In popular media, cooks are often portrayed in a stereotypical, idealized manner. The slightly unkempt couple prefers to turn up unannounced to a stressful dinner table bearing what appears to be a stir-fry they created on the spot, but which is actually incredibly delicious.
When that happens, everyone at the table stops fighting and instead starts asking, “How did you get this so crunchy?” or “What did you use to cook this?” The cook beams and enthusiastically runs down a list of aids that have simplified his life in the kitchen.
A chef of this kind has extensive experience and is a true expert in their field. They’re confident in their ability to please everyone with their work, but they need the highest quality cooking equipment to accomplish it.
To add depth to their meals, improve their cooking skills, and, oh yeah, to always have the perfect conversation starter, they stock up on clever must-haves like an air fryer, sous vide, cast iron skillet, or even just a seriously nice Japanese knife.
There are several possible candidates for the role of chef, including a sage Abuela, a white-haired Michelin-star holder, a young social media sensation, or even you. Also, if you’re the type of home cook who can’t function without ready access to ingredients, you should equip yourself with top-shelf cookware and appliances so that you can replicate the on-screen chef’s impressive creations.
Here are 22 of the best kitchen gadgets, ranging from pricey appliances to inexpensive add-ons, that can transform your cooking into an art form and have people asking “how did you do it?” with every dish.
To use sous vide (pronounced “sue-feed”), you just vacuum-seal your meal of choice (poultry, seafood, vegetables, red meat, etc), place it in a pot of water with the gadget, set the proper temperature, and go about your day. When you return, your food will be perfectly cooked.
There’s a reason this oil dispenser set went viral: it’s fantastic. The mister or sprayer attachment for the oil pump facilitates uniform application and eliminates wasteful over-pouring. Then, the dispenser bottle is a lifesaver for when a recipe calls for, say, one teaspoon or two tablespoons of oil. Each one also features a reservoir for readings at the very top. Take control of your portion sizes.
This handy tool for the grill master inserts into your rotisserie chicken or lamp chop and takes an internal temperature, assuring that every mouthful you take is perfectly cooked and free of Salmonella. And it’s the first of its kind to be totally cordless.
This Esquire Gadget Awards-winning blender is perfect for individuals who enjoy blending up fresh produce for creamy smoothies or nutritious juices first thing in the morning or mixing up a batch of margaritas after a long day at the office. If you forget to defrost an item and need to use it immediately, its ice-crushing force is there to save the day.
Pressure cookers don’t get much more aristocratic than the Vermicular Musui-Kamado, which boasts a whopping 12 functions. The 80-year-old Hijikata family foundry in Japan uses a combination of cast iron craftsmanship and accurate induction heating.
