Reviews Kitchen
Written by Remi Rosmarin and Kenedee Fowler
Updated
2022-03-24T21:00:23Z
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- The Reviews team has tested hundreds of cooking tools, but these 33 helpful items are the ones we use every day.
- From non-stick tongs to kabob grilling baskets, these products have permanent places in our kitchens.
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There's a seemingly endless number of kitchen gadgets on the market, and we're not just talking about your average measuring spoon set or can opener (although those are essential). From a pancake batter dispenser that does all the mixing for you to a meat thermometer that alerts you when your steak is cooked to perfection, we've rounded up 33 clever cooking tools that we always keep within arm's reach.
While some of our picks may seem like novelty items, they actually save us serious time and effort in the kitchen (and make our meals taste incredible). In fact, we've come to rely on them more often than we'd like to admit — and we think you will, too.
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Here are 33 kitchen gadgets that practically do the work for you:
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A pancake batter mixer and dispenser
Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer
Pancakes are one of my favorite foods, and Whiskware's batter-mixing gadget takes all of the mess out of cooking them. The blenderball mixes the dry and wet ingredients together so easily; all you have to do is shake the bottle. And it has measurements printed on the side, which eliminates the need for extra measuring cups and spoons. — Angela Tricarico, editorial fellow
Check out Tricarico's detailed review on the Whiskware Pancake Batter Mixer.
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A meat thermometer that alerts you when it reaches your target temperature
ThermoWorks DOT Meat Thermometer
I bought the ThermoWorks DOT after seeing it recommended in our meat thermometer guide. I wanted an affordable leave-in probe thermometer with an alarm that let me know immediately when my meat was at the target temperature, without having to open the oven and let out heat. I even keep it in the meat as it rests so I can tell if the temp is rising too much, and I need to start carving. I like the thermometer's accuracy, how simple it is to use (there are only three buttons), and the fact that it has a magnet on the back so I can just stick it to my oven. It's a smart choice for any home chef who cooks large cuts of meat. — James Brains, reporter
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A vegetable chopper that'll speed up your prep time
OXO Good Grips Vegetable and Onion Chopper with Easy Pour Opening
I'm always looking for ways to cook faster and this vegetable chopper definitely speeds things along. This product only has one grid size but it cuts the vegetables more uniformly than I would by hand. The pour opening is convenient and everything is top-rack dishwasher safe. There is still a bit of prep involved, but it saves a lot of time and I wish I picked it up sooner. — Tiffany Chang, partnership manager
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A stainless steel two-tier dish rack
Specle Stainless Steel 2-Tier Dish Rack
I bought this after doing research for our best dish rack guide. My old rack tended to trap water and get moldy, and it was hard to clean. This rack holds so much more, has easy-to-clean removable trays, and my teen even said it was the coolest thing they'd ever seen. Plus, it only costs about $30. The rack has some assembly (it took me about 10 minutes). I've been using it for about five months now and couldn't be happier with it. — James Brains, reporter
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A splatter screen to protect you from grease
BergKoch Splatter Screen
I'm always amazed at how few home cooks seem to have splatter screens in their kitchens. It may not be the most elegant cooking tool, but grease stains aren't exactly a sight for sore eyes either. If you don't have one and you use your stove top for anything other than boiling water, it's high time. — Owen Burke, senior reporter
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A set of kabob grilling baskets
CebiaShish Kabob Grilling Baskets
I love grilling, and I love kabobs. I got these grilling baskets to make turning my kabobs a bit easier and less messy … there's always that one pesky cherry tomato or piece of bell pepper that's perilously close to falling onto the grill grates. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief, Service Journalism
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A pair of non-stick tongs
OXO Good Grips Locking Tongs
I use tongs for everything from tossing salads to turning meats in a pan. They're a simple tool, but a very versatile one that I use frequently — I have three pairs. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief, Service Journalism
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An indoor tabletop garden for herbs and vegetables
AeroGarden Harvest with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit
I have an older version of this and have used it for the past two years to grow fresh herbs and tomatoes. It's a fun gadget to grow essential ingredients to supplement what I'd usually buy at the grocery store, and depending how often you buy herbs like basil and mint, and veggies like tomatoes, it may or may not pay for itself over time. It takes up less room than a microwave and has its own grow lights, so it'll be fine in small, windowless spaces. — Jada Wong, former senior editor
Read our review of the Aerogarden here
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A compact indoor tabletop garden
The Smart Garden 3 from Click and Grow
Yes, I have two indoor tabletop gardens — they're so fun and useful! I am using this one to grow basil while my Aerogarden is growing tomatoes. This looks a lot sleeker than my Aerogarden, but it's also much smaller with only three spaces to grow instead of six. Nonetheless, it's a welcome addition to my kitchen and the fresh basil is a delicious addition to my meals. — Jada Wong, former senior editor
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An inexpensive cold brew maker
Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker
I prefer cold brew coffee all year round, so I use this inexpensive Takeya pitch around three times a week for a fresh and smooth brew at home. It's super easy to use — dump ground coffee into the filter, screw it into the lid, fill up the pitcher with water, and let it chill in your fridge overnight. The result is a smooth and concentrated cold brew whenever you want, no need to wait on any lines. — Jada Wong, former senior editor
Read our review of the Takeya cold brew maker here.
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A coffee grinder with consistent results
Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder
I love a fresh cup of coffee every morning and my preferred method of making it switches between French press and pour-over. For years I would manually grind coffee beans with the Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill and while it is a great entry-level coffee bean grinder, I eventually upgraded to the Baratza Encore Conical Coffee Grinder. Through my research, I found this to be the best value for money and relatively affordable compared to other electric coffee bean grinders on the market. The wide range of settings allows me to experiment between fine and coarse grounds and its ability to grind beans quickly and uniformly is essential in achieving a perfect cup of French press or pour-over coffee. — Alexa Bleustein, e-commerce analyst
Read our review of the Baratza Encore here.
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A juicer
Breville Juice Fountain Plus Juice Extractor
I don't know if this counts as cooking, but it's definitely an unexpected key player in my kitchen. It's pretty big and bulky, but it's relatively easy to clean and makes a flawless eight-ounce cup of juice in only five seconds. — Mara Leighton, senior reporter
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A playful strainer
Fred Big Blue Whale Strainer
I prefer using a pot strainer to pour out the liquid while keeping the food in it, like fruit and vegetable, because it's quicker than having to dump it into a colander. I like the Fred Big Blue Whale Strainer because it adds some whimsy. Note: When using with hot liquid, be extra careful not to tilt the strainer downward as it could accidentally flow down the handle and onto your hand. — Les Shu, deputy editor
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A multi-use tool for avocados
OXO 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer
I love guacamole, but I hate removing avocado pits — I'm always afraid I'll end up cutting my hand as I whack the knife into the pit to pull it out. OXO's 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer is one of my favorite cooking tools of all time. It not only cuts the avocado open, but it also helps you safely remove the pit and cut the avocado into perfect slices. — Malarie Gokey, former deputy editor
Read our review of the 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer here.
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A sous vide tool
Breville Joule Sous Vide
Sous vide cooking, which uses an immersion technique that involves putting food in sealed bags and cooking it in a water bath, used to be restricted to restaurants because of its expense, but Breville puts that power into the home chef's hands with the Joule. This tool cooks meats and vegetables perfectly by bringing them up to a pre-set temperature and doesn't let anything overcook. We also named the Joule the top pick in our sous vide buying guide. — Brandt Ranj, former reporter
Read our review of the Joule here.
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A manual milk frother
HIC Stainless Steel Milk Frother Pitcher with Handle and Lid
I love cappuccinos, but I'm too cheap to buy them. Years ago, I went on a quest to find the best milk frother, and to my surprise, this manual one was the winner. It's basically just a stainless steel mug with a mesh plunger that you move up and down to aerate and froth the milk. Once it's frothy, I let it settle, pour it into a Pyrex measuring cup and heat it up for a minute in the microwave, and voilà! I have perfect foamy milk for a cappuccino. — Malarie Gokey, former deputy editor
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A sturdy cheese grater
OXO Etched Two-Fold Grater
I've had a bunch of different graters over the years, but this foldable one from OXO is the best I've tried. It has two different grating sides: coarse and medium. The grater folds up so it takes up almost no space in my cabinet. It's also really sturdy, so when I'm grating cheese or other foods, I can comfortably hold it in place with the big handle and it doesn't move around.— Malarie Gokey, former deputy editor
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A silicone muffin pan
Silpat Silicone Muffin Pan
I was perfectly content using regular muffin pans until I had the opportunity to try Silpat's. Now I'm ruined. What makes this pan so good is its non-stick material, which allows you to pop out the muffins without letting them cool first or using grease. — Brandt Ranj, former reporter
Seconded! Brandt and I are both obsessed with these muffin pans. I threw out my metal one immediately after trying this for the first time.— Sally Kaplan, executive editor
Read our review of the muffin pans here.
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A fish spatula
AdeptChef Stainless Steel Fish Spatula
I think I've told everyone I know about this fish spatula. I'm actually a vegetarian, so I don't even use it for fish, but it's designed precisely to be able to handle and flip delicate foods. So yes, it's great for fish (probably) but it's also great for literally anything else you cook in a pan. It's flexible with a razor-thin edge so you can get underneath anything to flip it without dislodging that crispy crust or perfect sear you worked hard to achieve. Throw away your other spatulas and replace them with these — you won't be sorry! — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
Read our review of the fish spatula here.
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A pepper mill
Peugeot Paris Salt & Pepper Mills, 7"
I tried to resist Peugeot's expensive pepper mill as long as I could — I don't like buying expensive things — but it was too good. I tried pepper mill after pepper mill, and they all failed. This one is truly the best. I've had mine for five years, and it's as good as new. I love being able to select how coarse or fine I want to grind the peppercorns, and the smell and taste of fresh pepper is amazing. It's really elevated my cooking. — Malarie Gokey, former deputy editor
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Silicone oven mitts
Honla Silicone Oven Mitts
I tend to take things very literally, so to me, the "hand-iest" tool that I use in the kitchen has to be these silicone oven mitts from Honla. While there is nothing flashy about these mitts, they perform exactly as you would hope a pair of oven mitts should. They slip on and off easy, the silicone exterior provides a solid grip on whatever you may be pulling out of the oven, and they do not let any heat through to your hands. — Danny Bakst, senior manager, story production
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A handheld citrus juicer
Cucisina Lemon Juicer
If you frequently cook with lemons or limes, or you just make a lot of guacamole, you need this $7 tool in your drawer. It stops seeds from falling into your food and ensures you get every last drop of juice. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief, Service Journalism
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A foldable cutting board
Joseph Joseph Foldable Cutting Board
If you do a lot of batch cooking or you tend to prepare meals that require lots of chopping, you need this cutting board. The handle makes it easy to hold and maneuver around the kitchen, and the foldable sides ensure that nothing falls off the board while you do so. — Remi Rosmarin, former reporter
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A hand mixer with a detachable storage compartment
Breville The Handy Mix Scraper
To save space, I opted for this Breville hand mixer instead of a full-size stand mixer — and woah, I did not realize how effortless it could be to combine batters and whip egg whites into stiff peaks. I especially like this mixer's easy-to-adjust speed control and built-in light. It comes with three different types of attachments and a see-through container to store both the attachments and the device itself. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief, Service Journalism
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A splatter screen for frying pans
Williams-Sonoma Silicone Splatter Screen
Williams-Sonoma's splatter screen has helped me crack down on kitchen grease big time. The screen's small perforations let steam escape so that my food never gets soggy, but they keep in all the grease that would have otherwise ended up all over my stove and the areas that immediately surround it. — Ellen Hoffman, editor-in-chief, Service Journalism
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An indoor grill press
George Foreman 4-Serving Grill and Panini Press
Upon learning that my meals mostly consisted of whatever I could boil, my father sent me this handy $40 George Foreman Grill to make cooking full meals — including protein — easier and therefore more appealing. It really has been a lifesaver. It makes a quick healthy meal of chicken and veggies in minutes, and it works as a panini press. The plates are removable and easy to clean, and it's extremely versatile for how affordable it was. It also doesn't hurt that the sloped surface drains about 42% of the fat. — Mara Leighton, senior reporter
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A citrus zester and cheese grater
Microplane Coarse Grater
Whether you're zesting lemons or grating Parmesan cheese or even fresh nutmeg, this is the best possible tool for the job. The top has a little rubber cover that keeps the grater stable on a cutting board, and the handle provides a comfortable grip. It's dishwasher safe, very sharp, and extremely effective. I store mine on a hook for easier access and I also really appreciate that there's a built-in loop for hanging. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
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A detachable grater
Chef'n Tower Grater
This clever tower grater from Chef'n is a new favorite for me. Each of the three sides, which have differently-sized grating holes, can be removed from the base and used on their own. If you keep the tower intact while you grate, your cheese or veggies will stay safely tucked inside. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
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A miniature spiralizer
Vegetti Spiralizer
Get your laughs out now, everyone. I know the name of this gadget is not great, but it works really well for such a simple tool. Each end makes veggie noodles in a different size, and all you have to do is twist your zucchini, cucumber, carrot, or other long veggies around to create them. It takes up a lot less space than those huge spiralizers, but one thing to watch out for is that you don't catch your finger on the blades inside when you get down to the last little bit of whatever you're spiralizing. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
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A waffle maker
Krups Belgian Waffle Maker
A waffle maker is one of those single-use tools most people are unsure about, but Krups' has earned its place in my kitchen. It turns out perfectly shaped diner-like waffles in about 10 minutes and has become a regular part of my weekend routine. Plus, its grates pop off, so you can easily clean it without risking any damage. — Brandt Ranj, former reporter
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A smart speaker
Echo (2nd Generation) Smart Speaker
I'm an amateur cook, and one reason why I don't do it often (and thereby don't get any better) is that I hate having to continually refer back to a cookbook or a recipe on my phone. This lets me ask cooking questions to Alexa without taking my hands off the cutting board or having to pause my podcast or music — since I'm probably already using the Echo to listen. It also helps with the boredom I still feel whilst cooking. — Mara Leighton, senior reporter
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A utensil holder
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Rotating Utensil Holder
If your kitchen drawer can't easily open or close because it's overstuffed, OXO's utensil holder is the answer. It has three sections that hold everything from my spatula to my citrus press, and its rotating bottom makes it easy to get at whatever I need. — Brandt Ranj, former reporter
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A set of just the essentials
The Fundamentals
If you're a minimalist whose goal is to pare down, not add to the clutter of your kitchen, you'll want to take a look at kitchen essentials brand Material. Its Fundamentals Set comprises two knives, a pair of tongs, a wooden spoon, a metal spoon, a slotted spatula, and a wooden base to hold it all together, but my favorite is the tongs. You can lock and unlock the tongs simply by squeezing and flipping with one hand, giving you the power to multitask and the feeling of a pro chef who knows exactly what they're doing. — Connie Chen, former senior reporter
Read our review of The Fundamentals here.
Commerce Reporter
Remi is a former reporter for Business Insider's affiliate commerce team, Insider Reviews. After graduating from Colgate University with a degree in Creative Writing and Political Science, Remi joined Business Insider to help readers find the best products worth buying. Since joining the team in 2018, Remi has reviewed hundreds of products and interviewed founders of industry disruptors, such as direct-to-consumer startups Koio and Absolut Art. She specializes in women's lifestyle, but loves to learn about any and all products that add value and excitement to our everyday lives. Say hello at rrosmarin@businessinsider.com. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
Kenedee Fowler is a freelance commerce writer with three years of experience sharing her expertise to help readers source the best home products, fashion pieces, and beauty finds. She is also aformer home editorial fellow on the Business Insider Reviews team. In her free time, you can find Kenedee trying local coffeeshops, adding plants and decor to her home, and catching up with friends overbrunch.
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