Look into any kitchen in the country and you’re likely to find an assortment of utensils, small appliances, and gadgets that don’t serve much purpose beyond collecting dust. (Really, you probably don’t need those pewter corn cob holders.) But a fear of clutter shouldn’t dissuade you from picking up a few things that are not only unique but serve a practical and useful function in your home—even if it is incredibly specific. Check out 15 of the best gadgets you’ll be proud to show off.
Straining pasta, vegetables, and other dinner fare from boiling water remains one of the more unpleasant tasks in the kitchen. Make life easier with the Snap ‘N Strain, a silicone strainer that works on any pot or bowl and allows you to drain liquid with one hand.
Buy it: Amazon
2. Whisk Wiper; $18
One of the minor inconveniences of using a whisk is how difficult it is to clean afterward. The chore typically involves trying to isolate each individual loop with a sponge, usually with less-than-perfect results. The Whisk Wiper is a whisk that comes with a pre-fit wiper designed to nudge that last bit of batter off the utensil, preserving both your baking mix and your sanity.
Buy it: Amazon
Why grate over a plate when you can grate ona plate? This stubbed ceramic dish grates and collects your garlic, hard cheeses, ginger, and other goods. You can choose from 13 different colors.
Buy it: Amazon
4. Flamekiss Egg Cooker Pan; $36
If you find yourself struggling to keep your poached or fried eggs separate, consider this partitioned pan from Flamekiss. The surface keeps your eggs divided into three perfectly round serving sizes.
Buy it: Amazon
Prepackaged dressing too boring (or too unhealthy)? Simply add your ingredients to the jar, twist the dial on the lid to mix everything, and enjoy a salad topped with your own dressing.
Buy it: Amazon
6. SCI Cuisine International Square Egg Press; $7
Make your snack a conversation starter with this unique food modifier. Place a hot hard-boiled egg into the chamber and twist. As the egg cools, it will conform to the shape of the container and emerge as a square.
Buy it: Amazon
If you’re craving frozen yogurt, ice cream, or sorbet, you no longer need to even leave the house to get your fix. Simply add your ingredients to the mixing bowl, turn the Cuisinart on, wait 20 minutes, and then enjoy a bowl of cold goodness.
Buy it: Amazon
8. Souper Cubes; $20
Stop struggling with bags of frozen soup and use these silicone trays that allow you to pour and freeze soups, stocks, or smoothies into 1-cup ice cubes that you can reheat later.
Buy it: Sur La Table
Stop contorting your body trying to get into all the crevices of your microwave. This volcanic assistant uses vinegar and water to steam off particles and odor by “erupting” inside. A quick wipe-down finishes the job.
Buy it: Amazon
10. OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer; $10
Trying to pierce the tough exterior of an avocado can sometimes require medical attention, with botched attempts connected with serious nerve and tendon injuries. To avoid gouged palms, try this safety utensil that uses a serrated edge to easily puncture the avocado. You can also pit and use the fan blade to slice your newly-cracked superfood into seven serving slices.
Buy it: Amazon
Seeding pomegranates can be a messy exercise. This helper allows you to place a halved pomegranate over a grid, cover it, then strike it with a heavy spoon to dislodge the seeds. All the shrapnel will be contained.
And if you're looking to make your other home fruit consumption even easier, Sur La Table also sells equally specific prep tools for kiwis ($6), pineapples ($20), and mangos($16).
Buy it: Sur La Table
12. Prepworks Progressive Onion Chopper; $20
Take some of the emotion out of preparing onions with this dicing assistant. Just place an onion section in the tray and close the lid. The portions fall into a 2-cup measuring container, no tears involved. It can be used to dice tomatoes or peppers, too.
Buy it: Amazon
Cast-iron pans are a kitchen must, but their searing-hot handles and corners aren’t always a pleasure to grab. Keep your hands from sizzling with these classy leather guards.
Buy it: Amazon
14. Automatic Pan Stirrer; $25
Stirring up dishes can be a nice way to zone out, but not if other kitchen tasks are taking up your attention. Enlist some artificial intelligence with this whisk that stirs itself. Just set the timer and watch it go.
Buy it: UncommonGoods
Worse than watching paint dry? Waiting for water to slowly come to a boil. Speed up this glacial kitchen task with the 3.5-quart rapid-boil Turbo Pot, which uses aluminum fins at the base to rapidly conduct heat and bring water to a boil over a gas stove or open flame 30 to 50 percent quicker. (No electric stoves, sorry.) The company also makes a 2.2-quart saucepan ($46) and an 8.1-quart stockpot ($76).
Buy it: Amazon
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