Cooking up a storm in the kitchen is a great way to spend an evening. Not only is it easier to eat healthy when you make your own food, but it’s also a great way to exercise your creativity and play around with exciting new tools and utensils.
Whether you’re looking for a gift to give your foodie friends or are ready to graduate to Master Chef level yourself, read on for nine fun kitchen gadgets that can help you kick your cooking up a notch.
1. Stand Mixer
If you spend any time baking or cooking for a crowd, you’ll soon find that a stand mixer becomes your best friend. They’re versatile workhorses that often become one of the most-used appliances in a chef’s kitchen.
When trying to choose the right one, remember that a stand mixer is an investment that will last for decades to come. Take some time to read reviews and find a high-quality one that can handle even the most difficult tasks, like kneading bread dough.
2. French Press
If you’re a coffee lover but aren’t a fan of the hands-on process of making a pour-over, then a french press is the cool kitchen gadget for you. Simply add a measured amount of coffee grounds into the press, pour hot water in, put the lid back on, and let it steep for a few minutes. Once time’s up, slowly press the top handle down to filter out the grounds and pour yourself a perfect cup of joe.
Not a coffee drinker? From brewing loose leaf and herbal teas to infusing and emulsifying oil and vinegar, french presses have several uses that may surprise you.
3. Ceramic Cookware
We’ve known for quite some time now that Teflon-coated pans aren’t the safest way to prepare our food. But if traditional non-stick coatings are out, how do you keep food from sticking to your pans short of using tons of oil?
Enter: ceramic cookware.
Ceramic-coated pots, pans, and skillets make cooking even difficult foods like crepes and omelets a breeze. They’re lightweight, easily washable, and don’t contain any dangerous chemicals. They’re also available in a wide range of colors to match your kitchen decor.
If you’re ready to start shopping, check out this Greenlife ceramic cookware review for some insight into the value of ceramic pots and pans.
4. Guacamole Saver
Guacamole and tortilla chips are one of the best combinations around when it comes to party snacks. The catch? Guac turns brown after being exposed to air, meaning you have to make it right before serving for that beautiful bright green color.
If you’ve skipped this dip in the past because you can’t make it ahead or save the leftovers, we have the chef tool for you. The Guac-Lock Container from Casabella has an adjustable base that squeezes out air, making for a tight seal and guacamole that stays fresh for days.
5. 8-in-1 Bottle Gadget
One of the most unique cookware items on this list, the Bin 8 Bottle Kitchen Tool is much more than meets the eye. At first glance, it looks like an empty wine bottle with stripes in the middle. Take it apart, though, and you’ll quickly see that it’s eight must-have kitchen items in one space-saving package.
Stacked inside are a funnel, spice grater, egg masher, and cheese grater. You’ll also find a juicer for citrus fruits, a jar lid opener, and an egg separator. Finally, the base of the bottle is a handy measuring cup, making this the perfect set for anyone with a tiny cooking space.
6. Butter Churner
Many of us are looking for ways to live more sustainably and cut back on the amount of waste we produce. One great way to do this is to avoid buying items that are overpackaged or wrapped in non-recyclable materials.
Butter is often wrapped in coated paper or foil that ends up in the landfill. Instead of buying it pre-packaged, try getting cream in a recyclable bottle and making butter at home with a countertop butter churner. It takes a bit of effort, but you’ll be able to crank out delicious butter that tastes like it’s fresh from the farm.
Churning your butter at home also makes it easy to create sweet and savory infusions. Try adding honey and cinnamon for a copycat Texas Roadhouse spread, or throw in some fresh garden herbs and salt to eat on a toasted baguette.
7. Butter Spreader Knife
Now that your fridge is stocked with some delicious, fresh butter, it’s time to upgrade the way you spread it.
Gone are the days of tearing up the surface of your toast by trying to spread a lump of cold butter across it. Instead, get yourself a butter spreader knife. Its blade has small holes that shred cold butter so it glides right over even soft slices of bread.
8. Whisk Wiper
Scrubbing out a used wire whisk is one of the most time-consuming parts of kitchen clean-up, especially when it’s full of something sticky like cake batter or frosting. Thankfully, the whisk wiper makes this job a breeze and ensures that all your precious batter ends up in the pan instead of the sink.
Just slip the whisk wiper onto your whisk before mixing and slide it back off when you’re done, taking all the stuck-on batter with it. Then, you can also use it to scrape the sides of your mixing bowl clean.
9. Triple-Blade Peeler
Do you have a drawer full of miscellaneous vegetable peelers? You’ve probably kept them all around because one works on potatoes, one works on carrots, and one works on citrus peels—but they aren’t interchangeable.
If you’re ready to ditch them and free up some space, a triple-blade peeler is the best kitchen utensil for you. Utensils like the Prepara Trio-Tri Blade Peeler let you peel hard and soft skins alike with the same device. The Trio-Tri Blade can even julienne vegetables so you can make fancy cold salads in a snap.
Use These Fun Kitchen Gadgets to Whip up Something Delicious
Ready to get cooking? With these fun kitchen gadgets and chef tools by your side, you’ll be well on your way to creating gourmet masterpieces in no time.
If you’re looking for more reviews and helpful content like this, make sure to check out the other articles on our site.