Transform your cooking instantly with these 8 must-have kitchen tools you never knew you needed!
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As we age, our time in the kitchen can become more about pleasure than necessity, a chance to indulge in the art of cooking and perhaps even impress our loved ones with our culinary skills.
However, to truly enjoy the process and elevate our dishes, we need the right tools.
While you may have a drawer full of gadgets, there are a few unsung heroes that can transform your cooking experience.
Elizabeth Quinn, a writer and reviewer for The Guardian, scoured through her utensil drawer for the essential but often overlooked tools that could simplify cooking.
She shared her eight ‘unsung heroes’ of the kitchen that everyone should have in their kitchen.
‘It includes some very un-fancy items that don’t really qualify as gadgets; the unsung heroes of my kitchen cutlery drawer, but they are no less beloved for that,’ Quinn said.
1. Meat thermometer: Precision meets simplicity
Gone are the days of guesswork in the kitchen. A meat thermometer is a game-changer for achieving the perfect doneness, whether you're roasting a succulent beef joint or baking a turkey to golden perfection.
With options ranging from high-tech digital Bluetooth models to the classic 'stab-it-and-see' types, you can cook with confidence.
‘My optimal temperature is 62C for medium-rare beef (keeping in mind the meat will continue cooking for a short time after being removed from the oven) and 70C for hot chocolate,’ Quinn shared.
Remember, meat continues to cook even after it's removed from the heat, so a good thermometer can help you avoid overcooking.
2. Peugeot pepper mill: A grind above the rest
Quinn suggested forgetting the disposable grinders and investing in a Peugeot pepper mill.
Yes, the same brand that manufactures cars also creates top-notch kitchenware.
‘They come in a range of shapes and sizes, engineered for easy use and with six size settings,’ she said.
‘Whether you like your pepper grounds fine or chunky, this is the perfect present for foodies and possibly the only Peugeot they will ever own.’
‘Mine is the 22cm version in natural wood and there is a battery-operated version for those who have difficulty twisting with their hands,’ she added.
3. Garlic crusher: The magic of fresh garlic
According to Quinn, there's no substitute for the taste of freshly crushed garlic, and with the right tool, it's a breeze to prepare.
The Zyliss garlic crusher allows you to crush unpeeled cloves, leaving the skins behind and saving you the hassle of peeling.
Plus, it comes with a clever cleaning tool to keep those tiny holes clear from any debris.
‘An absolute winner,’ Quinn remarked.
4. Plastic spatula: The edge of perfection
Sometimes, the simplest tools are the best.
Quinn argued that an old-school plastic spatula with a sharp edge could outperform its modern silicone counterparts.
They're becoming harder to find, but they're worth the hunt for their unparalleled ability to scrape and smooth.
‘They don’t seem to make them any more. I have teams of undercover spatula seekers raiding op shops around the globe on my behalf,’ she jokingly said.
5. Champagne sealer: Keep the bubbles alive
As per Quinn, a champagne sealer is essential for those who—like her—enjoy a glass of bubbly but don't want to overindulge.
She said this sealer ‘will safeguard those bubbles for up to three days’.
Quinn also suggested looking for a sealer with a simple lever mechanism for ease of use.
6. Mini tongs: Precision at your fingertips
Quinn said mini tongs offer more control than their standard metal counterparts, making them perfect for serving salads or arranging antipasto platters.
They're a versatile tool that can handle delicate tasks with ease.
7. Wooden toast tongs: A toast to safety and convenience
Another one Quinn discovered way back in 2015 but still recommends now is the wooden tongs.
‘I was introduced to them in a gift shop in France, a country that came late to the concept of a toaster, thanks to the steady stream of fresh baguettes baked throughout the day,’ she recounted.
She said wooden toast tongs are a charming and practical addition to any kitchen.
‘My dream toast tongs come with a built-in magnet that lets you attach them to the range hood or the toaster to reduce the risk of them going walkabout,’ she said.
8. Soda maker: Sparkling water on demand
Quinn said that having an aversion to the taste of water is both out of style and detrimental to one's well-being.
‘If, like me, you prefer the feel and slightly metallic taste of sparkling water, a soda maker is an indispensable piece of kitchen equipment that is now even more sustainable with the introduction of dishwasher-safe bottles that don’t need to be replaced at regular intervals,’ she advised.
From finding the perfect cooking utensils to avoiding common kitchen mishaps, the journey of culinary mastery is as much about equipping oneself with the right tools as it is about avoiding pitfalls.
As Elizabeth Quinn delves into the indispensable yet often overlooked tools of the trade, it becomes evident that a well-stocked kitchen is essential for culinary success.
However, even with the best utensils at hand, it's easy to fall prey to common mistakes that can turn your kitchen into a chaotic disaster zone.
Whether it's neglecting to organise your pantry or overlooking proper food storage techniques, these missteps can hinder your cooking adventures.
Which of these tools do you already use, and which ones are you excited to try? Do you have your own favourite kitchen tools? Share your kitchen adventures and discoveries in the comments below!
However, to truly enjoy the process and elevate our dishes, we need the right tools.
While you may have a drawer full of gadgets, there are a few unsung heroes that can transform your cooking experience.
Elizabeth Quinn, a writer and reviewer for The Guardian, scoured through her utensil drawer for the essential but often overlooked tools that could simplify cooking.
She shared her eight ‘unsung heroes’ of the kitchen that everyone should have in their kitchen.
‘It includes some very un-fancy items that don’t really qualify as gadgets; the unsung heroes of my kitchen cutlery drawer, but they are no less beloved for that,’ Quinn said.
Elizabeth Quinn shared 8 underrated kitchen tools that could simplify cooking. Credits: Shutterstock
1. Meat thermometer: Precision meets simplicity
Gone are the days of guesswork in the kitchen. A meat thermometer is a game-changer for achieving the perfect doneness, whether you're roasting a succulent beef joint or baking a turkey to golden perfection.
With options ranging from high-tech digital Bluetooth models to the classic 'stab-it-and-see' types, you can cook with confidence.
‘My optimal temperature is 62C for medium-rare beef (keeping in mind the meat will continue cooking for a short time after being removed from the oven) and 70C for hot chocolate,’ Quinn shared.
Remember, meat continues to cook even after it's removed from the heat, so a good thermometer can help you avoid overcooking.
2. Peugeot pepper mill: A grind above the rest
Quinn suggested forgetting the disposable grinders and investing in a Peugeot pepper mill.
Yes, the same brand that manufactures cars also creates top-notch kitchenware.
‘They come in a range of shapes and sizes, engineered for easy use and with six size settings,’ she said.
‘Whether you like your pepper grounds fine or chunky, this is the perfect present for foodies and possibly the only Peugeot they will ever own.’
‘Mine is the 22cm version in natural wood and there is a battery-operated version for those who have difficulty twisting with their hands,’ she added.
3. Garlic crusher: The magic of fresh garlic
According to Quinn, there's no substitute for the taste of freshly crushed garlic, and with the right tool, it's a breeze to prepare.
The Zyliss garlic crusher allows you to crush unpeeled cloves, leaving the skins behind and saving you the hassle of peeling.
Plus, it comes with a clever cleaning tool to keep those tiny holes clear from any debris.
‘An absolute winner,’ Quinn remarked.
4. Plastic spatula: The edge of perfection
Sometimes, the simplest tools are the best.
Quinn argued that an old-school plastic spatula with a sharp edge could outperform its modern silicone counterparts.
They're becoming harder to find, but they're worth the hunt for their unparalleled ability to scrape and smooth.
‘They don’t seem to make them any more. I have teams of undercover spatula seekers raiding op shops around the globe on my behalf,’ she jokingly said.
5. Champagne sealer: Keep the bubbles alive
As per Quinn, a champagne sealer is essential for those who—like her—enjoy a glass of bubbly but don't want to overindulge.
She said this sealer ‘will safeguard those bubbles for up to three days’.
Quinn also suggested looking for a sealer with a simple lever mechanism for ease of use.
6. Mini tongs: Precision at your fingertips
Quinn said mini tongs offer more control than their standard metal counterparts, making them perfect for serving salads or arranging antipasto platters.
They're a versatile tool that can handle delicate tasks with ease.
7. Wooden toast tongs: A toast to safety and convenience
Another one Quinn discovered way back in 2015 but still recommends now is the wooden tongs.
‘I was introduced to them in a gift shop in France, a country that came late to the concept of a toaster, thanks to the steady stream of fresh baguettes baked throughout the day,’ she recounted.
She said wooden toast tongs are a charming and practical addition to any kitchen.
‘My dream toast tongs come with a built-in magnet that lets you attach them to the range hood or the toaster to reduce the risk of them going walkabout,’ she said.
8. Soda maker: Sparkling water on demand
Quinn said that having an aversion to the taste of water is both out of style and detrimental to one's well-being.
‘If, like me, you prefer the feel and slightly metallic taste of sparkling water, a soda maker is an indispensable piece of kitchen equipment that is now even more sustainable with the introduction of dishwasher-safe bottles that don’t need to be replaced at regular intervals,’ she advised.
From finding the perfect cooking utensils to avoiding common kitchen mishaps, the journey of culinary mastery is as much about equipping oneself with the right tools as it is about avoiding pitfalls.
As Elizabeth Quinn delves into the indispensable yet often overlooked tools of the trade, it becomes evident that a well-stocked kitchen is essential for culinary success.
However, even with the best utensils at hand, it's easy to fall prey to common mistakes that can turn your kitchen into a chaotic disaster zone.
Whether it's neglecting to organise your pantry or overlooking proper food storage techniques, these missteps can hinder your cooking adventures.
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