Top 10 kitchen appliances to hone + elevate your cookings skills to MasterChef level

Top 10 kitchen appliances to hone + elevate your cookings skills to MasterChef level

If you’re a passionate lover of cooking, or you’ve recently kickstarted your cooking journey, and want to accelerate it even further in 2023, then you’ve reached the right place. Having an efficient and streamlined cooking process is the key to preparing dishes that simply taste excellent! And the number one aid you need in having an effortless process is an arsenal of great kitchen appliances.  With the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be an increasingly fun and simplified process. The right products can reduce your prep time in half, make the little cooking tasks much easier, and help you with tedious and complicated techniques. From a tiny circular grater that turns cooking into a meditative activity to a compact induction cooker that fits every conceivable cooking method in its modular stackable design – these innovative and exceptional appliances are all you need in your kitchen.

1. The Slide Toaster

The toasting process begins in the Slide toaster with an LED ring indicating the toasting level and completion. The slide-up tray has a translucent design element to it so that you can keep an eye on the toast turning perfectly brown to your delight Level of the toast crispness can be set with an adjustment dial like all other toasters we’ve seen countless times. This is ably aided by audio indications to keep the user well-informed.

Why is it noteworthy?

Harry Rigler wants to reinvent the trusted image of the toaster with a detour to the soft form design of this household kitchen appliance. That too keeps in mind the requirements of modern users, and the present as well as future design progression of kitchen interiors. Rather than being a pop-up toaster like most out there, this is the Slide toaster which rolls the toasting grill to the side like a rollable smartphone. The tray slides out – you put in the bread and slide it back in.

What we like

  • Audio indications to update the user on their toast
  • Unique slide-up tray

What we dislike

  • The radically changed design may not be easily accepted in households

2. Small Living Kitchens

Falper has dipped its toes into kitchen design with the Small Living Kitchens concept. With the Small Living Kitchens, Falper wanted to transform the experience of kitchens in small homes. It includes islands that are designed to make tiny kitchens feel spacious and luxurious. It brings the sophisticated layouts of larger kitchens to small homes in a more compact and streamlined form.

Why is it noteworthy?

Falper worked alongside designer Andrea Federici to create the Small Living Kitchens. The units can be placed into compact spaces starting from 2.5 square meters. It has been equipped with three elements – islands, storage units, and tall units. These elements can be configured in multiple different ways, according to your need and requirement.

What we like

  • Comes in three models
  • Designed to merge harmoniously with all kinds of homes and apartments

What we dislike

  • The aesthetics of the kitchen are a bit simple

3. The Cookmate

Designed for this new, ‘smaller than life’ home, the Cookmate is an all-in-one kitchen appliance that goes from prep to cooking to serving, in one device. Its modular design has stackable pieces that turn the cooktop into a pan, crock pot, and even a steamer. The induction coil on the inside works on electricity, saving the need to place a gas cylinder under the hob.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cookmate looks at the cooking process as something that goes from idea to ingredient to table. Rather than focusing on just the cooking, this induction cooktop (although it seems highly reductive to call it just that) considers every aspect of the cooking process. This isn’t just clever, holistic design thinking, it also helps the Cookmate be more universally applicable so you save effort, energy, and space with other utensils.

What we like

  • Features an integrated weighing scale
  • Can be split into 6 parts

What we dislike

  • As we can either use one at a time or them all together, the cooking time has to be finely balanced for each layer.

4. LoopKitchen

How about transforming our kitchens into sustainable spaces as well? Seems like Danish startup Stykka comes from the same school of thought since they designed their innovative ‘LoopKitchen’.

Why is it noteworthy?

Crafted from birch plywood, LoopKitchen is a minimal and contemporary kitchen designed with recyclable parts, in an attempt to increase its lifespan. Although LoopKitchen is built primarily from birch plywood, the kitchen fronts can be finished in birch as well, or a Forbo linoleum which is available in 20 colors.

What we like

  • Designed with recyclable parts
  • Each physical manifestation of LoopKitchen has a digital twin

What we dislike

  • Not well suited for small compact kitchens
  • Space-consuming design

5. The Electrolux Adapted

The Electrolux Adapted is the kitchen essential of the future – compact, sleek, and ideal for tiny homes, this masterful concept is for the ‘singletons’ who want to make the most of a small kitchen. If you want to use the countertop for some real cooking, and don’t feel like cramping it with a gazillion appliances, then Adapted is the product for you!

Why is it noteworthy?

Electrolux Adapted is a premium hub that utilizes the vertical space in a kitchen to organize and hold all the important appliances you need on a daily basis. The system is made up of standardized modules that are mounted effortlessly on a backplate, completely eliminating the need for tools usually required for installation. The backplate supplies all the modules with water and electricity, in an attempt to support highly customizable arrangments.

What we like

  • Can either be mounted on a wall or placed as a free-standing product with an add-on furniture frame
  • All the modules are connected via an Electrolux app, allowing them to be used simultaneously or in sync, and enabling users to create their own personal routines

What we dislike

6. Byrne’s AI-generated Appliances

Catalan Architect Antoni Gaudi has been one of the most popular and decorated names when it comes to modernist works. What if he also designed much more mundane but still useful things? That is the idea behind this series of designs of regular household appliances based on Gaudi aesthetics using artificial intelligence image generator software.

Why is it noteworthy?

The different appliance designs have various flowing shapes and textured surfaces that bring to mind natural things like trees, caves, and other organic formations. But they have splashes of various colors to add to the opposite of minimalist aesthetics. The designs are combinations of various art styles like neo-gothic, art nouveau, and modernist, creating some interesting looking appliances like a toaster, a mixer, a vacuum cleaner, a microwave, a coffee machine, a kettle, an iron, a hair dryer, etc.

What we like

  • Make interesting conversation pieces
  • The designs are a twist on the otherwise typical and traditional kitchen appliances

What we dislike

  • They’re AI-generated, and not actual products yet

7. Mill

Mill is a trash can that not only keeps your leftovers from becoming too spoiled and stinky and turns them into actual chicken feed. And you don’t have to even leave your house for all of this to happen. The concept for this circular food waste device is from a former Apple engineer and the co-founder of Google Nest, Matt Rogers.

Why is it noteworthy?

This way the fish, produce, eggs, rinds, seeds, bones, and other food waste that you throw away can become food for chickens. Even things like napkins, filters, and paper towels can get in on the fun.

What we like

  • It also shrinks the waste so you won’t have an overflowing trash can
  • There’s also a coconut-based charcoal odor filter that will prevent your kitchen from stinking up

What we dislike

  • It is a bit expensive
  • Only available on a subscription basis

8. The Irogami Grater

They say that every little thing matters, and that’s especially true for garnishes and grated ingredients. Quite appropriately, this grater is also little, small enough to securely fit in the palm of your hand, almost like a toy. And just like a toy, it is designed to add a bit of fun to your kitchen and dining life while you add a bit of cheese or lemon zest to your dish.

Why is it noteworthy?

The irogami grater is simple in all aspects that you wonder why home kitchen graters aren’t made this way, too. Instead of multiple pieces of metal bent and curved at different places, the grater is a single sheet of aluminum alloy that curls backward in one corner. The design makes it look almost like a sheet of paper, particularly a colorful sticky note or memo pad, that speaks to both its playful and serious demeanor.

What we like

  • Compared to those cumbersome graters that you have to hold tight at their handles, this form gives you a firmer grip
  • Using this playful grater is like a game itself. Simply move the piece of cheese or stick of cinnamon from left to right and watch the tiny pieces fall down on your food

What we dislike

  • The grater doesn’t apply to all objects being grated

9. The 4T7 Smart Chopping Board

The 4T7 Smart Chopping Board is meant to help simplify every stage of meal prep and go beyond it as well. Made up of different parts, all the components of the chopping board come together to create a rather innovative, united, and creative product.

Why is it noteworthy?

The 4T7 breaks meal prep into its different components, adding good design and tech wherever necessary. The board comes with 4 distinct parts, a main bamboo chopping board, a secondary silver-ion anti-bacterial board for veggies to prevent cross-contamination, a third heat-conducting defrosting tray that helps rapidly thaw frozen foods, and lastly, the 4T7’s base, which has its own built-in weighing scale. The only part of the 4T7 experience to exist outside the actual board is its smartphone app, which counts calories as you weigh your ingredients. Once your prep work is done, the digital display on the 4T7 can also function as a kitchen timer, while the board itself becomes a magnetic knife holder.

What we like

  • All of 4T7’s components are designed to be wonderfully functional as independent items
  • The board works equally well for fruits/veggies as well as for meats

What we dislike

  • It precisely counts calories for you, which isn’t always the best route to healthy eating, since many users can get unhealthily hooked on counting calories

10. The Maruzara

Shaped like a small round plate instead of the typical rectangular sheet of metal, this grater is meant to sit on the table rather than be held up in the air like almost all other graters. Its small design makes it perfect to be placed right on the table, and the unique pattern of the blades gives it a distinctive look even when it’s just sitting unused.

Why is it noteworthy?

That blade arrangement isn’t just for show, though. Unlike a regular grater with rows of blades, you make circular movements to grate ingredients. Rather than falling through holes, the grated pieces accumulate at the sides in full, fluffy lumps. The repetitive action, rather than being tiring and burdensome, becomes almost a mindful practice that puts you in the moment.

What we like

  • Comes with a silicon rubber base that stops it from slipping on the table while you make your circling motions

What we dislike

  • It’s designed primarily for wasabi and daikon radish, making it a bit limited
  • Some people may prefer the form and structure of a traditional grater

13 Trending Kitchen Products on Sale at Amazon

13 Trending Kitchen Products on Sale at Amazon

If you’re looking for effective ways to refresh your kitchen without spending a ton of dough, these affordable and reviewer-approved products could have the solution for you.


Amazon’s secret Movers and Shakers chart is a helpful hub for shoppers to get insights into the retailer’s hottest trending products and add them to their cart in one fell swoop. Right now, shoppers are upgrading their kitchens and stocking up on on-sale cookware, appliances, and storage products from best-selling brands like Crock-Pot and Lodge.


Rather than navigating around the real-time updates yourself, check out our picks for the 13 best kitchen deals from Amazon’s Movers and Shakers chart this week.



Best Trending Amazon Kitchen Deals




For cookware, shoppers are loving this discounted Lodge Dutch Oven. Its cast iron interior gets food hot, hot, hot while its colorful enamel coating makes it look downright decorative on the stovetop or dining table.


You can also snag a best-selling Ninja Air Fryer for 31 percent off, which is “better” than a microwave and “much faster than an oven” at heating, reheating, and crisping food, according to one reviewer. And you can get an 8-quart slow cooker from Crock-Pot for 40 percent off, which is the perfect vessel to craft soups, stews, and other brews.


Amazon

Buy It! Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, $79.99 (orig. $133); amazon.com


There are also a slew of deals on prep tools, like this top-rated Astercook 14-Piece Knife Block Set that’s a whopping 69 percent off. The set comes with six essential cooking blades, including paring, santoku, and chef’s knives, along with six steak knives and a pair of kitchen shears. Each knife is dishwasher-safe, which is ideal for quick and easy cleanup. One shopper called them the “best knives” they’d ever owned!


Amazon

Buy It! Astercook 14-Piece Knife Block Set, $39.99 (orig. $129.99); amazon.com


But if you don’t feel like slicing your food by hand, opt for this vegetable chopper that’s 27 percent off. It comes with eight different blade attachments that’ll slice and dice your vegetables to your liking, all with minimal elbow grease on your end. One user raved that it “chops up veggies lightning fast,” while another reviewer wrote that it makes their life in the kitchen “so much easier.” And according to this shopper, you won’t have to shed another tear while chopping onions.




Amazon

Buy It! Manipor Multifunctional Vegetable Chopper, $21.99 (orig. $29.99); amazon.com


Shoppers are whipping their kitchens into shape with storage, organization, and cleaning products, too. If you’re sick of spilling bags of flour and sugar each time you bake up a storm, grab this set of double discounted storage containers. The extra-large bins can hold up to 25 pounds of food and feature wide mouths that make scooping easy and mess-free. Plus, it also comes with a set of measuring cups, reusable labels, and a chalkboard marker to boot.


Amazon

Buy It! Chef’s Path Extra Large Food Storage Containers, $26.99 with coupon (orig. $39.97); amazon.com


You can also snag other useful kitchen products like a pack of Swedish dishcloths, an ergonomic floor mat, and a reviewer-revered cold brew coffee maker, all for up to 62 percent off. Keep reading to see some of the other juicy deals on must-have kitchen products from Amazon’s Movers and Shakers chart.


Amazon

Buy It! Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer, $89.95 (orig. $129.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! Rouuo Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer, $13.10 (orig. $89.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! Etekcity Luminary Lite Waterproof Scale, $21.99 (orig. $25.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! Swedish Wholesale Dishcloths, $21.12 (orig. $24.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! Crock-Pot 8-Quart Slow Cooker, $59.99 (orig. $99.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! HappyTrends Kitchen Floor Mat, $19.99 (orig. $36.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $20 (orig. $27.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! Pohl Schmitt Electric Can and Bottle Opener, $24.98 (orig. $34.99); amazon.com


Amazon

Buy It! Pipishell Bamboo Utensil Organizer, $29.98 (orig. $39.99); amazon.com


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13 Household Items To Use Instead Of Kitchen Tools

13 Household Items To Use Instead Of Kitchen Tools

As Southerners, it’s in our mother nature to shell out a good deal of time in the kitchen, no matter whether it’s cooking for our very own family members or baking a pie for a helpful neighbor. As an avid cook and baker myself, I have a comfortable place for a lot of of my kitchen area tools—my preferred chef’s knife, the passed-down food stuff processor and KitchenAid stand mixer that are heading on 20 yrs, and my Le Creuset Dutch oven. But when it will come to matters like rolling pins and biscuit cutters, they have not at any time landed in my kitchen area. 


It’s straightforward to eat up valuable kitchen space with little-utilized or unwanted kitchen gizmos. So instead than getting yet yet another resource to rattle close to in the back again of your cabinets and be introduced out the moment a year, we have some Grandma-permitted, resourceful tricks and strategies that use present domestic goods to save you area in your kitchen area and improve in your pocket.



A Cup Or Jelly Jar

“I in no way noticed my grandmother use a biscuit cutter! She generally grabbed jelly jars or a compact glass,” says senior social media editor Brennan Extensive. No need to have to have a drawer full of circular cookie and biscuit cutters when some thing presently in your kitchen will do. Just dig into your glassware cabinet to obtain a vessel with the diameter of your liking. For smaller sized styles, use a shot glass, and for best success, use a skinny-edged cup. “My great-grandmother applied an old orange juice can (not a jar), and I however use the similar one particular today,” says senior electronic foodstuff editor Kimberly Holland.



Parchment Paper

All set to ice the best cake or cookie, but never have any piping bags? No concerns: Cut a square of parchment paper and roll it into a cone to generate your own. Reward, if you have a metal tip, drop it into the bottom of the cone. No muffin papers both? Build your have liners by chopping 5×5 inch squares of parchment paper and press them into the muffin pan utilizing a smaller cup. For ideal benefits, use cooking spray or butter the pan in advance of including the papers so that they will stay in position.


Cameron Beall




A Trousers Hanger

If you are minimal on counter room, as an alternative of a cookbook stand, try this place-saving hack and prevent obtaining your cookbooks or Southern Dwelling magazines coated in meals. Assistant food editor Alana Al-Hatlani says to dangle them from a pants hanger on your cupboard knob. “A chef taught me this trick and it is nice mainly because the recipe is also appropriate in entrance of your experience the complete time you’re cooking,” claims Al-Hatlani. “But it does not truly get the job done with super significant cookbooks,” she cautions. 



A Shower Cap

Skip fiddling with the plastic wrap that inevitably will get mangled and use a shower cap as an alternative. “My grandmother employed shower caps to include bowls. She utilized it typically for proofing dough,” says senior news editor Megan Overdeep. So, on your next lodge keep, snag the freebie shower cap for baking your subsequent loaf. 


Cameron Beall




A Wine Bottle

From cookie dough and pie crust to pizza dough, a wine bottle (empty or complete) can do the job magic as a rolling pin. My favourite ones for the activity are skinny, lengthy-necked bottles like my Dr. Loosen Riesling white wine bottle earlier mentioned. “I am for good guilty of applying a wine bottle to roll out pizza dough,” claims Very long. But its abilities do not quit at rolling. I’ve been acknowledged to use a good ole wine bottle in lieu of a meat tenderizer as nicely. Term of warning, although: You have to have some accuracy with this so you really don’t shatter the bottle versus your countertop. 



A Mesh Strainer

Forgo your large colander for this multi-reason tool. A wire, good-mesh strainer’s skillset goes beyond just draining pasta drinking water. Instead of buying a bulky flour sifter that you only break out at the time in a blue moon or just forgoing the action when identified as for in a recipe completely, use your mesh strainer to develop great flour and accomplish the finest baking results. It’s also great for sifting powdered sugar in excess of finished desserts. And if you’re generating a cocktail that demands straining, instead than attempting the seldom effective act of not permitting nearly anything tumble out of the shaker, just pour it by means of the similar strainer for a debris-totally free drink. 



A Mason Jar

Whilst the tubular, silicone garlic peelers are uncomplicated to use and get up fairly minor house, they’re not important. In its place of a dedicated resource, just toss your cloves of garlic into any jar with a lid and shake right up until the peel releases from the garlic.



Sheet Trays

The stack of baking sheets you use for roasting veggies and baking cookies are far more handy than you may feel. You can use them to make layer cakes. Whether or not you simply never have a cake pan or just not the right sized just one, you can hand slash exclusive layers from the sheet cake. This trick provides you regulate around the form and sizing of your cake’s layers. Just trace your condition on parchment paper, lay it on the sheet cake and cut around the paper, then repeat.


Getty Images


Solid Iron Skillet

Craving a panini, but you don’t have a panini press? No stress. Use a smaller forged iron skillet (seriously, any skillet will do) and spot it on top of the sandwich in a bigger skillet. Press down until eventually smooshed to your liking.



Scissors

I stand by the point that pizza cutters in no way perform as perfectly as a extensive, sharp knife or greater yet—scissors. Handy-dandy kitchen scissors will glide via even the crustiest of crusts. Now, let’s not go opening our Amazon bundle with the exact scissors, but which is a further subject.



A Grater

In its place of a garlic push, which does a mediocre occupation or practically leads to you to chop off a finger to realize finely chopped or minced garlic, use the tiny side of your cheese grater or a microplane to do the occupation.



The Trusty Butter Knife

“Instead of receiving one particular of people rubber grippy pads or fancy jar openers to assistance open up tricky jars, I use the deal with of a butter knife to tap all the way all around the top of the lid a several instances, and it commonly performs like a charm,” states travel and tradition editor Tara Massouleh McCay of the trick she figured out from her mother.


Burak Karademir/Getty Visuals


Warmth-Evidence Bowl

If a recipe calls for a double boiler and you really do not have a single, don’t stress. This method is largely made use of for melting chocolate and you really don’t want a clunky, specified pot to do so. Somewhat, use a saucepan and a slightly smaller heat-evidence bowl. Fill the pot with an inch or two of water and nestle the smaller sized bowl on top rated with the desired melting ingredient.

29 bestselling Amazon kitchen gadgets to simplify your life in 2023

29 bestselling Amazon kitchen gadgets to simplify your life in 2023

Spending hours chopping and stirring to prepare a delicious meal that gets eaten in 15 minutes can drain the joy out of cooking faster than boiling an egg. If you want to simplify your time in the kitchen, there are hundreds of products on the market today that promise to slice, dice and chop vegetables effortlessly; make the perfect latte; cut an avocado in perfectly even slices; or present you with a beautiful scoop of ice cream. Problem is, many of these claims fall short – their blades are hard to clean, there’s no space in your cabinets to store the “ingenious” item, or in the end it’s so complicated that relying on traditional methods is easier.

“I love kitchen gadgets, but you definitely need to read the reviews,” said Rachel Rotunno, owner of catering event company Grazing Cape Cod in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Her company, which serves Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod, creates grazing boards, charcuterie boards and charcuterie tables filled with fresh, local ingredients from farmers, fishermen, bakeries, honey harvesters and more. “Prep is huge,” she said. “We spend four to eight hours prepping for just one event – cutting cheeses, cutting vegetables and making designs with fruits – so I love kitchen gadgets. They save so much time.” Some of Rotunno’s favorites include a cheese grater that suctions to her countertop, a mandolin for chopping, and a silicone oyster “pocket” that offers leverage and protects your hands when shucking. “An automated pot stirrer is also great so I can tend to the other things.”

SKIP AHEAD Best time-saving kitchen gadgets | Best fancy kitchen gadgets | Best practical kitchen gadgets | Best space-saving kitchen gadgets

We’ve weeded through hundreds of kitchen gadgets to find the very best ones that actually claim to do what they say – and make you wonder how you ever lived without them. Our comprehensive list of innovative products are not only time savers but problem solvers and space savers to make life in the kitchen easier and more fun.

Best kitchen gadgets of 2023

Below are 29 top-rated kitchen gadgets that consumers say are saving them time, keeping foods fresher, improving pantry organization, providing a cleaner kitchen and upping their culinary skills all around. All have an average 4-star rating or above and store easily in even the smallest kitchens – and they make great gifts, too.

Best time-saving kitchen gadgets

Fullstar All-in-1 Vegetable Chopper

4.6-star average rating from 18,461 Amazon reviews

This No. 1 bestseller weighs just under 4 pounds and has 5 interchangeable stainless-steel blades to chop onions, dice apples, grate cheese, spiralize zucchini and much more, says the brand. You can also ribbon, julienne or noodle your veggies. The Fullstar chopper has a non-slip base and a removable catch tray to cut down on cleanup. It also comes with a cleaning brush, cleaning scraper, blade storage organizer and a finger guard and cut-resistant gloves.

OXO Good Grips Avocado Slicer

4.6-star average rating from 34,233 Amazon reviews

The average American eats more than 7 pounds of avocados annually, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, so this tool could save a lot of time when it comes to slicing, pitting and scooping this popular fruit. According to the brand, it has a non-slip grip, a stainless-steel center that removes the pit with one twist and a blade that cuts the avocado into seven slices. It’s also dishwasher-safe.

Chef’n Cob Corn Stripper

4.2-star average rating from 7,698 Amazon reviews

If you prefer fresh kernels straight from the cob rather than canned corn for your salads, salsa and other recipes, this corn-stripping tool eliminates the struggle. To use, insert the corn into the round cylinder and twist from end to end. The stainless-steel blades remove the kernels and is safe enough for kids to use, says the brand. The Chef’n Cob Corn Stripper is BPA free and dishwasher-safe.

Zulay Premium Apple Corer

4.7-star average rating from 16,220 Amazon reviews

This apple corer gets high marks from reviewers for comfort and efficiency. It has a plastic ergonomic handle that comes in 12 bold colors, along with twin stainless-steel blades that grip the core as the serrated tip slices through the apple. A spring-loaded lever opens the blade halves to release the core. The apple corer can also be used on pears and tomatoes, can remove pits and seeds and is 100{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} rust-proof, says the brand.

Gidli Heavy-Duty Kitchen Shears/Seafood Scissors Bundle

4.6-star average rating from 8,405 Amazon reviews

These heavy-duty kitchen shears from Gidli cuts through poultry, fish, cooked and raw meat, vegetables, fruit, herbs and more with ease, says the brand. The seafood scissors are specially designed to cut through the tough shells of lobster, king crab, shrimp and other shellfish. The shears and scissors are both made of stainless steel, have ergonomically designed handles and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Kitchen Gizmo Snap N’ Strain Pot Strainer

4.5-star average rating from 27,487 Amazon reviews

This silicone fine mesh strainer lets you drain water from any round pot, pan or bowl with one hand. It is designed with a drainage spout to maximize drainage, says the brand, and is half the size of a colander, which makes it especially ideal for those with limited counter space. The strainer snaps on to round pots, pans and bowls of all sizes, including glass, wood and lipped bowls, says the brand. It’s BPA-free, heat resistant up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher-safe. The Kitchen Gizmo Snap N’ Strain Pot Strainer comes in four colors, including Lime Green, Gray, Orange and Purple.

Thrifty Ice Cream Scoop

4.4-star average rating from 4,834 Amazon reviews

This commercial-grade stainless-steel ice cream scooper was designed to ease the struggle of scooping hard, frozen ice cream and dispensing it as a perfect cylindrical shape into your cone or dish. Push the scooper into the ice cream container, turn it 90 degrees, and pull up on the handle. Two prongs hold on to the ice cream, and when you release the handle, a spring-powered trigger dispenses it.

Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener

4.3-star average rating from 76,683 Amazon reviews

This portable electric can opener provides a hands-free can-opening solution that is ideal for people with arthritis or other gripping challenges. To use, place it on top of any round can, making sure the blade and gear are on opposite sides of the edge, and push the button. The Kitchen Mama rotates 360 degrees to completely open the can, leaving no sharp edges, says the brand. It runs on 4 AA batteries and comes in five fun colors.

Meyuewal Jar and Bottle Opener Bundle

4.4-star average rating from 22,821 Amazon reviews

There’s nothing worse than struggling to open a jar. This jar opener from Meyuewal has an ergonomic cushioned silicone handle that fits any size hand, even a child’s. It adjusts to four different-sized jars, and its inner rubber lining ensures jars won’t slip when you twist, even when wet, says the brand. The bundle also includes a silicone, easy-grip bottle opener. The bundle pack comes in 13 colors to choose from.

Best fancy kitchen gadgets

Gorilla Grip Magnetic Measuring Spoons

4.8-star average rating from 1,884 Amazon reviews

These measuring spoons have a slip-resistant ergonomic grip and are BPA-free and food- and dishwasher-safe, says the brand. They are also magnetic, so they nest together and stay hitched when stored. The measurement markings are in both Imperial and metric, and each spoon is dual-sided, with an oval, slimmer end to measure solids and fit into spice jars and a round end to measure liquids – eliminating the need to wash in between solids and liquids.

OXO Good Grips Baker’s Dusting Wand

4.8-star average rating from 5,070 Amazon reviews

This duster wand is designed to take the place of large shakers. It can evenly flour baking pans, sprinkle paprika on deviled eggs, dust a souffle with powdered sugar or finish a cappuccino with a bit of cinnamon. It holds between 1 and 2 tablespoons, is made of stainless steel, so it’s rust-proof, and is dishwasher-safe.

Legendary Chef Culinary Cooking Torch

4.5-star average rating from 2,597 Amazon reviews

This handheld butane torch can sear sous vide steaks, melt cheese on nachos, roast tomatoes, caramelize sugar atop creme brulee and more, says the brand. Its body is made of aluminum but you can choose from eight bold colors that accent the torch for a fun look. A safety lock prevents accidental ignition, says the brand, and the handle is designed so your fingers avoid ever touching the flame.

Flafster Kitchen Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder

4.4-star average rating from 11,210 Amazon reviews

Elegantly designed and made of stainless steel, this electric salt-and-pepper set comes in a metal-and-wood caddy and requires 4 AA batteries for each grinder. According to the brand, these grinders can operate using only one hand and are not only useful for grinding Himalayan salt and black peppercorns but other spices as well. You can also adjust the levels between fine, medium and coarse.

Zulay MilkBoss Ultra-Premium Milk Frother

4.6-star average rating from 92,563 Amazon reviews

With the Zulay Milk Frother, serious coffee drinkers will now get their barista-grade cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos right at home. It works on all types of milk, including soy, almond, half and half, cashew and other dairy products, such as butter, says the brand. It can also be used to mix protein-powder drinks. It’s powered by two AA batteries and comes with its own stand. Zulay also guarantees that it will never rust or break. It comes in 45 bold colors and designs, such as Golden Sunrise, Hearts, Grapefruit, Pink with Gold, and Metallic Green.

Ecolution Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper

4.4-star average rating from 55,648 Amazon reviews

The healthy alternative to bagged popcorn, the Micro-Pop popcorn maker pops kernels you buy yourself, so there’s no chance of harsh chemicals or preservatives. It comes in two sizes – 1.5 quarts and 3 quarts – and is made of temperature-safe borosilicate glass, says the brand. The lid and borosilicate glass bowl are all dishwasher-safe. It comes in six colors, including Aqua, Yellow, Teal, Hot Pink, Red and Blue.

Kitchy Pizza Cutter Wheel

4.7-star average rating from 37,825 Amazon reviews

Customers love this pizza cutter for its durability and ergonomic design. Because it fits into the palm of your hand, you have more control when slicing through pies, says the brand. It’s dishwasher-safe and also comes with a blade guard to keep your cutter securely stored away when not in use. The Kitchy Pizza Cutter comes in three colors, including Red, Blue and Green.

Hamilton Beach Dual Breakfast Sandwich Maker

4.6-star average rating from 23,645 Amazon reviews

This sandwich maker cooks custom breakfast sandwiches two at a time in as little as 5 minutes, says the brand, making it easy for people on the go. Just build the base of your sandwich on the bottom layer, place an egg and your sandwich’s top layer on the upper cooking plate, and close the lid. It has a countdown timer and a beep will let you know when it’s done. A recipe book with more than 25 recipes is included. All of its removable parts are dishwasher-safe, and at just under 8 inches wide, 10 inches deep and 6 inches high, it’s easy to store or leave on your countertop.

Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit

4.6-star average rating from 2,084 Amazon reviews

This smart indoor garden lets you grow herbs, vegetables and flowers right on your countertop or windowsill without any sunlight. Just pop in some plant pods (three basil pods are included), fill the water reservoir and plug in the LED light. The lamp automatically cycles for 16 hours on and 8 hours off. The kit measures 9 x 4.9 x 12.5 inches and weighs about 3.5 pounds. Click & Grow also offers more than 50 pre-seeded plant pods for purchase, including cilantro, basil, lavender, wild strawberries, thyme and even chili peppers, or you can purchase seedless pods and drop in your own seeds. The base is available in Beige, Gray or White.

Best practical kitchen gadgets

Dreamfarm Supoon

4.8-star average rating from 4,883 Amazon reviews

The Dreamfarm Supoon lets you scrape, measure, stir, mix, scoop and serve using one spoon. It’s designed with a flat silicone tip, deep scooping head and flexible squeegee sides to make it easy to scrape pans and bowls clean and comes with 15mL tablespoon and 5mL teaspoon measurement lines. The Supoon is safe to use on non-stick cookware, and its silicone tip resists heat up to 500°F. It’s also dishwasher-safe.

NutriChef Vacuum Air Sealing System

4.3-star average rating from 37,379 Amazon reviews

This system vacuum seals your food in environmentally friendly bags so your food stays free of freezer burn and up to five times longer than zippered baggies or containers, says the brand. It has two modes, based on the type of food you want to seal: Choose the dry option for solid food and the moist option for poached, simmered or steamed food. Consumers gave the NutriChef high ratings for its ability to keep food fresh and its ease of use.

Silicone Utensil Rest with Drip Pad

4.7-star average rating from 32,848 Amazon reviews

This silicone resting pad was designed to stop utensils from dripping all over your countertops while cooking. Its spoon rest has four slots and raised edges to catch all the drips. It can hold spoons, spatulas, ladles, brushes, tongs forks and more, says the brand. It has a non-slip base and won’t be affected by the heat from the stove. It comes in 31 colors to match any decor.

Greater Goods Gray Food Scale

4.6-star average rating from 119,710 Amazon reviews

This smart food scale is excellent for measuring your food portions at home. It has an LCD display and an 11-pound capacity and measures right down to the gram. Best of all, it weighs only 7.5 ounces, has a footprint of only 8×6 inches and is less than an inch high. The Gray Food Scale comes in 11 colors.

Best space-saving kitchen gadgets

MayNest Washable Refrigerator Liners

4.3-star average rating from 13,904 Amazon reviews

Keep your refrigerator shelves clean and moisture-free with these washable liners. They fit standard shelves but can also be trimmed to any size. They also work well in pantries, drawers and as placemats, says the brand. They are made of non-toxic 100{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} food-grade EVA and are odor- and BPA-free, so it’s safe to place food directly on them. Choose from a pack of 8 or 12 liners in various colors.

Mudeela Pots and Pans Organizer

4.2-star average rating from 15,701 Amazon reviews

If you constantly have trouble finding your cookware when you need it, this iron pot organizer rack will help keep your pots, pans, lids, trays, plates, cookie sheets and cutting boards organized and easy to reach. There are eight tiers, and the dividers are adjustable so you can tailor the racks to fit your cookware.

SpaceAid Spice Drawer Organizer

4.8-star average rating from 2,183 Amazon reviews

This drawer organizer fits into a drawer space that’s 2.5 inches high, making it easy to grab your spices when you need them. It comes with a four-tiered spice rack, 28 square empty glass spice jars, 340 pre-printed spice labels and 46 blank labels, along with a chalk marker to DIY some of your own labels.

HOOJO Refrigerator Organizer Bins

4.7-star average rating from 24,483 Amazon reviews

These shatter-proof BPA-free bins are easy to clean and great for organizing your refrigerator and creating more space. This set comes with eight bins to separate fruit, meat, milk, salad dressing, drink bottles, canned food, condiments and more.

Utoplike Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Dividers

4.5-star average rating from 9,254 Amazon reviews

Organize all the utensils in your kitchen with these expandable drawer dividers made of natural bamboo. Each divider has a built-in spring to keep them in place and adjust easily to match your needs. Both ends of the divider also have pads to protect your drawers.

Meet our expert

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

  • Rachel Rotunno is the owner of Grazing Cape Cod, an event catering company specializing in grazing boards, charcuterie boards and grazing tables. They are based in Falmouth, Massachusetts and serve Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

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15 Useful Kitchen Tools from Local Seattle Stores

15 Useful Kitchen Tools from Local Seattle Stores




Studies show, or at least we’re pretty sure they would, that we spend way too much of our precious time hassling with outdated meal-prep gadgets and cooking methods. Slicing garlic with dull knives, mixing up measurement conversions, finding that fresh banana irrevocably browned—we’ve all been there. But there is a better way.




These products are available on the Shops at Seattle Met, the city’s first online marketplace bringing the best local businesses together in one place. 



A well-packed measuring cup is “close enough,” but tripling the recipe with a precision scale can save a lot of ingredients and time (and make your food turn out better, to boot). So why risk it when the Escali Arti sits so handsomely at the kitchen counter, ready to measure both dry and liquid ingredients? Its low profile allows you to leave it out, and an easy-to-clean surface wipes right off. 


Don’t botch recipes by trusting that salt or spice container to shake out right. Instead, grab the perfect pinch out of this dapper Wood Salt Cellar from Terra Bella. An Italian walnut base and pewter swivel lid dress up any kitchen counter, making this an excellent gift for your favorite chef or Salt Bae.


Chuck the tough-to-handle tongs and get straight to the point. Salad Hands lets you toss and serve salads in a snap, then tines slide onto the bowl for easy access. Super-strong and sustainable flat-grain Moso bamboo offsets salad greens for a healthful aesthetic.


This zester is a godsend in a world full of dull, gummed-up gadgets that somehow can’t mince garlic, but can get your finger, no problem. This rust-free, stainless steel version has a strong, grippy handle and a unique tooth design that zests with precision to get the flavorful rind while leaving behind the bitter pith. Works for ginger, garlic, spices, cheese, and more.


This tumbler should live right next to your coffee maker if caffeination on the fly is your thing (and a lap full of hot coffee isn’t). With a double-walled vacuum design and an ice cube–ready wide mouth that’s great for cold drinks, it fits right into most cupholders and is also leakproof if chucked in the backseat or jostled around in a shoulder bag. Stainless steel means excellent taste, and BPA-free materials ensure healthy hydration.


Pineapple lovers who avoid the tough-to-prep fruit best not sleep on this labor-saving gadget that makes peeling and slicing as easy as opening a bottle of wine. This handy device slices as it hollows, cutting right up to the rind as you twist. You’re left with a juicy cylinder of rindless fruit sections and less mess.


Make life a bowl of pitted cherries with the squeeze of a handle. Bonus: Oxo’s handy pitter works on olives, too. 


Sick of bugging Alexa for cooking conversions, or the flour-handed back and forth from cutting board to Google? Attach this label to the fridge or a smooth surface nearest your meal-prep station for accurate ingredients and tastier outcomes. Wipes clean to restick anywhere. 


Peel and devein shrimp in one (maybe two) fell swoops: This cleaner’s articulated blade arcs with the shape of the crustacean, forcing its way through the shell to remove the whole thing with little more than a swipe of the thumb.


Garlic and ginger: We’d never eat without them if it weren’t for all the prep work—not to mention the cleanup. This tool helps slice the thinnest waifs of garlic or ginger with a back-and-forth slide. To shred, flip it over and do the same.


Homemade dressings are tastier and fresher, but who wants one more thing to clean up after all that cooking? Skip a few steps with this combination measuring cup, mixer, and server.


Great for the outdoor kitchen or campsite, the Roccbox bakes pizza to perfection using wood (which imparts a nice smoky flavor) or gas. A safe-touch silicone jacket protects hands and surfaces. 


Why does produce go bad so quickly? It’s those pesky escaping gases. As it turns out, absorbing them with a carbon filter keeps fruit and veggies fresh far longer.


This sharpener holds knife blades at just the right angle as you swipe them through. Because there should never be a dull moment in the kitchen.


Remember when the hot-air popcorn popper was the latest craze in every kitchen? Cuisinart’s bringing it back with a device that pops up to 10 cups in less than three minutes for a snack that’s quicker than stovetop and healthier than microwave.

16 kitchen tools under $50 you’ll actually use

16 kitchen tools under  you’ll actually use

Whether you’re cooking a big meal for friends and family, getting your food ready for the week, or just spending a bit of time in the kitchen with a book and cup of coffee, having the right tools and gadgets is essential. While you could easily spend hundreds on items for your home and kitchen, you don’t have to. There are plenty of must-have items that you can buy on a budget.

We’ve already covered kitchen tools and gadgets for less than $10 and $20, so let’s aim for things that are just a little bit nicer. Here are 16 home and kitchen essentials for less than $50.

Must-have kitchen tools under $50

Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker, 1-Quart – $20

Takeya Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker


If you like iced coffee, then you need to get a coffee maker that’s actually designed to make iced coffee. Many people just brew regular hot coffee and then put it in the fridge. But with this cold brew coffee maker, the coffee actually brews while it’s in the refrigerator. This makes it smoother, stronger, and better tasting than just refrigerating hot coffee.

Hydrapeak Voyager 40 oz Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid – $27.95

Hydrapeak Voyager 40 oz Tumbler With Handle and Straw Lid


Even though the 40oz Stanley Tumbler has been getting all the headlines lately, it’s not the only 40 oz tumbler that’s perfect to take on the go with you. This option from Hydrapeak has a similar tapered base that’s ideal for fitting in a cup holder, and the stainless steel construction keeps your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. The built-in handle and straw lid make it easy to use no matter what you’re doing.

BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker – $27.99

BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker


As an avid coffee drinker myself, I regularly use a French press for a bolder, more robust flavor. Since they don’t require electricity like a normal coffee maker, they’re also ideal for things like camping or hiking trips. This option from BAYKA not only performs great, but its brushed copper finish will look great with just about any kitchen décor.

Beautiful 1.7L One-Touch Electric Kettle – $39.96

Beautiful 1.7L One-Touch Electric Kettle  Black Sesame by Drew Barrymore

Made by Gather

walmart.com

$39.96


Don’t get me wrong, the old-fashioned tea kettle that’s been around for ages still gets the job done. But it’s 2023, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see one with a bit more built-in tech. This one-touch electric kettle from Walmart boils up to 7 cups of water in 7 minutes or less, and truly requires the press of a button. There are no knobs, dials, or anything else. The minimal, elegant style will look great in any modern kitchen.

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker with Egg Cooker Ring – $29.99

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker with Egg Cooker Ring

Hamilton Beach

amazon.com

$29.99


This breakfast sandwich maker is designed to be a one-stop shop when it comes to making the perfect breakfast sandwich. It can combine your bread, meat, and even eggs into one easily stackable sandwich. On top of that, the parts are all removable and dishwasher safe, and they’re also coated with non-stick cooking spray, so cleanup is a breeze when you’re done making your meal.

Magic Bullet Blender – $33.99 (Clip the $6 off coupon)

Magic Bullet Blender, Small, Silver, 11 Piece Set


Having a blender at home makes it easy to create your own smoothies, make your own salsa, craft your own guacamole, and more. Typically, you can find blenders that are well into the $100s, but you don’t have to go all out to make a tasty smoothie. This 11-piece set from Magic Bullet comes with everything you need to blend to your heart’s desire, and you’ll even get a recipe book for more delicious ideas.

Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker and Food Steamer – $36.91

Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker

Aroma Housewares

amazon.com

$29.98


Even though this is touted as a rice cooker, you can do much more with it than just cook some rice. It’s great for making stews, steaming vegetables, slow-cook a meal, and more. It has four preset cooking functions that make it a breeze to use, and the 15-hour delay means you can set it in the morning and have a warm meal ready for you when you get home from work later that night.

The Pioneer Woman FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker – $49.99

The Pioneer Woman FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker

The Pioneer Woman

walmart.com

$39.99


If you’re in the marker for a new coffee maker and you want to add some flair to your kitchen, then this FlexBrew is perfect for you. Not only does it quickly brew a fresh cup of coffee with single-serve pods or grounds, but it’s also finished in a floral design. So it will help you wake up in the morning with a cup of your favorite coffee while also sprucing up your counter space a bit.

OXO Good Grips 3-PC Small Square Short POP Container Set – $28.20

OXO Good Grips 3-PC POP Container Set


One thing you can never have too many of in your kitchen or pantry is food storage containers. While basic containers are great for meal prepping and things like that, sometimes you need something just a bit nicer. These 1.1-quart containers from OXO are perfect for displaying candy, storing sugar or flour (and keeping things fresh). You just have to push the button to form an airtight seal, and the containers will maintain freshness for much longer than basic Tupperware.

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper – $24.99 (Clip the $5 coupon)

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper


If you do a lot of at-home cooking, you know that cutting vegetables can be the worst part of any recipe. With this 4-in-1 cutter, you can choose from regular slicing, julienne, chopping, and dicing. Just swap out the blades and you’re ready to go. This makes it a lot easier to get the perfect vegetables every time without having to break out the knives to finish the slicing and dicing.

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder – $29.90

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder


Cast iron cookware has the best heat retention and most even heat distribution of any material on the market, meaning it helps prevent hot/cool spots in whatever you’re cooking. This skillet from Lodge also comes pre-seasoned with 100{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} vegetable oil, and cleanup is a breeze after every meal.

DecoBros Crystal Tempered Glass Nespresso Vertuoline Storage Drawer Holder for Capsules – $29.87

DecoBros Crystal Tempered Glass Nespresso Vertuoline Storage Drawer Holder for Capsules


If you have a Nespresso VertuoLine Espresso Machine, you definitely need somewhere to store all your capsules. To save counter space while gaining storage space, consider this tempered glass storage drawer for the capsules. The glass top makes it easy to see which capsules you have, and it’s also strong enough to support the weight of your espresso machine, so you can put it right on top and keep the same amount of open space on your counter!

ComfiLife Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat -–$33.08 (Clip the 10{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} off coupon)

ComfiLife Anti Fatigue Floor Mat


Anti-fatigue floor mats are designed to increase comfort while you’re standing by putting a thick layer of foam under your feet, taking the stress off of your lower extremities. Even though something like this option from ComfiLife is perfect for kitchen use (in front of the sink, for example), you can also use it anywhere else you expect to be on your feet a lot. The office, the garage, or anywhere around the house. It’s comfortable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, so you can easily get use out of a few of these.

KneadAce Sourdough Starter Jar – $26.74

KneadAce Sourdough Starter Jar


Making your own bread from scratch is almost like a rite of passage for anyone wanting to try their hand at culinary arts. A starter kit like this one comes with everything you need to make delicious sourdough bread and take your skills to the next level. It comes with an elastic band marked with the days of the week so you never forget when you started the process; this helps to ensure you stay on track throughout the process and your sourdough comes out of the oven tasting perfect every time.

Kitchen Gizmo Snap S Strain Pot Strainer and Pasta Strainer – $25.49

Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot Strainer


I don’t know about you, but for my entire life, I’ve been placing a strainer in the sink and pouring my spaghetti or pasta into it. Only to then transfer it back to the pan to keep warm and mix it with other ingredients. With this pot strainer, you can just attach it right to the side of your pot or pan, and then pour the water out to strain your pasta. This way, the pasta never leaves the pot, and it stays ready to go for the next step in the recipe.

ONCE FOR ALL Safe Mandoline Slicer 5-in-1 Vegetable Cutter – $39.99

ONCE FOR ALL Safe Mandoline Slicer


I know, I know. We already looked at a different vegetable cutter a little earlier, but this one is just a bit more versatile. In addition to similar cutting modes to the cutter we saw above, you’ll also find some handy built-in functions and features that make cleanup a little easier. This cutter automatically deposits whatever you’re slicing and dicing into a single bowl, without making a mess all over the counter!