from drying out during the heating process. When you’re in a pinch and need a minute or two longer to get to your meal, these covers are convenient for keeping food warm once heated. Again, another item we depend on that takes virtually no space in the cupboard.
10. Hanging Utensil Rack
Who wants to waste time rummaging through the kitchen drawers for that perfect cooking utensil, while in the process of preparing a meal? These racks are positioned right near the stove in our kitchen, with all of our most useful utensils, ready to grab! They get used, washed and dried, and returned exactly back to where everyone can see them. It is their home. It is known.
11. Durable Set Of Pots & Pans
A versatile set of pots and pans is crucial in any kitchen. You want them to be of good quality, yet easy to clean. You need a range of different sizes to accommodate a range of different meals. If the set comes with serving utensils, even better! My first set of pots/pans didn’t hold up all that long. You don’t want to purchase a set that you will have to replace a few years from now. We have become a bit more picky when choosing our kitchenware in recent years.
12. Heavy Duty Kitchen Sheers
My kitchen sheers never let me down. Every now and then, my nifty All Purpose knife becomes a bit dull. Until I find the chance to sharpen it, my sheers will more than do the job for a variety of things. Sometimes you get those pesky hard core food packages that even Hercules would have a hard time opening! My sheers will get through the task efficiently. We have used the sheers for cutting meat down to specific sizes for certain recipes. They are easy to disassemble for cleaning and take no space.
13. Glass Measuring Cup Set
I personally, prefer these types of nesting measuring cups as opposed to a large group of smaller individual cups. i find these larger volume measuring devices take the guesswork out of the game entirely. I have 3 different sizes, all marked with in between measurements. A recipe that calls for 2 1/4 cup of an ingredient requires only one measuring device instead of 2 or 3 smaller cups. We have even used these guys as a nifty storage option for small leftover items.
14. Sharp Kitchen Knife Set
Preparing a meal may in fact, require knives of various sizes. It’s always nice to have a range of different cutlery available. Of course, keeping them sharp at all times makes your task even easier. I have 1 favorite knife I use a lot of, but there are times when it is just not the right tool for the job. I need options.
15. Kitchen Aide
Not only does this handy device take on the heavy lifting role of mixing, but you can walk away from it and let it do it’s job at the pace you set. It comes with 3 different mixing attachments to cover a wide range of food prep. The stainless steel bowl itself has come in handy for our mixing needs, even when the automatic feature isn’t needed. This is certainly a kitchen accessory we make space for on the counter top. We never know when we will need it!
And Last, but certainly Not least….
16. Nice Set Of Wine / Spirit Glasses
When the meal is cooked and ready for all to enjoy, a lovely glass of wine or a cocktail to pair with it, makes the effort that much more worthwhile. Over the years, I have owned a small variety of wine glasses, for their own unique reasons. These glasses, however, always stick around. They are versatile, elegant and will never go out of style.
I hope these ideas are helpful and inspire you to Create! Of course, feedback is always encouraged, Especially when it come to Food!
I need almost everything on this list!
All very useful products, indeed 🙂
All excellent suggestions. The kitchen aid stand mixer has been a life saver for me!
I think in this house, it would have to be the air fryer. Sandwiches come out so much better, as do fries, and any other food you want to have a bit of crisp. Love it!