10 Kitchen Tools That Are A Waste Of Money & 10 Cooking Must-Haves, According To Chefs
10 Kitchen Tools That Are A Waste Of Money & 10 Cooking Must-Haves, According To Chefs
Which Kitchen Tools Earn Their Counter Space?
The cooking world is full of absurd novelty gadgets that have one use and one use only, despite their bulky size and price tag. However, for every infomercial flop, there's a must-have tool that chefs and home cooking aficionados swear by. Here are 10 kitchen tools to avoid wasting money on and 10 you definitely need.
1. Mini Blender
Single-serving blenders like Magic Bullets are convenient if you're one person and you make smoothies a lot, but they're limiting for bigger jobs. You may as well go for a full-sized blender that gets a greater variety of jobs done.
2. Specialized Slicer
We see commercials all the time for specialized slicers like ones that are made specially for slicing strawberries, avocados, or hard-boiled eggs. Who's buying these, anyway, and why wouldn't you just use a knife?
3. Spiralizers
Spiralizers, which turn vegetables into thin, curly strips resembling strands of pa, became fashionable with the rise of the gluten-free diet. Most people used it a handful of times after buying it before quickly realizing that their zucchini "spaghetti" wasn't fooling anyone.
4. Pizza Scissors
"Why use a sharp knife or a pizza wheel when you can use special scissors?" said no one, ever. Pizza scissors are a pain to use and an even bigger pain to clean.
5. Garlic Press
We don't understand the appeal of a garlic press. Any time saved fr, om it you more than lose in the cleaning of it, and a knife or a mic, which both have a myriad of additional,l uses, will do the job better.
6. Panini Press
We're not proponents of bulky items that only do one job. If you want to make a panini, just use a skillet and something to weigh down your sandwich.
7. Torch
Unless you're making crème brûlée every single week, don't buy a torch. It may seem like a fancy must-have for anyone who's seriously into cooking, but in reality, it's just going to become a serious dust collector.
8. Electric Can Opener
An electric can opener is a great idea if you're opening up hundreds of cans a week. However, if you're a normal person who opens an average of one or two cans every few days, then you certainly don't need anything more than a handheld manual one.
9. Egg Separator
The funny thing about eggs is that they come in their brand of separator called shell. If you're careful enough when you break the egg, you can use the shell to divide the yolk and white, or even your hand will do the job.
10. Popcorn Maker
Popcorn makers are ridiculously bulky items that most people don't end up using even if they have them. A pot with a lid on the stove will yield the same result.
Now that we've gone over some of the kitchen items that are a total waste of money, let's talk about where you should direct your dollars instead.
1. Chef's Knife
A chef's knife is all you need for most chopping and slicing jobs. That's why it's important to invest in a good quality one and make sure to keep it sharp and well-cared for.
2. Mixing Bowls
A set of mixing bowls in a variety of sizes is crucial for any number of jobs, from mixing a salad to making cake batter or marinades. We prefer stainless steel nesting bowls for easy storage and cleanup.
3. Cutting Board
Wherever there are knives involved, cutting boards are also needed for keeping your counters scratch-free. We prefer wooden ones, but for easier cleanup, opt for plastic.
4. Paring Knife
A good paring knife, in addition to your chef's knife, will just about cover all of your chopping needs. Anything a chef's knife struggles to do because it's too big, a paring knife can do instead.
5. Peeler
Although some people still prefer to use a paring knife for taking the skin off of fruits and vegetables, peelers will waste a lot less of the flesh. They're also easy to use and don't take up a lot of space.
6. Spatula
A spatula is essential for flipping items or taking them out of the pan when they're finished cooking. Get a plastic heat-sensitive one so that it doesn't melt or scratch your pan.
7. Wooden Spoon
Wooden spoons are a simple tool, but they play a crucial role in stirring and scooping. They also won't scratch your cookware like a metal one would.
8. Box Grater
A box grater with a variety of blade sizes is perfect for grating cheese, garlic, ginger, and testing citrus. While you may be able to get these tasks done with a sharp knife, a grater will certainly save you time.
9. Quality Cookware
All-in-one pans may be all the rage on social media, but they'll likely just result in poor heat distribution. When it comes to cookware, you should have a good quality nonstick skillet, a stainless steel saucepan, and a larger pot. Those three items will get the vast majority of jobs done.
10. Baking Sheets
For broiling, baking, and roasting, invest in a few sheet pans. You don't have to spend a lot, but avoid the dollar store ones that will warp after one use. You may also want to invest in one with higher sides for casseroles.
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