Sometimes the smallest tools end up making the biggest impact. I’ve cooked in so many kitchens over the years, from tiny galleys to the open floorplan with a huge island. And, over time I have learned which things I must have at my fingertips regardless of the size kitchen. These are the small ticket items that I consider to be must-have items in every kitchen. They reliably make the job easier, every time.
Small Kitchen Must Haves
I have acquired a rather long list of tools that surprised me over the years. I mean, obviously I’ve owned ladles before. Who would have thought that adding a flat front to a ladle would make it that much better? But, this Chef Craft ladle is the one I reach for, every time. Why isn’t every ladle designed this way? It allows you to scrape the bottom of the pot and get ever tasty morsel of soup.
Have you heard of a fish spatula? Yeah, me neither until I met my friend Rebecca. I didn’t cook fish very often, so why would I need one, right? Ha. Little did I know that I’d learn to use one for darn near ever dish I cook or bake.
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that I love ice cream. About 5 years ago, I tested every single ice cream scoop on Amazon. And, it was actually one of the least expensive options that won my heart. This Spring Chef heavy duty scoop glides right through hard ice cream (while still giving you the perfect scoop).
Oh, kitchen shears. I could write a love story to you at this point in my life. The KUHN RIKON classic snips are my all-time favorites. Don’t get sucked into buying the “new and improved” ones. They are NOT the same. I was gifted mine about 20 years ago at a holiday party gift exchange, and they’re still going strong with daily use. I’ve bought a second pair since, and they don’t work as well. I reach for the old ones every time.
If you’ve never used a triangle corer, then get ready to have your day made. It is the handiest little tool I’ve found for removing seeds and cores. No muss, no fuss, it just glides through fruit and vegetables! I’ve had mine for over 20 years now and still use it almost daily.
One of the newer additions to my kitchen is this OXO Good Grips powdered sugar dusting wand. It might be the most fun little gadget on my list, too. Kids love it. I love it. My photos love it too. With nothing more than a quick scoop and a flick of the wrist, a perfect dusting of sugar coats anything you like.
If you have ever struggled to open a vacuum sealed jar, the Brix jar key is MAGIC. You literally just lift it up a bit and then the jar lid screws right off. I thought it was kind of gimmicky when I first saw it, but after saving my wrists the constant strain, I swear by it.
Rotary graters are back in style, big time. I typically don’t recommend things I haven’t owned for a good long while, especially not on a list of small kitchen must-haves. But, this past year, I bought this Geedel rotary grater, and it’s a dream to work with. It chews through all of our cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and nuts with ease, saving me a ton of prep time.
I could write a love letter to my whisk collection, but for the purpose of this list, I’ll narrow it down to these three multi-purpose whisks and this awesome roux whisk. If you’ve never used a roux whisk, you need one. Now. It gets into all the nooks and crannies of the saucepans and pots and creates the smoothest, creamiest sauces you’ll ever make.
When I’m wrapping up my days in the kitchen, there’s nothing I’m more grateful for than this OXO dish scrub brush. My friend Lynne convinced me to try it and I’m so glad she did! It makes short work of the dishes and scrubbing out the sink too. It doesn’t leak, it’s a terrific scrub brush, and the replacement heads are easy peasy to find and attach as well.
For a peek into the rest of my kitchen, check out my favorite Kitchen Essentials, Kitchen Pots and Pans, and Kitchen Splurges, for everything from the big ticket item to the last little thing to round out your gifts!
Trending Products
