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Every tool in the kitchen has a purpose. But if you try to do everything with just one tool, you’ll either end up hurting yourself or butchering whatever meal you were trying to make. So it makes sense to invest a bit into your cooking inventory. It’s often only after we’ve used something that we realize just how much time and energy we can save.

One Reddit user, u/SuccessExtreme4373, recently shared what appliances have been making her life so much easier in the kitchen. She also asked the r/Cooking online community to share a bit about the kitchen tools they never thought they’d need but can’t live without anymore. We’ve collected some of the top posts that convince you to rethink your kitchen arsenal.

Bored Panda reached out to the author of the thread for a friendly chat, and she was kind enough to answer our questions and share her thoughts. You'll find our interview with u/SuccessExtreme4373, who is very enthusiastic about home cooking, as you read on.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Hand (immersion) blender with chopping bowl

tretower424 replied:
I LOVE the immersion blender! Especially when I need to break down or puree a soup. That I can now do that in the pot and not dirty up a Cuisinart or blender is magic to me. I appreciate it every single time I use it.

blulou13 , Kampus Production Report

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Karl
Karl
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A hand blender is one of the most used gadgets in my kitchen

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"I'm an enthusiastic home cook who recently discovered some new 'tools' that I was previously skeptical about and have found very handy. I just wanted to share and see what others are finding surprisingly useful," the author of the thread told Bored Panda what had inspired her to start the discussion in the first place. "It was great to get a lot of feedback."

She said that, among the things listed in the thread, she already has some. Others, like the thermometer and mandoline, she already owns and needs to use more. Meanwhile, the OP learned about new uses for the immersion blender and told us that she still needs to get a knife sharpener and cookie scoop.

Bored Panda was very interested to learn more about the pros of owning an air fryer. Redditor u/SuccessExtreme4373 was happy to walk us through her own experience. "I have found an air fryer surprisingly useful. It is great for cooking small batches of food, everything from proteins to roast vegetables. My five-year-old son loves broccoli tossed in olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and air fried for a few minutes," she said.

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#2

I can’t believe I was 57 yo before I learned about pre cut flat parchment paper sheets…. I use them all the time. Just about anything that goes in the oven is sitting on parchment paper. Veggies, potatoes, cookies, macarons, melting cheese on sandwich. Total game changer. Makes clean up so much easier, non stick.

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majandess
majandess
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It took me a long time before I started using parchment, too. But I'm not going back. Never. Nope.

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#3

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore I can’t believe I went so many years forming cookies, falafel, meatballs, fillings for pierogis and other dumpling, etc without a cookie scoop.

citrus_sugar replied:
Restaurant secret for sure — I have them in all different sizes.

TXsunn , Didriks Report

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Say No to Downvoting
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought one all excited to lift my cookie and meatball game but….no. I’m a left handed and apparently those things are made for right handers. Did not work for me at all - it was very sad.

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Not only that, but air fryers are also great for reheating leftovers. According to the OP, it works with everything "from lasagna to muffins so that they have closer to a fresh baked texture instead of soggy microwave texture." In the meantime, the appliance is "good for quick homemade pizzas on frozen naan bread."

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"You can toast odd-shaped pieces of bread. I sat on the fence for ages before getting one but now use it pretty much every day," the home cook said.

We were curious about what the OP thinks someone should keep in mind before purchasing any new kitchen appliances. She pointed out that a lot will depend on the size of your kitchen space, as well as how you cook.
#4

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore (1) A digital scale, changed my baking game for the better! I now rarely use measuring cups, plus less dishes to wash.

(2) Sharpening stone has made my cheap knives razor sharp and much much more enjoyable to use.

GeneKnown , Gustavo Fring Report

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My kitchen scale is my favorite kitchen tool. Everything feels precise, and lazy me has less dirty dishes.

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#5

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore A stand mixer. It took me years to shell out for a Kitchenaid mini but I’m so glad I did. It’s much more convenient than using beaters and the dough hook is a lifesaver.

tomford306 , Pavel Danilyuk Report

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Pamela24
Pamela24
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully one day someone rich will love me enough to buy one for me...

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#6

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore I can’t believe I lived over 40 years without a knife sharpener. Truly, I was lost.

Obvious-Band-1149 , David Jackmanson Report

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Tvin
Tvin
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always sharpen your knives. A blunt knife is, somewhat counterintuitively, a more dangerous knife.

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"Less is generally more if you're like most people and don't have a lot of space. You can do a lot with the basics. And if you can't see it and it's hard to access, you're not going to use it," she explained to Bored Panda that tools that aren't in an accessible space and are stowed away somewhere probably won't end up getting used.

"But I have been on a bit of a spree lately. In addition to the above mentioned, I bought a bread maker last week, after years of thinking that would be a no-no for me—and am currently baking my second loaf."

The OP shared in her original post that she bought an air fryer, a rice cooker, and a cherry pitter, and they were completely satisfied with their performance. Not only did the redditor gush about how convenient everything is, but she's also using the appliances often. So her investment is already paying off.

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#7

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore I don’t know if this counts as a tool but I ended up getting a le creuset for free (I know, lucky duck) and I’ve been using it basically daily since

nu24601 , Becca Tapert Report

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Rob
Rob
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like their "weapons grade" frying pans, in various sizes and colours. You could go to war armed with those.

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#8

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore I dismissed air fryers for a long time because I have a perfectly good convection oven, and considered them a gimmick.

But for *reasons* I ended up buying one, and I love it. It is just a convection oven, but it heats super fast without making the kitchen hot, and yields really good vegetables. I use it almost every day and love it.

Years ago my husband bought me a Zojirushi and I almost returned it because it seemed extravagant, and because I had no problem with rice in a pot on the stovetop, but I love it too.

The strawberry stemmer is a nice little gadget also.

And IDGAF if Alton Brown hates a single purpose kitchen tool. They make me happy.

joemondo , HS You Report

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever Alton Brown is, if he isn't the one cooking, it's none of his business how the food is cooked. If he doesn't like it, don't invite him.

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#9

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore high quality kitchen shears. great for cutting garnishes, flatbread/pizzas, meats, really anything. mainly i love not having to wash another cutting board

not_your_bartender , shraga kopstein Report

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Nick (He/Him)
Nick (He/Him)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought my mom these scissors that have like 4 blades a few years ago for herbs, and they are super useful.

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But before you go off and buy every single thing mentioned in this list, seriously think about your cooking and eating habits. No, you will not magically transform into a Masterchef contender just because you’ve got a few new toys. You need to focus on the tools that you’d actually use, not that some ideal version of you as a person would love to use. Trust us, that’ll stop you from making a lot of impulse purchases.

For instance, cherry pitters are great for someone who bakes a lot, grows cherries, or buys a lot of fresh berries at their local market. But for many of us, it would be money down the drain. The pitter would be used twice, then left to rot in some God-forsaken corner of the cupboard, with only rats and roaches to keep it company.

On the flip side, a rice cooker is a great investment if rice is an important part of your diet. If you’re constantly frustrated at having to ‘babysit’ the rice pot so it doesn’t burn or overcook, you may want to splurge a bit to save yourself a lot of future headaches. However, the cooker would be next to useless to someone who mostly eats pasta (a pasta machine might be a better fit) or bread (some utensils to make bread-baking easier may be the way to go there).

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#10

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Mortar and pestle, low tech, can really up your spice game when you crush them on the spot

Yaniji1923 replied:
Mine never leaves my counter. I only buy whole spices and grind them. It takes seconds to do once you get the hang of it. It's WAY worth the effort to learn and use it.

MrBillyLotion , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Tvin
Tvin
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just spices. Grind up some pesto, or maybe roasted chilli and tomato to get a great sambal!

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#11

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Salad spinner. I use it every day.

bettertree8 , Alan Levine Report

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#12

A hand lemon juicer! I don't know what else to call it... It looks like a big garlic press. ZILLION TIMES more practical than a stupid lemon juicer with ten parts. I use fresh squeezed lemon and lime juice all the time now when before I couldn't be bothered. So on that front it's worth it ten times over.

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VNES101
VNES101
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YAAAS! I use mine almost every day. So much better than the larger one you have to grind and twist the lemon on. Seems like I get more juice as well.

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Whatever new kitchen equipment you do end up buying, remember that you can tell a lot about someone from the way they take care of their tools. You do not want to be the chef who buys all the coolest gadgets and fanciest tools, only to let everything slowly deteriorate.

Clean them well and often after use, store them properly, and remember to maintain them. That can mean anything from regularly sharpening your knives to tightening the screws in whatever fab postmodern gadget you have in your drawer. Your tools will also last longer if you use them according to their purpose. So don’t go boiling rice in a frying pan or cutting steaks with spoons.
#13

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Thermapen. I thought it cost too much for a thermometer. My husband offered to buy it for me as a gift.

It’s paid me back a zillion times over. I use it to make yogurt, bread, candy, custard, ice cream, etc.

Stella Parks recipes state what temperature doughs/batters should be so I use it for them. Stella Parks recipes also have instructions for if your kitchen is over 74 degrees Fahrenheit. I use it to test the air temperature.

It’s also handy in deciding if it’s too hot to bring the dog with us.

maccrogenoff , bfishadow Report

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Mycroft1967
Mycroft1967
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great for check food temperatures and making sure food is done. Use this all the time too.

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#14

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Ooh also- my bread machine. I got it for $20 on Facebook marketplace and now I live a life of fresh naan, pizza dough, baguettes, sandwich loaves, cinnamon raisin bread… I know myself, I won’t spend time kneading these things, but I sure can toss them in the bread maker.

pedanticlawyer , Alpha Report

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Huddo's sister
Huddo's sister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had one for a little while, but didn't use it that much, so it was just another appliance taking up space on the bench. It was also annoying because you end up with a hole in the bread where the mixer attachment is, and just as easy to just use a mixer and the oven.

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#15

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Potato ricer. I don't use it often, but you can make a big batch of mashed potatoes with the perfect texture in very little time.

fjiqrj239 , Leslie Seaton Report

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Daria
Daria
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also use it to get rid of extra liquid when making zucchini pancakes.

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#16

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Meat thermometer. Why did I spend years and years trying to guess when meat was done and then beating myself up when I was wrong? I dunno

ArtSchnurple , Josh Olalde Report

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Philly Bobcat
Philly Bobcat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See my above comment about a gadget called "Meater." Can cost from $50 to $125 US (some have a 40 ft range and some a 160 ft range... bluetooth) but I have 3 and totally worth it if you don't want to stand right by the oven!

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#17

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore It’s so simple but one of those dough cutters and I use it to scoop chopped veggies , clean my cutting board, and obvs cut dough. I don’t know how I lived without it.

bighundy , Felicity Tai Report

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Shelli Aderman
Shelli Aderman
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have countertops that you can knead on, and I use it to scrape the counter clean, too. The best!

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#18

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Mandoline (with cut proof glove) I make a fair amount of pickles and that makes it easy!

olseninva , Keith Fahlgren Report

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majandess
majandess
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to admit I'm intimidated by these still. I've used one, but I prefer not. I took the coward's way out and bought the different thickness/cut blades for my food processor.

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#19

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore A slotted fish spatula. Was never even on my radar for the first 20 years I lived/cooked alone. A few years ago a close friend (and chef) got me one and insisted that it’s life changing. Mf’er was right.

Blueprinty replied:
Yes!! I have about every kitchen tool known to man and this is my ‘desert island’ spatula. It's not just for fish. It’s thin enough and wide enough and flexible enough to scoop up anything like cookies, roasted veggies, eggs, burgers — whatever.

TimToMakeTheDonuts , Ricky Singh Report

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Spencer's slave
Spencer's slave
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are more common than not in British/Kiwi/Aussie kitchens. They've been around for donkeys.

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#20

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore My kitchen blow torch - I use it to toast marshmallows for hot chocolate, and to do an easy lemon curd and toasted meringue dessert. I've also used it for lighting candles when I can't find a lighter/matches.

Ribbitygirl , Alex Lvrs Report

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#21

Tiny prep bowls

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majandess
majandess
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have collected a pile of Pyrex custard cups from all the deceased grandmas in the family. My son doesn't know what a custard cup is. To him, they're the mise en place bowls because we use them all the time for prepping food.

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#22

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Microplane. I even have 2 of them now because I use them so often and I repaired the first one after it broke.

I_AM_VER_Y_SMRT , Didriks Report

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Ace
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, so TIL that Microplane is an American brand name for a cheese grater. It's a grater, nothing special to see here. Everybody's got one.

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#23

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Tofu press. Yes, I could waste a ton of paper towel and make the Leaning Tower of Pisa of heavy things on top, but once I got the press, I’ll never go back!

shinysquirrel220701 , Polina Tankilevitch Report

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Ample Aardvark
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I freeze the tofu block and once thawed you can squeeze all water out by hand. Texture changes a bit but I'm going to fry or bake it anyway

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#24

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Instant pot - mainly for chicken stock. I’ll never waste a chicken carcass again!

Known_Royal4356 , ajay_suresh Report

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DJR
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Instant pot replaced crock pot and rice cooker in my kitchen.

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#25

A funnel

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Beck
Beck
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We make a gallon of sweet tea every other day. Gotta get that sugar in the jug. And my kids go through tons of Gatorade so we buy the powder kind and make it at home. Tastes the exact same. But funnels are a must have.

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#26

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore In the realm of “technically unnecessary but super useful” - my pineapple corer/slicer and my Danish dough whisk.

I love fresh pineapple but hated dealing with the peel and core. Not anymore. Just chop off the top, and use the corer. I basically get a spiralized pineapple that I just cut into individual chunks.

And the dough whisk makes mixing thick batters/sticky doughs so much easier. Stuff doesn’t get stuck in it like it would in a balloon whisk and there’s practically no drag compared to using a wooden spoon or something.

spidergrrrl , midiman Report

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Mary Kelly
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is a bread dough whisk, as opposed to the standard french whisks used for making meringues, whipped cream, souffles...https://www.amazon.com/TEEVEA-Danish-Whisk-Stainless-Dough/dp/B07CKKDBF1/ref=asc_df_B07CKKDBF1/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242033841575&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17572869918690765604&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052078&hvtargid=pla-447726063988&th=1

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#27

Pizza cutter. Little did I know how much we would eat some frozen pizza on busy nights..lol 🤣

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Bittersweetie
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I prefer a rocker pizza cutter to the wheel style cutter. Much simpler and doesn't move the ingredients around.

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#28

An olive oil dispenser I randomly picked up at kohl’s. It’s one of those little things that feels good to use.

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Huddo's sister
Huddo's sister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost all the bottles of olive oil now in Australia have an attached nozzle so you can pour it easily

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#29

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Cherry pitter is also an olive pitter...

But one of the most basic tools is one of the most useful. A bench knife. Yes, useful when baking but also a great way to pick up diced food and slide it into the pan.

rickg , Anshu A Report

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#30

Legit pepper grinder

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Huddo's sister
Huddo's sister
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just bought a battery powered one, because my hands hurt if I grind it by hand, but I haven't been able to use it yet because I can't unscrew the top to fill it!

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#31

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Pliers.

Ever bite into a chicken leg and get a mouth full of tendons? They aren't easy to grab onto with your fingers but a nice set of pliers or needle nose pliers can make quick work of those.

Deboning fish such as a salmon steak gets easier when you use pliers.

Have you had a peach that was a little bit too ripe so that you couldn't cut it in half and twist it? Going through the top of the peach, grab the pit with your needle nose pliers and pull it up and out.

A thermal gun or infrared thermometer is something I know I need in the kitchen because I bake and cook a lot and have a bakerstone Pizza oven outside. A thermal gun is so much more specific than setting my stove to medium or medium high or 7 out of 10. Takes the guess work out of cooking and baking as far as temperature control is concerned.

Acceptable_Storage43 , Andrea Mosti Report

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Mason Kronol
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Ever bite into a chicken leg and get a mouth full of tendons?" Yeah, I'm Hungarian, Slovakian and Polish so there's nothing left but the bone because I ate it. Knuckles/cartridge are good for you! Also, when I eat chicken wings I get my monies worth!

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#32

Canning funnel and Mason jars. Yup.

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AgingBull
AgingBull
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Found a cold brew stainless steel coffee filter that goes in a mason jar works great

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#33

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Teeny non-stick saucepans and frypans. Like, would hold under a cup of liquid. Bought some from an Asian mart when my kid started solids- so quick to make that ‘1 pureed carrot’ or reheat little portions. Still use them 15 years later, more than I ever dreamed I would. Make a handful of croutons to use up that last 2 slices of bread, toast seeds and nuts for a salad sprinkle, warm garlic in oil, melt a lil cheese for a boiled potato, defrost stock cubes, shallow fry hard herbs, and many more uses. Wish the better brands made them too!

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#34

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Just bought an induction cooktop for the summer. If you don't want to heat up the kitchen or your whole place when its already hot I highly recommend. Easy to clean, has 2 modes that are super simple to navigate and even a timer.

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Cyber Returns
Cyber Returns
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've just bought Bev an induction cooker and a new pan set for it. She loves it. I can buy the upgrades to my mobility scooter at a later date. I love to see her smile

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#35

A vegetable peeler. Used to peel potatoes and carrots with a knife and I hated it a lot. Now it's so easy and I eat them more often

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#36

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Rice cooker. My husband insisted on one and I really did not think it was necessary. Damn it I was wrong. It makes way better rice than me.

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Fat Harry
Fat Harry
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Learn how to cook rice. It's very, very easy, yet few people do it right. Rice cookers are totally unnecessary.

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#37

Zozirushi hot water dispenser

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majandess
majandess
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't have that brand, but I LOVE having boiling water on demand. I use it for cleaning, cooking, laundry, in the garden... And tea and coffee and soup.

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#38

Fully stocked spice rack. Swing by your local Asian market and get bags of chilies, cumin and so to properly season your food

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#39

A microplane grater.
Didn't have one.
Bought one.
Use it ALL THE TIME
for garlic, ginger, etc

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Molly M
Molly M
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Life hack: freeze your ginger root! Tightly double wrap it in plastic wrap and toss it in yhr freezer. It lasts forever and makes it easier to grate. The frozen ginger does come out fluffier when microplaned so you need to grate a bit more than you think, but totally worth it

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#40

Long before I went to culinary school, and even long before I started baking (that eventually LEAD me to culinary school), it was a bench scraper.

The one I have is just a single piece of six-inch wide steel and the "handle" is just the flat metal curled to maybe 270 degrees (i.e. not a closed circle).

It's kinda nice cuz if you have small items or even flour/grains, you can scoop them up and that opening lets them funnel together to pour off. I don't like the wood or plastic handled ones, but this thing is like a best friend you can always count on.

Baking, regular cooking, cleaning up after cooking, I love that simple fixed tool.

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to culinary school for a semester before deciding it wasn't for me, but this was the one tool that I kept before selling my school kit. So utile.

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#41

Kitchen aid mixer with attachments. I use to think they were over priced electronics for things you can do by hand. But man was I wrong. It’s my most used electronic next to to my air fryer. Now we usually have fresh bread and pasta at hand. And it makes cooking so much faster.

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#42

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore A good vacuum sealer. I currently have a chamber vac, so I can include liquids, but a basic one will work fine until you need to upgrade. A somewhat investment up front, but being able to buy bulk and shop sales (vac and freeze immediately), it has paid for itself. I do have an immersion circulator as well, and while I don't necessarily do steaks and such, I buy pork shoulder and cheap beef and spice them up (southwest) in smaller packs. I sous vide them, cool and freeze. Pull out one here, one there. I can do beef and pork (separate bags) together in a session. Toss in a pot of boiling water to warm up.

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#43

A box grater. The slicing side is amazing and it's the most solid way to grate cheese

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#44

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Panini press!!

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RP
RP
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100% get a flat one though. They are easier to clean and you can even fry eggs, pancakes, flapjacks etc on them

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#45

lime squeezer

herb scissors

coffee frother

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#46

Nut bags for straining

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Rob
Rob
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Surely that leads to a hernia? Apologies for English humour.

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#47

Roux whisk for sauces.

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#48

Meat masher.

Hate mashing up ground beef with a spatula or rubber spoon. Never heard of a meat masher (and I've cooked for years.) I felt really dumb when I saw one on YouTube and I was like, "WOW how come I never thought of that and looked for a meat mashing tool???"

Got one now! LOVE love LoVe it! Just FYI to others out there like me who never had one before - if you get one - don't use it on potatoes. Huge mess, they stick all over it and it's too hard to get them out. Just don't.

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#49

The melon baller is great for taking scoops out of cupcakes for putting curd or jam in

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Megan Curl
Megan Curl
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also great for taking the center core out of apples or pits out of small stone fruits.

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#50

A salt pig and squeeze bottles for my cooking oils.

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#51

Cherry pitter for sure! Kids got us one that does 5 or 6 at a time. We both thought it was ridiculous, but they said we thought it was silly, but it's fun to use. And it is.

KitchenAid mixer-- I discovered I enjoy making homemade pizzas and the dough hook makes it possible (arthritis). Also shredding hot meat is fast and easy.

Salad spinner with large and small bowl. Even if I only use the baskets to rinse and I dry with a towel it gets used every day.

Tschitokatoka replied:
I used to look at cherry season with the pitting process in mind and it held me back. Such a small price to pay for the freedom and ease it provides to the menu.

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#52

Apple corer/slicer we eat alot of apples lol excellent with tajin

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Argle Bargle
Argle Bargle
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone got an apple peeler, corer and curler? My kids used to love curly apples

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#53

I bought an electric smoker. Holy c**p is it good. No messing about with coal. Set it up and let it run. Just have to replace the chips every hour or so. Got a WiFi thermometer to go with it. Now I can set alarms that tell me when I need to flip/move/baste/uncover/cover things based on inner temp. It lets me cook perfect smoked brisket every time. Incredibly low effort. Incredibly good food.

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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bought a Ninja Woodfire. Roast and smoke a whole chicken with hickory chips and you will be looking for other stuff to put in it too

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#54

A 30-inch Boos block cutting board. It’s like moving from a dinky 13” laptop to a giant and powerful desktop computer.

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#55

Plastic razor blade scraper. It’s like the regular razor blade scraper but doesn’t harm things like a wooden cutting board. Have something stuck anywhere and scrape it right off. Counters, sink, cutting board. Stuck stuff comes right off

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#56

30 Unnecessary But Life-Changing Kitchen Tools These People Adore Silicone tube to remove garlic skins with

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Hugh Cookson
Hugh Cookson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even easier, get an old, clean towel, roll up however many garlic cloves you want to peel in it, fold the ends over to make a seal (like a big doughnut) then gently smack the whole thing with a rolling pin ; the skins fall off, you can easily retrieve the garlic - unless you've been a bit over enthusiastic, in which case it's a tad messy - and then all you need to do is gather up the corners of the tea towel and chuck the skins / odd bits into the compost or your food waste.

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#57

My three tier steamer.

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#58

The only regret i have about buying my rice cooker is that I didn't get a bigger one, doesn't leave alot for leftovers when we're done with dinner

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Robin Roper
Robin Roper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm married to a Japanese man, we have 2 - a small for our everyday use and a large one for when we have company or family meals. These are essential small appliances in our house.

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#59

Instant Pot. An electric pressure cooker. I don't use it for anything else and it's incredible at making broths, beans, and probably a binch of other things I don't do with them.

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Cora Han
Cora Han
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's AWESOME at making hard boiled eggs. Add a cup of water and set the pressure timer for 5 minutes. As soon as it's done, release the presssure and put cold water in with the hot to almost full. It' won't chill the eggs, but get them just cool enough to handle. Peel immediately and the shells just fall off!

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#60

My most recent purchase was 8th sheet pans. They're so multi-functional.

I also purchased a dutch oven, but in hindsight I think I should have gotten the braiser.

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#61

I can’t believe I didn’t buy a blackstone griddle before this year

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#62

Sizzle trays and kitchen tweezers. I find tweezers so much easier than tongs in most of my home applications, and reheating leftovers on a sizzle tray in the oven. Perfect.

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#63

Avocado slicer. I bought it purely out of curiosity but it works really nicely.

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#64

Butter curler. I used it exclusively for taking out the seeds of squash, but now I can't find it 😔

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