Think you have every kitchen gadget you’ll ever need? Think again. From breakfast sandwich makers to nifty mixers and bread makers, there are so many tools you never knew you needed.
Whether you’re a novice or pro home cook, these 10 kitchen gadgets will make your life easier and save you time in the kitchen.
1. Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Save yourself an expensive trip to the coffee shop and make your own cold brew at home. Cold brew coffee makers pay for themselves after just a few uses. Just add coffee and water and set the brewer in the refrigerator overnight.
The BODUM brewer makes 12 cups, costs less than $15 and functions just like a regular French press.
2. Microwave Rice Cooker
Rice is a staple in most kitchens, but it can be tricky to cook it just right. A microwave rice cooker makes it quick and easy to whip up a batch of tasty rice.
This cooker from PrepSolutions comes with everything you need, including a handy measuring cup and spoon. It makes up to six cups of rice at once, and it’s BPA free.
3. Breakfast Sandwich Maker
Breakfast sandwiches are the perfect on-the-go meal for busy mornings, but who has time to cook bacon and eggs separately?
A breakfast sandwich maker cooks everything – cheese, bread, meat, eggs and all – at once, so you can get out the door faster and skip the drive-thru.
The sandwich maker from Hamilton Beach will have your breakfast ready in 5 minutes.
4. Hand Mixer
Stand mixers are all the rage, but for those quick jobs – like whipped coffee or mashed potatoes – a hand mixer is ideal. They take up less space and can easily be store in a drawer in between uses.
Hamilton Beach’s mixer comes in fun colors and has six speed settings.
5. Mixing Tool
Mix batter and break up ground meat like a pro. The Tovolo Better Batter Tool is the kitchen utensil you never knew you needed.
Its thick blades make it easy to mix batter without overdoing it, and the silicone fins scrape the sides of the bowl for you. You can even use it on the stovetop, as the silicone heat can withstand heat up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Batter Dispenser
Forget using messy measuring cups and mixing bowls to pour cupcake or pancake batter. A batter dispenser is a total game-changer. Just fill and squeeze to dispense.
The dispenser from OXO Good Grips can hold up to four cups of batter and is BPA free.
7. Metal Sifter
Sifting can mean the difference between a light, fluffy cake and a dense, dry one. But who has the time or tools for that?
Mrs. Anderson’s crank flour sifter is inexpensive and makes sifting a breeze. Available in 1, 3 and 5-cup options, this sifter is made of stainless steel and has convenient volume markings on the outside.
8. Silicone Bread Maker
Baking bread doesn’t have to be complicated or take up a lot of dishes. With Lekue’s silicone bread maker, you can mix, knead, proof and bake your bread all in one simple dish.
Side openings allow heat to circulate inside the dish for a golden crust. This bread maker is dishwasher safe, microwave safe and can withstand temperatures of 428 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Pan Scrapers
We’ve all burned food in the pan or cooked a sticky meal that made it impossible to clean. Pan scrapers, like these adorable owl ones, will remove hardened food from your pans, so you can save that elbow grease for another job.
Because they’re made of nylon, you don’t have to worry about scratching or damaging your cookware.
10. Oven Rack Push/Pull Tool
An oven rack push/pull tool makes it easy to check on or remove food without having to stick your hands or face in the oven. Norpro’s handy tool is made of silicone, so it can withstand high heat. It also has several notches, so you can easily pull and push your oven rack from whatever angle is most comfortable.