If you spend much time cooking and/or baking, you no doubt have a few tools you consider essential. Sure, you can never go without the basics – bowls, pans, spoons – but if you’re anything like me, you rely on a few (or more than a few) less-standard, can’t-live-without items.
So! I thought I would share mine. From a beater to graters to cleaner (I guess I like a lot of “ers”), here are my Top 10 Must-Have Kitchen Items, along with a little bit about why I find them so essential. And the best part? Most of them fit into a stocking!
Clockwise from left:
- Microplane Zester – I have no idea how I zested citrus fruits, grated nutmeg or shredded Parmesan cheese before I had one of these. Actually, I have two – and I could use one or two more.
- Ikea CHOSIGT Grater – The oval metal graters fit right over the sturdy plastic bowl – no paper towels, plates, or mess. Plus, it even comes with a lid so you can, say, grate cheese and then store it in the fridge until you’re ready. So freakin’ awesome. And – AND! – it’s only $4.95!
- NewMetro Design Beater Blade – A beater blade with little scrapers built in. I seriously can’t remember the last time I had to scrape down the sides of my mixer bowl. Best. Invention. Ever.
- Envirosax Grocery Bags – I started using these because it felt like the right thing to do. I kept using them because they’re completely awesome. Each one carries an insane amount of groceries, and you can just sling it over your shoulder. No fumbling with paper grocery sacks, no tissue-thin plastic sacks that burst open in the parking lot. Plus, they roll up into a compact, purse-friendly package so you can just stick it in your bag as soon as you’re done with it and you’re prepared for your next shopping trip.
- Fiestaware – Pretty much the best dinnerware and serveware ever. They don’t chip, and they hardly ever break. And around here, we are not gentle with our dishes. Plus, they come in the most cheerful mix-and-match colors.
- Fire King Salt Jar – I picked one of these up several years ago at a long-forgotten department store, and never looked back. I keep it filled with kosher salt, set next to the oven, and use it several times per day.
- OXO Digital Kitchen Scale – This is an incredible tool for any cook or baker, but it’s especially useful to me as a food blogger. It makes it so much easier for me to provide both measurements and weight in my recipes, especially with fruits and vegetables.
- Method All-Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner – No harmful ingredients, incredible scents, cute designs on their bottles, and, oh, it works great.
- Norpro Cookie Scoop – Another lifesaver, this thing makes quick work of shaping and dispensing drop cookies – and it makes every single one look almost perfect!
- Silpat – I use this for cookies, tarts, biscuits … it helps eliminate the need for non-stick cooking spray, and it makes clean-up a breeze.
I already own and swear by several of these, but I NEED to get that grater! I’m also hoping to get a stand mixer very soon, and that beater needs to come with it! LOL
GREAT post!
I almost put the stand mixer in the list but that *definitely* wouldn’t fit into a stocking. 😉 Certainly a must-have, though!
I wanted a stand mixer for YEARS but it always felt like such a luxurious non-necessity (and decent-sized outlay of cash). I finally started a piggy bank and got $5 or $10 cash back every visit to the grocery store and plunked it faithfully into that bank until I had enough for my beloved green stand mixer. Now I couldn’t live without it! You will love it (and the beater blade too!)
Christmas stocking? No, no, no! No household items for Christmas presents.
Load up the tree with chocolates, toys, books, perfume, sweaters, and what have you. Not presents for the house.
This reminds me of a girlfriend’s first Christmas after she got married and they were living in an apartment. Her husband got her a garden hose!
Ha! Well I guess that just goes to show how people differ … I asked for measuring cups in my stocking! 😉 Though what you list sounds pretty heavenly, too.
A garden hose! That is pretty funny. I can just picture the look on her face.
I love your list! I too love my microplane a d silpat, just bought a salt container, and would love the beater with scrapers. And I’d be happy to get those as gifts for any occasion!
So funny how things can go from seeming a little gimmicky to can’t-live-without status! You will LOVE your salt container. I entertained buying a vintage salt cellar that hands on the wall next to the stove recently, but ultimately I am glad I stuck with my regular Fire King salt jar.
great list!! although i’ve had an all clad fondue set for donkey’s years and I think I’ve only used it a handful of times lol – but for those handfuls of times it was amazingly useful! 🙂
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