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Essential Gadgets & Small Kitchen Appliances List

Here's my essential gadgets and small kitchen appliances list. Do you agree or disagree with what I consider essential?

Let me start by saying that I resisted making this list for a long time, despite many of you asking for it, because what you define as "essential" and what I define as "essential" are most likely completely different.

That's because ultimately, what you need to stock your kitchen with small appliances and kitchen gadgets and cookware is so tied to so many things unique to you and your family, including your cooking style, dietary restrictions, size and composition of your family, and more.

So my goal for this list is to help you both think about what you want to keep, when decluttering your kitchen appliances and utensils and gadgets and also what you might want to purchase (perhaps even second hand) if you want to stock a new kitchen, such as if you are starting a new household.

Try To Use As Many Multi-Use Items As Possible

Before I begin my list, I want to stress that I am all about not cluttering your kitchen with useless items, or items that you use, at most, once or twice a year (especially if something else you already have could do the same job, perhaps with just a bit more effort).

The reason is that if you run out and buy an item just because someone said it was "essential" you'll just end up wasting money, taking up precious space in your kitchen, and then having to declutter the item later.

Always critically think if you'll use it

In addition, Alton Brown (of Food Network fame) has said for years, and it has stuck with me, to pass on single use gadgets in favor of something that can be used in many ways. I heartily agree!

Essential Small Kitchen Appliances

List of essential and useful kitchen appliances, gadgets and utensils, so you know what to stock or get rid of when decluttering and organizing your kitchen {from Home Storage Solutions 101}

I have skipped, on this list, some of the large kitchen appliances, like the refrigerator and stove. And instead, in this part of the list I'm referring to smaller items, typically that could go on a countertop (but don't have to). I'm also, in this part of this list only referring to electric items, classifying non-electric items as "gadgets" instead.

Toaster
Slow cooker
Mixer (I suggest a hand mixer, and only a stand mixer if you do a lot of baking)
Blender (or food processor, not both are essential, but both could be useful)
Coffee maker (only if you drink coffee though, obviously!)
Microwave

Not Essential But Useful Appliances

Depending on your preferences some of these additional appliances may be useful, although I don't personally consider them essential.

Stick or immersion blender
Can opener (although I actually prefer a manual one, instead of an electric one)
Rice cooker
Griddle
Pressure cooker
Electric kettle
Deep fryer
Waffle iron
Bread machine
Pasta maker
Juicer

Essential Cooking Equipment & Gadgets

As I explained above, this list contains non-electric kitchen gadgets and cooking equipment. I will be honest and say this list was even harder to decide which were essential and which were merely useful.

Feel free to disagree with my list in this category, you'll know better what is essential for you then I will. But hopefully this will give you food for thought.

Mixing bowls (I think 3 nesting bowls is a good number)
Measuring spoons
Measuring cups (for both wet and dry ingredients)
Knives - essential ones include a chef knife, paring knife and bread knife
Knife sharpener
Silverware
Cutting board
Spatula
Wooden spoons
Strainer or colander
Kitchen tongs
Can opener (manual type, essential when power goes out!)
Peeler
Whisk
Kitchen scissors
Bottle opener
Corkscrew
Funnel
Meat thermometer
Pots and pans, including sauce pans, skillets, and stock pot
Iron skillet
Casserole dishes - 8x8 and 9x13
Baking sheets
Muffin pan
Food storage containers
Dish towels
Oven mitts and/or potholders
Ice cube trays (only if your refrigerator/freezer does not make ice)

Not Essential But Useful Gadgets & Cooking Equipment

Rolling pin
Cake pan(s)
Bread pan
Pie pan
Cake plate or stand
Serving spoons
Silicone scraper
Ladle
Box grater
Tea kettle
Pizza cutter
Potato masher
Ice cream scoop
Zester
Veggie brush
Oil brush
Timer (although I find myself just using the one on my microwave most of the time myself!)
Wok
Dutch oven

So what do you think of my list? Did I leave something off completely that should be listed? Did I categorize things in a way you disagree with? Tell me below in the comments!

Top photo courtesy of Nostepinne

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Share Your Comments, Tips & Ideas

I would love to hear from you, sharing your thoughts, questions, or ideas about this topic, so leave me a comment below. I try to always respond back!