34 Budget Kitchen Gadgets That Transform Cooking
A storage container designed to give your deli meats and cheeses a place to call home. It has an air-tight seal to keep your items fresh *and* you can write on it with a dry-erase marker, so you can remember what you bought at the store when you're bleary-eyed and whipping up a quick sandwich before the workday.
A corn stripper with a serrated stainless-steel blade because I don't know anyone who is coordinated enough to successfully run a regular knife neatly down an ear of corn while it's freshly hot off the grill or boiling water. Go ahead, make your life easier.
An expandable colander you can fit snugly inside your sink to clean fruits and veggies, drain pasta, *and* dry dishes while also bringing some life to a typically boring area of the kitchen.
Or a game-changing Snap N' Strain you can use with any pot or bowl. Just think of how much space you'll save in your already-crowded kitchen cabinets! Reviewers use it to strain a variety of things (not just pasta!).
A microwave pasta cooker that'll provide you with perfectly al dente noodles with the least effort possible — add some butter and parm to those babies, plop yourself in front of the couch, tune into The Real Housewives, and dig in. 🍝
A statement checkered cutting board with a high-end feel to it without the cost. Hosting book club? Break this baby out and craft the most chic charcuterie board anyone has ever seen — so beautiful it might rival the too-hot-to-handle main character in the novel you're supposed to be discussing.
A stackable set of fruit baskets that'll fit perfectly in the empty corner of your kitchen and provide you with extra space to display odds 'n' ends while *also* giving your fruit and veg a designated home they'll love.
KitchenAid shears, because you should probably stop using your regular ol' crafting scissors when you're cooking. 😅 Use these to beautifully cut quesadillas or pizza into slices (a must-have for parents!) or to quickly chop herbs.
Plus, some herb scissors so you can chop basil, chives, and parsley as fast as if you were gunning for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records as "World's Fastest Herb Cutter."
And! A set of salad scissors that'll help you whip up a fancy salad in no time at all and without the hefty price tag that, sadly, comes with ordering a lovely chopped salad.
A 2-in-1 knife and cutting board for anyone who detests cleaning full-sized cutting boards — they're so awkward to fit into my sink and I somehow always end up drenched in the process. It'll also be a great option for making custom salads for the whole fam who don't necessarily want the same thing in theirs. Cut a few pieces of cucumber into your bowl and a few slices of bell pepper into your partner's!
A brilliantly designed snack bag organizer and plastic, wax paper, and foil organizer to whip your kitchen drawers into tip-top shape *and* help you keep track of when you need to buy more of each item. Don't have an available drawer? You can use it directly on your counter!
A 10-foot roll of spice strips for anyone whose kitchen is lacking in the cabinet department but has a bountiful amount of drawers — the roll will help ya fit over 30 full-size spice bottles!
A Dawn Platinum Powerwash dish spray that would be worthy of taking up one of your three Genie wishes — it comes in various delectable scents and works wonders on caked-on food and grease. All you have to do is spritz, let it sit, then rinse it off! Reviewers are obsessed with it — it has over 92,000 5-star reviews. (WOW!!!)
A bottle of plant-based stainless steel cleaner and polish spray you can count on to make your appliances so shiny you won't be able to stop staring at your own reflection in them. (Spoiler: you look GOOD!)
A garbage-disposal foaming cleaner to scrub away the stinky grime that builds up on the blades and in the pipes. Definitely add this to your cart if you've never lived with one of these babies before and are likely to get overexcited and dump EVERYTHING and ANYTHING down there.
Plus a pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets you can toss into your dishwasher and easily get rid of that yucky smell before your family arrives for a visit — it'll banish lime and mineral buildup and leave your dishes nice 'n' clean.
A super absorbent floral dish drying mat to bring a touch of the season into your kitchen without sacrificing your limited counter space. It's a functional *and* pretty option for anyone in need of somewhere to dry their cups, bowls, and plates.
Oxo's new compact Brew Rapid Brewer that'll have you wondering, "Where has this been all of my life?" It won't take up much counter space at *all*, and it doesn't need to be plugged in or charged, so you'll never find yourself waiting around too long for a fresh cup of joe.
An electric potato peeler to help you transform spuds into mashed potatoes at record speed. If for some bizarre reason you *don't* want potatoes with every meal, it'll also work on other fruits 'n' veggies like like apples and kiwis.
A soap-dispensing attachment that'll upgrade your Scrub Daddy into the ultimate dish-cleaning mechanism. You can go ahead and make an absolute mess of your pots and pants, knowing this gadget has got your back.
And/or The Pink Stuff's "Sqeezy" sponge set — a fan-favorite miracle cleaning paste and a game-changing sponge that gets soft in warm water but hardens up in the cold. It's the superhero duo you didn't know you needed! Ahem, putting on my deep, booming announcer voice to tell you dramatically that it can clean EVERYTHING from pots and pans, stove tops, sinks, shower doors, tiles of all kinds, kitchen appliances, grout, outdoor furniture, AND your car!!!
A shredder with suction cups to ensure it stays put on your counter while you twist away and prep the most delicious homemade pulled pork sammies on this side of the Mississippi 😉.
A "Gracula" garlic crusher to make even the most serious of chefs let out an audible giggle. Unless that chef is, of course, a vampire. They might not find it quite as hilarious — but let them know it can crush nuts up, too!
An amazing cheese grater that'll have you volunteering to bring mac and cheese for every potluck from here on out — it has the ability to grate an entire block of cheese in under a minute!!! It can also grate vegetables and nuts, in case you were wondering.
A veggie chopper because none of us have time to cry at the club anymore — and by "club," I mean your kitchen, and by "us," I mean myself (I'm reserving for my annual viewing of Titanic). Anyways, this baby will dice up anything you throw in it at record speed. Chop, chop!
A rotating whisk blender you'll praise your new I-cook-all-the-time self for buying — it can blend, froth, whisk, beat, and stir, all without taking up much storage space in your kitchen. Are you someone who casually whips up a salad dressing all on your own? You just might be now, thanks to this tool.
An "Adjust-A-Cup" measuring cup with a plunger dispenser attached to it you can use to accurately measure out liquids, annoyingly sticky substances (honey, peanut butter, etc) and regular ol' powders. It can be adjusted to measure between 1/8 cup–2 cups as well as teaspoon, tablespoon, ounces, and millimeter measurements.
A meat thermometer so you'll never have to guess "is my steak cooked?" again. You can grill with confidence!
A perfect egg timer to take all of the guesswork out of your egg-cooking process. The face on the timer will change colors to indicate how cooked your egg is, so if you're forever dreaming of a runny middle you'll be able to make them perfectly every time.
Or a rapid egg cooker with the ability to make hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs, and omelets — which is about two more kinds than I know how to make on my own. Shh, don't tell anyone I'm about to rely on this gadget to make it seem like I know how to cook. With over 102,000 5-star reviews, you certainly can't go wrong.
A microwave bacon cooker to help you make up to 1 lb of bacon evenly and quickly, so when your extended family is over for brunch, you'll be able to focus on perfecting your eggs and mimosas instead.
An oil mister that'll perfectly cover your ingredients without getting your hands covered in grease so you can promptly get back to aimlessly scrolling your phone while your veggies cook.
And a plug-in insect trap that'll make a valiant effort to keep your kitchen fruit fly-free (and mosquitos, gnats, moths, etc). These pesky little bugs always seem to turn up the *second* the weather slightly improves. Instead of crying out, "THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS!" just plug this baby in and let it get to work.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
7 days ago
- Buzz Feed
33 Cooking Products That Are Easy To Use
A 3-in-1 burger press to transform the way you make your burgers — it's simple to use and will give you the ability to make regular burger patties, sliders, or stuffed burgers. You haven't LIVED if you haven't bitten into a cheese-filled burger, OK!? A Whiskware pancake batter mixer that'll make whipping up breakfast the easiest part of your day — break this out and impress any morning guests with your simple-but-delicious pancake-making skillzzzzz. A microwave pasta cooker that'll provide you with perfectly al dente noodles with the least effort possible — add some butter and parm to those babies, plop yourself in front of the couch, tune into The Real Housewives, and dig in. 🍝 Or a game-changing Snap N' Strain you can use with any pot or bowl. Just think of how much space you'll save in your already-crowded kitchen cabinets! Reviewers use it to strain a variety of things (not just pasta)! Iridescent kitchen scissors because you should probably stop using your regular ol' crafting scissors when you're cooking. 😅 Use these to beautifully cut quesadillas or pizza into slices (a must-have for parents!) or to quickly chop herbs. Plus, some herb scissors so you can chop basil, chives, and parsley as fast as if you were gunning for inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records as "World's Fastest Herb Cutter." And! A set of salad scissors that'll help you whip up a fancy salad in no time at all and without the hefty price tag that, sadly, comes with ordering a lovely chopped salad. A 2-in-1 knife and cutting board for anyone who detests cleaning full-sized cutting boards — they're so awkward to fit into my sink and I somehow always end up drenched in the process. It'll also be a great option for making custom salads for the whole fam who don't necessarily want the same thing in theirs. Cut a few pieces of cucumber into your bowl and a few slices of bell pepper into your partner's! An electric potato peeler to help you transform spuds into mashed potatoes at record speed. If for some bizarre reason you *don't* want potatoes with every meal, it'll also work on other fruits 'n' veggies like like apples and kiwis. A shredder with suction cups to ensure it stays put on your counter while you twist away and prep the most delicious homemade pulled pork sammies on this side of the Mississippi. 😉 Or some meat-shredding claws in case you don't have room for/ interest in another contraption to store in your already packed kitchen cabinets but *still* would absolutely benefit from being able to make a delectable pulled pork sammie at home. A jalapeno corer and deseeder to help you seamlessly remove the topper of the pepper and pull out the seeds so you can get down to business making your better-than-Chipotle's guac at home. A Ninja Crispi Air Fryer system that'll have you feeling like you've just become an American Ninja Kitchen Warrior. Throw your go-to lazy day meal of nuggets and fries into the glass container, attach it to the air fryer, enjoy the fruits of your labor (yum) and then run it back again at dinnertime! Or an Emeril Lagasse dual zone air fryer over combo with precise temperature for both sides so you can cook two very different items at once (and in two different ways). It has the capability to air fry, bake, cook pizza, reheat, dehydrate, roast, broil, grill, toast, keep items warm, slow cook, and can be used as a rotisserie. Bam! Emeril is still killin' it! A set of gravity-activated grinders to make you feel like you're living alongside The Jetsons each time you season something. No twisting or turning needed — these automatically release freshly ground salt or pepper whenever you tip it over. An affordable and excellent chef's knife you can use to beautifully cut up ingredients in a way even Gordon Ramsay would applaud. (And we *know* how much he loves to aggressively shout criticisms!) And cut-resistant gloves for anyone who has already had the somewhat horrifying experience of slicing one of their digits. Sorry, Chef, but no one wants blood in their meatballs. Safety first! A compact Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Flip Toaster you can use like a regular toaster *then* flip on its side to transform it into a toaster oven. May waffles and reheated leftover pizza (which is superior to all other leftovers, BTW) be in your near future. Plus reusable toaster bags to help you craft a flawless grilled cheese time after time while sparing your toaster from a mess of crumbs. A vertical pan handle attachment that'll make it easier than ever to lift that adorable cast-iron skillet you just HAD to have in a fun color to match the rest of your kitchen. A set of Anyday microwaveable cooking essentials to completely change how you cook and store leftovers — each dish is microwave- and dishwasher-safe *and* can also be used for steaming, roasting, and serving! You'll have waaay less to clean so you can get back to doing more important things like catch up with your bestie on that questionable first date she went on last night. A "Gracula" garlic crusher to make even the most serious of chefs let out an audible giggle. Unless that chef is, of course, a vampire. They might not find it quite as hilarious — but let them know it can crush nuts up, too! A mandoline slicer you can not only use to make the sweet potato fries of your dreams (my mouth is watering just thinking about 'em) but also break out when you want to finely chop a bunch of herbs sans knives. An amazing cheese grater that'll have you volunteering to bring mac and cheese for every potluck from here on out — it has the ability to grate an entire block of cheese in under a minute!!! It can also grate vegetables and nuts, in case you were wondering. A veggie chopper because none of us have time to cry at the club anymore — and by "club," I mean your kitchen, and by "us," I mean myself (I'm reserving for my annual viewing of Titanic). Anyways, this baby will dice up anything you throw in it at record speed. Chop, chop! A rotating whisk blender you'll praise your new I-cook-all-the-time self for buying — it can blend, froth, whisk, beat, and stir, all without taking up much storage space in your kitchen. Are you someone who casually whips up a salad dressing all on your own? You just might be now, thanks to this tool. A perfect egg timer to take all of the guesswork out of your egg-cooking process. The face on the timer will change colors to indicate how cooked your egg is, so if you're forever dreaming of a runny middle you'll be able to make them perfectly every time. Or a rapid egg cooker with the ability to make hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs, and omelets — which is about two more kinds than I know how to make on my own. Shh, don't tell anyone I'm about to rely on this gadget to make it seem like I know how to cook. With over 102,000 5-star reviews, you certainly can't go wrong. A meat thermometer so you'll never have to guess "is my steak cooked?" again. You can grill with confidence and *maybe* take a break from ordering barbecue in for a bit. A microwave bacon cooker to help you make up to 1 pound of bacon evenly and quickly, so you can craft your own out-of-this-world-delicious bacon egg and cheese sandwiches instead of overpaying at a bagel shop. A stuffed waffle maker you can count on to make all of your brunch dreams come true — fill 'em with cream cheese, strawberries, chicken, or anything else your heart desires! A meat tenderizer that'll transform your cheap cut of steak from drab to fab — it'll take you no time at all to use this tool and make your meat that much more delectable. And a Zojirushi Bread Maker to do all the hard work for you (kneading, timing, etc.) and leave you with an absolutely divine loaf of bread you'd expect to pick up at a farmers market.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I made cake, cookies and bread in the Ankarsrum Assistent Stand Mixer, and it's worth the learning curve
Model: Ankarsrum Assistent OriginalBowl capacity: 8 quarts/7 litersDimensions: 18.1x12.9x17.3 inches/46x32.7x44 cmWeight: 14.9 pounds/6.8kg (without bowl)Speeds: InfiniteMaterial: Stainless steel mixing bowl, Tritan plastic beater bowl Cord length: Like many American home cooks, I felt the seismic jolt when the renowned testers and tasters at America's Test Kitchen announced that KitchenAid's 7-quart bowl-lift stand mixer had been dethroned, after being ranked as the top stand mixer for 15 years. The new champion? Something called the Ankarsrum Assistent Original, a high-end model from Swedish manufacturer Electrolux, which has been popular in Europe since its introduction in 1940, but has only recently begun making waves in the it turns out, there's a reason for that. Once I got the Assistent in my own kitchen, I, too, found myself bowled over by its power and flexibility, which manifests itself when making any and every type of baked good, no matter how big and or how hydrated. Though you'll have to shell out a lot of money, it's unquestionably one of the best stand mixers you can buy. The only thing you need to answer is whether it's the best stand mixer for you — and that's a much more complicated question than it may at first seem. The Ankarsrum Assistent Original comes in only one size and one price: $749.99 (or £675 in the U.K.). Although I have never seen it in person at kitchenware stores in the United States, it is available from many online retailers, including Ankarsrum, Sur La Table and King Arthur Baking. You can also purchase the Royal Blue colorway at Amazon. The Assistent looks nothing like the KitchenAid stand mixers that have dominated American kitchens for decades. With those, the motor unit and beater assembly are positioned in a cylindrical housing, which elevates above the bowl. With the Assistent, the bowl attaches to a heavy base, with only a thin, movable metal arm. It's to this that you then attach the mixing implements, which provide much better access to the bowl. Though both the KitchenAid and the Assistent look charmingly retro, the latter's larger amounts of shiny silver (on the bowl, the arm, and the base's front) more readily recall the design aesthetics of the late 1930s and 1940s. Almost as though you're looking at a kitchen extension of a car from that era. Aside from an 'Assistant' ID plate, the only other things on the base's front are two knobs: one for turning the mixer on and setting the timer, the other for adjusting the speed. If you wish to connect an optional accessory, such as a pasta cutter or meat mincer, you will need to turn the mixer to its left side and open a covered port on the right to do so. The power cable connects to the back of the mixer. ColorwaysAs the base is the only colored part of the mixer, it's nice that you have a lot of choices. As of this writing, Ankarsrum's website lists 15 colors, ranging from eye-grabbing and ostentatious (Sunbeam Yellow, Coral Crush, the new Cloudy Pink) to more subdued and traditional (Red, Royal Blue, Harmony Beige). You will undoubtedly find one that matches your kitchen's décor or personal taste. Just as the Assistent looks distinct from the KitchenAid, it works differently, too. In its default and classic configuration, the Assistent's base contains a 600-watt motor, which turns the main 8-quart stainless-steel mixing bowl at high speeds around the mixing implements connected to the arm. On the KitchenAid, the bowl stays stationary while the beater, whisk, or dough hook move in a 'planetary' motion. Setting up for standard use involves inserting the stiff plastic dough blade, which scrapes the side of the bowl as it turns, into one of the two holes on the arm and the fluted dough roller or the large, angular dough hook into the other; and then positioning the arm and locking it into place with the tension knob. Turn the left dial on the base one click to the left for continuous operation, or turn it farther to set a timer for up to 12 minutes, after which the mixer will automatically turn off. If you need to temporarily move the arm (to mix some errant ingredients, say), you can do so without changing the tension, and it will immediately return to its original position. There is a bit of an art to doing this (as we'll get to), but the design certainly makes it easy. Beater bowl and whisks Because you won't always be making large quantities of lighter items such as cookie dough, cake batter, or whipped cream or egg whites, Ankarsrum provides an alternative in the box: a 3.5-quart Tritan plastic beater bowl, with an entirely separate beater assembly. You install this by removing the stainless-steel bowl from the base, attaching a black drive shaft, and then attaching the four-piece beater unit (this includes plastic housing, a gear, and either a single- or multi-wire whisk) to the top. It may sound complicated, but it's not much more difficult than setting up the standard assembly. Turn on the machine now, and the whisks will move around the beater bowl in a KitchenAid-like planetary movement, mixing your ingredients as you see fit. Other items The package also includes a white plastic lid, which fits over both the stainless-steel bowl (so you can cover bread dough while it's raising) and the beater bowl (with the assembly still attached, so as to prevent splatters). A thin, plastic spatula completes the set: It's rounded and notched in just the right places to scrape the bowls and roller, releasing all your dough. Finally, you will find a warranty statement, quick-start guide, a detailed 32-page user manual, and a hardcover recipe book. If there's anything the Assistent can't do, I wasn't able to determine it during my nearly five-month testing period. I made everything I could think of, and the mixer aced every recipe I threw at it. It mixed and kneaded the ingredients for both soft white and stiff wheat breads without an audible whine or other hint of complaint. When kneading a double-batch of wholewheat bread dough, my stalwart 7-quart KitchenAid leaped around the counter so much, I couldn't leave it unattended; the Assistent never moved at all. Many bagel recipes explicitly advise against using a stand mixer, as kneading that style of stiff, low-hydration dough can burn out the motor. That was no issue with the Assistent, which got through it effortlessly. Thanks to the Assistent, making one of my favorite baked goods is now infinitely simpler and less exhausting than it's ever been before. Thanks to the Assistent, making one of my favorite baked goods is now infinitely simpler and less exhausting than it's ever been before. To be honest, I didn't notice a difference in either performance or output between the Assistent and my KitchenAid on smaller tasks such as cookie dough, cake batter, frosting, whipped cream, or meringue, though the Assistent excelled at all of these. As these are also recipes that use different mixer speeds, I came to love the Assistent's fluid control — its speed dial doesn't have 'stops' the way the KitchenAid does, so it was a lot easier to dial into exactly the speed I needed or wanted and change it whenever necessary. The dial's position on the base also makes it easier to access.I generally preferred the stainless-steel bowl to the beater bowl, as it's faster and has a greater capacity, but the latter is a nice option. And it means you can make bread and dessert in the same afternoon, without having to wash anything in between or buy another bowl — a real time and money saver. Cookbook The cookbook is lovely, packed with information and mouth-watering photos. Although I didn't make every recipe in it, as many require additional accessories, which I did not have to test, I spot-checked a few. The chocolate-chip cookies are lighter in flavor and texture than I prefer, and their idiosyncrasies — a hefty amount of coconut, chocolate chips placed atop the cookies at the end rather than integrated into the batter— will not be to everyone's liking. But the caramel cookies, made with golden syrup, were rich and textured, and something I looked forward to eating (perhaps a bit too much). The rustic baguettes, if not as complex in flavor as their famous French cousins, were delicious, with a fine crumb and a nice crust — perfect for serving alongside soup or salad for a simple yet satisfying lunch, or with butter or cheese as a dinner accompaniment. I learned a lot during my time with the Assistent — and those lessons raised some possible red flags for interested buyers. Difficult to master Most critically for users of KitchenAid mixers: The Assistent is not a set-it-and-forget-it affair — many of its fine dynamics take time and experimentation. I initially had a lot of trouble using the dough hook; it wanted to collect dough rather than stretch it, a function of being designed for higher hydration recipes than I usually prepare. Making slight tweaks to the amount of flour or water helped, as did following a Mike Greenfield technique of removing the scraping blade altogether for his New York–style pizza dough recipe. I found the roller easier to use and more efficient in nearly all applications, but even it could be deceptively tricky. I learned the hard way how important it can be to adjust the arm's position multiple times during mixing to blend ingredients properly. The dough blade and roller can create an empty spot at the center of the metal bowl, for one thing, and as it develops, the dough may not immediately make contact with the blade in a useful way. Dough would also sometimes cake on the rear side of the blade because it moved away from the side of the bowl, usually with smaller portions or higher-hydration recipes. My Ankarsrum contact explained this is normal behavior, but it's another example of a new method of mixing that may not come naturally to you (as it didn't to me). The Ankarsrum doesn't work like a KitchenAid Because nearly all American recipes calling for a stand mixer assume a KitchenAid, they don't take into account the Ankarsrum's unusual requirements — which may lead to trouble in your kitchen. For example, the company recommends starting a recipe with all the required liquid in the bowl. This is ostensibly so you can better control the amount of flour, as the Ankarsrum's more vigorous mixing may not make it all necessary, but that's the opposite of the typical method. You are also explicitly cautioned to use only room-temperature butter in the plastic beater bowl, lest the beaters generate too much torque and cause the bowl to crack. As not all cake or frosting recipes call for completely soft butter, you may need to make additional tweaks. (Ankarsrum sells a metal beater bowl that's likely to withstand this treatment, but it costs $125.) Because of its different motor and mixing methods, the Assistent may take different amounts of time and run at different speeds from the KitchenAid standards. If you don't know what you're looking for and pay close attention, you may under- or overmix. Don't be surprised if some recipes you're converting fail until you get the hang of it — that happened to me. You'll need help, but it's easy to find The quick-start guide and user manual are helpful, but mostly just for picking up the basics. To learn how to make the most of the Assistent, your best bet is to watch the videos on Ankarsrum's YouTube channel (which the manual also links to with QR codes). These feature an expert user showcasing and explaining the mixer's every feature, process, and eccentricity; I never understood the theory about adjusting the arm or the dough hook's unique implementation until watching these videos. I'd recommend setting aside a couple of hours to watch all of that content. You will be glad you did. Everything except the four beaters are dishwasher safe, but the beaters are so small and simple, you'll be able to de-gunk them just by running them under hot water. Should you buy the Ankarsrum Assistent Original? That depends entirely on what kind of baker you are. If you're a novice or infrequent baker, my answer is a hard no. A machine this expensive, with so many parts to store and clean, and that assumes some raw familiarity with baking concepts, is a commitment you might not be ready for. A 5-quart KitchenAid Artisan can whip up some cream or a bigger dessert with just one bowl and three attachments — and you'll save $300. Why pay for power you don't need? But if you're a baking die-hard, the kind of person who lives for churning out large loaves of high-hydration sourdough, piles of pizza dough, or double batches of bagels, or if you have a huge family to feed and expect the mixer will run day in and day out, you can't do better than the Assistent. It may cost a lot of money and take time to master, but it earns that investment time and time again, and it will make everything you bake easier. Simply put: The Ankarsrum Assistent Original is an incredible machine that more than lives up to the hype surrounding it.
Buzz Feed
13-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
29 Kitchen Products You'll Use Multiple Times A Day
An expandable colander you can fit snugly inside your sink to clean fruits and veggies, drain pasta, *and* dry dishes while also bringing some life to a typically boring area of the kitchen. Or a game-changing Snap N' Strain you can use with any pot or bowl. Just think of how much space you'll save in your already-crowded kitchen cabinets! Reviewers use it to strain a variety of things (not just pasta)! Plus, a cutting board and strainer combo, your mom will "ooh" and "ahh" over when you excitedly show it to her over Facetime while *also* asking her, "Do you think this chicken is cooked?" A Ninja Crispi Air Fryer system that'll have you feeling like you've just become an American Ninja Kitchen Warrior. Throw your go-to lazy day meal of nuggets and fries into the glass container, attach it to the air fryer, enjoy the fruits of your labor (yum) and then run it back again at dinnertime! Or an Emeril Lagasse dual zone air fryer over combo with precise temperature for both sides so you can cook two very different items at once (and in two different ways). It has the capability to air fry, bake, cook pizza, reheat, dehydrate, roast, broil, grill, toast, keep items warm, slow cook, and can be used as a rotisserie. Bam! Emeril is still killin' it! A set of stove burner covers to catch the inevitable splash of sauce that always finds its way out of your pot — it'll also help cover up some chipped the burners you unfortunately inherited from the previous owner. A self-draining silicone sponge holder you'll use constantly because, let's face it, you're tired of a gross puddle of dirty dishwater leaking all over your counter, and your brushes and sponges are in need of a home to call their own. It'll be a win-win! A set of gravity-activated grinders to make you feel like you're living alongside The Jetsons each time you season something. No twisting or turning needed — these automatically release freshly ground salt or pepper whenever you tip it over. Or hand-painted wildflower salt and pepper shakers that'll put a *spring* in your step — plus they'll be an adorable, functional and darling addition to your daily at-home dining experiences. A porcelain butter dish you'll for how pretty and practical it is but *also* be surprised by how often you reach for it during the day. Just think about it — on a typical day you could very well be slathering butter on a waffle, buttering up some toast, or popping some butter into a pan to saute some veggies! KitchenAid shears, because you should probably stop using your regular ol' crafting scissors when you're cooking. 😅 Use these to beautifully cut quesadillas or pizza into slices (a must-have for parents!) or to quickly chop herbs. A 2-in-1 knife and cutting board for anyone who detests cleaning full-sized cutting boards — they're so awkward to fit into my sink and I somehow always end up drenched in the process. It'll also be a great option for making custom salads for the whole fam who don't necessarily want the same thing in theirs. Cut a few pieces of cucumber into your bowl and a few slices of bell pepper into your partner's! A Dawn Platinum Powerwash dish spray that will become your right-hand man in the kitchen from here on out — it comes in various delectable scents and works wonders on caked-on food and grease. All you have to do is spritz, let it sit, then rinse it off! Reviewers are obsessed with it — it has over 90,000 5-star reviews. (WOW!!!) A soap-dispensing attachment to upgrade your Scrub Daddy into the ultimate dish-cleaning mechanism. You can go ahead and make an absolute mess of your pots and pants, knowing this gadget has got your back. And a set of cat-shaped double-sided sponges because why not turn one of your most hated tasks (scrubbing, well, anything) into an adorable experience that'll encourage you to do it *meow* instead of later? Oxo's new compact Brew Rapid Brewer that'll have you wondering, "Where has this been all of my life?" It won't take up much counter space at *all*, and it doesn't need to be plugged in or charged, so you'll never find yourself waiting around too long for a fresh cup of joe. Plus a tiny but mighty milk frother to add all kinds of foamy goodness to your drinks while also making you feel like you just graduated from a special barista class. Making at-home bevs is about to be a lot more exciting. An affordable and excellent chef's knife you can use to beautifully cut up ingredients in a way even Gordon Ramsay would applaud. (And we *know* how much he loves to aggressively shout criticisms!) Or a set of floral kitchen knives that'll make every meal prep feel like springtime (how refreshing!) — a new, sharp, beautiful set of tools is sure to motivate you to make dinner at home instead of Seamless-ing dinner for the umpteenth time. And cut-resistant gloves for anyone who has already had the somewhat horrifying experience of slicing one of their digits. Sorry, Chef, but no one wants blood in their meatballs. Safety first! A super absorbent floral dish drying mat to add some pretty vibes into your kitchen and to your least favorite chore (doing the dishes, siiiiiiiigh) It's a functional *and* lovely option for anyone in need of somewhere to dry their cups, bowls, and plates. A family-size Perfect Pot you can use on both the stovetop and in the oven — it'll replace your stock pot, Dutch oven, saucepot, roasting rack, steamer, colander, braiser, and spoon rest! Talk about a fabulous gift, jeez. Or a 12-piece ceramic, nonstick Caraway cookware set complete with everything you'd possibly need to inspire you to make a mouthwatering meal in the comfort of your kitchen instead of heading out to eat (again). The set has a one-year warranty (phew) and is naturally non-stick, so you'll save $$$ on butter, oil, and cooking spray, and will be able to withstand waaaaay more cooking than those raggedy pots and pans you've been using since college. Extra long oven mitts to protect your arms while you're checking on the delicious veggies you're roasting for dinner and then again later when you're popping the oven open to see if your famous chocolate chip cookies are perfectly browned and ready for dessert. A compact Ninja Foodi 2-in-1 Flip Toaster you can use like a regular toaster *then* flip on its side to transform it into a toaster oven. May waffles and reheated leftover pizza (which is superior to all other leftovers, BTW) be in your near future. A vertical pan handle attachment that'll make it easier than ever to lift that adorable cast-iron skillet you just HAD to have in a fun color to match the rest of your kitchen. Environmentally friendly dishcloths made of cellulose and cotton you can use to clean your counters, stovetops, dishes, shower doors, and mirrors and the tears you're likely to shed when you accidentally burn dinner for the umpteenth time. A set of Anyday microwaveable cooking essentials that'll completely change how you cook and store leftovers — each dish is microwave- and dishwasher-safe *and* can also be used for steaming, roasting, and serving! You'll have waaay less to clean so you can get back to doing more important things like catch up with your bestie on that questionable first date she went on last night. And a 12-ounce bottle of Mike's Hot Honey you can drizzle over any and every meal — breakfast, lunch, and dinner! This condiment is about to be there for you more than your ex ever was.
