We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

    41 Kitchen Products For Those Who *Want* To Love Cooking But Currently Don’t

    Turns out versatile appliances and aesthetic cookware can go a long way.

    1. A reviewer-beloved veggie chopper so you can dice up an onion without fear of losing a digit. Yes, I've watched Gordon Ramsay YouTube explainers on how to do it with a knife, but there's a disconnect between my head and my hand, okay??

    Reviewer putting a potato on a flip top lid cutter and bringing the lid down to chop it into pieces
    Model pressing down on top to cut an onion

    Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. 

    Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors). 

    2. A ~sage green~ air fryer if you manage to under or over cook your entree every dang time you use your oven. If you thought these things were only for french fries or chicken nuggies, think again. You can crisp up fresh asparagus, cook salmon to flaky perfection, and even bake a GD lemon bundt cake if you so wish!

    sage green air fryer with a phone open to the Cosori app
    full chicken in an air fryer

    Promising review: "I don't know why it took me so long to get an air fryer but this thing is a beast and a game changer for me. Everything about it is easy to use and I haven't had an issue with it at all. I use it almost every day and the uses range from heating things up, toasting bread, frying frozen foods, destroying documents, whatever. It's still going strong like the first day I had it. I line the bin with foil and the tray with foil also so clean-up is a breeze. Sure, I may lose a bit of crispness because of that but I'll take that for ease of cleanup. The 5-quart size is perfect for me and might be just a tad big for apartments but I can live with that since I like to load it up." —R

    Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in four sizes and six colors).

    3. And a set of magnetic air fryer cheat sheets you can affix to your fridge and then quickly crosscheck when you're in the middle of making chicken fingers. That way, you don't have to wash all the eggs and bread crumbs off your hands and fumble with your phone to pull up Google.

    a reviewer photo of an air fryer with the smaller magnetic cheat sheet on it
    a reviewer photo of the larger magnetic cheat sheet mounted on the fridge

    The set comes with two different-size magnets. See it in action on TikTok here

    Promising review: "I thought it over a few times, and then I bought these so I could have a quick reference handy for those times I wanted to make something in my air fryer, which is quite a bit. What surprised me is how often I refer to it. I just throw something in my air fryer, glance at the section that lists the item I’m cooking. Press a few buttons on my fryer, and I’m in business. No more having to search on my phone with wet fingers. A frivolous buy that turned out to be worthwhile." —PickyExtra

    Get it from Amazon for $7.95+ (also in two colors and Spanish language).

    4. A Dracula garlic mincer because garlic powder simply doesn't compare to freshly minced garlic when you're whipping up an Italian feast.

    The mincer that looks like Dracula (just twist the head to mince) with garlic bread
    Amazon

    PS: You can also use it for ginger!

    Promising review: "I purchased this as a gift for my friend who is a fantastic cook — she uses fresh ingredients almost exclusively — but pressing fresh garlic is a task usually delegated. No longer — Gracula is there for her. She uses him nearly every time she needs garlic (which is basically daily) and months later still makes a point of saying how much she enjoys the gift. I'm pretty sure she likes it better than other gifts I've gotten her which were more expensive/thought out, and I'm fairly certain it's what took me from "good friend" to "best friend," but it be that way sometimes. Anyway, definitely recommended for people who cook with garlic and have a sense of humor." —L

    Get it from Amazon for $22.95.

    5. seven-piece utensil set in whatever color makes your heart (and subsequently your stomach) sing. 

    What's included: One can opener, one ice cream scooper, one peeler, one pizza cutter, one garlic press, one cheese grater, and one whisk.

    Promising review: "Exactly as depicted... Ordered the mint and rose gold set and they are true to color and very pretty. Some are even now hanging with our copper pans. The pizza cutter comes in a clear sleeve and was way sharper than our pizza rocker. The can opener did its job on the first spin, the peeler was up to the job of carrots, and the whisk was ready to go into the gravy, but was deemed too pretty to use this soon. Would definitely give as a gift. I imagine the navy and rose are just as lovely. Enjoy!" —Ty Po

    Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in eight colors and two metal finishes). 

    6. A nylon chopper perfect for breaking up ground meat, frozen veggies, eggs, and more. If you're a fan of tacos, Philly cheesesteaks, or smash burgers (~chef's kiss to Shake Shack~), this baby will come in clutch.

    Zoomed in shot of a hand using the black chopper
    Amazon

    The tool is safe to use with nonstick cookware and you can throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

    Promising review: "The chopper breaks up ground beef, turkey, etc., much more efficiently than can be done with a spatula or turner. I don't normally purchase incredibly specialized utensils if I can get by without them, however, I think this chopper is worth the money because it saves time and makes cooking easier. The nylon material is heat-resistant and seems durable, but the packaging still directs not to leave on a hot surface when not in use." —Karen

    Get it from Amazon for $8.69+ (available in three colors).

    7. An Anova sous vide cooker to help you make restaurant-worthy meals with minimal effort. Like so minimal that you don't even have to be in the kitchen while your food is cooking! 

    a model standing next to the sous vide with the accompanying phone app open
    Amazon

    The temperature range is 32–197 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooker can be controlled right from your phone, so you don't even have to stay in the kitchen while cooking. It also provides cooking notifications, and stays connected through Bluetooth from up to 30 feet away. Plus, you get access to over 1,000 recipes, so you'll have inspiration for yummy meals! Get the Anova app here.

    Promising review: "Since I started cooking sous vide, my family says my cooking has gone to a new level. I started with the original Anova, and just recently picked up this Nano. The Nano is awesome because it's much smaller vs. the first Anova, making it easier to store in a drawer or something. It sounds trivial but by making it easier to grab. Set-up is so much quicker, and I can cook a beef roast for 30 hours without adding ANY water. If you're just starting out in sous vide, I recommend this cooker." —Jeff Nichols

    Get it from Amazon for $79+ (available in two styles).

    8. A set of "floating" kitchen knives in an acrylic case if one of the ways you know you'll be able to "trick" yourself into cooking more is by outfitting your kitchen with aesthetic equipment. 

    Each set comes with 13 professional chef knives, kitchen scissors, a peeler, a two-stage stage knife sharpener, and an acrylic knife stand.

    Promising review: "I love these knives! I saw them on a TikTok and decided I had to have a set of black knives and they exceeded my expectations for sure. Super durable, and very sharp. And they aren’t an eye sore in the kitchen." —Emily S. 

    Get the 17-piece set from Amazon for $49.99 (available in three finishes and other set options).

    9. A biodegradeable bacon sponge on which you can drain grease from fried foods because you could not only clog your *own* drain if you dispose of it improperly, but your whole neighborhood sewer line as well.

    a pile of freshly cooked bacon on top of the bacon sponge
    Amazon Handmade

    FYI: The towel absorbs 10 (!) times its weight in grease and absorbs liquids 20 times faster than other fabrics. Plus, it comes from a woman-owned small business based in Denver, Colorado. 

    Promising review: "I was skeptical about the bacon sponge but tired of watching everyone use piles of paper towels to drain bacon. It's great at soaking up the grease, and then I just pop it in hot soapy water in the sink, let it soak a while, rinse it out and let it dry and it's ready for the next batch. I like it so much that I'm getting a backup." —Sansa

    Get it from Amazon Handmade for $14.99.

    10. An automatic spice grinder so you can top off every dish with a bit of spice and in the most ✨extra✨ fashion imaginable. 

    gif of grinder grinding salt with one click of a button
    FinaMill spice grinder with two pods of spices
    Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed

    BTW — this grinder is battery-operated, so make sure to get a few AA batteries, too!

    Promising reviews: "Nothing like freshly ground spices to add a little snap to your cooking. The pods snap on and off with ease and the grind size is very easy to adjust from barely ground to pulverized... The ability to group commonly used spices together in threes and carry them across the kitchen or outside to the grill just adds to the usability." —Todd Tittle

    Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in four colors, comes with grinder and two interchangeable pods).

    11. A silicone crab utensil holder that'll triumphantly hold your spoon over its head so it doesn't melt on the side of your stove while you're cooking. 

    a close up of a reviewer's crab utensil holder
    zoomed out view of the crab sitting on the edge of a pot

    Promising review: "Probably the coolest holder I have ever seen. Bought it for my wife and she loves it and thinks it's cute. I laugh when I look at it, just cool as all! Hangs on all of our pots and pans, stays cool. Easy to clean and looks awesome. Great addition to any kitchen. Works great, does exactly what it is intended to do!" —Logan E.

    Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in two colors). 

    12. A panini press because you're always jonesing for a tomato, mozzarella, and pesto sandwich but you don't want to wait 30 minutes for one to arrive via DoorDash only to be cold (*especially* not for $20+...)

    The panini press open to reveal a sandwich
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This is among my favorite purchases. Simple as can be and makes the best sandwiches, quesadillas, etc... I have yet to grill a steak but turkey burgers came out perfect! All in all, a great little grill." —Patti Lee

    Get it from Amazon for $44.99.

    13. A conveniently compact 8-in-1 spiralizer for spiralizing (duh), juicing, grating, shredding, and more. No need to search your kitchen for multiple gadgets when everything you need can be done with just one.

    BuzzFeed editor holding the transparent cup with eight black lids
    A model using the device to make zoodles, grate cheese, and squeeze an orange
    Emma Lord / BuzzFeed, Amazon

    BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord loves this gadget:

    "I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I've started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it's very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you're ever portioning things out for a recipe."

    Promising review: "LOVE THIS. I absolutely love this. So far I've used the thicker spiralizer, two of the grater things, and then the juicer. I love how easy this makes keeping everything together. And it's sharp so it actually cuts through things without you needing to work super hard to do it. The only thing I don't love is that the spiralizers are a bit hard to clean, but I guess that's with all of them? Not sure because this is the first I've owned. But, overall I'd recommend it :)" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $19.98.

    14. A breakfast sandwich maker that simultaneously cooks your egg, toasts your bread, warms precooked meat, and melts cheese so you can slap together the ultimate breakfast sammie without having to wait in line at Dunkin' or Starbucks and risk being 20 minutes late for work (...again).  

    Promising review: "I am actually excited for my weekday breakfast now. These homemade McMuffins are so good! My favorite version uses sliced tomatoes, Swiss cheese, and precooked bacon (from Costco). So many options, so easy! My kindergartener and my teenager both love it. I may have to buy another one for our family. It's also easy to clean with a quick wipe-down." —Joolie

    Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in five colors).

    15. Or a super easy-to-use egg bite maker so you can make lil' egg bebes that adhere to your keto/paleo/gluten free/vegetarian lifestyle and *don't* cost $9 (plus the gas to get you to the drive thru). 

    Psst — a lot of folks also use these for pancake and protein pancake bites, too! 

    Promising review: "I bought this in hopes to make egg bites similar to Starbucks and I have not been disappointed. I chose this one after reading reviews on the smaller four-bite size. I have used it multiple times and have had excellent results each time. I followed the recipe in the booklet and used a tip from another reviewer that suggested to triple the cottage cheese amount. It’s very easy to use and clean." —April124

    Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in three colors). 

    16. A pack of slow cooker liners if you love yourself a one-pot meal but don't love having to scrape away baked-on food when you're finished.

    a slow cooker with two liners inside each filled with a different dish
    Walmart

    PS: They also come in handy with dishes going into a water bath (think: cheesecakes, custards, and puddings). 

    Promising review: "These bags are so wonderful. They are thick enough to deal with a few scrapings with spoon while stirring. And the cleanup takes seconds instead of an hour of soaking and five more minutes of cleaning. Very impressed with this project." —Taoswaan

    Get a pack of six from Amazon for $3.31 or a pack of eight from Walmart for $4.87

    17. An oil mister so you can perfectly spritz all of your one-pan meals. This way, you don't have to toss everything by hand and get covered in hard-to-clean (not to mention expensive...) EVOO. 

    Promising review: "This is a great item for lightly spraying salads, roasting vegetables, or adding some oil to a prepared plate of pasta. Avoids using more oil than necessary so that’s a savings right there. I also use it to put a light coating of oil on all my cast iron cookware to prevent rust. Best of all, it looks great on the dinner table. Lots of uses which really makes it an asset in the kitchen. It seems that it should last a while so I think it is worth the few bucks spent." —Clancy

    Get it from Amazon for $11.97.

    18. An Instant Pot that can whip up meals in 20 minutes or less! I've personally made pulled BBQ chicken, teriyaki chicken and rice, and mashed potatoes in one of these with little effort.

    The silver appliance which has 14 buttons/settings and a digital screen
    Amazon

    Promising review: "After a childhood experience that involved a pressure cooker spewing black beans all over the ceiling, I had no interest in ever trying one again. Until I started hearing about the Instant Pot. I've had it three weeks, and have used the pressure cooker function to make dishes as varied as black bean soup, butternut squash soup, dulce de leche, and cheesecake. My favorite aspect of it is that you set it and walk away. No more having to monitor the temperature. No more having to time the pressure phase. I also like the fact that the sauté function allows you to brown the onions or meat in the same pot, before adding the other ingredients and cooking at pressure. I'm big on avoiding recipes that create a lot of dirty dishes." —A. Jennerjahn

    Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes and styles).

    Learn more about the Instant Pot in "I Tried The Instant Pot That Everyone's Obsessed With."

    19. A Thaw Claw because being an adult with a 9-5 has made you realize why mom got SO mad when you forgot to take chicken out of the freezer after school.... (Sorry, mom!). With this, you can weigh down your meat in the sink and thaw it out seven times faster than if you left it on the counter. 

    The gadget not only keeps your meat submerged, but the manufacturer says it also thaws it seven times faster than other methods!

    Promising review: "I am a stickler for properly defrosting meat after working in food service for years and this makes that process super easy and surprisingly quick! I've even convinced my father — a retired rocket scientist — that this is the best way to defrost." —Sarah

    Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in four colors). 

    20. A set of three complementary cutting boards that not only kill it in the color department, but give you options so you don't have to wash and rewash a single board when you're preparing multiple things. That comes in especially clutch when you're working with things like chicken that require way more than a quick rinse. 

    three green cutting boards
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I needed some easy-to-clean and store cutting boards. These are great! I actually need to get one more set because I use them so often!! They are so easy to just rinse and toss in the dishwasher. The colors are cute too." —Michele Carroll

    Get the three-piece set from Amazon for $16.99 (available in two colors). 

    21. A pancake batter bottle if you (or your partner or kiddos) go through hotcakes like nothin'. Now, you can make a whole stack in minutes. 

    hand holding a bottle full of batter and pouring out pancake circles onto a griddle
    Amazon

    The bottle isn't just for dispensing, either. It also has a whisk ball in the bottom so you can mix up your batter with just a few shakes. 

    Promising review: "This thing makes pancakes a breeze! The batter mixes really fast in this bottle and it makes pouring the batter on the griddle super easy. I make pancakes at least once a week so this is a great addition to my kitchen tools." —LBND

    Get it from Amazon for $13.42.

    22. A 3-in-1 avocado slicer for those who still haven't gotten over their avo toast obsession. Pick up one of these gadgets — it'll split, pit, and slice your avocado — and you'll whip up a plate worth $15 or more at your favorite cafe.

    Hands using the three-in-one tool to pit an avocado
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I used to laugh at this kind of product until my friend was using hers. It made it all so easy! Honestly, I can't believe someone as clumsy as me was functioning without it. Where I used to use a knife and spoon or fork to deal with avocados, it's now just this one thing. Each part of the tool does its job really well, and it's easy to clean. Love it so much. Even if you're not a clever tool kinda person, just get it. It's worth it." —kikikitten

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

    23. A set of silicone baking mats that'll replace reams and reams of parchment paper. If Netflix's 10+ reality cooking competitions have inspired you to spend more time in the kitchen, they'll pay for themselves in no time.

    Two of the mats; one rolled up to show its flexibility
    Amazon

    Promising review: "These baking mats are absolutely fantastic. The quality is superb, and SUCH a good price. I use them for just about everything I put in the oven. From oven pizzas to cookies, you name it! I also love that besides food sliding easily off the nonstick surface, that they help protect all my baking sheets and such. It’s also super handy to just throw them in the top shelf of the dishwasher or even just wipe clean. Update: I’ve had these mats and used them almost daily for nearly a year now. They still look brand new and I have had no problems with staining, melting, or wear. These things are fantastic and have paid for themselves many times over." —Jezzhani

    Get it from Amazon for $14.28+ (available in packs of two, three, or four). 

    24. A mini waffle maker so you can push pause on your day and treat yourself to a warm snack that's way more exciting than an Eggo.

    A gif of a BuzzFeeder making a waffle and the text
    Alexandra Napoli / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "If you like waffles, but don't want to eat gigantic ones and/or don't have a ton of counter space to spare for a full size waffle maker, this little thing is well worth the price. Another benefit of this smaller size is that you can use the waffles from this little machine to make sandwiches, for those who like breakfast on-the-go, not to mention a sweet and savory treat in the morning. We have actually been surprised by how much we use this item considering other waffle makers we've purchased all end up collecting dust in the back of a cupboard. This really is a waffle maker that you'll use more than once; in fact, diehard waffle fans will probably use it every day." —Memory Lane

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 19 colors/patterns).

    25. A snap-on silicone strainer that easily attaches to the side of your pot so you don't have to make room in your sink for a colander and then inevitably splash yourself with ~boiling~ hot water when you haphazardly dump your cavatappi. 

    the green silicone strainer clipped to a pot with rotini pasta in it
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Makes straining pasta, veggies, etc., so easy. Easy cleanup and less clunky than a full-size strainer. I love it so much I've just bought four more as gifts." —LJ

    Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in five colors).

    26. A pair of herb scissors if you just don't have the patience to finely dice your scallions when there's chicken fried rice to be eaten. 

    a model using the scissors to cut scallions and the comb to remove all the slices
    Amazon

    The scissors have five blades which do the work of 10 knives! They also come with a cleaning comb which makes it easy to get out every last bit of your herbs. 

    Promising review: "We use HelloFresh which has a lot of meals with scallions. My uniform knife cutting skills are sketchy at best and I just knew there had to be a gadget out there that would make things easier. These herb shears are awesome! They make my life much easier. They are just like the description says, easy to use, easy to clean, and so far seem pretty durable." —Mike Taylor

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in three colors). 

    27. And a handy herb stripper for those looking for a quick and easy way to strip fresh cilantro and rosemary while cooking. Slide them through and leave behind that bitter stem! 

    hands feeding a sprig of rosemary through the wooden herb stripper
    hands holding the herb strippers in the three wood types
    Shop Collin Garrity / Etsy

    Collin Garrity is the St. Louis-based woodworker behind these lovely tools. 

    Promising review: "Just exactly what I was looking for. The wood is smooth and comfortable to use and just pretty to look at. Quickly becoming a staple utensil for my kitchen." —David and Amy Emler

    Get it from Collin Garrity on Etsy for $18 (available in three types of wood). 

    28. A rapid egg cooker that's simple, quick, and consistent when it comes to making soft, medium, and hard-boiled eggs. Let's be real, if I had to go through the trouble of making them the old-fashioned way, I'd probably just pull out a Toaster Strudel instead.

    the green egg cooker which has a clear domed lid
    Amazon

    The 1-pound appliance has room for six eggs and an auto-shutoff function which prevents overcooking.

    Promising review: "I love hard-boiled eggs for protein, especially when I’m on the go as a student/worker, but it’s hard to wait for the water to boil then put In the eggs and get ready all at the same time. This cooker is amazing!! Saves me time, it’s quick and I don’t have to watch it while it cooks — I can go get ready and then I hear a loud buzzer notifying me when the eggs are done! (The buzzer is really loud; sounds like a basketball game buzzer.) I was surprised how fast the eggs cooked." —OnAJourney

    Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in eight colors).

    Want to know a lil' more? Read through our full review of the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker.

    29. Modular sheet pan dividers so you can make a one-pan meal without overcooking any of the elements. Sick of burning your summer squash while you wait for your Brussels sprouts to finish? Well now you can pull 'em out as soon as they're done without worrying about shuffling multiple hot pans. 

    a model pulling asparagus from the oven and putting salmon and potatoes back in
    Amazon

    Prep'd, the small biz that created these handy dividers, was founded in 2015 by two industrial engineers who believed cooking should be simple, easy, and ultimately fun.

    Promising review: "These are great for so many reasons. We're in a mixed gluten household (one person has celiac and is diabetic, but we are not all doing a gluten-free diet). We can portion control for carb counting and separate out gluten-free vs. none on one pan. Plus, cleanup is just throwing in the dishwasher!" —J Fans

    Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99.

    30. A dishwasher-safe silicone soup cube tray because you're a Soup Person through and through but you also live alone and can't possibly eat it all at once. 

    The silicone tray filled with soup next to a bowl with one of the frozen squares
    Amazon

    Souper Cubes is a small business!

    Promising review: "I'm extremely happy with my Souper Cubes! I cook chili and soup and always make too much, having the ability to freeze serving-size portions is perfect. Saves time and food quality by not having to thaw it all each time I want another serving. High quality and since it's silicone and not rigid plastic it won't crack in the freezer. Highly recommend!" —Alexander S. Waterman

    Get it from Amazon for $19.95.

    31. A Carraway cookware set that not only comes with every pot and pan one could need, but storage solutions in the form of magnetic racks and a canvas lid holder — bc let's be real, locating the pan you need/being able to put it away once you're done is half the cooking-at-home battle. 

    the green pan and pot set
    the set organized in a cabinet
    Amazon

    What's included: A fry pan, sauce pan with lid, sauté pan with lid, Dutch oven with lid, modular pan rack, and three-slot canvas lid holder.

    Promising review: "This cookware set checked every box for me. From the satisfying unboxing to the easy storage and easy cleanup this was worth every penny. I love the magnetic storage system that comes with it, it allows for easy on counter storage that looks great and is easy to access. Gone are my days of rummaging through drawers and cabinets for my pans. The hanging lid storage is also a genius method of storing pot and pan lids. The cookware itself looks beautiful, I'm more than happy to go right from the stove to the dining room table with this set which is a breeze thanks to the included hot pads to place pots and pans on. Cooking with this set is everything you'd expect. You can feel the quality of these pans just by holding them. A lot of products claim nonstick but this is the best nonstick pot or pan I've used. They heat up evenly and are clean after just a quick rinse under the sink. I highly recommend!" —AZ

    Get the 12-piece set from Amazon for $355 (available in six colors). 

    32. set of space-saving measuring spoons (with dual sides for wet and dry ingredients) made to magnetically nest one in the other so you never lose your teaspoon and have to guestimate measurements using your tablespoon instead.

    the set of measuring spoons with ingredients in each
    a reviewer holding the set which is stuck together magnetically
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I got so tired of measuring spoons either getting lost in my drawer or having to deal with ones on rings. These are fantastic. The magnet holds them together well, and I love that each ‘spoon’ is actually two (each end is a different shape, too)." —Alicia S.

    Get the set from Amazon for $15.97+ (available in four color combinations). 

    33. A highly aesthetic Beast Blender because you're in your ~smoothie era~ but dropping $12 on one every day just isn't sustainable. This is! 

    white blender next to two lemons
    Goodful

    What's included: B10 Blender Base, B10 Blade Assembly, 1000mL Blending Vessel, Drinking Lid + Carry Cap, and Storage Lid. 

    Promising review: "[As I write this] we're only halfway through May and I have already declared this the best purchase of 2023! It's attractive, quiet, and a !beast! at blending drinks with ice. This is the blender I've been waiting for." —Sharon B.

    Get it from our Goodful shop for $165 (available in three colors)

    34. A wooden cutting board (with a pour spout for easy cleanup) if you're really hard on your kitchen prods. I've decided it's not only the most stylish way to go, but also the most cost-effective because it won't melt or snap!

    a gif of a model cutting up watermelon and draining the juice into a small bowl
    Food52

    Promising reviews: "This cutting board looks so nice I keep it on my counter all the time. Handy and sturdy. I like that one side has a grooved border that catches any juices from meat or poultry that's resting before carving. I'm very happy with this purchase!" —Joseph G.

    "I already own these amazing cutting boards and just bought one for each of my daughters. The slot for your phone is genius, they are very generously sized, and easy to clean and maintain." —Kathy H

    Get it from Food52 for $19.99+ (originally $30+; available in five sizes and styles). 

    35. A set of three dough presses that make easy work of hand pies, dumplings, ravioli, calzones, empanadas, and more. This way, you can get over the absolute chokehold that Trader Joe's frozen gyozas have had on your life for the past six months. 

    Promising review: "This was a great purchase for the price. I was making empanadas and folding them by hand, which didn’t look too good. This set helps me cut them easily into circles and then easily presses them close. Consistent look each time! I like that there are three sizes in the set so I can make them according to my mood. Easy to wash and use. Would highly recommend for the price and functionality!" —Sox

    Get a set of three from Amazon for $15.99.

    36. A 3-in-1 Cuisinart burger press so you can whip up a picture-perfect Juicy Lucy 🍔 (thanks for the education, Top Chef: Kentucky) right at home. 

    Gif of user making cheese-stuffed burger with the press
    Amazon

    Promising review: "Really well-made product. It is sturdy and works great, I foresee this lasting for quite some time. It is very easy to use and can make stuffed burgers as well as regular burgers. I also bought the paper sheets recommended because then I can buy ground beef on sale and shape and freeze my own hamburger patties. It saves quite a bit of money to do it this way as opposed to buying already made ground beef patties, not to mention the taste is sooooo much better!" —deborah

    Get it from Amazon for $10.39.

    37. A set of decorative trivets made to protect your table from the scorching heat of your latest creation: an over-microwaved Hot Pocket (AKA molten lava straight from Earth's mantle).

    purple triangular trivets holding pots and pans
    Amazon

    Promising review: "This was a really hard purchase for me. I searched for quite a bit but couldn't settle on any trivets that also fit the aesthetic of my kitchen. These are perfect! Love the color, size, shape, dimensions… all of it. It was hard to press that purchase button though just because of the price (there are sooooo many cheaper options), but these seem like they will stand the test of time." —Anna

    Get a set of three from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in seven colors). 

    38. A set of seven nesting bowls so you have plenty of options when it comes to your mise en place

    seven colorful mixing bowls
    the seven bowls nested
    Goodful

    Get the set from our Goodful shop for $60 (originally $80; available in four color combinations). 

    39. A stunning, heirloom-worthy East Fork dinner set in delicious hues like panna cotta, morel, amaro, and butter. 

    five-piece dinner set in panna cotta
    East Fork

    What's included: Breakfast bowl, everyday bowl, cake plate, side plate, and dinner plate.

    East Fork is an Asheville, North Carolina-based small biz that's been throwing and firing pottery since 2009. Today, they are a Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral Certified (meaning they offset and reduce all of their greenhouse gas emissions), and they "partner with local non-profit, grassroots organizations and individuals working toward racial equity, community reconciliation, and the liberation of folks who’ve been systematically oppressed by white supremacy, patriarchy, and heteronormativity."

    Promising reviews: "Great pieces worthy of collection and praise. We have been slowly collecting pieces of East Fork as we go and absolutely love how durable and beautiful they are." —Grant and Vicki T.

    Get it from East Fork for $146 (originally $162; available in eight colors). 

    40. corn peeler so you can meal prep five pounds of Chipotle corn salsa. The copycat recipes are out there and they're good, people!!

    the corn peeler next to two cobs of corn
    gif of reviewer using the peeler to remove kernels from an ear of corn

    Promising review: "I didn't have high expectations for this corn cob peeler, but saw the good reviews so thought I would give it a chance. I am amazed. I can peel an ear of corn in seconds. As a child, I remember how my mom would peel off the corn and freeze it for year-round corn. She would work her fingers to the bone. How great this would be for people who can or freeze corn. I noticed the blade is razor sharp, so I am being very careful with cleaning and storage. Highly recommended!" —Flossygirl

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99

    41. And a set of Anyday microwaveable cooking essentials if — you're being honest with yourself — you know the only way you're gonna make a home-cooked meal is if you can zap it into existence. As an added bonus, you can use the dishes to store leftovers and then reheat them again when you're ready for seconds!

    six dishes with lids
    Anyday

    What's included: Large deep dish, large shallow dish, medium deep dish, medium shallow dish, and two small dishes. 

    Anyday is a small, modern cookware brand from Steph Chen. If you need some inspiration, check out Anyday's dish ideas which include recipes from the likes of David Chang and Joshua McFadden!

    Promising review: "Giving 5 stars does not do this dish justice; it needs five billion stars! This has to be the BEST product I have every purchased in my life. Since I do not have access to a stove or oven, these dishes have allowed me to 'cook' chicken, salmon, tilapia, shrimp, pork chops, and vegetables with just a microwave! Freaking genius!! Thank you Anyday for this beautiful ray of sunshine you have bestowed upon my life." —SR

    Get it from Anyday for $170 (originally $200; available in three colors). 

    Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.