22 Clever Kitchen Gadgets You Won’t Know How You Lived Without

There are two kinds of people—those who love being in the kitchen and those who avoid it on most occasions (other than to peruse the fridge for last night’s leftovers). But no matter which camp you’re in, on this we can all agree: The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether you love cooking or despise it, loathe washing dishes or find it soothing, there are a few quick and easy tips and tricks for enjoying your time in the kitchen. And—believe it or not—it starts with the gadgets you’re using.

Can a product—or two or, you know, 22—really be all it takes to get you smiling while standing over the stove? Maybe, maybe not, but if anything’s going to get you excited about spending time in the kitchen again, it may as well be these game-changing gadgets that are both fascinating and fun. Check out 22 of the best kitchen gadgets. As always, the prices listed may fluctuate over time.

22 Best Kitchen Gadgets

StirMate Smart Pot Stirrer

Now, this is something out of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! The StirMate Smart Pot Stirrer may seem like magic, but it’s really just an expedient little gadget that uses a clamp mechanism and an electrical charger to grant you the gift of hands-free stirring. Stir soups, stews, sauces, risottos—you name it—all while standing a few feet away. Check Instagram, read Harry Potter books 1 through 7, play a quick game of chess (we’re exaggerating here) without having to worry about your meal burning or the pot scorching. After all, the StirMate Smart Pot Stirrer, which uses a quiet, but high-powered torque motor to stir with max speeds, frequently sweeps the bottom of the saucepan in order to get a good, well-mixed stir. Genius!

Buy at Amazon for $68.98.

Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener

Before you complain about having to pay almost $30 for a can opener, hear us out. The Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener means operating at a new level of life. You’ll never waste time or strain your hand trying to (unsuccessfully) open a can ever again. Whether it’s peas, sauce or whatever kind of canned food you might think of, this handy-dandy gadget from Kitchen Mama is well worth the price and time saved. It has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon and more than 37,000 reviews as proof. Simply place the gadget on top of the can, then press the button. It will automatically round the can several times, slicing it open carefully (although, not-so-quietly). To turn it off, press the button again, and then when you lift the opener off the can, magnets on the Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener’s posterior remove the metal lid, as well. Now, that’s convenient.

Buy at Amazon for $28.99.

Five Two Over-the-Sink Drying Rack

This is one of those “I wish I thought of that” kind of products. The Five Two Over-the-Sink Drying Rack sure makes a lot of sense—after all, why did we ever situate drying racks over the counter on top of a dishrag rather than over the sink itself? Duh! The rack conveniently fits right over the sink and is available in three colors—Peppercorn, Smoked Salt or Slate Blue. It’s made of silicone-coated stainless steel, so it’s sturdy yet can roll out for use and up for storage. Another standout feature is the built-in utensils caddy that keeps things organized and, of course, prevents smaller items from falling back into the sudsy sink. With 4.8 stars and several hundred ratings on Food52.com, it’s clear users think it’s brilliant, too. One reviewer wrote, “Just what I needed for my new sink. It’s great for cleaning veggies and drying small items. Things I use frequently often sit on it over the course of the day, like a paring knife.”

Buy at Food52 for $45.

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker

Cooking eggs isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, it looks easy—what level of skill does it really take to master a scramble? But let’s be honest here, to truly accomplish perfectly hard-boiled, soft-boiled or poached eggs—even a diligently folded omelet with no cracks or leaks—is the stuff of precision. That’s where the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker comes in: It can make all of the aforementioned egg dishes above, six eggs at a time, within minutes. For eggs consistently cooked to your liking, you can’t do better than the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker, which has 4.6 stars and more than 41,000 reviews on Amazon.com. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “It’s convenient, compact and time-saving; this kitchen gadget is a game changer!… Prep takes 30-45 seconds to fill the appropriate water level, poke the eggs and place in tray. Three eggs take about seven minutes, six eggs takes about 11-12 minutes.”

Buy at Amazon for $19.99.

Lomi By Pela

What if we told you food isn’t garbage and shouldn’t be thrown in the trash? Because most food items—eggshells, produce peels and cores, even animal products and byproducts—are considered organic matter and can break down naturally (or compost) over time even given the right conditions. The Lomi provides exactly that. This is a countertop composter that cuts down on the decomposition time by a lot, and everything from food to yard waste can be put into this little machine (made by Pela, the first-ever compostable phone case company). In as little as 4 hours, the contents are magically transformed into compost. One Pela.com reviewer wrote, “As someone who lives in a condo, Lomi is an absolute revolution for me. I can’t wait to get rid of my green bin!” The best part? Once your waste has been made into dirt, it can go just about anywhere: into the soil of your indoor plants, the garden, green bin or even the trash.

Preorder at Pela for $499.

Always Pan

Can a pan go viral, like, in a good way? It’s probably one of the few good things to come out of the year 2020, but the answer is yes, a multifunctional saucepan-skillet known as the Always Pan and made by Los Angeles–based company Our Place—can go viral. Amateur cooks everywhere became obsessed with the pan after learning that it’s not only chic in style, but it also has the flexibility and range to replace eight different cookware items: a steamer and strainer, sauté pan, saucepan, saucier, skillet, fry pan, nonstick pan and spoon rest. With other cool features—like two pour spouts and a stay-cool knob and main handle—the Always Pan has (understandably) amassed a bit of a cult-like following. In fact, on its website, the pan has 18,314 reviews and a near-perfect five-star rating. One OurPlace.com reviewer even wrote, “Omg I love this pan system…. It makes cooking fun and inventive. I can make everything from stir fry to traditional Mexican meals to breakfast. I can’t get enough of this set. I have the pan, bamboo steamer and talking trio platter.”

Buy at Our Place for $145.

Chef’n Citrus Juicer

Skip the convoluted juicers that turn fruit juicing into a lengthy, drawn-out process. The Chef’n Citrus Juicer is a simple tool that—depending on the size you choose—can squeeze out the juice of either lemons and limes or oranges. It’s easy to use—simply put the desired fruit inside the tool, cut side down and squeeze—and it even filters out all the unnecessary pulp and seeds you wouldn’t want to drink. Whether you’re juicing a lime for a recipe or making a pitcher of lemonade (that will mean the squeezing, what, 12 lemons?), the Chef’n Citrus Juicer is a must-have kitchen item.

Buy at Food52, from $27.99.

Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer

The colander is a miraculous invention in its own right, but a strainer that conveniently attaches to the bowl or pan from which you pour? Ingenious! With a snap-and-strain clip-on design that adjusts to most pan and pot sizes, the Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer is about a quarter of the size of a standard colander, meaning more space in your cabinet and less surface area to clean afterward. A 4.5-star rating on Amazon and nearly 16,000 reviews show that once most users snap to strain, they never go back. One Amazon.com reviewer wrote, “This worked so well for draining beef grease from my large 12-inch fry pan. There was no leaking whatsoever like I was afraid of. It poured perfectly into a small cup. I also used it to drain hot water from boiling noodles for the same dinner! I had tried everything to drain fat, from spooning it out…and most recently trying to scoop it out and pat it dry. This is a lifesaver! I cannot wait to use it again!”

Buy at Amazon for $15.72.

The Spatty

A teensy-tiny spatula? Is that really necessary? Before you keep scrolling, know that it is necessary! While we don’t expect you to flip microscopic pancakes with this tiny take on the spatula, The Spatty fits perfectly into narrow openings and is surprisingly effective at removing every last drop (or glob) of jelly, peanut butter, mustard, hair product, nail polish, lip gloss…from its container. Made in the U.S. with BPA-free silicone, The Spatty—which has 4.6 stars and nearly 3,000 ratings on Amazon.com—is the ultimate zero-waste kitchen gadget. One Amazon.com reviewer wrote, “You don’t know how many times I’ve wished I had a small spatula to get the small amount of liquid foundation in the bottle that just would NOT come out, no matter what. I tried turning the bottles upside down and tried scraping the makeup out with anything that I thought might help get the last little bit from the bottom of the bottle. I ordered two sets of these, one for my makeup drawer and another set to use in the kitchen. Thank you for this wonderful product! I love them!” The Spatty comes with a slightly larger and longer Spatty Daddy.

Buy the 2-piece set at Amazon for $11.99.

FinaMill Spice Grinder Set

It’s time to spice things up in the kitchen! FinaMill is an award-winning, battery operated spice grinder that comes with three quick-change spice pods and a stackable tray for easy storage. With interchangeable, BPA-free pods, which discourage flavor contamination, and the ability to grind everything from peppercorns, salt, dried minced garlic, dried chopped onion, dried rosemary to flax, mustard, sesame or grape seeds, the FinaMill Spice Grinder Set is like a coffee machine for your spices. It also comes with a two-year warranty as well as an adjustment knob for personalizing the desired coarseness of your spice.

Buy at Amazon for $59.99.

Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner

Nobody actually enjoys cleaning the microwave, and unless you scrub it somewhat frequently, chances are the spurts and splatters only add up (and worse, congeal) over time. But save yourself the time, effort and pain of wiping down the microwave because the Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner does the job for you. Just rip off Mama’s head and fill her body with vinegar, then water (there are fill lines and complete instructions, of course). Screw Mama’s head back on and let her sit in the microwave for 7 minutes, during which the vinegar mixture will leak out from the gadget’s many mist holes, creating a kind of convenient steam clean. What’s easier than that?!

Buy at The Container Store for $9.99.

Hurom HP Slow Juicer

If a handheld juicer isn’t your cup of OJ, the Hurom HP Slow Juicer takes the effort out of juicing and does 90 percent of the work for you. Featuring a 43-revolutions-per-minute speed meant to mimic the motion of hand-squeezing juice, the Hurom HP Slow Juicer is both agile and versatile, working wonders on fruits, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, soybeans and even tofu. So why hand-squeeze or -extract when the Hurom HP Slow Juicer can save you the time and the effort?

Buy at Hurom for $379.

Stojo 36-Ounce Bowl

Surely you’ve heard of Stojo before—the collapsible, stackable silicone cup company that’s been making headlines for both its convenience and inherent sustainability. But it’s not just a reusable cup company. The Stojo 36-Ounce Bowl borrows the same collapsible technology from the brand’s original counterpart, making it super easy to store and transport and take on the go. Spill- and leak-proof, reusable and made with LFGB certified silicone, this holds up to 36 ounces, so you never have to deal with a bulky bowl on your lunch break ever again.

Buy at Stojo for $20.

iKanzi Meat Thermometer

If perfectly cooked meat is something that’s important to you, don’t just eyeball it. Invest in the iKanzi Meat Thermometer, which features super accurate temperature readouts every time.This meat thermometer has a 4.7-star rating and nearly 3,000 reviews, and cooks of all kinds—especially the amateurs!—rely on it. It features a high precision sensor with a temperature range of minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit to 302 degrees Fahrenheit and a backlit display screen for easy reading. One Amazon.com reviewer wrote, “I had two old food thermometers, which are slow to get accurate temperature. I love baking and having a good thermometer is very important. I am glad I bought this product. It only takes seconds to get accurate temperature. In the box it also includes another battery.”

Buy at Amazon for $9.99.

Frywall 10-Inch Splatter Guard

The Frywall 10-inch Splatter Guard…well, guards you (and the rest of your kitchen) from splatter while cooking. This Shark Tank invention is better than a standard splatter screen because while it blocks fine oil mist and other potential splashes from hitting your skin, your tile or your stove top, there’s no closure at the top of the silicone tent. That leaves plenty of room for steam to escape while still mitigating your risk of cooking time spillover. Not to mention, it’s easy to store when it’s not in use since it rolls up into a small envelope-like sleeve. It solves a problem without creating another problem, and that makes it one of the best kitchen gadgets.

Buy at Sur la Table for $13.99.

Chef’n Garlic Chopper

OK, we admit it—some single-use kitchen gadgets are pretty cheesy. But though the Chef’n Garlic Chopper may have one use only, its single use is quite effective and therefore, quite remarkable. Mess-free and easy to maneuver, the Chef’n Garlic Chopper preps garlic easily. Peel garlic, stuff them in the chopper, then roll the gadget back and forth a few times. (The more you roll, the finer a mince you accomplish.) It’s also dishwasher safe, and the blades themselves are removable, so in terms of usefulness, you’ll never take another knife to a clove ever again in favor of this ergonomic chopper.

Buy at The Container Store for $14.99.

Mueller Austria Pro-Series Multi Chopper and Slicer

With three sizes of dicers, three various-size grater blades and two slicing options, the Mueller Austria Pro-Series Multi Chopper and Slicer is the go-to for those who prefer not to cut (or julienne or grate or slice or dice in any way). In total, this kitchen gadget has eight diverse blades and works wonders on everything from onions and tomatoes to peppers and cabbage. It’s relatively tiny, too, so the Mueller Austria Pro-Series Multi Chopper and Slicer frees up some of your much-needed counter space, giving you more real estate to work, especially as you can simply store it in a drawer. Did we mention it also has nearly 7,000 reviews on Amazon.com and a 4.5-star rating? Said one reviewer, “This chopper is simple to use, very affordable, and easy to clean. I wanted a simple, manual chopper that I could use when I didn’t want to drag out my electric food processor (with the dicing attachment) and all of its parts. By ordering this chopper I got everything I was hoping for and more.”

Buy at Amazon for $29.97.

Grease Bags

As seen on Shark Tank, Grease Bags are a biodegradable, eco-friendly solution to the age-old question, What the heck do I do with my grease after cooking? (Or after pouring it off with the Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer?) No, don’t pour it don’t the drain and definitely don’t pour it outside. This plant-based bag, designed to hold cooled-down oil after cooking, is landfill friendly, promises no leaks and can fit up to 32 ounces of liquid before it’s composted. Like the bag itself, the grease will then biodegrade over time. Your pipes and the environment will thank you!

Buy at Amazon for $13.99.

Akinly Refrigerator Mats

Spillage in the fridge is never a fun thing, but waterproof, dirt-proof and oil-proof Akinly Refrigerator Mats can make it less of a hassle. These high-quality mats come in a set of nine, with anti-skid and easy-to-clean material designed to keep items in place but also keep shelves from getting dirty, spilled on or even scratched. And the 4.4-star rating and more than 6,500 reviews speak for themselves, with one Amazon.com reviewer writing, “Love these! I am super clean and instead of wasting money lining my shelves with tin foil or paper towels, I purchased these. They look pretty and they are so easy to rinse clean.”

Buy at Amazon for $14.99.

Oxo Good Grips Hand-Held Spiralizer

Spiralizing is all the rage right now, and if you can’t get behind the ones with the giant, arduous cranks, the Oxo Good Grips Hand-Held Spiralizer might just be your way into the trend. With a two-piece design and dishwasher-safe material, this hand-held spiralizer literally puts the fate of your meal in your own hands. It can spiralize everything from zucchini and cucumbers to potatoes and beets, and even comes with a nonslip food holder, for proper grip, and a recipe booklet.

Buy at The Container Store for $16.99.

Cup Board Pro Cutting and Carving Board

Another hot Shark Tank product, the Cup Board Pro Cutting and Carving Board, well, just makes sense! After all, not only is it environmentally friendly and sustainably made, but it’s also reversible and features a tray that hangs over the counter’s edge to catch and contain scraps. Isn’t that the most obvious thing in the world? A cutting board with a compartment to catch the scraps? You go, Cup Board Pro Cutting and Carving Board! It’s also dishwasher-safe and features a flatter area without grooves that’s ideal for chopping, slicing and mincing.

Buy at Williams Sonoma for $69.95.

Vehhe Oil Sprayer

Bet you never thought you needed an oil sprayer…and yet, here we are. We’ve all been the victim of a too-fast-to-come-out bottle of oil (or maybe ketchup or dressing) at some point in our lives. The Vehhe Oil Sprayer is an ideal solution: Instead of pouring, we spray—and it’s virtually mess-free! This multipurpose, stainless steel bottle sprayer holds up to 180 milliliters of liquid and also come with a silicone brush for convenient egg-washing and other uses while cooking and baking. One Amazon.com reviewer wrote, “Ergonomic, easy to hold, large capacity and even spray. Easy to wash and fill due to wide mouth, comfortable to grip with curved body design and sprays evenly until the last drop. Since it is large in capacity and only used for spraying, you won’t have to refill it very often. The rubber gasket around the rim prevents leakage and drips. This oil spray helps reduce your oil consumption…. With a stainless steel cap, and a durable lead-free glass body, it is safe, stylish and extremely functional. Priced well. Worthy investment for your kitchen.”

Buy at Amazon for $9.99.

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