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37 Essential Tools for the Modern Home Chef

37 Essential Tools for the Modern Home Chef

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Mastering the kitchen isn’t just about nailing a recipe; it’s also about having the right tools to take your meals to the next level. These days, there’s more to a kitchen than a simple checklist of mixing bowls, knives, and a chopping board. From single-serve air fryers to innovative cookware that can do it all, we’ve put together a list of essential tools that consider the needs of the modern home chef. These essential picks will equip you with all you need for culinary success.


A Tiny Air Fryer That’s Incredibly Quiet

Amazon

This Corsori Mini Air Fryer is perfect for single-size portions. Its compact design won’t take up too much room on your countertop, but it can still cook your food to crispy perfection in just a few minutes. Five-star fans love how quiet it is and say it’s so light you can hide it away easily when it’s not in use.

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Brew Coffee in Minutes With a Keurig K-Express

Amazon

The Keurig K-Express coffee maker can brew a tasty cup in just a few minutes. It makes three different cup sizes and is also compatible with travel mugs when you need to get out the door quickly. You can also enjoy the coffee as strong as you like by selecting your brew strength.

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This Paper Towel Holder Has a Secret Cleaner Hidden Inside

Amazon

Clean-up has never been easier with this paper towel holder and spray pump. The paper towel holder has a tension arm that allows you to pull off as many sheets as you need, and the spray pump can be pulled out with the finger loop for quick clean-up.

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This Beautiful Blender Is Sleek and Powerful

Amazon

Get the most out of your fruit and veggies with the beautiful Beast blender. Designed to blitz ice and blend your concoctions to creamy perfection, it’s also quieter than most blenders, cutting down on noisy vibrations. It also uses a smart blade to adjust the speed and monitor temperatures for the tastiest results.

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This Stunning Marble Cookbook Stand Helps You Follow Recipes With Ease

Amazon

Follow recipes hands-free using this simple yet stunning marble stand that will keep your cookbook in place. The contemporary design makes it practical and elegant.

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The Always Pan Lives Up to the Hype

Amazon

The Always Pan has won legions of fans who love it for its versatility and style. It can be used for everything from sautéing to frying, baking, searing, boiling, braising, straining, serving, and storing. It uses a special nonstick coating free from nasties and comes with a steam-release lid and a nesting beechwood spatula.

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This Crock-Pot Offers 2 Cooking Modes

Amazon

If you’re serious about cooking, this Crock-Pot means business. It has a removable probe for accurate temperature monitoring and is big enough to cook meals for a large gathering. You can choose between slow cooker and sous vide cooking options.

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This Rice Cooker Can Also Be Used for Soups, Chilis, and More

Amazon

This rice cooker makes up to six cups of rice in one simple step. It can perfectly prepare rice and grains with the touch of a button and can also be used for soups, porridge, chili, jambalaya, and more. It also has a handy keep-warm function to prep ahead of time.

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Clean Up in Seconds With These Slow Cooker Liners

Amazon

Using these slow cooker liners, you can make delicious meals with minimal cleaning. Designed to fit round or oval slow cookers, they not only dramatically cut down the time you have to spend cleaning up, but they also keep your slow cooker in great condition, as no soaking or scrubbing is required.

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A Milk Frother to Put a Barista-Style Finishing Touch on Your Coffee

Amazon

In ten seconds or less, this milk frother adds a rich, creamy froth to your coffee. Whip up your coffee of choice, whether it’s lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, or hot chocolate. Use it as an egg beater, or even get your protein shakes to the perfect consistency with the touch of a button.

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You Don’t Even Have to Think With This Rapid Egg Cooker

Amazon

Get a protein boost in the morning with this rapid egg cooker. Whether you like your eggs soft or hard-boiled, this gadget works at the touch of a button without needing any added water. It also includes accessories to make omelets and poached eggs.

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Cut the Perfect Slice With This Cutting Wheel

Amazon

This pizza cutting wheel, which fits into the palm of your hand, makes it easier to cut perfect slices as the blade is super-sharp. It also comes with a protective blade guard for safe storage.

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Cook Meat With Confidence With This Smart Meat Thermometer

Amazon

Cook meat perfectly with this smart meat thermometer with wireless Bluetooth connectivity. You can use it to set a timer that will send you an alert when you need to adjust the heat or flip and even how long to let it rest. You can keep an eye on food even while you’re 150 feet away.

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Chop Through Herbs in Seconds With These Scissors

Amazon

Stop wasting time chopping herbs and switch to these scissors designed to cut through things like celery, mint, chives, basil, thyme, and more. These clever shears cut down on food prep time and eliminate the need for a cutting board.

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A Bag Sealer Keeps Your Snacks Fresh

Amazon

Keep snacks fresh with this bag sealer. Don’t worry about half-used packets and snacks going to waste; this heat sealer irons them closed like a new bag in just a few seconds.

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These Foldable Trivets Will Protect Your Surfaces

Amazon

Protect countertop surfaces from hot pots and pans with these foldable trivets. These trivets come in cool, muted tones that will look great in any kitchen, and they’re practical, too, as they fold neatly for storage.

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Blitz Through a Pint of Strawberries With This Handheld Slicer

Amazon

With this handheld slicer, you can save time chopping fruit and blitz through a whole pint of strawberries in just a few minutes. It’s a real timesaver and helps reduce choking hazards for little ones by easily slicing grapes, cherry tomatoes, and more.

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These Freezer Bags Can Replace Thousands of Disposable Food Bags

Amazon

These reusable bags are food storage that you can feel better about. Made from silicone, these freezer bags are dishwasher-safe and will protect your food from freezer burn. One of these bags can replace over 350 disposable bags. Use them to store sandwiches, marinating meat, snacks, veggies, and beyond.

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This Accurate Digital Scale Will Help You Nail Recipes

Amazon

This digital kitchen scale tells you exactly what measurements you’re working with so you can follow recipes to the letter. Its accurate display makes it great for baking, recipes, and meal prep. It also comes in five colors.

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A Collapsible Microwave Food Cover That Doubles as a Colander

Amazon

It might seem simple, but this vented microwave cover will stop food splatter from decorating your microwave. It’s a pretty grim task to clean out dried remnants from the microwave, so save yourself a job by putting one of these over your food while you cook. We love it because it’s collapsible for easy storage and can act as a colander.

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Make Cleaning an Air Fryer Painless With These Reusable Liners

Amazon

Air fryers may have changed how many of us cook, but they also give us another thing to clean, and not all air fryers are straightforward. But now they can be with these reusable silicone air fryer liners. This four-pack is oil-proof and heat-resistant and can be put in the dishwasher.

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Keep on Top of How Much Oil You Use With a Light Mister

Amazon

If you want to be in control of how much oil you’re using, this oil sprayer will do the trick. With just one spritz, you get a fine coating on your air fryer, salad, or pans. It has helpful measurements to keep on track and comes with a handy funnel, making it easier to decant without spills.

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Get Your Lids in Order With This Must-Have Organizer

Amazon

Don’t waste time looking for the right lid for your food storage. This lid organizer will quickly sort out your drawers and cupboards so you can get your hands on what you need. You can stack all of your lids in one place and in order of size if you wish. You can then stack the bottoms to make your space clutter-free.

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These Cord Organizers Stick Onto Your Appliances to Keep Everything Neat

Amazon

These cord organizers allow you to say goodbye to cord chaos that can leave your kitchen looking like a mess. Stick the cord winder onto your appliance, and you’ll be ready to use it. You can give it a quick blast with a hair dryer to get the adhesive super-sticky.

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This Clip-On Strainer Lets You Drain Your Pasta Straight From the Pot

Amazon

When your pasta is boiled, use this clip-on strainer. It will save you time and allow you to strain with just one hand straight from the pot. Available in six colors, the Snap N’ Strain fits most pots, pans, and bowls.

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These Oven Mitts Have a Ribbed Design to Give You a Better Grip

Amazon

Stop your fingers from getting burned with these KitchenAid oven mitts you’ll be proud to have on display. The neutral, ribbed silicone design is a beautiful fit for modern decor and gives you a safer grip.

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This Organizer Hangs Over Your Cabinet Door

Amazon

Make use of every inch of space with this over-the-cabinet door holder. Rack up your cutting boards, bakeware pans, and food wraps in this sturdy steel organizer. Just be sure to measure your space before purchasing.

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This Vegetable Chopper is a Bestseller on Amazon

Amazon

This vegetable chopper has racked up nearly 80,000 five-stars on Amazon. People love how it makes light work of chopping, slicing, dicing, and even spiralizing vegetables. It has a sturdy design, with razor-sharp blades that cut through your meal prep time.

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This Roll-Up Drying Rack Saves a Lot of Space

Amazon

If you’re limited on countertop space, this roll-up dish drying rack will quickly become a hit in your home. Fold it over your sink to let your dishes dry, then roll it up for easy storage. You can even thaw frozen food on it.

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These Electric Salt and Pepper Grinders Make Seasoning Effortless

Amazon

With these rechargeable salt and pepper grinders, you can adjust the coarseness to your taste and even shine a light on your food with its built-in LED. The set has several tasteful hues, including buttercream, black, white, and a stylish blue-grey.

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Stay Comfortable on Your Feet With These Anti-Fatigue Mats

Amazon

Getting your cook on can take its toll on your feet, but not with anti-fatigue mats. These give you extra support with their thick cushion, allowing you to spend more time cooking up a feast. They each have an anti-slip backing to make sure there are no accidents.

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These Grippy Liners Stop Things From Moving Around

Amazon

These drawer liners have an astonishing grip that will hold items in place. Use them around the house in your drawers or cabinet shelves, and they will stop anything from slipping and moving around while keeping those areas clean.

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These Collapsible Food Storage Boxes Take Up Less Room

Amazon

Food storage is hardly new, but collapsible containers are game-changers as they take up significantly less room. These airtight silicone boxes are great for lunches and leftovers. They’re microwave-friendly and can be put in the dishwasher for an easy clean.

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Get Rid of Lurking Germs in Narrow Places With This 3-in-1 Lid Brush

Amazon

With this three-in-one brush, you can clean every corner of your lids. It’s specially designed to reach into narrow grooves and tackle stains, and the set includes soft bristles, hard bristles, and hook-style brush heads that are interchangeable for a sparkling clean.

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This Easy-to-Clean Cookware Set Looks Incredible

Amazon

This remains one of the best-looking cookware sets we’ve ever seen, and it’s no surprise that people adore it. This easy-to-clean cookware set is suitable for all stove types, is made of nonstick granite material, and offers 12 pieces for all your cooking needs.

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Make Your Fridge Sing With These Clear Storage Bins

Amazon

When whipping your kitchen into shape, start with these transparent refrigerator bins to streamline your food organization. This set maximizes your storage space, enhances visibility, and simplifies cleaning by containing spills.

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