44 Kitchen Products That Are Just Plain Useful
I don't know how you've lived this long without them.
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1. A set of silicone baking mats that'll render your cookie spray and roll of parchment paper obsolete. They'll prevent your baked goods from burning or sticking, and they come in three different sizes so they'll fit most cookie sheets.
2. An apple slicer that'll cut and core your fruit into eight perfect pieces. You can use it on apples or pears, and it has two large handles on each side that'll take the pressure off your hands and make it easier to cut through the fruit.
Get it from Linen Chest for $12.99.
3. A set of stylish pinch bowls that'll come in handy when you're preparing all your ingredients for baking. They're deep enough to hold liquids, and they can also double as small serving bowls for dips or toppings.
4. A push-up measuring cup that's perfect for sticky ingredients like butter and honey, so you won't have to scrape them out with a spatula.
5. A rolling utility cart that'll keep all your kitchen essentials organized. You can use it to store your favourite foods and spices for easy access, and it comes with little hooks to hang your small tools (like measuring spoons).
7. A game-changing batter dispenser tool that'll make baking cupcakes or muffins a piece of cake. It can hold up to four cups of batter and has a small lever along the handle, so you can control how much batter comes out.
Get it from Amazon Canada for $30.99.
8. A slim container that'll keep your herbs fresh for up to three weeks. It has a refillable well at the bottom that'll keep the stems hydrated, so the herbs won't dry out.
Get it from Amazon Canada for $38.99.
9. A lil' ceramic jar that'll look so much better on your countertop than the bag of coffee beans you usually keep there. It comes with bamboo lid that has an airtight seal, so your beans will stay fresh.
10. A knife mat that'll safely store your sharp utensils, so you won't accidentally poke yourself when you reach into your drawer. It's a great alternative to a knife block, if you don't have space on your counter.
Get it from Linen Chest for $24.99.
11. A wooden stand that'll keep your cookbook or tablet at the perfect angle, so you can follow your recipe while whisking and stirring. It also has a helpful equivalents chart written on it, saving you from Googling the right measurement every time.
12. A pair of oven mitts that'll protect your hands while you move your treats in and out of the oven. The tops have a non-slip silicone coating that'll make it easier to grip your trays and pans.
13. A citrus press that'll strain and collect your juice in one go. It comes in two-pieces, so you can remove the top part and drizzle lime, orange, or lemon juice on your meal to give it a zesty kick.
14. A set of pan scrapers that'll remove hardened food from your baking pans, so you won't have to use your nails or a knife to do it. They're made of nylon, so they won't scratch or damage your cookware
Some of my cooking pans are a little old and the non-stick coating is long gone. These scrapers make it infinitely easier to get food off, so I don't have to soak them in soapy water after every meal. I've used them on my dishes and clay baking pans, too, and they've never left a scratch.
Get a set of three from Amazon Canada for $13.99.
15. A pack of rubber grips, so you can open any stubborn jar with a twist of the wrist. They come in three different shapes and sizes that'll fit any jar or bottle you want to open, and reviewers with joint pain and arthritis say they're super easy to use.
16. A cabinet tray that'll spin like a lazy Susan and save you from reaching to the back of your cupboard or fridge for your ingredients. And it has a non-slip surface, so your jars and bottles won't fall off when you're spinning it.
17. A large serving bowl with a built-in colander on the side, so you can strain your fruit, pasta, or salad in the same container. It's deep enough that you can use it as a mixing bowl to soak grains and beans, too.
Get it from Linen Chest for $19.99.
18. Or a genius colander that you can shake to get rid of excess water when you're rinsing your produce. It'll seal your fruits and veggies inside to keep them from flying out and has small holes on both sides to let water out quickly.
Get it from Linen Chest for $9.99 (originally $19.99).
19. A plate cover that'll keep your food from splattering all over your microwave's walls. It has little holes on the top to let out steam, and it folds down to one inch when you're not using it.
20. A plastic storage bin for your eggs that are WAY more durable than the cardboard trays they usually come in. It has handles on the sides that’ll make it easier to take it in and out of the fridge, and it comes with a lid, so you can stack food on top without breaking any eggs.
21. A pizza stone that'll inspire your to make your own homemade pies. It's made of cordierite and will absorb excess moisture to make the crust extra crispy.
22. A set of heat-resistant cooking tools that even Julia Child would approve of. They're super durable and won't scratch your pots and pans while you're whipping up your next meal.
23. A set of stainless steel knives that come in different colours, so you'll know exactly which knife to use when you're cooking. They’ll also brighten up your kitchen decor with their bold shades.
Plus, they come with edge guards that’ll keep them covered when you’re not using them.
"I love using these because the pop of colour totally adds to the joy of chopping and cooking. Prior to purchasing this set, I’ve always had a mismatched assortment of cutting tools. This was perfect for me because every type of knife was already included, like a slicing knife or a bread knife. Plus there is also a matching blade guard for each one." —Liza Hicks
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Cuisinart Advantage Knives (#9 on the list).
Get a set of six from Amazon Canada for $48.18.
24. A utensil holder with four hidden compartments, so you can organize your kitchen tools by function, colour, or size. And it has a rotating base that'll make it easier to find whatever you're looking for.
25. A silicone food bag, if you want to take your favourite munchies to go. It has an airtight seal that'll keep your snacks from leaking, so you won't have to clean up crumbs or fruit juice from the bottom of your bag later.
"I recently ran out of plastic sandwich bags which lead to a discussion between my husband and me if we even really needed them in the house at all. We decided we did NOT and chose to try out reusable Stasher silicone snack bags instead. They've been great! They're super easy to clean, come in fun colors, and feature a really tight pinch-lock seal, so snacks stay fresh." —Heather Braga
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Stasher silicone bags (#20 on the list).
Get it for $9.99+ (available in six sizes and eight colours) from Amazon Canada or for $9.99+ (available in four sizes) from Simons.
26. A silicone mat with small grooves that'll keep your cans, jars, and bottles from sliding around in the fridge or on a shelf. Now you stack them into space-saving pyramids, without worrying if they'll fall.
27. A small bowl that'll collect scraps while you're cutting or peeling foods. It'll hold up to eight cups of food waste and comes with a 2-in-1 brush and scraper that'll help you clean your countertops without damaging them or getting your hands dirty.
28. A dinosaur-shaped taco holder that'll make Taco Tuesday Jurassic-ally better. It can hold up to two shells, making it easier to stuff, carry, and eat tacos at the dinner table.
30. A pair of salad scissors, so you can slice fruits and vegetables as fast as Edward Scissorhands. You can easily chop produce right into the bowl, so you won't need a cutting board. Making a salad just got ten times easier.
32. A foldable cutting board that'll help you transfer your chopped veggies and spices into the pan when you're cooking. It'll lay flat while you're cutting and will transform into a funnel when you grip the handle.
33. A ceramic bowl that comes with a waterproof silicone lid, if you want to use it as a food container. The lid has a little vent to let out steam, so you won't have to take it off when you stick it in the microwave.
34. A 3-in-1 avocado tool that'll help you split, pit, and slice like a total pro. If you enjoy having avo toast in the morning, it'll be the most useful gadget in your kitchen. And reviewers say it's easier and safer to use this tool compared to a knife.
"Let’s be honest, this was a complete impulse buy. Because generally, when it comes to kitchen gadgets, I’m always a little skeptical. The plastic blade dug right in and it was really easy to cut all around the avocado. REMOVING THE PIT: So easy and honestly wish I could do this for hours. I didn't need to use a lot of force to get the three spikes into the pit and it came out with a twist." —Sarah Aspler
Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer.
Get it from Amazon Canada for 12.99+. Available in two colours.
35. A rotary peeler that'll make quick work of shaving all your fruits and vegetables. The blades are made of stainless steel and come in different shapes to peel, cut, and slice your produce. It also has a small potato-eye remover tool on one corner.
36. A microplane that'll help you grate or zest your favourite foods. There are little notches on the ends that'll make it fit over a mixing bowl without slipping.
Get it from Indigo for $18.
37. A tiny slotted spoon that'll help you get olives out the jar, without picking up any of the juice. It also comes with a stainless steel fork attachment that's designed to get pickles out of the jar, so you won't have to use your fingers.
38. An emulsifying bottle, if you're someone who really likes making homemade salad dressings, sauces, and marinades. The bottle comes with a Blenderball that'll keep oil and vinegar mixed for up to an hour and a handy spout on the lid, so you can drizzle the perfect amount of tasty dressing over your salad.
39. A heat-resistant rack puller that'll help you push and pull the racks in the oven. The silicone stick is easy to clean and will keep your hands and arms out of the oven.
40. A three-blade spiralizer that'll transform regular fruits and vegetables into pasta. It comes with three stainless steel blades that'll make spaghetti, fettuccine, or ribbon noodles. Say hello to homemade zoodles!
41. A nonstick lasagna pan that's perfect for anyone who loves lasagna as much as Garfield. It split sinto sections, so you can make THREE different different types of lasagna and only clean ONE dirty pan.
42. A little stand that'll give you a place to rest your lids and utensils to keep your countertops neat and clean when you're making soups and sauces. You can also use it to prop up your cookbook or tablet.
Get it from Indigo for $29.50.
43. A pair of shredder claws, so you can shred meat like Wolverine in the kitchen. It'll protect your fingertips from getting burnt and make it way easier to prepare that pulled pork recipe you've been dying to try out.
44. And finally, a pack of silicone covers that'll create a tight seal around cans and bowls, if you have leftovers. They're reusable and they come in different sizes to accommodate a variety of containers.
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