5 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets that You Didn’t Know You Need
By Kathryn York
A kitchen is the heart of any home. It’s a place where memories are made—in addition to delicious savory foods and sweet treats. The best kitchens are equipped with helpful tools to not only make cooking easy but also fun. So, whether you are a self-proclaimed home chef, or if you’ve never prepared a meal that didn’t involve a microwave, here are five must-have kitchen gadgets that you may not have nor ever realized you need.
Fish Spatula
You’re probably already thinking to yourself…A fish spatula is for, well…fish. And you’re right! But, did you know that a fish spatula can be used for so much more? Designed with a wide head that tapers toward the handle and large spaces between its slots, a fish spatula is commonly used for all types of delicate foods.
Much more versatile than a traditional spatula, one of the best uses for a fish spatula is for removing warm cookies or pastries from a sheet pan. Also, with its sharp and sturdy edges, it’s also great for breaking up ground beef in a pan. Also, a fish spatula’s slotted shape can work in a pinch when you’re frying foods and don’t have a slotted spoon or traditional spatula on hand. All in all, a fish spatula is a practical and easy-to-find tool that you’ll definitely want to add to your kitchen collection.
Digital Pocket Thermometer
When cooking meat do you ever ask yourself or a family member, “Does this look done to you?” Especially with pork, it can be hard to determine when the meat is cooked to perfection. You don’t want to overcook it, because let’s face it: no one likes a tough pork chop. However, you also don’t want to undercook it and risk getting sick. That’s why it’s important to know at what temperatures trichinosis and salmonella are killed.
With pork, it’s best (and safest) prepared with the center registering 145 degrees and chicken at 165 degrees. You can eliminate the guessing of “Is this fully cooked?” with a handy, thin tip digital pocket thermometer. Yes, these look very similar to the ones you may have in your bathroom cabinet. However, the biggest difference in digital thermometer for cooking is its special thin tip designed for puncturing meat and gauging higher heat.
Portable Induction Cooktop
If you’ve ever lived in a home with a double oven, you can attest to the convenience of all the desserts and dinners you can make in those ovens simultaneously. When the holidays come around, you can pack them with casseroles, side dishes, and cakes. It’s so wonderful having all that extra space to cook food and have it all prepared in one setting. Well, as nice as it can be to have double ovens, a majority of cooking actually happens on the stove top. More times than not, you’ll have all four burners going full blast and still need to finish cooking one dish to start another.
A wonderful solution we have at our luxury today is found in having a portable induction cooktop, which can be a game-changer for preparing holiday meals, outdoor gatherings, or when you just need an extra burner. Portable induction cooktops are great for cooking with kids, too, as once the pot is removed from the burner, the heat is eliminated and immediately begins to cool. Another thing that can make them safer for cooking is that you can use the portable cooktop on a different counter or island to keep them away from the stove top. Portable induction cooktops also take less energy than traditional stoves, and they and cook food much faster.
Dual Grater
If you love using a grater, you’ll definitely love a dual grater. This handy gadget combines fine and course grating surfaces in one easy handheld unit. Dual graters are perfect for citrus zest, nutmeg, hard cheeses (like parmesan), and vegetables. While dual graters are excellent tools for prepping food and baking, you can also use them for garnishing dishes. You can add a variety of colors, flavors, and textures to your food presentation by adding a little zest (literally). It’s even fun to use a dual grater when making fancy cocktails and adding a splash of ginger or lime to make it just right.
Immersion Circulator
Probably the most non-traditional from all the others on this list, the immersion circulator can really change the way you cook and store food. Immersion circulators are temperature-controlled water baths that allow you to cook vacuum-sealed foods low and slow. An immersion circulator develops flavor and texture to the food over a period of time, using just the right amount of heat to bring out the best flavors of the food.
An immersion circulator cooks your food to the exact right temperature and holds it there, never overcooking it unlike a crock pot that can burn or overcook your food. If you like to do large meal preparation or buy meat in bulk to freeze, an immersion circulator could be a great addition to your kitchen. Freezing your favorite meats and seafoods can help save you money and being able to put the frozen foods directly into the water can help save you time.
KATHRYN YORK is the owner and curator of Smith & York Company, a modern home boutique located on the square in downtown Columbia, Tennessee and along with her husband Adam, co-owners of Lime & Loaf, a kitchen shop located inside Smith & York Co. and a collaboration with co-owners Paul & Chrissy Jensen of The Dotted Lime. Open seven days a week, Smith & York Co. offers a diverse selection of home goods, including tabletop accessories, lighting, textiles, and gift items, while Lime & Loaf offers a wide selection of chef-curated kitchen essentials for cooking and baking. Learn more about both shops by visiting smithandyork.co.