My 10 Kitchen Must Haves {Gadgets & Tools}

by Myra Hope

Growing up, I learned to cook, but it wasn’t my forte. I loved cleaning house, organizing and working on projects. But, over the last few years, I’ve really developed a love of cooking. It brings me so much joy to put good, real, healthful meals in front of my family.

Since I spend so much time in the kitchen now, I’ve figured out what works for me, what doesn’t work and just how much I love having clear counter tops. I thought it would be fun to share my favorite 10 Kitchen Must Have Gadgets and Tools with y’all!

1. Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

I love my Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Steel pots and pans. I have the set pictured above with two different pieces. It’s easy to cook with and super easy to clean. After six years of use, every piece is in top-notch condition.

2. Pampered Chef Mix ‘n Chop

I can’t sing enough praises about the Mix ‘n Chop. Every kitchen should have one. It is perfect for mashing potatoes and browning ground beef and buying this tool was the smartest $10 I’ve spent.

3. Kitchen Aid Blender

The model above is a bit newer than my 6 year old version, but I LOVE the glass pitcher and the horsepower that this baby has. It has spectacularly blended many breakfast smoothies for me and post-workout protein shakes {with ice cubes} for my hubby.

4. White Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker

Who doesn’t love their slow cooker? I don’t know how I would get dinner on the table some days without mine.

5. Glass Pyrex with Rubber Lids for Food Storage

Over the last year, we’ve phased out plastic storage containers and we’ve grown our glass Pyrex container/lid collection. I love them because I can pop the dishes in the oven to warm food {we tossed our microwave too! ack!} and they are easy to care for.

6. Williams-Sonoma Spatulas

I realize that this probably makes me a complete spatula snob, but after you use these spatulas from Williams-Sonoma you won’t go back. They are fabulous, they last forever and they are worth every red cent. Trust me.

7. Tongs

You might be thinking, “Huh? Tongs?” Yes! I have a few sets of tongs that I don’t think I could live without. Tongs are excellent for turning food whether you’re baking chicken breast, browning a roast or frying bacon. Tongs are also great for serving salad!

8. Flour Sack Towels

Don’t you hate those pretty, colorful, dish towels that don’t absorb water at all? That’s no fun, but you will love these flour sack towels. They are 100% cotton, incredibly absorbent, simple to wash and you can find them for under $6 at your local Walmart.

9. All-Clad Stainless Steel Measuring Cups/Spoons

This is the updated version to the measuring cups/spoons that we received when my hubby and I got married. I happen to still love the older version better because the measuring cups are all one molded piece – not a handle attached to the cup. I’m sure this newer version is fine too. I use these measuring cups/spoons every single day and they don’t crack and the handles don’t fall off.

10. Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer vs. Stand Mixer

I have a confession. I own a lovely Kitchen Aid Stand Up Mixer. It’s amazing. Here’s the problem…at our current house we have no room for it on the countertop, it weighs 500 pounds and there’s no outlet near where we were keeping it. It got ditched to storage, for now. I love, love, love my Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer though. It’s powerful, easy to store and cleanup is minimal. I use it for baking a few times a week!

Well, those are my favorite 10 Kitchen Must Haves. What kitchen gadgets or tools couldn’t you live without?

I’m linking up to I’m Lovin’ It and Centsational Girl!

XO

*****