10 Kitchen Gadgets That Will Change the Way You Cook, According to Experts

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There are certain kitchen essentials that everyone needs to cook the basics. On the other hand, we are overwhelmed by trendy unitaskers and tools that promise convenience — only to take up space and gather dust in our drawers.

Delish Kitchen Studios is headquartered in the heart of New York City, which means most of our editors and culinary experts cook in small apartment kitchens. The limited space means we have to be extra picky when it comes to sourcing our groceries. We only have room for Very useful products.

I consulted with our team to identify kitchen tools and accessories that will improve your cooking and truly deserve to be in your home. And to make matters even better, they’re all under $20. We truly believe these products will improve your life—with a minimal investment.

Bench scraper

Our team chimed in to talk about how much they love their bench scraper. Senior Food Director Robert Seixas relies on bench scrapers to scoop ingredients and cut things like butter and flour. They can also be used to clean countertops and cutting boards to keep things tidy.

Anti-slip mats

Yes, we’re talking about the same stuff you put under your rugs. You should invest in a roll of anti-slip material because it has the ability to improve many corners of your kitchen. First, place it at the base of your drawers to keep things from sliding. Then, cut out a few squares to put under your cutting boards (no more sliding around on your counter!).

Funnel

Pouring oil into a spray bottle. Pouring old cooking oil into a bottle for safe disposal. Literally pouring everyone liquid in your kitchen. The funnel makes it so much easier — and cleaner.

Can lids

Have you ever made a recipe that only called for a portion of a canned ingredient, like pumpkin puree or coconut milk? Instead of throwing away the rest or pouring it into a storage container, just cover the can with a lid!

Ice Cream/Cookie Scoop

Visualization director Rebecca Simpson Steele took inspiration from our own Delish test kitchen to purchase a cookie scoop. “It’s really helpful when baking,” she says. It’s also great for making sure all your meatballs are the same size, for portioning food evenly, and, of course, for scooping ice cream.

Freezer cubes

Defrosting a container of soup or sauce can be a big commitment. Just want a small bowl? You’ll need to use up the rest of your thawed food before it goes bad… unless you use freezer cubes. These silicone containers are like ice cube trays, but for individual servings of food. They help stretch leftovers out longer.

Popcorn bowl

We have Very thought about microwave popcorn. But I admit, cooking kernels on the stove can be fickle. A silicone popcorn bowl is the perfect middle ground. You can buy kernels in bulk (for less money than microwave popcorn), season them exactly how you want, and still cook them in the microwave. And the best part? You can use the bowl itself to serve the popcorn. It’s a win-win.

Microwave plate cover

Many of us are guilty of not cleaning our microwaves often enough. And some of us have a lot of splatters and stains that ruin the interior. But if you invest in a plastic plate cover, you can microwave whatever you want without unnecessary splatter.

Miniature waste bin

Rachael Ray has given out a lot of helpful kitchen tips over the course of her career, but few are as important as the almighty garbage can. Keeping a bowl nearby to throw away vegetable scraps and discarded packaging makes cooking a lot tidier. But instead of a bowl, we love a miniature garbage can that attaches to drawers and cabinet doors. Keeping it right under the counter means you can use your new countertop scraper to toss all that junk directly into the bin.

Splash screen

Frying bacon on the stovetop might make your whole kitchen smell amazing, but it also coats your stove in tons of grease. And if you’re not careful, the bacon grease can jump out of the pan and burn you (ouch!). A splatter screen keeps things tidy and saves you from having to scrub extra.

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