Some days I’m so exhausted just getting food out of the refrigerator feels like too much. On days like this, I’ll get whatever protein I have on hand and throw it on a sheet pan, and microwave a pouch of rice that will take 90 seconds to go from frozen to edible (this stuff is amazing, if you haven’t tried it). This is my version of takeout: dinner without a recipe, without a grease-splattered phone, without chopping. Dinner.
I made this creamy angel chicken rice casserole (so easy.) last week for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner and my entire family raved about it. So of course, I made it again last night. I cook pretty much every night, but there are some nights I just don’t feel like it. So I’ve compiled a list of over 40 of my favorite easy cooking gadgets and time-savers that will make your life easier when it comes to making dinner, whether you’re exhausted and don’t want to cook, or just want to streamline your cooking process (hint, hint: pre-minced garlic in a jar and amazing silicone tongs).
1. A Tiny Food Chopper That Handles Pico, Hummus, and Salad Dressing
KitchenAid KFC3516IC 3.5 Cup Food Chopper
See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
But it’s small enough and pretty enough (in a pleasing ice blue) that you won’t mind leaving it out. Other handy features include a pour spout, dishwasher safe parts and a cord wrap that stashes underneath. Best of all, this food chopper has a drizzle basin so you can, say, add olive oil to a vinaigrette as the chopper whirs along to emulsify the dressing. Or whatever else you might drizzle on foods during prep. The 3.5-cup chopper comes with a stainless steel blade and handle and has two speeds plus pulse to accommodate everything from chunky pico de gallo to extra-smooth hummus.
2. A 14-Cup Processor That Kneads Dough and Shreds Cheese
Cuisinart Food Processor 14See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Its white color with gold trim will look nice on your counter (or in your cabinet since it won’t take up much room) and it’s not as industrial-looking as other food processors. The stainless steel blades chop up everything evenly, and even just a clove of garlic won’t get tossed around and end up in random spots, and can even knead bread dough. The motor is strong and durable, so you won’t have to worry about it wearing out quickly. This food processor comes with removable disc stems that are easy to clean and shred/slice discs. The feed tube is extra-large, so you won’t have to cut your veggies down in order to fit them in. The exterior of the food processor also wipes clean easily. If you cook for a family of more than two, or you make hummus on a regular basis, this food processor is ideal for you. It’s definitely a good buy-it-once-and-use-it-for-years type of product.
4. 35-Piece Silicone and Wood Utensil Set That Won’t Scratch Nonstick Pans
Kitchen Utensils Set (35 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
While some may balk at the idea of buying 35 utensils at once, consider how often you reach for a pizza cutter, slotted spoon or pasta server. These utensils are all included here, and the silicone heads are soft and heat-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about scratching your nonstick pans. The wooden handles won’t get hot, even if you’re stirring a pot of soup that’s been simmering away for the last hour. These sturdy utensils are much nicer than the ones you get for free with purchases at other stores, and none of them are made with plastic, BPA or latex. They’d make a nice starter set for someone new to apartment living or cooking in general, or they could be used to replace the half-melted set currently residing in your utensil drawer. We love the farmhouse look, too.
5. High-Carbon Knife Set with a Rubberwood Block and Ergonomic Handles
Yatoshi 15 Piece Black Knife Block SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
For a starter block, you can generally expect one of two things: cheap-looking knives or knives that are outrageously overpriced for entry-level items. This set of 15 knives, however, manages to avoid either extreme. The blades are made from 7Cr17 high carbon steel with a Rockwell hardness rating of 57-58, so you should be able to get through several rounds of slicing before the edges need attention (think several months of dinner duty, in other words). The ABS handles are ergonomically designed with a slight contour at the bolster so your hand won’t slip forward as you saw through that butternut squash. The rubberwood knife block is substantial enough that it won’t topple over and slide around on your counter as you insert or remove knives. And the kit includes the basic knives you’d expect (chef’s knife, bread knife, santoku, paring knife), plus six steak knives, kitchen shears and a honing steel (used to keep the blade straight and realign the teeth on the knife’s edge). This set won’t pass down through generations, but it’s infinitely better than that sad collection of dull knives you’re probably using right now.
6. Big-Batch Food Processor That Kneads Dough and Purees Soup
Cuisinart Food Processor 14See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The extra-large feed tube means you won’t have to dice tomatoes and onions before you toss them in to be chopped, and the powerful-but-not-loud 720-watt motor means you can shred cheese by the two pound bag (hello, lasagna.) without breaking a sweat. Included accessories: a 4mm stainless steel chopping blade, medium shredding disc, and slicing disc (all dishwasher safe), and cleanup is easy thanks to the detachable disc stem. The only downsides I can think of: It’s a pretty big and bulky food processor and takes up quite a bit of counter space, and the included 5-year warranty only covers the motor. Other than that, I’d buy it again in a heartbeat (especially since you can even make hummus, pesto, and pie dough with this thing). If you’re regularly making dinner for more than one, this is the food processor for you.
7. Wooden-Handled Silicone Utensils That Survive 446°F Without Melting
Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set (33 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Utensil sets always seem so much better online than in person, how many times have you ordered a set that you imagined would look great in your kitchen but when it shows up it’s more teal than you expected? Not so with this one. The 33-piece set has beige silicone utensil heads with khaki wooden handles that will complement almost any kitchen décor (and the included storage container won’t clash with your countertop, either). And it’s not just a pretty face, either. The stainless steel handles won’t get rickety like plastic ones do, and the heat-resistant (up to 446°F) silicone spatulas and spoons won’t ruin your nonstick pans, which defeats the purpose of having nonstick pans in the first place. Seared a steak over a blue flame? No worries, this set can handle it. Comes with 10 extra hooks, whisks, tongs, ladles, measuring cups, and a pasta server to round out your starter apartment set or replace the utensils that are currently living in your utensil crock.
8. Self-Drying Cutting Board Set with Four Color-Coded Boards and Knives
Etespie Smart Cutting BoardSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This four-piece color-coded cutting board & knife set has dedicated boards & knives for meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, so no more cross-contamination. When you’re done cooking, rinse everything off and place in the holder. Push a button and after an hour, the entire set will be thoroughly dried & sterilised. The UV light sterilisation & high temperature drying process is super quiet (40 decibels, the sound level of a library). The holder base, where all the nasties would accumulate, is completely removable for easy cleaning. This set also includes two cups with retractable straws, great for kids.
9. Handheld Vacuum Sealer That Locks In Freshness in Five Seconds
Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum SealerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Unlike most vacuum sealers that take up as much counter space as a microwave, this one is actually compact enough to fit in your hand. This handy dandy vacuum sealer has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 1,000 seals, and all you have to do is press down on the button for five seconds in order to use it on foods such as leftover steak, half of an avocado, three slices of pizza, etc. It comes with 30 BPA-free vacuum sealer bags that are freezer/microwave safe and can be washed and re-used. Once you’re done vacuuming out all of the air in the bag, the sealer makes a whirring sound and then automatically turns itself off. If you frequently go camping or use an RV, this would make a great addition to your kitchen items. It could also help save produce from going to waste.
10. 15-Piece German-Engineered Knife Set with an Expandable In-Drawer Tray
Henckels Statement 15See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Knife blocks aren’t for everyone, especially if you’re tight on storage space, but that doesn’t mean you need to skimp on quality when it comes to your kitchen knives. This 15-piece set from Henckels comes with all of the essentials (bread, chef’s and paring knives, two Santoku knives, six steak knives, a pair of shears and a sharpening steel) in a beechwood tray that can be extended from 10” to 16” to fit your storage situation. The full-tang knives are surprisingly light (great for chopping up onions without working your wrist) but balanced enough to feel substantial. Triple-riveted handles make for a very satisfying grip. Hand wash, though they are technically dishwasher safe. Knives have been made in Solingen, Germany (where Henckels hails from) for over 100 years, and the quality and craftsmanship shows.
11. Damascus Steel Knife Set with Olive Wood Handles and a Magnetic Block
Yatoshi Knives Magnetic Kitchen Knife Block Set (6 pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Beautiful knives with stunning rippling patterns throughout the blade. Damascus VG-10 Japanese knives have a VG-10 core wrapped in 67 layers of steel. Each knife is hand sharpened at a 16 degree angle on both sides for a sharper edge than most western knives. This knife set is comprised of six knives: chef, bread, santoku, utility, and paring knife. The knives are stored in a magnetic knife block made of acacia wood and the knives can be stored on either side of the block. The knife block has a non-slip pad on the bottom so it won’t slide when you yank the chef knife out during dinner preparations. The knives have a hardness of 60 to 61 on the Rockwell scale so the edges should last. The knives have a simple and elegant olive wood handle with a nice warm color and light wood grain. The handles have a concealed tang which gives them a clean look. The 16 degree sharpening angle on each side allows the chef knife to slice a tomato with nothing more than the downward force of the knife and its own weight.
12. Four-Probe Wireless Meat Thermometer That Tracks Your Roast from Anywhere
Wireless Meat Thermometer with 4 ProbesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
And if you’re worried about that $90 cut of meat you splurged on, Inkbird’s got you covered there, too. The IP67 (waterproof) rated probes (four of ’em included) and rechargeable base (good for about 25 hours’ worth of Thanksgiving turkeys, hams and oven temperatures) are accurate to within 1.8 degrees. The probes are dishwasher safe and can magnetically attach to the oven (or grill or smoker or whatever you’re using to cook your Thanksgiving feast) wall for easy temperature monitoring. The app that works with the probes gives you 26 different preset alerts based on USDA recommended internal temperatures (or you can set your own alerts), graphs to keep track of internal and ambient temperatures and, if you opt to connect via Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth LE, you can check in on your brisket’s progress from practically anywhere (as long as there’s an internet connection, that is, with no more range limitations with Wi-Fi.). So whether you’re in the next room or across town, you’ll know when your roast has hit that sweet 135-degree spot.
13. An Aqua-Sky Mini Chopper That Goes from Pico to Hummus
KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper KFC3516AQSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
cup capacity is just right for small batches of hummus, salsa, vinaigrette, etc. (You can process a full load of a large-size food processor in one go, though you’d probably want to break that up into a few containers.) Two speeds and a pulse setting give you control over how smooth or coarse you’d like your salsa, guacamole, etc. to be. A drizzle basin allows you to slowly add ingredients like olive oil for creamy hummus and well-emulsified vinaigrette. The locking blade pulls out so you can easily pour out the contents. The bowl is dishwasher-safe. The included cord wrap tucks away underneath the base. The sky-blue color is a nice touch.
14. Nine-Piece Utensil Set with a Fingerprint-Resistant Metallic Finish
HexClad 9-Piece Kitchen Utensil SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The 9-piece set includes a fish spatula, turner, slotted turner, perforated wok spoon, spoon, solid head wok spoon, whisk, pasta server, and ladle. Utensils feature gunmetal finished PVD coated heads (same process as luxury watches.) which resist fingerprinting better than other types of coatings. Heads are made of silicone which is flexible (so your spatula won’t warp in a screaming match with your scorching hot skillet) and heat resistant up to 450°F. Utensils are dishwasher safe. Set includes a ceramic crock for utensil storage which won’t rattle around (like a whisk can in a metal crock) when you drop utensils into it. Crock has a non-slip surface.
15. Michelin-Chef-Designed Four-Piece Set Forged from Swedish Damasteel
Cangshan Thomas Keller Signature Collection 4See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
With knives made from RWL34 Damasteel, you get knives that hold their edge well and can be resharpened many times over their lifetime. RWL34 is a powdered steel that’s popular among custom knife makers because of its performance, and Cangshan ULTRA6 heat treats them to a 61 HRC, which will help the edge last even longer. The knives in this set don’t have bolsters, which allow you to pinch grip them closer to the edge for greater control, and they can be sharpened closer to the heel of the blade than you would be able to with bolsters. The knives in this set come in three sizes: an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, and a 3.5-inch paring knife. The knives are full tang, NSF certified, and come with a lifetime warranty. They’re packaged with an acacia knife block with a matte finish that highlights the wood grain. This is an excellent starter set that will last you a lifetime.
16. Seven-Blade Spiralizer Attachment That Peels, Cores, and Slices
KitchenAid 7 Blade Spiralizer Plus with PeelSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Plastic versions tend to buckle and shake when cutting particularly meaty vegetables (think butternut squash), so we appreciated the metal construction of this KitchenAid attachment. There are blades for spiralizing (in fine and medium thicknesses) as well as peelers and blades for cutting rounds (in three different sizes/diameters). The spiralized veggies were impressive (hello zoodles, sweet potato curly fries, and cucumber ribbon salad.) and came out in seconds, negating the need to ever hand-slice again. All pieces are dish-washer safe and neatly stored in a nifty case (not just a bag like other attachments). Mixer not included. If you already have a KitchenAid mixer, this is a no-brainer.
17. A Stainless Steel Kitchen Scale That Measures in Six Different Units
Food Scale, 11lb Kitchen ScaleSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
If you’re into sourdough bread, you already know that recipes are written in metric and that a kitchen scale is essential to accurate baking (after all, baking is chemistry, and chemistry requires precision.). But even if you’re not into sourdough bread, you’ll appreciate a kitchen scale that’s more precise than the typical 0.1oz scale (this one measures in 1g increments so you’ll know whether you’ve added 340g of flour or 342g, and precision makes a big difference when you’re baking). The platform is large enough to accommodate a mixing bowl, even one big enough to fit all of your cake batter ingredients. It has four sensors that allow it to accurately measure ingredients weighing anywhere from espresso beans to a 3/4-pound turkey (yes, it goes up to 11lbs.). It measures in six different units: g, oz, lbs & oz, ml, fl oz & lbs. It tares (resets the weight to zero when a container has been placed on it), has an easy-to-read LCD screen and a wipe-clean surface that doesn’t show fingerprints or collect crumbs. Batteries are included, too.
18. An All-in-One Cooking Robot That Stirs, Kneads, and Sautés for You
Wonderchef Chef Magic | AllSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
If you love Indian food but hate standing around stirring onions for 20 minutes, this countertop robot can help with that. The heated pot has a stirrer that automatically whisks whatever’s inside, while a smart screen instructs you on ideal cook speeds, temperatures and times so you can walk away from your bhuna guilt-free. The pot also kneads, chops, steams and sautés, so it should easily replace a handful of other appliances (around six, actually, according to the website). It also comes with more than 200 built-in recipes for Jain, non-veg, vegetarian and international dishes and gets updated with new ones every week over Wi-Fi (you can also modify recipes from another room). Worried it won’t turn out authentic? The recipe book was created by none other than Sanjeev Kapoor, so rest assured that your dal makhani will indeed taste like dal makhani. It’s an investment, but your time (and cabinet space) will thank you.
19. Color-Coded Cutting Boards and Knives with a UV-Sanitizing Holder
Axiom Creations Smart Cutting BoardSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Another great idea is to get four color coded cutting boards to avoid cross-contamination. For example, you can use one for raw chicken and a different one for chopping up salad ingredients. To take things one step further, grab a smart cutting board holder. It uses UV light to kill germs on your cutting boards and knives, and even has a drying function to make sure they’re squeaky clean (and dry.) before you stick them away in a drawer. The smart holder can accommodate four stainless steel knives and gives cutting boards and knives a home together. Plus, it has a sleek, minimalistic look so it’ll blend right into a modern kitchen decor (no more plastic knife holders.).
20. One-Handed Electric Grinders with a Built-In LED Spotlight
Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
I also like that the pepper mill has a USB-C charging cord, ceramic grinding core and can hold a decent amount of pepper so it doesn’t need to be refilled as often. Another useful feature is that it has different settings so you can choose how coarse or fine you want your pepper, from powder to cracked pepper, just by twisting the body of the pepper mill (instead of having to mess with the top of the mill like most pepper mills). The pepper mill also has a rubber coating on it that makes it nice to hold, even if you have olive oil on your fingers. It’s soft and slightly tacky so it doesn’t slip out of your hand. There’s even a small light that illuminates the pepper as it’s grinding which sounds silly but can come in handy if the lighting isn’t great. This pepper mill also grinds with one hand, by pushing a button, so you can stir your pasta (or whatever you’re cooking) with the other.
21. A Compact Food Chopper That Handles Salsa, Hummus, and Dressings
KitchenAid KFC3516ER 3.5 Cup Food ChopperSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
It’s red like all KitchenAid products (this one is the empire shade). This one lives on my counter (my big one lives in a cabinet). The bowl is dishwasher safe. The cord wraps under for storage. There are two speeds plus a pulse which means I can decide how chunky or smooth I want my food to be (hummus, salsa, pico, etc). The blade locks in place which means I’m not scooping out my salsa with the blade falling out into the bowl with it. There’s a little drizzle basin so I can add liquids like olive oil to a vinaigrette while it’s running. I’ve been using it a ton lately for taco night- chopping up cilantro, garlic, onion (usually about 3 1/2 cups worth of stuff).
22. A 14-Cup Workhorse That Kneads Dough and Slices Whole Vegetables
Cuisinart Food Processor 14See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Fourteen cups of bowl isn’t too shabby and means you can chop two pounds of carrots, mix a double batch of pie dough or blitz a full recipe of pesto without having to do so in shifts. The feed tube is also larger than the average, so you can add whole small potatoes and tomatoes. The motor has a five-year warranty, which we take as a sign of Cuisinart’s confidence in it. Available in brushed silver (boring) and copper (fabulous on a kitchen counter). The lid locks into place with a satisfying (slightly aggressive) snap. The shredding/slicing disc is not adjustable so you can only slice/shred one thickness per disc.
23. Handheld Mandoline That Slices Straight Onto Your Plate or Cutting Board
OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline SlicerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Mandolines are quick, efficient slicing tools for vegetables and fruit but they also have a fearsome reputation for inflicting sharp wounds. This model dispels some of that fear with a reassuringly solid build and a couple of clever touches: a non-slip handle and a foot to brace it against the counter top or over a bowl or chopping board. Like many models it offers three thickness settings (1mm, 2.5mm and 4mm) but this compact size belies its versatility: try cutting paper thin slices of courgette (zucchini) for sandwiches, medium slices of aubergine (eggplant) for a gratin or thick chunks of potato for roast. There’s even a window in the lid so you don’t have to guess how many slices you’ve cut, and no more chopping 4 cups of shallots when you only needed one. It stores neatly stood up on end and slicing with it is unexpectedly satisfying.
24. A Retro-Looking Digital Scale with a Removable Bowl for Pouring
SMEG Contemporary Digital Kitchen ScaleSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This beautiful matte jade green kitchen scale from Smeg is the kind of kitchen tool you won’t want to store away in a cabinet (it would look great in a Wes Anderson movie). It has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 36 hours (so you won’t be looking for a CR2032 battery in the middle of cooking), a removable stainless steel bowl that can weigh up to 11 pounds (think: everything from a single egg to two batches’ worth of bread flour), and the ability to measure in grams, ounces, and milliliters. It’s pricier than your average kitchen scale, but totally worth displaying out on the counter. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll use it often, to weigh ingredients, of course, but also just because you can rinse it off, pour from it, and set it back on the counter.
25. An Immersion Blender in Pistachio That Purées Soup Right in the Pot
KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender KHBV53See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The patented nonstick coating protection pan guard is a great idea, as is the speed control trigger to help keep soups from exploding out of the pot while blending. The stainless steel, dishwasher-safe 8-inch arm is removable for easy cleaning. The included 3-cup, BPA-free jar comes with a lid, so remember to use it when making smoothies. And yes, KitchenAid has jumped on the pistachio bandwagon with this appliance, so you’ll be more apt to leave it out for everyone to see (as opposed to shoving it back into a drawer like other less-than-awe-inspiring stick blenders). Overall, this hand blender is heavier (in a good way) and quieter than those that came before it.
26. Six Stackable Kitchen Tools That Travel Together in One Tidy Bundle
Pisol Kitchen Unique Gadgets Set 6 PiecesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The Herb Stripper will save you precious prep time if you’ve ever painstakingly stripped the leaves off of a rosemary sprig. All of the blades are 430 stainless steel and the handles are ABS plastic that won’t slip, even if your hands are a little greasy. The six-piece set includes a pizza cutter, bottle opener, peeler, ginger grinder, herb stripper, and cheese grater. The whole set is dishwasher-safe, too.
27. Five-Blade Scissors That Mince Fresh Herbs in One Snip
2026 Upgraded Herb ScissorsSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The five stainless steel blades (held together with three sturdy rivets, so there’s no wobbling action when you’re using it) chop herbs like cilantro, parsley, mint and chives without crushing them like a chef’s knife does (which bruises the leaves and turns them black). The TPR-coated handles have just enough give to make repeated chopping/mincing actions easy on your hands (like when you’re mincing a ridiculous amount of dill for tzatziki). It’s got a sheath that doubles as a comb for removing pesky herbs caught between the blades (and a tiny cleaning brush, too). It’s nerdy. It’s useful. It’s a kitchen gadget that will see actual use in a home cook’s kitchen. It’s a great gift for the windowsill herb gardener.
28. Touchscreen Toaster That Knows the Difference Between a Bagel and Brioche
Revolution R180 Connect Touchscreen Smart ToasterSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
InstaGLO 2.0 toasting technology reaches searing temperatures in just 2 seconds for perfectly toasted bread with a steaming center (picture steak.) Extra-large bagel slots so you can stop tossing your bagel in and holding your breath, hoping it doesn’t get stuck Three-step control lets you customize the type of bread, your level of doneness, and whether or not you’re starting from the freezer, and learns your preferences Wi-Fi enabled, so next time you’re standing around waiting for your sourdough to toast, you can find out what the weather’s going to be like Pairs beautifully with the new Toastie Press attachment (sold separately), perfect for making butter-free grilled cheese sandwiches If you’re into toast, this will never, ever let you down.
29. A 14-Cup Food Processor That Kneads Dough and Purées Soup
Cuisinart Food Processor 14See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Fourteen cups, folks. FOURTEEN. This is a big, bad, powerful (720 watts.) food processor, and it’s going to outlast you (the motor comes with a five year warranty, but I suspect it’ll last much longer than that), and it’s one of those appliances you’ll buy once and never have to replace again. It’s also dishwasher safe (all components, that is), and while the black stainless finish lends a certain chic vibe to it, it’s really all about functionality. It comes with three discs (a shredder, medium grates, slicer, 4 mm and chopper blade) and has a generous feed tube (big enough to fit whole tomatoes) and it chomps on pizza dough like it was its job (and for lesser food processors, it is, sadly). It also dices an onion, whole, in FOUR. SECONDS. (well okay maybe a few more seconds if you’re including the time it takes to peel and chop it in half first, but still, four seconds of pulsing is all it took to dice it fine).
30. Wireless Meat Thermometer That Texts You from 285 Feet Away
KitchenAid Smart Wireless Rechargeable Meat Thermometer |See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
This wireless meat thermometer is perfect for cooking steak, smoking ribs, or any other type of meat. It keeps track of internal and external temps, and it alerts you when it’s time to flip, rest, or pull your meat. This means you’ll never have to wonder if your smoker is getting too hot again. The meat probe can go in the dishwasher and withstands 6 hours of soaking. It charges on the charging dock which takes 45 minutes for a full charge and will last about 24 hours so you’ll never run out of battery in the middle of your next cooking project. This thermometer has Bluetooth connectivity and will alert you with temps and notifications from up to 285 feet away. Grab yourself a beverage and kick back and relax while the meat thermometer is doing it’s job. If you’re anything like me and have too many pairs of tongs this would be a great addition to your smoker/grill.
31. Heat-Resistant Utensil Set That Spins on Its Own Carousel
Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel Nylon Kitchen UtensilSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Utensil crocks can be annoying to use. For example, if your pot is about to boil over, it can be a hassle to dig through a utensil crock to find the slotted spoon you need to skim off the top. With the tool carousel, you can simply spin the carousel and grab whichever utensil you need, as the set comes with a slotted spoon, spaghetti server, solid spoon, slotted turner, flexible turner, and ladle. The set is made of high quality materials. The utensil heads are made of heat resistant nylon and can hold up to temperatures as high as 392°F. The utensil handles have silicone grips that can hold up to temperatures as high as 520°F. The handles are also weighted so the head of the utensil will rest on top when set on a flat surface (this is helpful for making sure the sauce covered portion of the utensil doesn’t rub on your counter top leaving an unsightly streak). The tools have a nice pale sky blue color to them which is nicer than the color you typically see with plastic utensil sets in this price range.
32. Vacuum-Insulated Cocktail Shaker With a Built-In Jigger Lid
Elevated Craft Hybrid Cocktail ShakerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The shaker also comes with a twist and lock lid, so you’ll never have to deal with the hassle of a shaker lid that fuses shut, or liquid seeping out of the lid after shaking. This shaker’s double wall vacuum insulation also helps to prevent condensation on the shaker, and will keep your fingers from getting numb during those long mixing sessions. The lid doubles as a measuring jigger, which is handy if you’re tired of dealing with mismatched pieces that make up your measuring set. It can accurately measure anywhere from 1/4oz to 6oz, and comes with a built in strainer for easy pouring at a 45° angle. Constructed out of pro grade 18/8 stainless steel, so you won’t have to worry about getting that tin can taste from lesser quality materials. The shaker is ergonomically designed for the ultimate in user comfort. If you’re looking for a quality cobbler shaker, this one should be at the top of your list.
33. Bluetooth Meat Probe That Tracks Internal and Ambient Temps at Once
MEATER Plus: Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat ThermometerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
I’m sure there’s a great use for this in the office, but I’m most looking forward to steak night with these, and maybe even using it to monitor my oven temperature on Thanksgiving day (it’s a must-have for that holiday.). The two included probes (on a stainless steel skewer) measure internal temperatures (for meat) up to 212°F, as well as outside temperatures (like in an oven) up to 527°F. The charger for the unit acts as a Bluetooth repeater, so you can leave the kitchen and roam freely throughout the house while monitoring your brisket. And for those who are afraid of under-cooking chicken thighs, there’s a cooking app with instructions and even cooking time estimates. Oh, and everything is dishwasher safe, so cleaning up after all of that pork fat isn’t a chore.
34. A Vacuum Marinator That Flavors Steak in 15 Minutes Flat
STX International Chef’s Elite Vacuum Marinator &See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
If you want a steak dinner on a weeknight and you’ve been meaning to try vacuum marinating, this could be for you. Vacuum marinating isn’t just a gimmick for fancy restaurants or cooking shows. It’s science. The vacuum removes air from the meat to create tiny pockets and the marinade fills in those pockets. Your meat will be fully marinated in 15 minutes instead of overnight. This also comes with an adjustable timer with an auto shut off feature so you can set it and walk away, a spiky meat tenderizer, silicone traction bands for the meat and drum and the drum is even dishwasher safe (great for after you’ve made chicken thighs in a teriyaki marinade). The noise level is nice and low too so it won’t wake the house when you’re making flank steak for your next dinner party. This would also be a great gift for someone who never remembers to marinate their meat the night before.
35. An AI Cooking Assistant That Chops, Stirs, and Knows 750 Recipes
upliance AI Cooking Assistant | 750+ RecipesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Whether it’s Pav bhaji on Tuesday or rajma on Wednesdays or that time when you can’t decide what to cook for dinner and pasta magically wins the debate, Indian cooking needs patience and dedication. If you’re one of those people who love to whip up authentic Indian meals at home, this countertop cooker could just make your life a whole lot easier. This countertop AI-enabled cooker can sauté, chop, steam and stir, basically doing everything for you. All you need to do is add the ingredients and voila. Dinner’s ready. Forget standing in front of the stove waiting for the onions to turn that perfect golden color, this smart gadget can take care of that too. Packed with over 750 Indian and international recipes (that get updated every week on the app), this AI-enabled kitchen helper comes with a built-in scale, self-cleaning function and can even be monitored over Wi-Fi. The built-in scale is just the cherry on top. Available on the brand’s website, the countertop AI-enabled cooker can be a game-changer for home chefs. One important thing to note is that this appliance runs on 220-240V so if you’re in the US, you’ll have to purchase a transformer separately.
36. 54 Kitchen Tools That Cover Every Cooking Task You Have
Home Hero 54 (Pack of 54)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The set of 54 utensils, spoons, tongs, whisks, spatulas, measuring spoons/cups, gadgets, etc. has a lot of great items for stocking that first apartment kitchen (or re-stocking after a move) or replacing that spatula that’s been in your kitchen since college (you know the one…it’s melted). It’s a great gift because it doesn’t feel boring. It’s got that nice practical gift energy. All the utensil heads are silicone with stainless steel handles, making them nonstick and dishwasher safe. The sturdy, brushed silver handles don’t look cheap/dorm-y but instead have a nice modern look.
37. Six German Stainless Knives in a Glossy Retro Block
Smeg Black Stainless Steel Knife Block SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The knives are German stainless steel (there are six: vegetable, utility, meat, santoku, bread and chef) with polished stainless steel handles that are weighted but not ostentatious. The knives are stored in a base made of acacia wood with anti-slip feet (important if you’re grabbing the santoku to chop an onion) and a glossy powder-coated carbon steel finish. This isn’t a knife starter block, it’s a whole shebang. Just make sure you’re happy with the look of the block (it also comes in Smeg’s signature cream color) because you’ll need to hand wash it all to keep that finish glossy.
38. Nesting Mixing Bowls With Non-Slip Bottoms and 26 Kitchen Gadgets
Umite Chef Thickened Heavy (26 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The stainless steel has a mirror finish on the inside and matte on the outside. The nesting mixing bowls set includes six mixing bowls with lids that seal and range in size from one quart to seven quarts. A grater clips on to the side of the bowls so that you don’t have to pull out a cutting board just to grate something. The bottoms are silicone and color-coded to match the lids and help the bowls to stay put on your countertop when mixing or whipping thicker batters or creams. No more mixing with one hand and trying to keep the bowl from sliding around on your counter top with the other hand (or your hip). The lids seal for storage and can all be nested and stored in one cabinet space. My favorite feature is that the lid on the seven-quart bowl has a removable circle so that you can pour its contents into, say, a blender without having to completely remove the lid.
39. A 14-Cup Food Processor That Kneads Dough and Shreds Cheese
Cuisinart Food Processor 14See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
A full pound of flour will spin in the 14-cup work bowl (so bread dough, anyone?) without a hint of the strained groaning you get from lesser processors when they realize they’re about to give up the ghost. Eight servings of soup base? Pesto by the double batch? Slaw for a crowd? Done, done and done, in less than a minute. Stainless steel blades and a humongous feed chute (fewer pre-chopped ingredients.) mean that prep work will be a cinch. And when you’re finished, you can take pride in the fact that your kitchen counter graces a kitchen appliance that doesn’t look like one, thanks to a cream finish and simple lines. And should you want to wipe it down, you can do that, too. Not for those on a budget or with limited counter space, but if you’re ready to kick your food prep up a notch and do more of the cooking yourself (hello, hummus, goodbye, takeout.), this baby is worth the splurge.
40. Quiet Vacuum Sealer That Locks 50 Bags in 20 Minutes
Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer MachineSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Instead of re-inflating overnight like a regular freezer bag, Globefish Technology (patented, apparently) ensures that your vacuum sealed bags will stay vacuum sealed by pumping out air with over twice the force of other vacuum sealers. It has 4 vacuum pumps, so you can vacuum seal 50 bags in 20 minutes (perfect for batch cooking Sundays.). The easy-lock handle opens and closes with one hand. It has a built-in bag cutter, bag roll storage and even Pulse Vac technology for sealing liquids (hello soups, marinades and that curry you’re not brave enough to put in a tupperware). It includes a bag roll and 10 bags to get you started. Instead of sounding like a construction power tool, it’s only 65 decibels, which is the volume of a conversation, instead of the usual volume of a small lawnmower for countertop vacuum sealers. It comes with a 3 year warranty, so they must think it’ll last.
41. An Immersion Blender With Five Speeds and a Retro Cream Finish
SMEG Handheld Immersion Blender with BeakerSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The shaft unscrews from the handle so you won’t be cleaning out a dripping, awkwardly-shaped object. There’s a beaker, chopping bowl and wire whisk that most other immersion blenders don’t have (yes, other immersion blenders pretend they’re stand-alone blenders too). Five speeds. A powerful, 350-watt motor. The stainless-steel shaft is detachable, making clean-up easy. Ergonomically-designed handle with a non-slip grip (even with wet hands.). And a beautiful cream color that’s unlike any other small kitchen appliance color. Smeg knows that this item won’t be put away in a cabinet because they design with the idea that their appliances will be constantly out on display.
42. Damascus Steel Knives That Stick to a Walnut Magnetic Block
Yatoshi Knives Magnetic Kitchen Knife Block Set (6 pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
If you want to impress your dinner guests with your culinary talents, Damascus knives may be the ultimate accessory. Damascus knives are coveted by chefs because of their exquisite beauty and outstanding performance. Damascus steel knives are constructed by layering steel and then welding the layers together to create a knife with unmatched strength and durability. The resulting blade boasts a stunning design that is unique to each individual knife. Damascus knives are prized possessions in many kitchens and make a great gift for the chef in your life. Each knife in this set features a razor-sharp VG-10 cutting core that’s surrounded by 67 layers of stainless steel. Hand sharpened to a 16° double bevel angle, the knives will slice through a ripe tomato without the slightest hint of a sawing motion. The knives are completed with ergonomic G10 (fiberglass) handles that offer a secure grip, even when wet. The walnut knife block displays your six knives on the outside (chef, bread, santoku, utility, and paring knives), rather than concealing them in slots, thanks to cleverly-placed magnets.