17 Tools That Make Cooking, Baking, and Everyday Meals Easier

Cooking at home can sometimes feel like difficult work, especially after a long day. The right kitchen tools can transform meal prep from tedious to enjoyable by saving time and reducing effort. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned home chef, these 17 practical tools will help streamline your cooking process and make everyday meals more manageable. With simple functions and user-friendly designs, they offer a relaxed and helpful way to bring ease and comfort to your kitchen routine.

1. Instant Pot

Cooking a tender beef stew in just 30 minutes instead of hours. The Instant Pot combines seven appliances in one compact device – pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice maker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and warmer. Many home cooks rely on this time-saving marvel for weeknight meals when schedules get hectic. Simply add ingredients, select a setting, and walk away while the food is cooked. The sealed cooking environment locks in flavors and nutrients while reducing cooking times by up to 70%. For busy families or meal preppers, this versatile cooker is helpful in the kitchen.

2. Food Processor

Chopping vegetables by hand can take up valuable cooking time. A food processor tackles this job in seconds, handling everything from dicing onions to shredding carrots with interchangeable blades. Beside basic chopping, this versatile tool makes quick work of labor-intensive tasks like making homemade salsa, grinding nuts, or kneading dough. The time saved adds up when preparing complex recipes. Most models come with different attachments for slicing, shredding, and pureeing. For home cooks who prepare meals from scratch regularly, a food processor reduces prep time while maintaining consistent results.

3. Silicone Baking Mat

Silicone baking mats provide a reusable non-stick surface that works better than greasing pans or using disposable liners. These flexible mats distribute heat evenly across baked foods, resulting in consistent browning. They’re also versatile – use them for rolling out dough, roasting vegetables, or even making candy without worrying about sticking. Clean-up is remarkably simple – just wipe them down or pop them in the dishwasher. With proper care, a quality silicone mat can last for years, making it both an environmentally and economically smart kitchen addition.

4. Immersion Blender

Hand blenders changes soup-making and sauce preparation. Instead of transferring hot liquids to a traditional blender in batches, an immersion blender allows you to blend directly in the cooking pot. This stick-shaped tool reaches deep into containers to puree ingredients with minimal splashing. Many models come with attachments for whisking, chopping, and even frothing milk for morning coffee. The compact size makes storage simple compared to bulky countertop blenders. For anyone who makes soups, smoothies, or sauces regularly, this tool eliminates messy transfers while delivering smooth results.

5. Mandoline Slicer

Achieving paper-thin cucumber slices or julienned carrots becomes effortless with a mandoline slicer. This tool creates uniform cuts that not only look professional but also ensure even cooking times. Adjustable blades let you customize thickness from paper-thin to chunky. When making gratins, salads, or stir-fries, consistency matters both for appearance and proper cooking. Most models include safety features like hand guards to protect fingers. While chef’s knives require skill for consistent results, mandolines give even novice cooks the ability to slice with precision and speed that would impress restaurant chefs.

6. Stand Mixer

Kneading bread dough by hand builds character but devours time. A stand mixer with a dough hook attachment handles this labor-intensive task while you prepare other ingredients. Beside bread, these powerful machines whip egg whites to stiff peaks in minutes and cream butter and sugar to fluffy consistency. The hands-free operation means you can multitask during longer mixing jobs. Various attachments transform these mixers into pasta makers, meat grinders, or ice cream makers. Though they represent a significant investment, serious bakers find stand mixers indispensable for consistent results and reduced physical strain when preparing different meals from cookies to complex pastries.

7. Rice Cooker

Cooking rice on the stovetop often leads to burnt bottoms or soggy grains. Rice cookers reduces guesswork with their set-and-forget functionality that produces consistently fluffy results. Modern versions include settings for different grain types – from sticky sushi rice to fluffy basmati. Many models also double as steamers, allowing you to cook vegetables or fish above the rice for complete one-pot meals. The warming function keeps rice at serving temperature without overcooking. For households that enjoy rice regularly, this dedicated appliance frees up stovetop space and attention while delivering better results than manual methods.

8. Silicone Measuring Cups

Traditional measuring cups work fine for dry ingredients but can be frustrating for sticky substances like honey or peanut butter. Flexible silicone cups solve this problem – simply push the bottom to pop out every bit of ingredient. Their heat resistance makes them ideal for melting butter or chocolate directly in the microwave. The pliable material creates a spout when pinched, allowing for precise pouring without drips. These colorful tools are dishwasher safe and stack neatly for storage. For anyone who bakes frequently, silicone measuring cups reduce waste and frustration while ensuring accurate measurements for consistent recipe results.

9. Kitchen Shears

Many home cooks underestimate the versatility of kitchen shears. Unlike regular scissors, these heavy-duty tools snip through chicken bones, trim fat from meat, and cut pizza with ease. The blades often separate for thorough cleaning, and some models include nutcrackers, bottle openers, or screwdrivers built into the handles. For herbs, snipping directly over a pot provides more control than chopping with a knife. Kitchen shears excel at opening food packaging without the danger of using a sharp knife. When preparing meals that require trimming proteins or cutting through tough materials, these specialized scissors save time while providing better control than awkward knife maneuvers.

10. Heat-Resistant Spatula

Regular spatulas can melt or warp when left in hot pans. Heat-resistant silicone versions withstand temperatures up to 315°C (600°F) without releasing harmful chemicals or changing shape. The flexible edge conforms to pan curves, scraping up every bit of food without scratching non-stick surfaces. Many professional chefs consider these tools essential for delicate tasks like folding egg whites or flipping fragile fish fillets. Look for one-piece designs that prevent food from getting trapped in crevices. For everyday cooking, a heat-resistant spatula reduces waste, protects cookware, and handles everything from scrambling eggs to stirring thick stews without melting or bending.

11. Garlic Press

Mincing garlic by hand leaves fingers smelly and takes precious prep time. A quality garlic press crushes cloves in seconds, releasing more flavor compounds than knife chopping. No need to peel cloves first – most modern presses push the garlic through while leaving the skin behind. The intense flavor comes from thoroughly crushed cells, making a paste that distributes evenly throughout dishes. Some models include cleaning tools to remove garlic remnants from the holes. For cooks who use garlic frequently, this simple tool saves time and intensifies flavor while keeping hands odor-free – a small investment that pays off in both convenience and improved taste.

12. Salad Spinner

Wet lettuce ruins salads by diluting dressings and making soggy greens. A salad spinner uses centrifugal force to remove excess water after washing, resulting in crisp leaves that hold dressing properly. Beside salad greens, these tools efficiently dry herbs, berries, and other delicate produce. The spinning basket doubles as a colander for rinsing, while the outer bowl can serve as a serving container. Most models work with a simple pump mechanism or pull cord. For households that enjoy fresh salads regularly, this tool improves texture and taste while reducing prep time compared to laying out greens on towels to dry.

13. Kitchen Scale

Volume measurements like cups and tablespoons can vary depending on how ingredients are packed. A digital kitchen scale provides precision through weight measurements, resulting in consistent recipe outcomes. Bakers particularly benefit from scales when working with flour, which can compact by up to 50% when measured by volume. Many international recipes list ingredients by weight rather than volume, making scales essential for authentic results. Modern digital versions are slim for easy storage and feature tare functions to subtract container weight. For anyone serious about cooking or baking, a kitchen scale eliminates guesswork and improves consistency while actually reducing cleanup by measuring ingredients directly into mixing bowls.

14. Meat Thermometer

Cutting into meat to check doneness releases flavorful juices and isn’t reliable. An instant-read meat thermometer eliminates guesswork by providing exact internal temperatures within seconds. This precision tool helps achieve the exact level of doneness you prefer while ensuring food safety. Many modern versions feature preset temperatures for different meats and wireless capabilities that alert your phone when target temperatures are reached. Beyond meats, these thermometers verify correct temperatures for candy-making, bread, and deep frying. For anyone who cooks protein regularly, this affordable tool prevents both undercooked and overcooked results, ensuring juicy chicken, tender steaks, and safely prepared meals.

15. Spiralizer

Changings vegetables into noodle-like strands opens up new possibilities for healthy meals. Spiralizers turn zucchini, carrots, and other firm vegetables into pasta substitutes or attractive garnishes in seconds. These veggie noodles cook faster than traditional pasta and absorb sauces beautifully. Most models offer multiple blade options for creating everything from thin angel hair to wider ribbons depending on your recipe needs. Beside low-carb pasta alternatives, spiralized vegetables add visual interest to salads and stir-fries. For health-conscious cooks or anyone wanting to increase vegetable consumption, this tool makes nutritious ingredients more appealing while adding texture variety to meals.

16. Electric Spice Grinder

Pre-ground spices lose flavor quickly while whole spices maintain their aromatic compounds for months. An electric spice grinder changes whole spices into fresh powder in seconds, releasing maximum flavor right when you need it. Unlike manual grinders, electric versions handle everything from hard cinnamon sticks to tough peppercorns with minimal effort. Many models feature removable grinding chambers for easy cleaning. These compact tools also work for small batches of coffee beans or making custom spice blends. For anyone who appreciates bold, authentic flavors in their cooking, grinding spices just before use enhances dishes.

17. Microplane Grater

Traditional box graters can be awkward for small ingredients like citrus zest or nutmeg. Microplane graters feature razor-sharp etched teeth that remove just the flavorful outer layer of citrus fruits without bitter pith. These long, narrow tools originated in the woodworking industry before chefs discovered their kitchen potential. Their design provides excellent control when grating ginger, garlic, hard cheeses, chocolate, or spices directly over dishes. The fine, light texture of ingredients processed through a microplane distributes flavor more evenly throughout recipes. For finishing touches that make dishes shine, this precision tool makes feathery, aromatic additions that enhances cooking with minimal effort.