You’ve certainly heard the phrase, “Everything but the kitchen sink,” and it got me wondering: When did it get started, how and why does it really have nothing at all to do with the kitchen? “Everything but the kitchen sink” means just what it says — literally everything but the kitchen sink. So, I’m taking liberties with the phrase (with apologies to the crusty historical figure who coined it).
I’m calling this the “everything and the kitchen sink list of must-have kitchen gadgets.” (I mean, you can buy an actual kitchen sink on Amazon if you want to, but I didn’t really include it.) I’ve got everything from the completely necessary meat thermometer and cast iron skillet to the darn intriguing “Happy Toaster” and your very own beer flights. Pick one or pick them all; these buys are true kitchen necessities — no matter your skill level, from microwave master to certified chef.
Take Flight
Whether you’re a beer lover or a wine aficionado, you’ve probably been to a restaurant where you’ve ordered a flight. Now you can “take flight” at home with this flight sampler set. It comes equipped with six-ounce pilsners, a paddle, and a chalkboard panel on which you can identify your pours. It’s a fun way to entertain or show off your homebrew beer skills.
Tool Time
Construction workers can’t do much without the right tools and neither can cooks, no matter the skill level. This heat-resistant silicone spatula set is created for cooking, baking and mixing with a variety of sizes for every kitchen task. A one-piece design that eliminates cracking and trapped food, these are also non-stick and easy to clean. Buy in black or red.
Taste the Rainbow
I don’t even drink and I’m already thinking of a reason I need these stemless, unbreakable unicorn wine glasses. Awash in a range of colors, these cups are a generous 16 ounces in size and perfect for every gathering, from a simple dinner to a fancy party. The price is great, too, at just $27 for a set of four.
Chop Shop
Have chopsticks, will travel? This stainless steel option comes in a set of four, perfect for reusing at home for takeout or homemade creations or taking on the road for a more reliable choice over the wooden ones. These come with a convenient carrying pouch. One reviewer said, “The chopsticks are solid without being too heavy and screw together easily.”
Run a Temperature
My entire cooking game changed when I finally broke down and purchased a meat thermometer. This digital version with a probe has a large, easy-to-read LED screen and an instant-read delivery that gives you the temperature in as little as three seconds. Waterproof, you can use this for more than just meat; try it while grilling, baking, frying or making candy.
Spiral Down
Spiralizing is one of my favorite ways to prepare fruits and vegetables. Not only does it create an interesting shape, but it often helps things to cook more quickly. This handheld spiralizer comes with two blade sizes with stainless steel handles for a comfy grip. This requires no electricity and no batteries and is small enough to fit both in your hand and neatly in a kitchen drawer.
Spoon Fed
Plenty of cooking can be done without precise measurements, but there are plenty of instances where you can’t either. These measuring spoons come in a seven-piece set with a leveler (which is worth its weight in gold, to be honest). They’re skinny enough to fit in spice jars, too, which is usually the biggest issue with traditional measuring spoons. Snag these for less than 10 bucks.
Storage Wars
Food storage containers are the single biggest pantry organization tool I can think of. Instead of having a variety of sizes of bags and boxes that sit unsteadily in your pantry, these containers make it easier to stack, sort and save space. This set comes with two 108-ounce containers great for flour and sugar and two 54-ounce containers that are ideal for oats, beans, cereal and more.
What a Crock
If you’re like me and you’ve acquired more kitchen tools than space, this white marble utensil crock is just what you need to free up some storage. Reviewers rave over its appearance as well as its functionality: “I love this holder for my kitchen utensils! It’s very heavy so it stays put and it’s beautiful.” It’s a great buy at less than $25.
On the Mat
Cooking requires a lot of standing up, which can lead to achy legs and tired feet. These anti-fatigue mats have a commercial-grade thickness for comfort and stability and a beveled-edge design to help prevent tripping. The modern styling also goes with anything. This reviewer summed it up nicely: “Easy to clean, comfortable, stays put without slipping.” And, what more could you want?
Keep Your Cool
Allow me to tell on myself here: The first time I saw someone cooking on their cooling racks, I just about lost it. And, then I realized: Why not? They’re made of the same material! So, I’ll call these cooling and baking racks and you can use them solo or stacked. The crosswire grid pattern keeps your delicate creations from sliding through gaps.
Pound Salt
This Himalayan salt grill slab is so beautiful that I kind of want to buy it and just put it on display somewhere. But, salt slabs weren’t made to be art, they’re made to season your food while it cooks. All-natural and hand-carved, you can use this for cooking and serving, hot or cold. It’s one of the best buys I’ve ever seen for a block like this at less than $20.
Put a Lid on It
You know one of the easiest ways to cut down on your plastic use in the form of sandwich and quart baggies? Reusable products. Specifically, this eight-pack of can lids that fit a variety of standard-sized canned foods. These snap right on everything from tiny cans of tomato paste to cans of tuna, soup, and fruit. At less than $15, these are well worth having on hand.
Peel Out
Raise your hand if you just discovered that shovel-looking thing actually has its own name: A pizza peel. Elegantly thin with a tapered edge, this spatula features a long handle to keep your hands away from the heat. When you’re finished using it, hang it gently by the same handle. This will work for a variety of cooking projects, not just pizza. (Although pizza’s never the wrong choice.)
A Cut Above
My absolute favorite feature of this wood cutting board is the raised lip that braces against the counter for a secure hold. I can’t possibly be the only person who’s had a cutting board slipping and sliding around while trying to dice vegetables. This board is made from acacia wood and has a large surface perfect for prep work or serving.
Stop the Presses
We’re not going to debate the merits of French press coffee over any other form of coffee in this list but suffice it to say, I’m sharing a French press coffee maker so you can draw your own conclusions. Brew a full-bodied and aromatic cup of coffee, whether hot or cold, with a chic glass design. The copper pictured is unique but you can also buy it in black.
Cuts like a Knife
I love knives and not in a weird, creepy way — more like in a “I want my cooking to be as simple as possible” type of way. This fillet knife from Master Maison is made from 67 layers of stainless steel to achieve true Damascus authenticity and quality and is then hand-finished for ultimate sharpness, hardness, performance and durability. It looks beautiful too, doesn’t it?
The Toast of the Town
Every kitchen needs a toaster — that’s a given. So, if you have to buy a toaster, you might as well make it a fun one. This two-slot “Happy Toaster” comes with eight interchangeable plates that deliver a fun morning message, from “You got this” to “Get in mah belly.” (I mean, there’s a unicorn plate, too.) Kids and kids at heart will love it.
Iron, Man
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of cookware options out there on Amazon and the marketplace as a whole. None of them works as well as good, old-fashioned cast iron. This pre-seasoned skillet ensures an evenly cooked meal (and is a great vessel for a mean steak, from personal experience). Whether you’re attempting cornbread or chicken pot pie, this one pan can do it all.
Wok and Roll
Stir fries are one of the easiest, most versatile and frankly, most delicious meal options out there, and usually appeal to an entire group. But, to pull it off most efficiently, you’re going to need a wok. This one is non-stick and stainless steel with a domed lid and bamboo spatula. One-pan cooking (and clean-up) has never been simpler.
Pair Up
Have you ever been getting ready to cook only to discover you’re missing something important? (I know, I know, read the recipe first.) For me, it’s most often missing cheesecloth or cooking twine and this purchase includes both. Strain your own yogurt and almond milk or tie up meat around a bundle of vegetables for a perfect presentation. This set should last you quite a while for less than $10.
Get Your Mitts On
Few things hurt as badly as accidentally burning yourself reaching into an oven. You’re going to need a pair of oven mitts and these extra-long silicone mitts earn high marks with more than 31,000 reviews. Heat- and steam-resistant as well as waterproof, they’re also textured to ensure a firm grip. In short, they’re precisely what you need for every cooking task, small and large.
Your Bread and Butter
The day that I found out you can leave butter unrefrigerated is the day my life changed. (O.K., that’s a bit dramatic but it was significant.) This butter dish with lid is ideal for counter sitting in a non-smudging deep-dish design that incorporates a small cutting board as a lid. The seal keeps your butter fresh, up to two full sticks.
Greased Lightning
I love to fry things; I mean, who doesn’t, to be honest? But, I don’t love the mess it makes (including the one in my kitchen awaiting me right now). This splatter guard goes on top of your frying pans to keep the grease splatters where they belong and not on your skin or on your stovetop. Choose from four sizes to match your existing cookware.
Coffee Talk
If you take your coffee seriously, you know that storage is crucial to preparing a good cuppa. This coffee canister provides an airtight seal for either ground coffee or beans and comes with a magnetic measuring scoop and a tasting notes bag-saver clip. A CO2 release valve, date wheel for tracking freshness, and surgical-grade stainless steel body ensure the best cup of coffee possible, right down to the last bean.
Sugar and Spice
Short on space but not on spice? These magnetic spice rack gripper clips hold most spice jars and tins to any metal surface in your kitchen. Easy to attach with no nails or screws required, you can organize, arrange and rearrange to your heart’s content. Free up counter or cabinet space by putting your most frequently used spices front and center.
Bowled Over
If you enjoy cooking, chances are you enjoy entertaining and nothing makes entertaining simpler than disposable serving bowls. This six-pack of 96-ounce bowls works great for everything from chips to salads to candy and everything in between. Suitable for hot and cold foods, you’ll thank your lucky stars that you have less clean-up to do at the end of a long event.
Forbidden Fruit
No kitchen is complete without a fruit basket stand; after all, where would you put your apples and bananas? This version is handmade with sturdy steel construction and black powder-coated for a beautiful and elegant finish. The open design is actually by design to help fruits and vegetables ripen evenly. This set can be separated and used as two pieces.
Tap Out
Make it simpler for little ones and those with weak or arthritic hands to enjoy juice, milk and other beverages with the Magic Tap automatic drink dispenser. Designed to make dispensing liquids a one-handed experience, these taps are suitable for most non-carbonated water and beverage jugs. Buy a single or a pack of three or six, but let’s be honest: You’re going to want more than one for sure.
Wine O’Clock
The saddest day of your life will be the day you really need to crack into that bottle of wine and discover you don’t have a wine opener. This corkscrew is ergonomically designed and easy to use (five twists or less), with a double-hinged fulcrum for efficiency and a built-in serrated foil cutter. These come in a variety of colors to fit your decor (or mood).
In the Mix
Get ready to read a hard truth: You don’t have to stop at Starbucks every morning. It’s not necessary and it’s expensive. This milk frother will let you create your own coffee concoctions at home and at less than $18 will more than pay for itself after two or three trips to the coffee shop. The included stand is extra handy.
Mill Around
This is a seasoning PSA: Please — for the love of all that is pure and holy — use salt and pepper when you cook. This electric pepper grinder and salt mill work well and will look stylish on your countertop or table. These feature a one-touch operation for easy use, durable ceramic blades to grind spices just the way you like them, and an LED light so you can see how much you’re adding.
Love Your Leftovers
Leftovers are the stage of life when you’ve become a full-grown adult, fully acknowledging that food is too darn expensive to just toss after a meal. This glass food storage set gives you 12 containers and 12 matching lids in a variety of sizes that’ll work for leftovers of all types. They’re airtight and leak-proof, too, so you can even cart them to work.
Spill the Tea
You might not view a tea kettle as a kitchen necessity but you’ll be singing a different tune when you’re cold or feeling under the weather. This tea kettle whistles when the water starts boiling so you always know when it’s ready and comes with a strainer so you can use loose leaf teas, too. The shiny mirror finish is tres chic.
Yes, You Can-ister
If you consider yourself a minimalist who wants easy access to your coffee, tea and sugar, this canister set with airtight bamboo lids is a must-have. Classically designed in an all-white finish with striking typewriter-esque font, these will blend seamlessly into any contemporary home. And, hey, if you use them to store things like flour, sugar and oats, I’ll never tell a soul.
Hit the Bottle
If you have bottles, you need bottle brushes. And, I don’t just mean baby bottles, OK? If you own tumblers or water bottles you use in the gym or car, you also need these. This set includes five brushes of varying sizes and lengths (with one that’s perfect for reusable straws). Reviewers rave about the quality of these brushes and the customer service.
Blow off Some Steam
I told you I had products for every level of cooking ability so I have to make good on that. This microwave cooker and steamer will be beloved by all levels of cooks, thanks to its removable strainer and lock steam vent lid. Steam veggies quickly, store leftovers, and strain liquids off of your food — all in one handy, nesting container.