26 kitchen tools EVERY home cook should own

Essential kit

It’s easy to waste money on kitchen gadgets you don’t really need, but there are some absolute essentials everyone should have. Whether you're just starting out or an old hand in the kitchen, these are the 26 tools we recommend for every home cook. Read on for our checklist, plus some top tips on what to look for when making a purchase or updating your kitchenware.

26. Instant-read thermometer

Worried about serving up chicken with a side of salmonella, or crispy sausages that are practically raw on the inside? Invest in an instant-read digital thermometer – this little device is a surefire way to ensure those chicken wings aren’t pink on the inside, and that steak is cooked just as you want it.

25. A wooden chopping board

Cutting boards are not only a knife’s best friend, but a worktop’s too; nobody wants marks sliced into the kitchen surface. While plastic and glass boards do the job, a quality wooden chopping board is the best investment. Soft wood won’t dull your knives as quickly as plastic, and will last much longer.

24. A silicone basting brush

If you’ve been using a traditional pastry brush made of wood and bristles until now, think again. Silicone basting brushes are both durable and super easy to clean. They’re not just good for pastry, but for brushing oil, butter and sauces evenly over meat and fish.

23. A range of spoons and spatulas

A good set of spoons is indispensable. Go for wooden or silicone spoons for mixing and stirring sauces, a ladle for soups and a slotted spoon for scooping things up. Spatulas perform a range of tasks, from spreading and scraping to scooping, with silicone spatulas the best option here – just make sure they’re heat resistant so they don’t melt…

22. Stainless steel box grater

A stainless steel box grater is multi-purpose, and will allow you to grate anything from hard cheeses and chocolate to lemon zest and veggies. It’s a no-brainer.

21. A balloon whisk

A hand-held whisk is great for smaller jobs when you don’t want to get out an electric mixer, or when you need a more delicate touch.

20. Mandoline slicer

Whether you want to chop vegetables for a salad or make your own fries, a mandoline slicer is an easy way to achieve a neat finish. They usually offer several attachable blades so you can chop, julienne or spiralise, making this the perfect tool if you're not so confident about your knife skills.

19. A blender/small food processor

An electric blender or small food processor is a must-have for any cook. Compact processors won't take up much space and come with attachments that are useful for everything from mixing pesto and curry pastes, to juicing citrus fruits. Tall blenders allow you to whizz up smoothies but are also good for soups, sauces and cake mixtures.

18. Nesting mixing bowls

A set of nesting mixing bowls in different sizes will allow you to prepare multiple elements at the same time and will save space by stacking together neatly.

17. Kitchen scissors

Once you realise their full potential, a pair of kitchen scissors will be a staple in your kitchen drawer. Not just useful for cutting open bags of frozen veg, kitchen shears can also be used for trimming the fat off a joint of meat, cutting herbs or even slicing a pizza.

16. Sieves/colander

From straining sauces to dusting a cake with icing sugar, there's no end of jobs for a sieve. Get one with a fine mesh for the more delicate tasks, and one that's a little sturdier. If you're short on space it can double as a colander – perfect for straining your pasta, noodles, vegetables, potatoes and more.

15. Cast iron pan

From pancakes to steak, a cast iron pan will cook it all. The good ones aren’t necessarily cheap, but they are definitely worth it as they heat evenly and work both on the hob and in the oven. 

14. Baking trays

A set of baking trays are a kitchen essential for even the most amateur of cooks. Look for non-stick, rimmed baking trays for roasting vegetables, cooking meat or even baking cookies.

13. Pestle and mortar

If you’ve already got one of these and it’s been sat on your kitchen top since you brought it, it’s time to get using it. Pestle and mortars are great for crushing your own spices, grinding down peppercorns or mixing up guacamole.

12. Measuring cups and spoons

A variety of different measuring equipment can be useful, but measuring cups and spoons are essential if you’re a baker. Invest in a set of stainless steel cups for dry ingredients such as flour, rice/grains, oats and more. 

11. Glass measuring jug

For liquids however, a glass measuring jug is the simplest and easiest tool. Buy a relatively large one so you can measure out stock, water or milk in large quantities.

10. Tongs

Tongs can be utilised for all sorts of things in the kitchen. Use them for turning meat, tossing salad, serving from a pan, pulling hot trays out of the oven or serving biscuits and cakes. Metal ones do the job, but the ones with silicone-coated ends are non-stick and super-easy to clean.  

9. Microwave

Not just useful for heating up leftovers, microwaves make it easy to cook anything from fish to potatoes. Did you know you can even use a microwave to dry your own herbs?

8. Potato masher

If you’ve ever tried mashing potatoes with a fork, you’ll understand just how useful one of these is. Don’t waste money on an electric potato masher though, just invest in an old-fashioned handheld utensil and crush the spuds to the smoothness of your liking. 

7. Ceramic baking dishes

A quality ceramic baking dish will last a lifetime. Invest in a large one for entertaining and a few individual dishes for cooking solo or for smaller numbers. They look great when presented at the table too.

6. Small grill

If you’re a meat fan, a small grill is worth the money. Not only can you use them to cook meat, fish or veggies, but they also work for toasties and grilled sandwiches. 

5. A Y-shaped peeler

Say goodbye to the knife-style potato peeler. Those finger-risking traps are slow and require the perfect angle to work effectively. Y-shaped potato peelers not only save your fingers, but allow you to peel your spuds in half the time.

4. Storage containers in a range of sizes

There’s no point cooking in bulk if you have nothing to put it in. Stock up on Tupperware so you can make meals for the whole week ahead and store them in the fridge/freezer. Smaller sizes for the remains of sauce or the ends of wine are useful ways to make leftovers go further too. 

3. Can opener

Every kitchen needs a can opener. Invest in a decent one though – battling to open a tin of beans is not a useful way to spend your time. Battery operated models aren't always worth the expense, look for one with soft handles that will leave the edges of the can smooth. 

2. Slow cooker

If you don’t have much time on your hands, a slow cooker should be an essential kitchen gadget. Simply pop the food in the cooker in the morning, go to work and return to find your dinner ready. They really are well worth the investment. 

1. A set of knives

Realistically, you can get away with just two knives: a chef’s knife (the big one that cuts pretty much anything) and a paring knife, which will cut up the smaller, more delicate stuff. But a good knife set is always handy and will provide you with the likes of a bread knife, which is not only good for a loaf, but also for slicing tomatoes, which tend to slip away when cutting. Some pricier brands come with a lifetime guarantee so buy the best you can afford – a quality set should see you through the decades.

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