Cooking from scratch is my jam. I mean, I use boxed mixes sometimes, we eat the occasional frozen pizza, and my son loves frozen waffles, but I love to be in my kitchen, stirring and baking and cooking. And having the right tools makes it so much easier!
Here are 10 kitchen gadgets that I use nearly every day. These are the go-to tools that I have used for years, some big and some small. All of them can be found on Amazon, so I linked to each product page for your convenience.
Wire whisk
I mix a lot of things the old-fashioned way — with a whisk! Once you build up a bit of arm muscle, you can make things a lot faster with a wire whisk than by digging out the mixer and beaters, and then cleaning and putting it all away. Pancakes, frosting, gravies, white sauce, and so much more!
Tupperware shaker
Who else has some Tupperware floating around in their kitchen? I really like some items from them, and then there’s some that I just don’t use. The shaker is one I can’t be without!
My #1 use for it, is to make gravy. I put cool water and flour in it, and shake it good, then stir it into the broth to thicken for gravy. It is just the handy-dandy-iest thing!
Secondly, I use it for protein shakes, mixing eggs for scrambled eggs, mixing a salad dressing, or even shaking up a quick boxed pudding! (it holds 2 cups milk and one pkg pudding mix just exactly)
Tupperware canister for brown sugar
My brown sugar was always drying out until I found this trick. Use a Tupperware canister! I haven’t tried using any other Tupperware containers, but assuming they have a tight seal, they should work.
I use the next-to-smallest canister, and it is the perfect size to fit a bag of brown sugar. I haven’t had hard sugar since I started using it. Unless someone doesn’t get the lid sealed properly!
Cast iron skillet
We bought our first cast iron skillet while we were on our honeymoon in Arizona. We had a pickup with a tent, sleeping bags, and a propane burner. And a cooler of food. But no skillet.
We stopped at a store and bought a can of beans, some polish sausages, some ketchup, and an 8 inch cast iron skillet. We drove to a wayside parking area, with mesquite bushes silhouetted against the setting sun, we lit the propane burner and heated up our supper.
Unfortunately, at age 19, I did not know that cast iron must be seasoned before use. (this was before pre-seasoned was so popular) Needless to say, our supper stuck like glue to that fresh cast iron pan! 🙂 I still chuckle when I remember!
We didn’t use it again that trip, but when we got home, I scrubbed it out and seasoned it properly. For the last 18+ years, I have fried eggs in that little pan nearly every morning. It is almost like non-stick, after so many years of butter and bacon grease.
Anyways, there’s the story behind my favorite skillet! Cast iron – when cared for properly – will last a lifetime. Lodge™ is a good resource for caring for cast iron cookware.
Keurig coffeepot
My man likes his daily coffee. After a winter or two in Wyoming, I finally decided I would learn to like it because I wanted to enjoy it with my husband. I haven’t regretted that decision! Sipping coffee together has been a pleasant way to spend a few moments here and there.
But, recently my man had to cut back on caffeine for health reasons. So he switched to decaf. And this mama still wants her caffiene! Haha! So when my man gave me a Keurig for Christmas last year, I was quite happy! (it was actually not name-brand Keurig, but works fine.) Now I can make my one little cup of coffee daily, and it is easy as pie!
Steel spatula
Ok, this baby right here is my trusty sidekick. From scrambled eggs in my cast iron to scooping brownies out of a pan, to flipping pancakes — I use this spatula for everything!
It has a very short handle, so you can get your hand right down next to the action – gives me great control when handling fragile things like omelets.
The blade is very sharp, which is important for scraping the bottom of a skillet or cutting those stubborn edges of the brownies. (pet peeve is a scrambled egg scum left on the bottom of a skillet!)
I once found 4 of these at a yard sale, and bought them all! Since then, I have lost all of them, but I found a little kitchen store in a nearby city that carries them. And today I discovered that they are sold on Amazon! Who knew?! Actually, what isn’t sold on Amazon? Right?! 🙂
Kitchenaid for bread
Oh, my dear old KitchenAid! What would I do without it?! I make bread in it 2-3 times a week, (well, my kids do!) I use it for cookies, tortilla dough, whipping cream, and so much more.
I have many of the attachments for it and have ground meat from elk and cow when we process our own meat.
I have the fruit/vegetable strainer attachment, which I use for applesauce or tomato juice.
But mostly, I use it for quick homemade bread. It hold two loaves, so we make bread every other day or so. Oh, and cinnamon rolls! We’ve sure made a lot of cinnamon rolls in this mixer.
Magnetic dry-erase calendar
I love having a dry erase calendar in my kitchen. I agree it is not the prettiest thing ever, but as I inch toward 40, my memory isn’t what it used to be! Ha! So I write down any appointments or events on my calendar.
When I am organized, I write down my meals, too, or at least the main dish. My family likes to look at it and know what is going on. Especially now that we have teens because sometimes I forget to tell them plans!
Egg Timer
Of course, I use my egg timer for eggs, but so much more! My mom taught me the importance of timing everything when you bake. Not so much that you go precisely by the time listed, but just so you don’t completely forget that something is cooking!
I always set the timer a few minutes less than the recipe calls for, then I can check the food and adjust the timer as needed. But I rarely burn food, as long as I use the timer!
Stainless steel paring knife
My mom also taught me the value of a good paring knife in the kitchen. These RADA knives are hands-down my favorite knives. They stay sharp! I was given a set at our wedding, 18 years ago, and they are still sharp!
The serrated one in this set is a tomato knife. You will never use a knife nicer for slicing tomatoes. I mean, it is amazing.
The others are awesome for peeling potatoes, apples, anything, really. I can’t say enough good about them.
So there you have it. 10 kitchen gadgets that I use nearly every day! If you are setting up your kitchen, I highly recommend all of these.
Or maybe you have a favorite kitchen gadget that I haven’t mentioned? Please leave me a comment and tell me! I am always on the lookout for more nifty kitchen gadgets!
I was not paid for my opinion, but I may earn a small commission if you click on my links and buy an item. I am an Amazon affiliate.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Thoughtful, inspiring and educational.