Like many of you, I’m a fan of great kitchen tools – is it wrong that I get excited when the new Williams Sonoma catalog arrives?! Even if you have all the cabinet space in the world you probably don’t want to clutter up your kitchen with things you don’t ever use, so I created this resource page to share some of my favorite kitchen tools. These are things I actually use on a regular basis, not just a “fun” one use kinda thing! Many of my posts include recommendations for other tools that I used when making them, so be sure to check those out for more ideas. I’ll update the page as I come across new things that I love, so be sure to check back periodically.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. I use, or have used, all of the products listed below and recommend them because of the quality and usefulness of the product.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
If you do any baking this is a must-have tool. I was a bit of a late adopter of the stand mixer and now I’m not sure how I’d live without it. The best part of a high-quality stand mixer is you’ll probably only have to buy one. Mine is just over 10 years old and still works perfectly though I do have to admit I’d like one in a different color – mine is just plain white.
Microplane grater
This is a definite must. I actually have two of them! You can use it for grating hard and soft cheeses, testing citrus, grating ginger and many many other things. If you are only getting one, I recommend the
Handheld Juicer
Sure you can just a countertop juicer – think the one your grandmother probably had, but the handheld version is much easier to use, and store. I also consider this one must have. They make them in multiple sizes – one for limes, one for lemons and one for oranges. Just buy the size for oranges. It still works for everything else and you don’t have to store multiple tools for worry about an extra large lemon not fitting. Yup, that happened! Be sure to wash the thoroughly after each use as the acid from the citrus can break down the finish.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
At least one of these is a must for every kitchen. I know they are pretty expensive, so if you are only getting one, I’d go with the 5 1/2 quart size as it’s super versatile and big enough to accommodate most things you’ll be making. The enameled cast iron is great for things that have long cooking times like chilis and stews.
Smidgen Measuring Spoons
Have you ever seen a recipe that calls for a pinch of salt or a dash of pepper? Well, if you grab a set of these it takes the guesswork out of figuring out exactly how much of something a pinch, dash or smidgen is. They are well worth the
Cusininart Food Processor
This was actually one of my first “real” kitchen tools. I got my first one in college, I honestly don’t really remember if it was a gift, or someone was giving it away and I just decided to take it. At the time I didn’t use it a whole lot, but now I use for everything from hummus to pestos to soups and more.
8″ Chef’s Knife
If you were only going to buy one knife, I’d say this is the one to buy. It’s ideal for chopping and slicing and with a little effort, it will even cut through a butternut squash! The brand of knife is really personal preference. For the most part I use Wüsthof, however if you are not familiar with the different options I’d recommend going to a cookware store and checking them out. Each brand has a different feel and different type of handle so you want to be sure you are comfortable with that pick.
