Kitchen Tools

10 Most Useful Kitchen Tools

After careful consideration, I have selected the ten tools that I find most useful in my kitchen. These are my favourite things that I reach for most often. I hope you find my recommendations helpful in setting up or updating your kitchen.

I can’t say enough about good quality kitchen tools. For years, I struggled with cheap, inferior ones. As time has gone on, and I have gradually replaced them with better quality utensils and machines, the change has been phenomenal! My kids were smart and registered for good kitchen equipment when they got married. Whenever I used a piece of their equipment that they had received as a wedding, Christmas, or birthday gift that was better than what I had at home, I realized how unnecessarily frustrated I had been with my old junk. 

We use the Amazon Wish Lists a lot in our family. Our kids all live far away from us. Rather than buy, wrap, and ship gifts to them through the mail, I simply choose from their Amazon wish lists and have gifts delivered. Even if we’ll be spending the birthday or Christmas together, I often have the presents sent on ahead. My Christmas shopping is pretty easy these days! 

My top 10 Favourite Kitchen Tools run the price range from low too high. Now, I’m not talking crazy expensive in most cases. A middle-of-the-road, better quality tool or appliance can save money in the long run, because you may never have to replace it. The ease and convenience of using better tools is worth it on its own.

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10. Measuring Spoons

Accurate measuring spoons are essential for baking. If you’re eating gluten free, you’ll save a lot of money by baking at home. Because I do quite a bit of cooking and baking, I keep a few sets of measuring spoons on hand. When one gets dirty, I have more of the same size. Let me tell you, you need at least one set of these long, slim ones. Even the tablespoon size fits beautifully into a spice jar! After using my daughter’s, I had to have a set of my own! 

9. Garlic Press

I can live without a garlic press, you’re saying. I hear you. And maybe you can. But if you could use a garlic press, this is the one to get! I’ve used quite a few garlic presses that I didn’t like, so I looked long and hard before choosing this one. It holds large cloves, gives a good strong squeeze, and is very easy to clean! Simply flip the handles backwards, and the little pokey red things push the garlic skins out. Rinse them away and pop it into the dishwasher. There are no loose parts to fiddle with. Easy peasy! 

8. Pyrex Measuring Cups

You’ll need dry measuring cups, too, but pyrex cups are important for measuring liquids. They handle hot liquids well and can even go into the oven to melt coconut oil or butter. 

7. Kitchen Scales

Kitchen scales are handy for a couple of things. Whether you’re following a recipe for meat, vegetables, or baked goods, scales are the tool for the most accurate measurements. 

If you’re counting calories and/or macronutrients, a set of kitchen scales is your best friend. 

6. Pastry Blender

If you’re making pie dough, biscuits, or scones, you’ll need a pastry blender. I struggled for years with a substandard one. Again, after using my daughter’s good one, I got myself one just like it. I’m so happy I did! 

5. Cast Iron Skillet

While I do have a set of good stainless steel cookware, my cast iron skillet is the single piece I use most. The even heat distribution is great for pancakes, crepes, tortillas, eggs, and meat. Properly cared for and seasoned, your cast iron skillet should last for generations.

4. Knife

I struggled for years without a good kitchen knife. While I have lots of knives now, this is the one I use most. I’ve learned how to sharpen it properly, and it serves me well.

3. Food Processor

I’ve gone through several food processors in my lifetime. Whenever one has worn out and broken down, I’ve found the need to replace it immediately. This Cuisinart is the best one I’ve had. It serves me well, and it’s also the one that I’ve had the longest.

2. Stand Mixer

A KitchenAid stand mixer was something that I admired in other people’s kitchens for years. Now that I have one, I really appreciate it. It’s great for beating eggs, whipping cream, kneading bread dough, and so much more. Not only does it handle big jobs, but also you can leave it to do its job while you go about other kitchen tasks, keeping an eye on it. 

1. High-Speed Blender

My highest-end kitchen appliance, but worth every penny, is our Blendtec blender. Our son did the research for this one. Then, I just bought one the same as his. We’re approaching 2,000 uses on ours, and it’s still as good as new! A special feature of the Blendtec is that the blade isn’t sharp. I like that for safety when I’m cleaning it. My son made another good point about this feature, though. 

He is a knife guy who appreciates good knives and sharpens and cares for them properly. He even makes knives. The thing that he likes about the Blendtec is that it obviously does not rely on sharp blades to do its job. His thinking is that because blades will go dull in time, any tool that relies on the sharpness of its blades to perform properly will diminish in effectiveness through time. 

I recommend choosing the blender with the patented WildSide jar. It has a small, fifth side which causes the ingredients to be pulled down into the blade for smooth blending.

Do you have some favourite kitchen tools that make your life easier? I'd love to hear about yours in the comments below!