12 Under-$25 Pro Kitchen Tools That You Can Use At Home

AKA why cake testers are the most versatile cooking tool.

If there's anyone who knows how to cook quickly and efficiently, it's line cooks.

Bravo

They know how to peel 100 pounds of potatoes in a flash, and which tools to use to make these massive cooking tasks less difficult.

So here are 12 tools line cooks use in pro kitchens that you can also use in your kitchen at home:

1. Cake testers

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Why line cooks love them: Because they're not only great for checking if a cake is done baking, but great for checking the doneness of veggies and seafood as well. You just place it in the center of say, a scallop — if the metal is hot, your scallop is done. This method doesn't beat an instant-read thermometer (especially for accuracy), but it's a great way for cooks to quickly check doneness during service.

Get it from Amazon for $9.04.

2. Y-Shaped Peelers

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Why line cooks love them: Because they're sturdy, cheap, and gentle enough to peel delicate veggies (like baby carrots) without ruining them. Expensive peelers (like those fancy ceramic ones) often break when tackling hard-skinned veggies, but these babies can pretty much peel anything from carrots to squash.

Get it from Amazon for $4.49.

3. A Thin Fish Spatula

amazon.com, Instagram: @jalbrigh

Why line cooks love them: Because these flexible spatulas allow cooks to easily flip proteins and other delicate items without damaging them. They're great for flipping fish, scallops, veggies, and are perfect for removing stubborn foods stuck to the grill.

Get it from Amazon for $5.45.

4. A Mandoline

amazon.com, Instagram: @cariesfork

Why line cooks love them: Because those insanely thin slices of veggies you see at fancy restaurants are NOT cut by hand, they're sliced on a mandoline. Without one, cooks would have a difficult time slicing potatoes thin enough to make chips, or slicing radishes paper thin for garnishes.

Get it from Amazon for $21.97.

5. Bench and Bowl Scrapers

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Why line cooks love them: Because they're the go-to item for quickly cleaning countertops (especially stuck-on dough) and can easily get every last bit of batter out of a bowl without having to use a spatula.

Get a bench scraper from Amazon for $4.76 and a bowl scraper for $9.13.

6. Ring Molds

amazon.com, Instagram: @rotohofoto

Why line cooks love them: Because they're perfect for plating food in the center of a plate (or stacking things super high) and can be used to cut dough, assemble cakes, and are pretty much the go-to tool for anything pastry related — some chefs even bake directly in them (just place them on a parchment-lined sheet tray and fill 'em halfway with batter).

Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99.

7. A Pair of Offset Tweezers

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Why line cooks love them: Because line cooks just think of these babies as a more precise set of tongs. They're perfect for flipping things like bacon and small veggies, and are great for delicately tossing salads.

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

8. A Tiny Offset Spatula

amazon.com, Instagram: @sophiefoodie

Why line cooks love them: These babies are not only great for frosting cakes, but the go-to tool for executing intricate plating techniques and moving items from pan to plate. Anytime a cook needs to thinly spread something (like butter or frosting), they grab one of these.

Get it from Amazon for $4.41.

9. A Whetstone

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Why line cooks love them: Because unlike those cheap plastic knife sharpeners, these stones can sharpen your knife without causing any damage. Cooks use them frequently to make sure their knives are perfectly sharp and ready for service.

Get it from Amazon for $14.38 and learn more about using them here.

10. Large Plating Spoons

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Why line cooks love them: Because these spoons are the perfect size for transferring items to the plate, stirring sauces, ladling liquids, and tasting things (because sometimes a regular cooking spoon is too big and a soup spoon is too small.)

Get it from JB Prince for $11.90.

11. A Microplane

amazon.com, Instagram: @axellboisselier_chef_france

Why line cooks love them: Because no other tool can give you that snow-like texture, and it's not just for cheese! Line cooks use them to grate citrus, chocolate, even hard-boiled eggs on top of salads.

Get it from Amazon for $12.89.

12. Cheap Side Towels

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Why line cooks love them: Because they double as both something to wipe up messes with, and an oven glove. They're cheap, durable, and perfect for grabbing hot pots and pans with. Most line cooks tie them around their apron for easy access, but they're also great for keeping next to your stove at home.

Get a set of five from JB Prince or Amazon for $19.90.

Hey line cooks - any tools we missed? Let us know in the comments below!