Our Favorite Kitchen Tools
These are the tools we use most often in our own kitchen—practical, efficient pieces that can handle everyday tasks.
This article includes affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Everyday Kitchen Tools
Cuisinart Food Processor
We use a food processor for anything that would be time-consuming to do by hand—from chopping and grating to blending things like hummus or pesto, and even making pasta dough.
Braun Immersion Blender
Our Braun immersion blender has lasted for years. It’s a convenient tool that goes wherever we need it—whether we’re puréeing soups or sauces right in the pan or making smoothies in a large glass.
OXO Salad Spinner
A good salad spinner comes in handy for drying freshly rinsed lettuce and other greens. It’s probably one of the most used tools in our kitchen.
ThermoPop 2 Meat Thermometer
An instant-read thermometer is a reliable way to check when meat and poultry are done, minimizing the risk of overcooking. That leads to more consistent results and better-tasting food.
OXO Kitchen Scale
A kitchen scale isn’t essential, but it’s surprisingly useful when accuracy matters—especially for ingredients where rough measuring falls short.
Baking Essentials
KitchenAid Handheld Mixer
A handheld mixer is ideal for most everyday baking—from cookie dough and frostings to simple batters. Unlike a stand mixer, it’s portable and easier to clean.
Checkered Chef Stainless Steel Rack
This is a sturdy, no-nonsense cooling rack that holds up to regular use.
USA Cake & Bread Pans
We like the weight of these USA pans. They brown evenly and release cakes and breads with ease.
Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups
These measuring cups are designed for liquids, but their usefulness extends well beyond that. We also use them to measure things like berries and chopped vegetables, or for melting chocolate in the microwave.
Nordic Ware Baking Sheets
The half-sheet pans from Nordic Ware are oven-safe to 500°F, so they work just as well for high-heat roasting as they do for baking cookies.
Small Tools That Make Cooking Easier
OXO Fat Separator
A fat separator isn’t something you’ll use every day, but it’s the easiest way to separate fat from pan drippings for stocks, gravies, or sauces.
Capresso Electric Grinder
Some ingredients, like whole spices or flaxseed, are better when they’re freshly ground. We like this grinder for its simple design and ease of use.
Microplane Zester
This is our favorite rasp-style grater. It’s perfect for zesting citrus or finely grating ingredients like fresh ginger, parmesan cheese, chocolate, or nutmeg.
OXO Mesh Strainer
A fine mesh strainer is another one of those all-purpose kitchen tools that seems minimal but does a lot of work. We use it for sifting powdered sugar, straining chile purées, rinsing berries, or removing pulp from drinks.
OXO Fish Turner
We use a fish turner for anything that needs flipping, from fried eggs to grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s long, thin, and flexible, which makes it easier to slide under food than a typical spatula.
