7 Multi-Use Kitchen Tools and Equipment to Have for Convenience
Professional chefs and serious bakers have a variety of kitchen tools and equipment to help them make specific dishes in the best way possible. Even if you’re not that serious about cooking, there are a few kitchen tools that may come in handy when you’re cooking regular meals— unless you just don’t cook at all. Still, these tools may be worth looking into no matter how much cooking you do. Here are seven multi-use kitchen tools to have for convenience.
#1: Avocado Tool
An avocado tool is a diverse piece of kitchen equipment that can cut, pit, and slice avocados. It’s much more efficient than just using a knife to cut up this nutrient-loaded fruit/veggie. If you’re not a big fan of avocados, no worries! This tool can be used to cut, peel, and pit a variety of other fruits, such as kiwi, bananas, and mangoes as well.
#2: Blender
You probably already own a blender, as it’s one of the most diverse kitchen tools on the market. Use a larger, countertop blender or a small portable blender to mix up a quick protein shake after your workout, and delicious nutrient-dense smoothie, a delicious milkshake, or even a frozen daiquiri or other cold cocktail drink. Blenders can also be used to chop up fruit and vegetables into small pieces for dessert or dinner dishes when you don’t have a food processor. Consider both a countertop blender and a portable one for more convenience.
#3: Box Grater
Box graters are another example of a fairly common, yet diverse kitchen tool that many people already have. Box graters are mainly known for grating blocks of cheese, potatoes, and even herbs and vegetables. A typical box grater has four sides: one with large holes, one with smaller holes, one for slicing, and one for zesting your citrus fruits. This will come in handy when making citrus dishes and you don’t have a zester— the zesting side of a box grater works just as well.
#4: Coffee Maker
A coffee maker is a staple in kitchen equipment, particularly if you’re an avid coffee drinker. Simple coffee makers allow you to pour water into the back and have an insert for either coffee pods or ground coffee beans. If you don’t drink coffee, you can still use a basic coffee maker to brew tea (if that’s what you prefer over coffee). Use it to make hot water for your tea, or you can place tea pods into the pod dispenser, or loose tea leaves into the strainer.
#5: Colander Scoop
This is a unique tool that is essentially a giant spoon with holes in it, like a colander. This multi-use tool allows you to stir various dishes that are cooked in water or oil, while also allowing you to serve them without having to drain them in a colander. Colander scoops are relatively inexpensive, and you can find some on Amazon for as low as $10.
#6: Strainer Board
A strainer board is nice to have if you incorporate a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals. It’s a cutting board with a colander attachment that fits right over your sink, allowing you to rinse your produce in the colander portion, and then easily cut them up on the cutting board portion— all without much movement or having to switch to different utensils. Some models even have a collapsible strainer to allow for easier storage.
#7: Whip Cream Charger
A whip cream charger is a device that’s used pretty regularly in the food and drink industry. It’s a small gas cylinder that’s filled with safe-to-consume nitrous oxide (N2O). This tool is typically used to make whipped cream for desserts (from topping to infusing), and the steel cylinder combined with N2O helps the whipped cream last longer. You can also use a whip cream charger for making drinks, such as cocktails and even frappuccinos/frappes.
It’s safe to say that if you’re going to invest in kitchen equipment that goes beyond the basics, you should look for tools and equipment that perform more than one task. By doing this, you’ll be able to save money on kitchen supplies (which can get very expensive) and still have everything you need to make all of your favorite meals. Of course, what you choose to get will depend on what you like eating/drinking and if you’re willing to try to create new dishes. But new kitchen tools may also inspire you to try something new!
