16 Must-Have Kitchen Accessories, Kitchen Tools and Gadgets

Are you a home cook looking to equip your kitchen with the best and most essential tools, kitchen accessories and gadgets? For any home chef, creating delicious meals starts with having all the necessary items in their kitchen.

White kitchen set with coffee maker and appliances in small cozy coffee shop with flowers and table in daylight

Whether you’re just starting out as a novice cook or an experienced one who loves experimenting with new recipes — there are certain kitchen accessories, tools and gadgets that every good cook must have stashed away in their cupboards, drawers and on the bench-top.

From dutch ovens to food thermometers – here is our definitive list of 16 must-have kitchen accessories, tools and gadgets which will bring convenience into your cooking!

1. Dutch Oven: Perfect for braising, stewing and making casseroles.

A Dutch oven is a versatile and durable kitchen appliance that is great for both outdoor and indoor cooking. It is made of heavy cast iron with a tight-fitting lid and can be used for a variety of cooking methods such as baking, roasting, simmering, and braising. Its thick walls and tight-fitting lid help to retain heat and moisture, making it ideal for slow-cooking dishes like stews, soups, and casseroles.

The heavy lid can also be used as a skillet, making the Dutch oven a multi-functional tool for cooking. Its durable construction means it can last for many years, making it a great investment for any kitchen. Whether you’re cooking on the stovetop, in the oven, or even over an open flame, a Dutch oven is a useful and reliable kitchen appliance that is sure to become a staple in your cooking arsenal.

2. Instant drying dish pad

An Instant drying dish pad is a highly useful kitchen tool that saves time and effort while washing dishes. The pad dries instantly, reducing the risk of bacteria growth, making it a hygienic option. It also prevents any smudging or water marks on delicate dishes and glassware.

The quick-drying feature makes it perfect for busy households, where people are always in a hurry to get their chores done. Additionally, its durable and absorbent material means it can be used multiple times, reducing the need for frequent replacements. An Instant drying dish pad is an essential kitchen tool for anyone who wants to make their dishwashing process more efficient and hygienic.

3. Kitchen Shears: An easy way to cut through tough foods like chicken, cheese, and vegetables.

Kitchen Shears are a multi-functional kitchen tool that are essential for any kitchen. They are designed to easily cut through tough materials such as chicken bones, seafood, vegetables, and even cardboard boxes. They are made with high-quality stainless steel blades that stay sharp for a long time, and the ergonomic handle makes them comfortable to hold and use.

Kitchen Shears can be used for a variety of tasks such as cutting herbs, trimming meat, snipping food packaging, or even opening tough plastic containers. They are also dishwasher safe, making cleaning a breeze. With their versatility and durability, Kitchen Shears are a must-have tool for any kitchen.

4. Cutting Board: A must have for preparing food! Choose one that is large enough for whatever you’re cutting up!

Cutting boards are a staple kitchen tool that can be found in almost every kitchen. They provide a surface to chop, dice, and mince ingredients without damaging countertops and tables.

Cutting boards also help to keep food hygienic as they can be washed and sanitized between uses, preventing the spread of bacteria. Additionally, using a cutting board can extend the lifespan of kitchen knives by protecting them from blunt edges caused by chopping on hard surfaces like countertops.

Cutting boards come in different materials such as wood, plastic, and bamboo, each with its own unique properties, but all providing a practical and essential tool for the kitchen.

5. Chef’s Knife: Invest in a good quality chef’s knife to make slicing and chopping easier.

A Chef’s Knife is a versatile and essential kitchen tool that is used by both amateur and professional chefs alike. It is designed to handle a variety of tasks such as chopping, slicing, dicing, mincing, and even crushing. The blade of a Chef’s Knife is usually around 8 inches long, making it perfect for handling large produce like vegetables and fruits.

The broad, heavy blade also provides enough weight to easily chop through tougher ingredients like meat, poultry, and fish.

The comfortable handle of a Chef’s Knife provides a secure grip, allowing for precision and control when cutting. With its versatility, durability, and convenience, a Chef’s Knife is a must-have for anyone who loves to cook.

6. Garlic Press: Great for mincing garlic without having to chop it.

A garlic press is a must-have kitchen tool for anyone who loves to cook. It is a small tool that can make a big impact in the kitchen. It is used to crush and mince garlic, making it easier to add to a variety of dishes. This tool eliminates the need for manual mincing, saving time and reducing the mess that comes with using a knife.

The garlic press is easy to clean and maintain, and it is also durable, making it a long-lasting addition to the kitchen. Whether you are cooking a simple pasta dish or an elaborate meal, a garlic press is a tool that will make the task of adding garlic much easier and more convenient.

7. Citrus Juicer: Makes juicing lemons, limes and oranges easy!

A Citrus Juicer is an essential kitchen tool for those who love to incorporate fresh juices into their daily routine. This handy device is designed to extract the maximum amount of juice from citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, with minimal effort. The juicer features a cone-shaped design that allows you to effortlessly press down on the fruit to extract the juice.

The cone is usually made of stainless steel or plastic, which ensures durability and prevents rust. Additionally, the juicer is easy to clean and can be disassembled for convenient storage.

With a Citrus Juicer, you can enjoy fresh, natural juices without having to worry about seeds or pulp in your drink. This kitchen tool is not only useful for making juices but can also be used for cooking and baking. Overall, a Citrus Juicer is a must-have for any kitchen.

8. Grater/Zester: Perfect for grating cheese, vegetables, and even chocolate!

A Grater/Zester is a kitchen tool that is essential for many culinary tasks. This tool is designed to grate and zest various ingredients such as cheese, fruits, and vegetables.

With its sharp blades, it allows for easy and quick grating, making food preparation a breeze. Moreover, the zester component of the tool is perfect for adding a burst of flavor to dishes by creating thin and delicate zest strips from citrus fruits. This not only enhances the taste of the dish but also adds an attractive visual element to it.

Whether you are a professional chef or an amateur cook, a Grater/Zester is a versatile and useful kitchen tool that should not be missing in your kitchen.

9. Colander: This allows you to drain excess liquid from pasta or vegetables quickly and easily without making a mess in your sink!

A colander is a perforated bowl-shaped kitchen tool used for straining liquids from solids such as pasta, vegetables, and fruits. It is an essential kitchen item that is useful in many different ways.

  • The holes in the colander allow the liquid to drain out while retaining the solid food inside.
  • The handles make it easy to hold and pour the strained food into another container.
  • The sturdy material used in the construction of a colander, such as stainless steel or plastic, makes it durable and long-lasting.

Colanders come in various sizes to accommodate different quantities of food, making it a versatile kitchen tool. With its ease of use and multiple functions, a colander is a must-have kitchen tool for every home cook.

10. Pepper Mill: Perfect for freshly grinding peppercorns and adding more flavor to your food!

A pepper mill is a kitchen tool that is used to grind black peppercorns into freshly ground pepper. It is one of many essential kitchen accessories that are not only convenient but also adds a burst of flavor to a variety of dishes. The pepper mill allows you to grind the pepper to your desired coarseness, which can be fine or coarse depending on the recipe.

The fresher the pepper, the stronger the flavor and aroma, making a pepper mill a great addition to any kitchen. It is also a great tool for adjusting the amount of pepper you add to your dishes, as you can easily control the grind size and amount of pepper that is dispensed. Overall, a pepper mill is a useful kitchen tool that adds flavor and convenience to your cooking.

11. Timer: A great way to keep track of how long you’ve been cooking something so it won’t get over- or undercooked!

A kitchen timer is a versatile and essential tool in any kitchen. It helps keep track of cooking times and ensures that meals are cooked to perfection. The timer can be set to count down the minutes and seconds, allowing cooks to multi-task while keeping an eye on the cooking process. It can also be used as a reminder to stir a dish, check on a cake, or take a dish out of the oven.

The timer is a must-have for busy home cooks who want to cook a variety of meals in a limited time. Additionally, it helps reduce the risk of overcooking and ensures that food is cooked evenly and thoroughly.

With its compact size and portability, the kitchen timer can be used anywhere in the kitchen, making it a valuable kitchen tool for anyone who loves to cook.

12. Instant Read Thermometer: Essential if you want to make sure your meat is cooked properly without drying it out.

This handy device allows you to quickly and accurately measure the internal temperature of your food, ensuring that it is cooked to perfection and safe to eat. With just a few seconds of waiting, you can know if your steak is rare, medium, or well-done, or if your chicken is fully cooked.

This eliminates the guesswork and reduces the risk of foodborne illness. An Instant Read Thermometer is also helpful for baking, as it can be used to check the temperature of ingredients like milk or melted chocolate, ensuring that they are at the correct temperature for optimal results. Overall, this kitchen accessory is a versatile tool that every home cook should have in their kitchen.

13. Apple Corer: Easily and quickly remove core from apples in a single motion, perfect for making pies!

An Apple Corer is a kitchen accessory that is designed to make the process of removing the core from an apple quick and easy. The tool typically consists of a metal rod with a sharpened end and a handle that provides a comfortable grip. With this tool, users can easily remove the core from an apple with just one quick motion.

This not only makes the process faster, but it also results in a more uniform shape, making it easier to slice or chop the apple. Additionally, the Apple Corer is an essential tool for those who are looking to create healthy snacks or desserts, as it makes it easy to create uniform pieces that can be used for a variety of recipes.

14. Vegetable Peeler: Get perfectly peeled potatoes, carrots and other vegetables with just one stroke of this easy-to-use tool.

A vegetable peeler is a highly useful kitchen accessory for preparing vegetables for cooking and consumption. With its sharp blade and ergonomic design, this handy tool can quickly and easily peel off the skin from a variety of vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and zucchini, without much effort. The blade is designed to glide effortlessly across the surface of the vegetable, making the process of peeling a lot faster and easier.

It is an excellent tool for creating thin and even ribbons of vegetables, perfect for adding to salads or stir-fry dishes. Whether you are an experienced cook or just starting out in the kitchen, a vegetable peeler is one of those essential kitchen accessories that will make your cooking and food preparation tasks much more convenient and enjoyable.

15. Baking Tray: Perfect for baking cakes, cookies and other sweet treats!

A Baking tray is a flat rectangular or square-shaped metal sheet with low sides, used for baking various food items in the oven. It is a useful kitchen accessory as it allows for even heat distribution during the baking process, resulting in perfectly baked goods every time. Baking trays are also easy to clean, as they can be wiped down with a damp cloth or placed in the dishwasher. They are versatile, as they can be used for roasting vegetables, cooking meats, and making desserts, among other things. The non-stick surface of many baking trays also prevents food from sticking, making it easier to remove the finished product without causing any damage. With its numerous benefits, a baking tray is a must-have item in every kitchen.

16. Kitchen Scales: Essential if you want to get precise measurements when baking or cooking.

Kitchen Scales are an essential kitchen appliance for any home cook or professional chef. They are used to accurately measure the weight of ingredients, which is crucial in many recipes. Without a kitchen scale, it can be difficult to determine the correct amount of ingredients needed, leading to variations in the final product. Kitchen scales are useful for portion control and tracking food intake for those who are watching their weight or following a specific diet.

They are also helpful in determining the weight of ingredients when converting a recipe from metric to imperial measurements. With the use of kitchen scales, one can achieve consistent results and achieve their desired outcome every time.

Creating delicious meals at home starts with having all the right tools and kitchen accessories for a top-tier kitchen.

With this definitive list of 16 must-have kitchen accessories, tools and gadgets, you’ll be sure to have everything you need to whip up amazing dishes for your family and friends. So what are you waiting for? Equip your kitchen today and become the best home cook you can be!

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