Let’s face it, we all have that one drawer or cupboard in our kitchen where everything under the sun gets dumped. I have several. Marie Kondo would go into heart failure if she saw my kitchen, poor thing. It’s not that I collect things I don’t use…although my kitchen gadget addiction is much like my office supply addiction…but that’s another story. I do have a number of “doodads” that get a workout on a consistent basis.
Making More Space
Back in 2007, we embarked on a kitchen remodel. When we bought our home in 1999, we were moving from very small kitchen space into what seemed like a ton of space. As we settled in and started entertaining, we (I should say “I”) realized just how small and poorly laid our space was. Terrible, really. After having 3 designers in and hating their recommendations, I downloaded graph paper from the internet, grabbed a tape measure, and set to designing it myself. 
What I ended up with was a spacious kitchen I absolutely love that has tons of cabinets and maximizes every square inch. Now, that said, I have a lot of square inches. A kitchen is a lot like my purse…the bigger it is, the more junk it collects.
Time to Streamline
In my quest to streamline our home and lives (notice I did NOT say minimalize!!), I’ve now pared out just about everything I don’t use on a consistent basis. The key for me is having the right tools. Having the right ones enabled me to get rid of so much little stuff. My “test” was whether something could do double and triple duty! And, it’s so much less to store and clean!
The things I use daily, or even weekly, are now quick at hand, and the things that I use only when entertaining have been moved offline. I’ve sorted my cutting boards by “working” and “entertaining”. Not only do I use them for cutting (master of the obvious, huh?) but I use them for charcuterie boards, too (that’s just a big, fancy word for cheese board). Sometimes I make mini ones and place them on various tables when we have guests so there’s always a little nibble nearby.
You may note that I don’t have a microwave or coffeemaker on my list. For me, a microwave falls into the same category as a refrigerator. It’s just part of the landscape. What I did do is move it to a lower cabinet in the remodel. I really only use it for heating up, so why add more clutter at eye level? My coffeemaker…that’s a brew of a different bean. If I don’t have a coffeemaker….well….we just don’t want to go there. It’s not pretty…
The Oddballs in Our Midst
In my quest to streamline, my only remaining challenge is to corral my wine markers, ka-zillion mis-matched wine glasses (gifts I “can’t” part with), bottle stoppers (Why do they make these anyway? Do people actually NOT finish bottles of wine!?), and my collection of funny (some might say cheeky and rude) cocktail napkins and accompanying obnoxious coasters, cocktail picks and shish kabob sticks….oh, and the cute little plates…and chopsticks.
10 Kitchen Tools I Won’t Live Without
- Really great knives & a sharpener – chef knife paring, 6″ utility knife, and serrated knives (or similar) make up my must-haves. I invested years ago in knives that fit my hand well, aren’t too heavy, and are balanced for my grip. The key is to keep them sharp all.the.time. I have this handy little sharpening tool and love it. Can I just say here that knives kinda scare me? I’ve been known to have at least one knife accident every holiday. Perhaps I should invest in a knife skills course?!
- Kitchenaid™ Artisan 5-Quart Mixer – I’m on my 3rd one after burning out a motor in one, replacing, then deciding
to upsize. These babies are work horses and TERRIFIC for kneading dough! They make everything fast & easy. I also have attachments I love – meat grinder/sausage stuffer, pasta roller and cutter, and the fresh prep slicer/shredder. I use my Kitchenaid for something several times a week, and actually installed a special cabinet with a lifting arm just for my Cobalt Blue baby! - Cuisinart™ Food Processors – I have both an Elemental 8-cup Processor and a Mini-Prep Plus Processor, and use them both several times a week. The mini-prep is great for nuts, herbs, or a quick compound butter. While I sometimes use the cutter/slicer/shredder attachment with my 8-cup, I much prefer my…
- Mandoline – so much faster (and safe as long as you use the guard!) for slicing just about everything. And, it’s much easier to clean than my food processor.
- Giant Skillets – non-stick & stainless steel(or similar) – I am a firm believer in having both a non-stick and a stainless steel giant skillet. Non-sticks are great for so many things, but you just can’t get a great sear from them. Yes, I have “normal” sized pans in my kitchen, but my giant 5-quart skillets are workhorses. They’re perfect for one-pot meals, and they go from stovetop to oven.
- Enamel-Coated Cast Iron Dutch Oven – when I bought this, I got it for a song at a Black Friday sale. I thought it was cool, but had no idea at the time just how much I’d use it. Again, this is a pot I use for everything from braising to sauces, stews, and even bread (yep, made bread in it a couple times!). I bought the oval shape because it seemed like it would fit roasts and other oblong items better. So glad I did! It’s super seasoned now, so while it doesn’t look clean it’s actually becoming non-stick. Makes for a great sear!
- Cooking Thermometer – Can I just say LIFESAVER!! This little beauty sits outside your oven, and is connected to a meat probe. You simply set your finish temperature, insert the probe, and away it goes. An alarm goes off when your meat’s perfectly cooked. It’s an absolute must-have! You will never have a dry turkey on Thanksgiving day ever again!
- Airbake™ Baking Sheets – OMG…I love these for baking. Note that I did not say “roasting.” For years I bought sheet pans (mom called them “jelly roll pans”) for both baking and roasting. Frankly, my baking kind of stunk, sometimes literally! I seemed to burn everything, and I think that’s why I stopped baking for so long. But I invested in Airbake™ brand, and have never looked back. They’re a little pricier than you might like for a baking sheet, but since I started using them I never burn anything! My jelly roll pans have become my roaster sheets. Side note: dark finished baking pans are not the best for baking, in my opinion. The pans seem to get too hot. Aim for a silver-finished product, and your baking will turn out much better.
- Toaster Oven – I eliminated a toaster, and use this for toast as well as anything small I want to bake or broil so I don’t have to heat a full oven. This also enabled me to eliminate my panini grill, which was a pain in the backside to clean. We still have perfectly toasted, melty good sandwiches – no fuss – and who needs ‘em smashed anyway?!
- Crockpot – while I’m only an occasional crockpot dinner-maker, I do use my crockpot when we’re entertaining or for potlucks with friends or co-workers. I love this one because you can secure the lid for travel…a lifesaver after years of dumped or sloshed stuff in my car! It has a timer and a “keep warm” function, so goodbye overcooked or scorched foods!
- BONUS #1 – Lodge™ Cast Iron Grill Pan – you can never go wrong with cast iron in general. I have several that my dad lovingly cooked in and seasoned for many years. What’s really neat is today, you can buy the pans already seasoned, and they only get better with use! I bought my grill pan with the intention of using it for perfectly seared steaks. However, I find I actually get more use from it roasting a whole chicken! Makes for a beautiful bird!
- BONUS #2 – 8-Cup Batter Bowl with lid – my original one I bought at a home party years ago. I’ve since had to replace it. This is so convenient for whipping stuff up quick. The handle, for me, is a lifesaver because arthritis occasionally messes with my grip. I use this for everything, whether I’m prepping for immediate use, or storing for a bit later in the refrigerator. I’ve also used it for a sherbet “watermelon” and a layered ice cream mold!
What are your favorite tools? Is there something else you’d put on your list? If I had to add one item, what should it be? Let me know in Comments below!
