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Have you been dreaming of equipping your kitchen with all the gadgets and utensils you need to be a proper foodie? Here’s an extensive list of essential items you’ll need to have fun and work like a professional in your kitchen at home.

Tools to make prepping a breeze

You can become a master of mise en place if you have the right tools. Ask any professional chef and they’ll tell you that prepping is the most important part of good cooking. Here’s a list of gadgets and utensils that’ll help you work organized, efficiently, and cleanly:

Prepdeck

• A prepdeck is an all-in-one kit that has 15 containers, eight prepping tools, and a built-in stand for cookbook, phone, or tablet. Every piece is detachable and washable, and the box folds up neatly for easy storage. A kit like this is perfect if you have limited space or don’t want to buy tools separately.

Blender

• A blender comes in handy when you want to puree fruits or vegetables for recipes or baby food, mix batters or doughs, grind coffee or spices, or make cocktails and smoothies. Which one you choose depends on your budget and space. A Vitamix is top of the line with a matching price tag, and a NutriBullet is smaller and less expensive but gets the job done.

Food Processor

• A food processor is what you need for culinary tasks like chopping and slicing (think cabbage, onions, mushrooms, the list is endless). It’s better for more solid foods, whereas your blender works better for more liquid items.

Cookbook/Tablet/Phone Stand

• A stand for a cookbook, tablet, or phone is super handy. Not only can you see your recipes easier, but your gadget or pages also stay clean.

Prep utensils

Grater

• A good quality grater like the OXO box grater is sturdy and handy. It comes with its own container that fits under the grater and measures your ingredients while you grate. The OXO has four different surfaces and a removable zester so you can grate anything from carrots for salads to cheese to lemon zest.

Garlic Press

• Garlic presses come in lots of sizes, makes, and quality levels. If you love garlic, find one that’s sturdy, easy to grip, and has a large capacity garlic chamber.

Cutting Board

• A great cutting board is the Boos butcher block which comes in different sizes and styles. It’s perfect for mise en place because it won’t slip around. It’s a good idea to have a few plastic cutting boards for wetter ingredients like meat and fish too.

Measuring cups and spoons

• Measuring cups and spoons are necessary for dry ingredients when you follow recipes, especially in baking. It’s best to get a set of professional-grade stainless steel. And don’t forget a separate liquid measuring cup. One that’s a two-cup size and made of tempered glass so you can use it in the microwave and throw it in the dishwasher.

Mallet

• A stainless steel heavy duty meat mallet is a must for tenderizing cheaper cuts of meat or making schnitzel.

Vegetable Peeler

• Vegetable peelers come in dozens of styles and prices. You should definitely have a couple of different ones in your kitchen kit.

Knives

• Knives are the most important tools for a chef and a good set is worth the money. Look for stainless steel blades and a set that has two paring knives, a serrated utility knife, 5” and 6” prep knives, a boning knife, a serrated bread knife, and a pair of kitchen shears.

Cooking gadgets and utensils

If you love cooking, it’s worth splurging on these devices, utensils, and accessories for a more enjoyable and successful experience in your kitchen.

Essential appliances and cookware

Toaster

• A portable toaster is perfect when you need something toasted, warmed up, or defrosted in a hurry and you don’t want to heat your oven.

Toaster Oven and Air Fryer

• A combo toaster oven and air fryer like the Cuisinart brand has seven different functions. You can bake and broil in convection or conventional mode, warm, toast, and air fry. Great for fried foods without the splatter and extra calories.

Instant pot

• An Instant pot is the brand-name of an all-in-one pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and yogurt maker. If you have a busy life, you can toss in your ingredients, set the timer, and let it cook for you.

Crockpot/ Slow cooker

• A crockpot or slow cooker is similar to an Instant pot because it works with a timer, but it isn’t a pressure cooker, so it cooks slower. Slow cookers make delicious soups, stews, and other one-pot meals.

Electric Indoor Grill

• With an electric indoor grill you can get a flavorful sear on steaks, burgers, chicken, vegetables, and more. They are smokeless and easy to clean with a removable cleaning plate that goes right in the dishwasher.

Immersion blender

• An immersion blender is handy when you want to blend a hot pot of soup right at the stove. You won’t have to pull out your blender and pour liquids back and forth. The Cuisinart Smart Stick has five speeds, a whisk attachment, and is made of stainless steel.

Pots and Pans

• You can’t cook without pots and pans and Calphalon has an exceptional 11-piece set of premier hard-anodized non-stick cookware. The set has a 10” and a 12” fry pan, 1.5, 2.5, 3, and 8-quart saucepans with covers.

Cast iron skillet

• Cast iron skillets have a place in every kitchen. They hold and distribute heat more efficiently than stainless steel, making them perfect for searing mean and browning. Cast iron is a good investment because they last forever.

Dutch oven

• Dutch ovens come in cast iron or ceramic and are perfect for long, slow cooking. A Dutch oven is the best for roasts, stews, and casseroles and can go from stovetop to oven to the table.

Wok

• Woks may be best known for stir-frying, but they’re also perfect for steaming, pan and deep frying, poaching, boiling, braising, searing, stewing, and smoking. You can find a wide range of woks in various price ranges in most cookware departments.

Cooking utensils and accessories

Colander

• A well-made colander is a must-have in a busy kitchen. KitchenAid makes a 3-quart stainless steel colander that is rimmed in plastic on top and bottom which prevents scratching and slipping. It’s a good size for washing veggies and draining pasta and it fits in your sink and dishwasher.

Food Thermometer

• A reliable food thermometer is essential for cooking meat and poultry to optimal temperatures. A digital, instant-read, waterproof thermometer is a good choice.

Wooden spoons/Tongs/Spatulas

• Wooden spoons, tongs, and spatulas are absolute necessities in a foodies’ kitchen. There are so many great options for these utensils that you should have fun shopping for new ones at any opportunity.

Cheesecloth

• Cheesecloth is super useful so make sure you add it to your list of essentials. Use it for bouquet garni (herb bundles), straining, basting poultry, dusting sugar on desserts, covering food, and making cheese.

Necessary appliances and accessories for blissful baking

Because baking is a science, albeit fun and relaxing, having the right devices and tools is indispensable for success. Check out this list of what the serious baker needs for serious bakes.

Appliances and devices for baking

KitchenAid mixer

• A high-quality stand mixer like the KitchenAid 5-quart artisan can make cooking and baking more exciting. The standard attachments are the wire whip, bread hook, and batter paddle. Extra gadgets include the pasta press and roller, spiralizer, juicer, meat grinder, food processor, and more.

Pancake Griddle

• Having a dedicated pancake griddle means you’ll have a flat surface that’s better for cooking bigger batches and easier to flip the cakes than in a frying pan. Calphalon has a non-stick griddle that cleans easily and works on all stovetops.

Electric Waffle maker

• Electric waffle makers aren’t only handy for making waffles. You can also make French toast, quesadillas, pizza, even cookies. They are inexpensive, easy to use and clean, and cook really fast.

Ice Cream maker

• You can make frozen yogurt, sorbet, and ice cream at home with your own healthy ingredients if you have an ice cream maker. Cuisinart has a 2-quart maker that churns icy desserts in 25 minutes.

Baking utensils and accessories

Bakeware set

• Calphalon’s nonstick 10-piece bakeware set has everything you need for baking projects. A large cookie sheet, baking sheet, two 9” round cake pans, two 9” x 13” cake pans, a cooking rack, loaf pan, and a muffin tin.

Silpat baking mats

• Silpat baking mats are ideal for keeping your pans clean and your baked goods from sticking. Replace consumables like parchment paper and aluminum with Silpat mats to save money and waste.

Mixing bowls

• You can never have too many mixing bowls, so get a set or two! They come in plastic, stainless steel, and glass. You can use them for cooking, baking, and storage.

Ramekins

• Love baking small soufflés ? These small, round dishes are quite versatile.

Pizza pan and cutter

• Pizza connoisseurs appreciate good pizza pans and cutters. Calphalon has a non-stick 16-inch pan perfect for homemade or frozen pies. It heats evenly so the crust bakes golden brown every time.

Whisk

• Wire whisks are valuable tools for beating small amounts of liquid or batter when you don’t need your large mixer. A 16-inch French whisk is good for light liquids and a Danish whisk works better for heavier batters.

Pastry brush

• Silicon pastry brushes are nice because they don’t shed, and you can throw them into the dishwasher.

Rolling pin

• Rolling pins come in all different shapes and sizes. Make sure you have a couple for rolling pie crust or cookie dough. You can go super fancy and get a French marble rolling pin with its own stand

Essential brewing equipment

What’s better than a fresh cup of coffee or tea when you’re bustling around the kitchen? Check out these brewing must-haves.

Coffee maker

• A coffee maker like the Keurig K elite makes hot or cold coffee in a minute. If you buy a refillable pod, it’ll be more eco-friendly.

Electric kettle

• An electric kettle heats water at high-speed so you can make tea, coffee, or use boiling water in a recipe. The Bodum bistro gooseneck electric kettle has a silicone base, handle, and lid so you don’t burn fingers or countertops.

Storage fundamentals for foodies

Keep your kitchen neat and organized with these handy storage items.

• Reusable 100 percent cotton onion sacks are eco-friendly and handy for storing onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, apples, and more. They have drawstring closures and are strong and sturdy because they’re double stitched on all sides. If they get soiled, just wash them in cold water and hang them to dry.

• Keep your bread, buns, and bagels fresh in a handsome bread box like the Brabantia roll-top. It’s made out of nice-looking chrome steel that you can wipe down easily with a damp cloth.

Whether you have a huge kitchen or a tiny one, you probably need more storage, so here are a few ideas:

• Use cabinet dividers to make slots for your cutting boards

• Try pull-out pantry organizers

• Glass jars filled with spices and dry goods look nice just sitting on a shelf

• Hang your spoons, tongs, and other utensils above the stove

• Buy some drawer organizers to make separate compartments

• Woven baskets make nice bins for plastic containers and dry goods