In this Kitchen Tools & Gadgets Edition, I'll be looking at five different tools and gadgets that I use over and over again in my kitchen. They're ones that have proven to be totally utilitarian, help simplify my routine and keep things running in this little kitchen of mine.
Here's a little bit more about each product and why it's become essential to my kitchen:
1. Kapoosh knife holder
: I already mentioned my Kapoosh knife holder that I found at a local thrift shop. Once I ran the spokes through the dishwasher, it was like new! I must say, I absolutely love having this, because I can accessorize it with just the exact knives that I need, rather than the knives that the manufacturer thinks I should have. Since purchasing it, I've picked up a new bread knife
, chef's knife
and paring knife
. These three are the heavy-hitters in my kitchen nowadays and make slicing and dicing a breeze!2. Digital Kitchen Scale
: I put off buying a scale for awhile but now I use it quite often, especially when I'm altering recipes or even just wanting to mail a package and know how much it weighs! This one is handy because you can also put a dish on it and zero out the dish's weight so that you're only weighing the food you put into it.3. Misto
: I wanted to get away from using aerosol spray cooking oils, and discovered the Misto, which is a manual, natural alternative. Basically, you pour whatever oils you want into the container, and then pump the top up and down to build air pressure in the canister, which then allows you to spray the oil evenly. I use this whenever I'm sauteeing or even to coat the inside of my bread pan. (Try it if you decide to make my Easy, Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole recipe!) Plus, it really cuts down on how much oil you use. I bought this a couple months ago and still haven't had to add oil to the container since then! 4. Small wooden cutting board
: We originally got a large plastic cutting board, but I found that having a smaller one has been so much handier and less of a chore to clean. I just keep it on my countertop all the time, for easy access, and then chip-chop away! (Note that this is similar to my cutting board, but mine is a no-name brand. It's roughly the same size, which is what matters most to me!)5. Adjustable funnel
: Ah, finally having a funnel. Before buying this handy convertible funnel, I ended up crafting ones out of leftover cereal boxes or sheets of paper. Needless to say, this is quite the improvement! Plus, I love that all three pieces fit together, depending on how large or small of a funnel-mouth you need to use. I was hoping to find a funnel that was metal rather than plastic, but I never had any luck. P.S. Unless otherwise stated, all items pictured and linked are the exact version I've come to love!
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My husband & I received one of those knife holders as a wedding gift this year. We absolutely love it! I used to have a knife set that came with it's own block, & those knives didn't all fit like they were supposed to which irritated me.
ReplyDeleteOoh I want a Misto! I have never come across one before but it is such a good idea and I shall have to search for one on this side of the pond :)
ReplyDelete@ embracetheapockylypse - Yeah, I love how the Kapoosh takes all the hassle out of storing knives!
ReplyDelete@ Gemma - You definitely should! They're pretty commonplace over here; I've even seen some in thrift stores (although I don't know that I'd buy one from there, just sayin!). Good luck!
That Misto is on my wishlist - I can just imagine how incredibly useful it is, especially if you do a lot of cooking (and we do - it saves money!).
ReplyDelete@ Rachel - Exactly. It's only about twice the cost of name-brand aerosol cooking sprays, and this one is refillable! Plus it makes me feel like we're eating a tad healthier because we use so much less oil!
ReplyDeleteOoh... I like reading about these things. I don't have my own kitchen since I'm still living with my parents, but I like to file these things away for 'someday.' ;) The Misto is something I've heard of before and it sounds really awesome! Definitely something I'd try out in my own kitchen... you know, someday. :)
ReplyDeleteI need to replace my misto (for the second time). I love it so much. I don't know what I've been doing wrong...maybe over filling or over pumping....hrmmm.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions, though!
@ Kristin - I definitely started collecting things a couple years before I had a place of my own. It's nice because you don't have to drop a bunch to furnish your kitchen and then turn around and write a rent check, too!
ReplyDelete@ Emma - Too bad your Misto has broken twice! How long have you had it?