Whether you live in a home or flat, you’re probably very used to using the kitchen daily. In fact, when it comes to most families, the kitchen is the number one room in the house that gets the most use. Cooking and preparing food can be a great way to eat healthier and mingle with loved ones, but not having the right gadgets can make the process a lot more difficult for you. For those trying to improve the way that their kitchen functions, there are a wide range of must-have gadgets that your kitchen should definitely have in it.
Stand Mixer
If you make a lot of breads, doughs and pizzas, you probably know the process that is needed to get the dough just right. Mixing the dough by hand and trying to get the absolute perfect consistency is a nightmare, but having a stand mixer can be a saving grace for your cooking needs. The stand mixer that you choose doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should ideally have a few attachments to it so that you can customize the gadget to suit your own needs. For instance, some stand mixers have a dough hook attachment and a whisk available.
Blender
The blender is yet another must-have gadget in any good cook’s kitchen. Blenders come in all shapes, sizes and varieties. You can even get a blender that matches the color of your kitchen. The blender is ideal for blending together shakes, drinks and other mixtures. If you need to chop up some ice or veggies, the blender is a great tool for these tasks as well.
Immersion Blender
Unlike the large blender that has just been discussed, an immersion blender is a handheld blending tool that you can take with you to the bowl that you’re working in. For instance, you might be trying to mix together liquid in a bowl, but you don’t want to transfer the liquid mixture to your standing blender. Just take the immersion blender, plug it in and then turn it on after it has been placed into the liquid. It will blend things together incredibly well, whether it’s in a pot, bowl or pan.
Electric Can Opener
Let’s face it, not everything you’re ever going to cook is going to be completely fresh. There are going to be many times when you need to open a can or two. An electric can opener is a fantastic gadget for those who are tired of using the old-fashioned grinding ones. The electric can opener comes in a couple of varieties. One type would be a standing gadget that sits in one spot on your counter and can be used whenever. You can also choose a portable electric can opener that looks that those old traditional ones, but you don’t have to wind it up like you normally would.
Salad Spinner
Nowadays, preparing salad for both lunch and dinner is mainstream for most homes and families. Making a delicious salad to complement your dinner is a great way to eat healthier and feel fuller after the meal is done. A salad spinner is a small colander-like device that quickly spins the water off of your lettuce. Wet lettuce, when used in a salad, can dilute dressing and wilt the salad a lot quicker than it normally would. The absolute best way to dry your lettuce, and the method most often used in restaurants, is with a salad spinner.
Slow Cooker or Crock Pot
If you have a very busy schedule and know that you won’t have the time it takes to cook a scrumptious meal when you get home, a slow cooker might be the right option for you. Leaving your stove and oven on during the day while you’re out can be very dangerous, but a slow cooker acts like an oven and is a lot more safe to leave cooking on its own. This device sits on your counter, and you can add a wide range of foods to it. The foods will then simmer and cook all throughout the day so that when you come home, you’re met with a delicious meal that’s ready to eat.
Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens are great for toasting breads, pastries and acting as a smaller oven. Getting your large oven going for a tiny piece of food seems a bit meaningless. Using all of that energy just to heat something small up is going to be a major waste of energy consumption. A toaster oven is a combination between an over and a toaster. You can pop your morning bread in there for some delicious toast, or you can put a chicken in there later on for a quick and healthy meal. Not only will you be saving time, but you’ll also be saving some energy by using a smaller device rather than the traditional two-door oven.
Your kitchen will be made safer and more convenient with these amazing home appliances. Choosing the right kitchenware requires you to know what you’ll need when making meals or snacks. For example, an immersion blender was mentioned in the list of must-have gadgets, but you might find that your stand alone blender is the right choice for your personal cooking habits. Not all gadgets are right for all cooks, and you’ll find that you use some more so than others.
It’s all about finding great appliances that are going to complement the way that you prepare a meal. Whether it’s simmering meals away in your slow cooker all day or simply using your can opener to prepare a delicious dish, you can feel comforted in knowing that there are literally hundreds of different gadgets that you can choose from for your own kitchen experience. This can make cooking a lot more fun and interactive for both you and your loved ones.
