How buying from my online store helps you and me
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you buy these bits of kit through my Amazon store<\/a>, the price you pay doesn\u2019t change, but I get paid a small fee by Amazon as commission. This helps fund the time I spend blogging and recipe testing and keeps my class prices down. I will never ever recommend anything I don\u2019t love, even if I\u2019m offered a fortune!<\/p>\nI’ve spent years testing which kit is the best, so buying from this list gives you a quick jump to the final answer on which model is best – saving you hours of scrolling and wondering, or from costly mistakes.<\/p>\n
How to use this kitchen tools list<\/h3>\n
I’ve split the list into my absolute essentials, nice to have, baking kit and investments.<\/p>\n
Use this as an opportunity to have a good clear out of old, useless kitchen tools. Donate them to charity or sell them on eBay. Read my post about how to organise your kitchen here<\/a>.<\/p>\nNeed help?<\/h3>\n
If you’re debating a big purchase just let me know and I can help you find the product for what you need.<\/p>\n
The top 10 kitchen tools I use every day<\/strong><\/h2>\nVisit my online shop to buy them<\/a><\/p>\nThese are the kitchen tools I cook with every day. They make me quicker and they mean I can get maximum flavour into food in minimum time. I even take some of these with me when I travel! You can watch me talk about some of them here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n- Microplane fine grater\/zester <\/strong>For zesting citrus, mincing garlic.\u00a0 I’ve had my Microplane for 20 years and it is still sharp. There are lots of other brands making similar zesters but none are as good.<\/li>\n
- Microplane coarse grater <\/strong>For grating ginger, Parmesan, carrots and apples. Don’t buy the plastic handle version as it tends not to last as long.<\/li>\n
- Silicone spatulas <\/strong>I have 8 of these as I use them for everything – don’t just keep them for baking as I know many people do.\u00a0 They don’t absorb smells like wooden spoons do, can go in the dishwasher and can be used at super-high temperatures so they are great for stirring food in a pan. They get every last bit out of your pans and bowls so you don’t waste a spot of food, making clean-up easier.<\/li>\n
- Mini silicone spatulas <\/strong>These get every last bit out of the jar. Immensely satisfying and thrifty.<\/li>\n
- The best pepper grinder <\/strong>Ditch ready ground pepper and always grind your own from whole peppercorns for the best flavour. This is probably the thing most of my students rush to buy after class. I love how easy it is to refill – just pour your peppercorns through the wide chute, instead of them scattering everywhere. It grinds a ton of pepper in one go, making you quicker in the kitchen.<\/li>\n
- Citrus juicer <\/strong>A hit of lemon or lime at the end of a recipe is essential for brightening flavours. This gets the most juice out of your lemon and lime with the least mess. there is no need to buy separate lime and lemon squeezers, just buy the lemon one and limes fit in it too.<\/b><\/li>\n
- Maldon salt <\/strong>Another one of my obsessions, and one that my students love and quickly adopt. The texture and flavour is amazing.<\/b><\/li>\n
- Onion goggles <\/strong>They may look weird but they are my lifesaver because I bawl when I chop onions. These are the only things that have ever worked and I have tried EVERYTHING!<\/li>\n
- Metal tongs <\/strong>These should feel like an extension of your hand and essential for lifting and flipping things in pans or on trays. I have 4 pairs because I like to use one pair when I’m handling raw meat or fish and then switch to a clean pair when I’m handling the finished, cooked item.<\/li>\n
- Pyrex storage containers <\/strong>I avoid storing food in plastic, especially when I’m freezing. These containers come in various sizes but can go straight into the freezer and can also be used to cook in. Ditch your plastic containers and re-stock in a range of sizes, you’ll find leftovers more inspiring and will fill your freezer with goodies. I have most sizes from 1 cup size for leftover sauces and pesto all the way through single serving soup and curry sizes (about 2-3 cup size), up to containers big enough to hold a family-size lasagna or shepherds pie.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"kitchen](\"https:\/\/cookwithgem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/kitchen-tools-best-knife-1.jpg\")
<\/a>The best kitchen knives<\/strong><\/h2>\nVisit my online shop to buy them<\/a><\/p>\nYou only really need three knives; a chef’s knife, a paring knife and a serrated bread knife, maybe a smaller knife for children to use too. The blocks with loads of knives in only really serve to make the knife companies lots of money rather than to help you. I’d much rather you use a good chef’s knife for most jobs and really get used to using it confidently.<\/p>\n
My favourite knife manufacturer is Global as the handle and blade are all from one piece of metal so are not going to break. They are pricey but will last a lifetime. At a lower price point I like Victorinox. I’d spend money on a Chef’s\/Cooks knife and spend less on the bread and paring knives rather than but a cheaper set of all 3.<\/p>\n
These are the 4 knives I’d invest in…<\/p>\n
\n- Cook’s or Chef’s knife <\/strong>(at least 8-10 inch) To chop and slice meat, fish and vegetables. I use this knife for 90% of the jobs in my kitchen.<\/li>\n
- Paring knife<\/strong> To cut smaller, more fiddly things<\/li>\n
- Serrated bread knife<\/strong> To slice bread, cakes, tomatoes and peppers and to carve joints of meat.<\/li>\n
- Children’s knife<\/strong> This tomato knife is what my children have used from being toddlers. The round ended knife in particular is great for little hands and gets them used to using knives safely. I also use this to cut tomatoes. Once my boys got to be around 6 years old, I bought them a special Opinel children’s knife and peeler sets to use. They encourage the same chopping action as a real chef knife and are properly sharp but designed to be as safe as possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Knife sharpener<\/strong> Technique aside, the biggest impact you can have on your knife is to get it sharpened regularly. And please don’t put knives in the dishwasher as it blunts them really quickly. I use my sharpener every month.<\/p>\nPeeler <\/strong>I use this to peel vegetables but also to create long ribbons of carrots, cucumbers and other vegetables to add a nice texture to salads.<\/p>\nFish slice<\/strong> I use this to flip things over when I’m frying or to move things around on roasting trays. The one I have linked to in my shop is flexible and thin so it is great for moving delicate things. Metal is much better than plastic for this.<\/p>\nScissors <\/strong>I use these to snip bacon, sausages and chicken into a pan rather than a knife and board. I also use them to snip herbs or salad greens. I buy multiple pairs as they always seem to disappear.<\/p>\nCutting\/chopping boards <\/strong>I don’t like to use wooden boards as I find them hard to clean. I also don’t like glass boards as they blunt knives. I buy 2 of these plastic boards and change them every 12 months when they start to stain or scratch. They can go in the dishwasher which is the best way to get them clean. If you are in Ikea any time soon, theirs are also brilliant and cheap as chips.<\/p>\nCarving board<\/strong> I use this board when I’m carving a joint of meat or a chicken or cutting crusty bread. It handily catches any juices and crumbs and holds the meat in place.<\/p>\n![\"kitchen](\"https:\/\/cookwithgem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/kitchen-tools-le-creuset-1.jpg\")
<\/a>Which pans to buy<\/strong><\/h2>\nClick here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\nFrying pans <\/strong>Scanpan pans are all I use and well worth the investment and have a lifetime guarantee. They are great to cook with, so easy to clean, they work on induction as well as gas and electric.<\/p>\nBecause they aren’t coated in Teflon, you can use metal in them without the non stick surface being affected. I use mine every day. I use a bigger one for meals for our family of four – stir fries, meat and fish with pan sauces, eggs, pancakes etc. I use a smaller one for cooking smaller amounts, or when I need two pans on the go.<\/p>\n
If you are just getting one, get the bigger one. Be sure to buy the ones with metal handles so that you can brown something in the pan and then put it in the oven or under the broiler [grill] to finish off cooking.<\/p>\n
My favourite all rounder is the Scanpan lidded chef pan <\/strong>they make and use this to cook bigger quantities, or instead of a wok, or for stews and braises in the oven with the lid. I rarely put it away as I use it daily – either on my hob, in my own or on the drainer.<\/p>\nSaucepans <\/strong>I like stainless steel pans with a nice heavy bottom, metal handles and lids so I can put them in the oven. Even with all the cooking I do, I only have 4 mismatched saucepans – a small, a medium, a large and a pasta pan which I also use for soups. I got mine at TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the US), I find they always have the best quality at the best prices and I usually mix and match between ranges to get what I need. Be sure to check yours are induction compatible if that’s what you cook on. If you would rather buy online. I’ve added the same brand and type to my shop.<\/p>\nDutch oven or cast iron pans\u00a0 <\/strong>I love my enamel-coated, cast iron Le Creuset pans. They are one of the most expensive items in my kitchen but the quality is unbeatable and I will have them forever. They work on induction as well as gas and electric. I don’t have a crockpot [slow cooker] so I use my Le Creuset pans to cook stews and soups low and slow in the oven while I go off and do what I need to do.<\/p>\nBuy the biggest you can afford – round or oval doesn’t make any difference. Be sure to buy the cast iron enamel rather than the stoneware\/ceramic pans as Le Creuset make both. I’ve bought all of mine by being lucky (and not fussy about the colour) in the sales online and at If\u00a0 TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the US) or at a Le Creuset outlet.<\/p>\n
Roasting pans <\/strong>I like to have a sturdy metal deep sided roasting pan for roasting turkey, chicken or other meats as well as for lasagna and baked cauli mac and cheese. As always, check the size of your oven before buying one!<\/p>\nI also have ceramic and enamel roasting pans in various sizes which are great for any foods you want to make and freeze, or to bake in the oven and then serve straight to the table in the same pan.<\/p>\n
Cookie sheet\/baking tray <\/strong>I use a really sturdy ridged baking tray for much more than baking. I mainly use it to roast vegetables or other one-pan meals as it copes well with high temperatures and doesn’t buckle like cheaper ones can. But it is also great for all kinds of baking and is a handy pan lid for lidless pans! I often use mine to transport food around instead of a tray too. Just be sure to check that this size will fit in your oven as ovens vary.<\/p>\nSilicone liners <\/strong>I usually line my baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat reusable silicone liner to make clean up easier and to avoid things sticking. Again, check you are buying the right size liner that fits your tray. Silpat has shot up in price recently so I’ve added an own brand version to my online shop.<\/p>\nThe best kitchen equipment for measuring<\/strong><\/h2>\nClick here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\nDigital scales <\/strong>Weighing is more accurate and less messy than using volume cup measurements; meaning you’ll get much more consistent results when you bake. They are also a brilliant way to get children to practice their numbers. Just put any bowl on these scales. Press the re-set button to cancel out the weight of the bowl then add your ingredients. Zero out (or re-set) after each ingredient and add the next. Simple.<\/p>\nMeasuring cups <\/strong>Because so many US recipes are in cups, I keep a set of these on hand. They work best when recipes are less precise or less fine-tuned.\u00a0 Think rough and ready cookies rather than recipes that require more precision. They’re also handy a mini ladles when making pancakes.<\/p>\nMeasuring spoons <\/strong>Not much to say other than they measure things in various spoon sizes! Much more accurate than using a teaspoon you use to stir your coffee with to measure.<\/p>\nMeasuring jugs <\/strong>I have them in various sizes as I cook a lot, and always buy glass as they can then go in the microwave. If you’re just buying one, get the biggest size.<\/p>\nThe best kitchen equipment for everything else<\/strong><\/h2>\nClick here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\nPotato masher <\/strong>I use this for potatoes but also for mashing other veggies and beans and for mashing soup when I want a chunkier texture. I’m a mashed potato addict so trust me that I’ve tried all sorts of mashers to come to this verdict.<\/p>\nOr if you want to be super fancy and for the smoothest mash (but more faff washing), buy a potato ricer. I use my ricer for fancy dinners and Christmas and Thanksgiving as it takes more effort but the results are restaurant quality. Be sure to add plenty of warm butter too to get that restaurant effect.<\/p>\n
Slotted spoon <\/strong>Essential for poached eggs. I use this to pull things out of pans when you want any cooking liquid or fat to be left behind.<\/p>\nCan opener <\/strong>It is amazing how complicated and tough to use many of these can be. This one isn’t.<\/p>\nBox grater <\/strong>Most people only use these to grate cheese. I use it mainly to get my raw veggies into chewable sized prices. The more work the grater does, the less work my jaw has to do! Use the slicing side (two, horizontal blades) to shred fennel and cabbage for slaw. When my boys were younger, I used it to grate raw apple into their oats in the morning too, easier than using apple sauce. Be sure to buy one that is sturdy.<\/p>\nColander <\/strong>To drain pasta, boiled vegetables and potatoes. Also to wash lettuce, berries and other fruits and vegetables. I like to have a bigger one and find them easier to clean when they have slightly bigger holes<\/p>\nWhisk <\/strong>I use a bigger whisk to mix sauces to get rid of lumps. I also use it to whisk dry ingredients together when I’m baking instead of sieving them. The bigger the whisk, the quicker you incorporate air. I use the smaller whisk for whisking sauces and gravy.<\/p>\nGlass mixing bowls <\/strong>To use when microwaving, prepping or baking. You can also use them to serve salads or other sides or to store things in the fridge.<\/p>\nSalad servers <\/strong>I love these \u2018hands\u2019 for tossing and serving salads and roasted veg, and other dishes where large quantities need mixing well, such as granola.<\/p>\n![\"kitchen](\"https:\/\/cookwithgem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/kitchen-tools-magimix-1.jpg\")
<\/a>The best kitchen electronics<\/strong><\/h2>\nClick here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\nFood processor <\/strong>My advice to buy the one with the biggest bowl capacity and highest powered motor you can afford. I tend to only use a couple of the blades my Magimix processor came with – the grater and the standard chopper but I think it is by far the best brand and has so far survived almost daily use for 16 years. Before I had it I had a really inexpensive one which was fine but the motor power meant I could only process things in quite small batches and I don’t think it would have lasted me as long.<\/p>\nDon’t be swayed by food processors with multiple blades as you won’t really need them for most recipes. the bowl size and motor power is the decider.I use my processor at least five times a week to make pesto<\/a>, bread crumbs<\/a>, curry paste, cauliflower mash<\/a> and this lifesaver cake<\/a>.<\/p>\nNice to haves<\/strong><\/h2>\nClick here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\nNutribullet <\/strong>I only bought one of these recently, mainly for smoothies, but, I’ve found it so useful for making small quantities of quick pestos and for grinding breadcrumbs and nuts for my dukkah<\/a>. Because it is so small, it is easy to grab out of the cupboard and can be washed very easily. If I had to only have one food processor I’d still go with a bigger one but if you can fit two in your life this is really handy.<\/p>\nImmersion blender <\/strong>I use my hand blender so much and have had the same one since I was at university (20+ years ago). It is the easiest way to blend soups in the pan you cooked them in. It is so easy to wash. I also use mine to make speedy homemade mayonnaise<\/a> and smoothies<\/a>. You don’t need to buy one with lots of add ons.<\/p>\nSteamer <\/strong>I tried bamboo and metal steamers in the past but never got along well with them. Then I found this brilliant silicone one. The feet sit on the bottom of any pan and the flexible shape bends to fit inside any size pan. And it goes in the dishwasher and doesn’t absorb smells making it wonderful for spicy foods and fish. I have both the large and small, but if you’re just getting one I’d get the large.<\/p>\nJam funnel <\/strong>If you’re making jam or a sauce, or anything that needs transferring to a jar without making a mess, these funnels are so helpful.<\/p>\nAirfryer<\/strong> I have had more questions about these than anything else! I don’t have one though so before I recommended one I went and tried them out at friends houses who are professional cooks. The two brands I’ve included in my shop came out top again and again. One is better for smaller households and smaller budgets. The more expensive one is all singing and all dancing and works better for bigger quantities.<\/p>\nThat said, they are impressive but I don’t have space for one and that is a consideration for most of us. They will save the cost of heating an oven, but factor in you will need to buy the air fryer and it doesn’t cost that much in comparison to use the oven, especially if you think ahead and cook a few things in there at once.<\/p>\n
Baking kit
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n
I’ve spent years testing which kit is the best, so buying from this list gives you a quick jump to the final answer on which model is best – saving you hours of scrolling and wondering, or from costly mistakes.<\/p>\n
How to use this kitchen tools list<\/h3>\n
I’ve split the list into my absolute essentials, nice to have, baking kit and investments.<\/p>\n
Use this as an opportunity to have a good clear out of old, useless kitchen tools. Donate them to charity or sell them on eBay. Read my post about how to organise your kitchen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you’re debating a big purchase just let me know and I can help you find the product for what you need.<\/p>\n Visit my online shop to buy them<\/a><\/p>\n These are the kitchen tools I cook with every day. They make me quicker and they mean I can get maximum flavour into food in minimum time. I even take some of these with me when I travel! You can watch me talk about some of them here.<\/a><\/p>\n Visit my online shop to buy them<\/a><\/p>\n You only really need three knives; a chef’s knife, a paring knife and a serrated bread knife, maybe a smaller knife for children to use too. The blocks with loads of knives in only really serve to make the knife companies lots of money rather than to help you. I’d much rather you use a good chef’s knife for most jobs and really get used to using it confidently.<\/p>\n My favourite knife manufacturer is Global as the handle and blade are all from one piece of metal so are not going to break. They are pricey but will last a lifetime. At a lower price point I like Victorinox. I’d spend money on a Chef’s\/Cooks knife and spend less on the bread and paring knives rather than but a cheaper set of all 3.<\/p>\n These are the 4 knives I’d invest in…<\/p>\n Knife sharpener<\/strong> Technique aside, the biggest impact you can have on your knife is to get it sharpened regularly. And please don’t put knives in the dishwasher as it blunts them really quickly. I use my sharpener every month.<\/p>\n Peeler <\/strong>I use this to peel vegetables but also to create long ribbons of carrots, cucumbers and other vegetables to add a nice texture to salads.<\/p>\n Fish slice<\/strong> I use this to flip things over when I’m frying or to move things around on roasting trays. The one I have linked to in my shop is flexible and thin so it is great for moving delicate things. Metal is much better than plastic for this.<\/p>\n Scissors <\/strong>I use these to snip bacon, sausages and chicken into a pan rather than a knife and board. I also use them to snip herbs or salad greens. I buy multiple pairs as they always seem to disappear.<\/p>\n Cutting\/chopping boards <\/strong>I don’t like to use wooden boards as I find them hard to clean. I also don’t like glass boards as they blunt knives. I buy 2 of these plastic boards and change them every 12 months when they start to stain or scratch. They can go in the dishwasher which is the best way to get them clean. If you are in Ikea any time soon, theirs are also brilliant and cheap as chips.<\/p>\n Carving board<\/strong> I use this board when I’m carving a joint of meat or a chicken or cutting crusty bread. It handily catches any juices and crumbs and holds the meat in place.<\/p>\n Click here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\n Frying pans <\/strong>Scanpan pans are all I use and well worth the investment and have a lifetime guarantee. They are great to cook with, so easy to clean, they work on induction as well as gas and electric.<\/p>\n Because they aren’t coated in Teflon, you can use metal in them without the non stick surface being affected. I use mine every day. I use a bigger one for meals for our family of four – stir fries, meat and fish with pan sauces, eggs, pancakes etc. I use a smaller one for cooking smaller amounts, or when I need two pans on the go.<\/p>\n If you are just getting one, get the bigger one. Be sure to buy the ones with metal handles so that you can brown something in the pan and then put it in the oven or under the broiler [grill] to finish off cooking.<\/p>\n My favourite all rounder is the Scanpan lidded chef pan <\/strong>they make and use this to cook bigger quantities, or instead of a wok, or for stews and braises in the oven with the lid. I rarely put it away as I use it daily – either on my hob, in my own or on the drainer.<\/p>\n Saucepans <\/strong>I like stainless steel pans with a nice heavy bottom, metal handles and lids so I can put them in the oven. Even with all the cooking I do, I only have 4 mismatched saucepans – a small, a medium, a large and a pasta pan which I also use for soups. I got mine at TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the US), I find they always have the best quality at the best prices and I usually mix and match between ranges to get what I need. Be sure to check yours are induction compatible if that’s what you cook on. If you would rather buy online. I’ve added the same brand and type to my shop.<\/p>\n Dutch oven or cast iron pans\u00a0 <\/strong>I love my enamel-coated, cast iron Le Creuset pans. They are one of the most expensive items in my kitchen but the quality is unbeatable and I will have them forever. They work on induction as well as gas and electric. I don’t have a crockpot [slow cooker] so I use my Le Creuset pans to cook stews and soups low and slow in the oven while I go off and do what I need to do.<\/p>\n Buy the biggest you can afford – round or oval doesn’t make any difference. Be sure to buy the cast iron enamel rather than the stoneware\/ceramic pans as Le Creuset make both. I’ve bought all of mine by being lucky (and not fussy about the colour) in the sales online and at If\u00a0 TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the US) or at a Le Creuset outlet.<\/p>\n Roasting pans <\/strong>I like to have a sturdy metal deep sided roasting pan for roasting turkey, chicken or other meats as well as for lasagna and baked cauli mac and cheese. As always, check the size of your oven before buying one!<\/p>\n I also have ceramic and enamel roasting pans in various sizes which are great for any foods you want to make and freeze, or to bake in the oven and then serve straight to the table in the same pan.<\/p>\n Cookie sheet\/baking tray <\/strong>I use a really sturdy ridged baking tray for much more than baking. I mainly use it to roast vegetables or other one-pan meals as it copes well with high temperatures and doesn’t buckle like cheaper ones can. But it is also great for all kinds of baking and is a handy pan lid for lidless pans! I often use mine to transport food around instead of a tray too. Just be sure to check that this size will fit in your oven as ovens vary.<\/p>\n Silicone liners <\/strong>I usually line my baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat reusable silicone liner to make clean up easier and to avoid things sticking. Again, check you are buying the right size liner that fits your tray. Silpat has shot up in price recently so I’ve added an own brand version to my online shop.<\/p>\n Click here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\n Digital scales <\/strong>Weighing is more accurate and less messy than using volume cup measurements; meaning you’ll get much more consistent results when you bake. They are also a brilliant way to get children to practice their numbers. Just put any bowl on these scales. Press the re-set button to cancel out the weight of the bowl then add your ingredients. Zero out (or re-set) after each ingredient and add the next. Simple.<\/p>\n Measuring cups <\/strong>Because so many US recipes are in cups, I keep a set of these on hand. They work best when recipes are less precise or less fine-tuned.\u00a0 Think rough and ready cookies rather than recipes that require more precision. They’re also handy a mini ladles when making pancakes.<\/p>\n Measuring spoons <\/strong>Not much to say other than they measure things in various spoon sizes! Much more accurate than using a teaspoon you use to stir your coffee with to measure.<\/p>\n Measuring jugs <\/strong>I have them in various sizes as I cook a lot, and always buy glass as they can then go in the microwave. If you’re just buying one, get the biggest size.<\/p>\n Click here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\n Potato masher <\/strong>I use this for potatoes but also for mashing other veggies and beans and for mashing soup when I want a chunkier texture. I’m a mashed potato addict so trust me that I’ve tried all sorts of mashers to come to this verdict.<\/p>\n Or if you want to be super fancy and for the smoothest mash (but more faff washing), buy a potato ricer. I use my ricer for fancy dinners and Christmas and Thanksgiving as it takes more effort but the results are restaurant quality. Be sure to add plenty of warm butter too to get that restaurant effect.<\/p>\n Slotted spoon <\/strong>Essential for poached eggs. I use this to pull things out of pans when you want any cooking liquid or fat to be left behind.<\/p>\n Can opener <\/strong>It is amazing how complicated and tough to use many of these can be. This one isn’t.<\/p>\n Box grater <\/strong>Most people only use these to grate cheese. I use it mainly to get my raw veggies into chewable sized prices. The more work the grater does, the less work my jaw has to do! Use the slicing side (two, horizontal blades) to shred fennel and cabbage for slaw. When my boys were younger, I used it to grate raw apple into their oats in the morning too, easier than using apple sauce. Be sure to buy one that is sturdy.<\/p>\n Colander <\/strong>To drain pasta, boiled vegetables and potatoes. Also to wash lettuce, berries and other fruits and vegetables. I like to have a bigger one and find them easier to clean when they have slightly bigger holes<\/p>\n Whisk <\/strong>I use a bigger whisk to mix sauces to get rid of lumps. I also use it to whisk dry ingredients together when I’m baking instead of sieving them. The bigger the whisk, the quicker you incorporate air. I use the smaller whisk for whisking sauces and gravy.<\/p>\n Glass mixing bowls <\/strong>To use when microwaving, prepping or baking. You can also use them to serve salads or other sides or to store things in the fridge.<\/p>\n Salad servers <\/strong>I love these \u2018hands\u2019 for tossing and serving salads and roasted veg, and other dishes where large quantities need mixing well, such as granola.<\/p>\n Click here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\n Food processor <\/strong>My advice to buy the one with the biggest bowl capacity and highest powered motor you can afford. I tend to only use a couple of the blades my Magimix processor came with – the grater and the standard chopper but I think it is by far the best brand and has so far survived almost daily use for 16 years. Before I had it I had a really inexpensive one which was fine but the motor power meant I could only process things in quite small batches and I don’t think it would have lasted me as long.<\/p>\n Don’t be swayed by food processors with multiple blades as you won’t really need them for most recipes. the bowl size and motor power is the decider.I use my processor at least five times a week to make pesto<\/a>, bread crumbs<\/a>, curry paste, cauliflower mash<\/a> and this lifesaver cake<\/a>.<\/p>\n Click here to visit my online shop<\/a><\/p>\n Nutribullet <\/strong>I only bought one of these recently, mainly for smoothies, but, I’ve found it so useful for making small quantities of quick pestos and for grinding breadcrumbs and nuts for my dukkah<\/a>. Because it is so small, it is easy to grab out of the cupboard and can be washed very easily. If I had to only have one food processor I’d still go with a bigger one but if you can fit two in your life this is really handy.<\/p>\n Immersion blender <\/strong>I use my hand blender so much and have had the same one since I was at university (20+ years ago). It is the easiest way to blend soups in the pan you cooked them in. It is so easy to wash. I also use mine to make speedy homemade mayonnaise<\/a> and smoothies<\/a>. You don’t need to buy one with lots of add ons.<\/p>\n Steamer <\/strong>I tried bamboo and metal steamers in the past but never got along well with them. Then I found this brilliant silicone one. The feet sit on the bottom of any pan and the flexible shape bends to fit inside any size pan. And it goes in the dishwasher and doesn’t absorb smells making it wonderful for spicy foods and fish. I have both the large and small, but if you’re just getting one I’d get the large.<\/p>\n Jam funnel <\/strong>If you’re making jam or a sauce, or anything that needs transferring to a jar without making a mess, these funnels are so helpful.<\/p>\n Airfryer<\/strong> I have had more questions about these than anything else! I don’t have one though so before I recommended one I went and tried them out at friends houses who are professional cooks. The two brands I’ve included in my shop came out top again and again. One is better for smaller households and smaller budgets. The more expensive one is all singing and all dancing and works better for bigger quantities.<\/p>\n That said, they are impressive but I don’t have space for one and that is a consideration for most of us. They will save the cost of heating an oven, but factor in you will need to buy the air fryer and it doesn’t cost that much in comparison to use the oven, especially if you think ahead and cook a few things in there at once.<\/p>\nNeed help?<\/h3>\n
The top 10 kitchen tools I use every day<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>The best kitchen knives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
<\/a>Which pans to buy<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe best kitchen equipment for measuring<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The best kitchen equipment for everything else<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>The best kitchen electronics<\/strong><\/h2>\nNice to haves<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Baking kit
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