Kitchen gadgets are a must have. They are essential to our daily lives.
These kitchen gadgets are of daily use. Yet, not thought of as most essential of all the kitchen gadgets. These are the ones you don't really think of when you think of cooking. And some of these are more than just one use and toss into the kitchen sink.
1. Kitchen Shears.
Cut it open with one hand? You're covered. As well as the endless amounts of packages and products, with those hard to open clamshells made out of bullet-resistant polymers. Cutting all manner of animal flesh and the rib cage for your daily spatchcock. I use an Oxo. The one that splits for easier cleaning. And always get stainless steel.
2. Thermometer.
Now this is a no brainer. I don't bother with any foolish wired job either. You know the ones that have a wired probe that runs from said cooking to the actual temperature telling device. They even got these new-fangled I.R. sensors. Seriously cooking involves timing and smelling. If you can't time it right or if your sniffer is not up to snuff, you won't be able to tell when your food is burning. When you should have known when it was ‘about’ done. The thermometer should be handheld to get the final check for perfect doneness in digital display. They use them on televisions "America's Test Kitchen" They have the expensive rapid read, that cost more than one of these suckers should cost. I don't know maybe they are bullet proof or something. I bought the Kizan from Denmark. Not a quick read, but it's not the cost of a small shed either. Goes from neg. 50 - 300 Celcius. If you're from England that would be neg. 58 - 572 Faren. If you're not cooking lava you should be all right.
3. A simple yet effective kitchen gadget, the soap sponge.
There are many that shred (planned obsolescence) or get stinky quickly. Generally these are cellulose (paper) infused with something to make them last. No. I have the Libman antibacterial. I have one for many months and doesn't disintegrate. And the scrubby side is very durable. Yet wrings out with no debris attached. Amazing really. Definitely lasts longer than the mentioned above.
4. A soap dispenser. No Batteries, No Cord. Under $20.
This is an amazing device that gets ALL the soap out of the bottle. It's a little heady for some as the bottle is inverted on the counter top. That is squashed by physics. The SoapDish holds your favorite liquid dish soap itself. The brilliant thing about this is its hands free. All you need to keep cleaning is dab in it’s dish, SoapDish, duh. Handy, and a counter clutter closer. Kitchen cleaning just got faster.
5. You never saw this guy coming a Dual grinder.
For spices. we are still on 'kitchen gadgets' and not automobile body work. Get your head out of the garage! I really searched for this rig. On account I am a Gourmet (a California thing we call home chefs - finicky food fenaglers) and I use what the Pro’s call “finishing salts''. Salts from around the world in their crystalline form - flavored by that part of the Earth. Popular now are Hawaiian Red and Himalayan pink. Fun Stuff if you're into flavor. Yet everywhere I looked and on TV the Chefs used a little thingy/bowl of some sorts for the salt. A grinder for the salt AND pepper. I asked myself. Self, “ There's got to be a deal that has grinders for both on one device, there is. It's called the ‘Dual Grinder' by Cole & Mason. Good to have. Get two if you want to have another dedicated to your other salts. Celtic grey, mmmm.
6. A digital scale.
In grams and ounces. Most have both. But most have a large footprint. On account they think you're going to weigh a calf on it, or something beyond daily use. Which is weighing for : the entire baking world. No real pro does a dunk and sweep with a cup can in his hand for his thirty gallon mixer. Come on. Having those sad cans and the word "collapsible" sticker on as if it's clever. NO. Teaspoon and table are still in, but cups are out. Says I. A small scale is key and able to see the read out too. Of course battery powered. Chuck - another cord. I have a Taylor and it is about right. Pretty durable too.
7. Strainer. Fine mesh.
I went fine with this, on account I whatever is larger I can get with my hands. And here is a keeper folks - it doubles as a sifter - Woooow. Sure, flour, spices and those abnormally large clumps of brown sugar. How does it even do that? Anything you would normally use a sifter for and, yet it waits in the closet like the Granny in Alfred Hitchcock’s famed masterpiece “Psycho.” Mine is the Cuisinart.
8. Microplane - Course.
No, not the dermabrasion device from which they are known. That sucker will take the flesh off your fingers whilst zesting. Ouch! Except for when I want a cloud of parmesan or some ground nutmeg. When is that? Thanksgiving? Thats about it. No, I'm talking about the coarse grater here. Comes with an extremely useful protector cover. That's the gag. The protector. Yes it does keep the blade from banging around the other utensil drawer inhabitants. Shreds good too, just like his baby brother. And because it's not encapsulated in a box with three other delinquent graters like a police line up. In one end, shredded out the other. I even use frozen butter on mine for that cold chillin' pie crust. Microplane - Course Grater.
9. The Spatula.
Not the stiff steel one for everyday use. This type of spatula is often used for scraping bowls or pans, as well as for flipping delicate items like eggs or fish, thanks to its flexible and non-stick nature (most are food grade silicon). It's a handy tool for ensuring you get every last bit of your ingredients out of containers or pans while cooking or baking. I have the two set of small and a little bigger from Everyday Living.
10. Peeler.
The potato peeler. Not just for potatoes any more. Pastry chefs use them for chocolate shavings. Some can do tomatoes. Good for cheese. What else does the future hold for the pota... Peeler? I use the Oxo.