4 Cooking Tools and Gadgets You Need

Are you looking to become a whiz in the kitchen? Or are you already a pro who wants to take their skills to the next level? Whichever the case, you can’t do it without some quality gear. Great cooking equipment can help your dishes shine and make the cooking process less stressful. It’s worth the money to invest in cookware that will stand the test of time.

For the ultimate culinary toolbelt, read on for four cooking gadgets you absolutely need!

1. Get Flavorful with a Crockpot

A crock pot—also known as a slow cooker—is an electric cooking device that uses moist heat to simmer recipes for several hours.

Using a crock pot is a great way to make your food tender and flavorful. Slow cookers prevent overcooked food, and are perfect for recipes like:

• Chili
• Soup and stew
• Pulled pork (or other fall-off-the-bone meats)
• Sauces
• Potatoes

These examples are just a speck of the possibilities you have when cooking with a crockpot. The best part? You can even get a slow cooker inspired by your favorite movies and TV shows for a truly personal touch.

2. Start Grinding with a Mortar and Pestle

The fact that this kitchen staple has remained popular since ancient times should be enough proof that it belongs in your kitchen! 

A mortar and pestle may seem old fashioned, but it’s still one of the best ways to extract flavor from your ingredients. Some common ways chefs use this handy tool include:

• Spice rubs – Mix spices in a mortar and pestle to help meld the flavors together. Breaking down your rub into a fine powder will also improve the texture of your food and prevent any graininess.
• Crushing herbs – To get the most out of your herbs, you’ll want to crush them a bit before they’re added to a recipe. The molecular structure of plants is rigid, and many of the aromas and oils can get trapped inside the leaves. Crushing them up (rather than slicing them with a knife) is the optimal way to release these flavors. This technique can be applied to both fresh and dried herbs.
• Freshly ground salt and pepper – Some cooks truly love making everything from scratch—even their salt and pepper. Whole peppercorns and fresh salt crystals (particularly Himalayan sea salt) can be ground up in your mortar and pestle for maximum freshness.

3. Save Your Hands with a Good Can Opener

This tool is so simple, yet so necessary. 

Many people overlook the importance of a good can opener because they aren’t using it often. This will eventually become a problem, because when you do need it—you really need it. There’s not much you can do in the way of makeshift can opening (unless you want to smash it with a hammer and make a mess). 

That’s why it’s best to just invest in a good one and call it a day.

The best can opener should be large enough to accommodate all can sizes. It also needs a comfortable handle that’s easy to grip. Stainless steel is a good material to look for, because it will stay sharp and remain sturdy even after years of use.

4. Cook to Perfection with an Air Fryer

If any appliance deserves to win 2020, it’s the air fryer.

It no longer takes cups of oil to cook delicious, crispy food to perfection. With an air fryer, food is cooked through the use of hot—you guessed it—air, blowing all around it. This process is faster and healthier than traditional frying or baking. 

Try making some of these tasty treats with this innovative appliance:

• French fries (obviously)
• Bacon
• Chicken
• Cookies
• Chips

Basically any recipe that requires a nice crispiness can be conveniently cooked in an air fryer!

Gadgets Make The World Go Round

Some people say a minimalist kitchen is the way to go—but how much do those people really cook?

Get your game on with these handy gadgets, and start cheffing it up like never before! When you’re eating tasty soups and perfectly cooked fries, you’ll wonder why you didn’t grab these tools sooner.