The small jobs are what drag out a weeknight dinner: chopping, shredding, checking if the chicken is done, scrubbing the pan. These 15 tools are picked to shorten those steps, sorted by where they fit in the cooking. Links may earn me a commission at...
Sections
3
Prep & Measure
Cook & Serve
Baking & Cleanup
Prep & Measure
Honestly the most boring thing on this list, and still the first one I'd buy. A good can opener just makes life easier.
KitchenAid Classic Can & Bottle Opener Black
If you bake even a little, get this. I'd rather weigh everything in one bowl than wash a pile of measuring cups.
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale 11lb
I'd pick these over a knife for herbs and chicken. Anything that saves me a cutting board is a win.
KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears, 8.72 Inch
Sounds silly until you picture shredding hot chicken with two forks. For taco night, I'd totally get this.
Chicken Shredder Tool Twist Large w/ Brush&Fork
I'd only get this if chopping is why you skip vegetables. If that's you, it's worth the cabinet space.
Mueller Pro Vegetable Chopper & Mandoline 10-in-1
Cook & Serve
My top pick here if you're scared of dry chicken. No more cutting into it and hoping for the best.
Alpha Grillers Digital Meat Thermometer
I love the idea of one bottle that both pours and sprays. A nice little upgrade for air fryer people.
YARRAMATE 16oz 2-in-1 Glass Olive Oil Sprayer
If your nonstick pans are getting scratched, start here. I'd rather have a few good sizes than one sad spatula.
ChefAide 5-Piece Heat Resistant Silicone Spatulas
Pizza night deserves better than a butter knife. It's a small thing, but I'd grab it.
KitchenAid Classic 9-Inch Pizza Wheel, Black
For busy weeks, I'd pick this over takeout. Toss it all in before work and dinner is handled.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker
If leftovers are your weeknight plan, I'd want clear containers so nothing gets forgotten in the fridge.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers
Soup night is the reason I'd buy this. One tool in the pot beats pouring hot soup into a blender.
Turelar 1100W 5-in-1 Immersion Blender
Baking & Cleanup
If cleaning the basket is why your air fryer sits unused, I'd try these first. Just check your basket size.
Air Fryer Disposable Unbleached Parchment Liners
In a small kitchen, I'd pick this over a dish rack every time. Fold it up and your counter is back.
S&T INC. Dish Drying Mat, 18x24, XL, Grey
I'd call this the laziest cleanup trick there is. Line the pan, toss the paper, done.
