Kitchen Gadget Gifts They Are Sure to Love

Can’t Decide On A Gift For Your Favorite Cook?

I always keep a running list on Amazon of gadget gift ideas I would love, because inevitably my kids or my husband will ask that question when a holiday or birthday approach. And that list typically includes some (ok, many) kitchen gadgets…some I know I want, some I just think look interesting or awesome.

I am sharing with you some of my favorite gadget gifts your foodie is guaranteed love as well (and many are under $20 so they won’t break the piggy bank!). So, without further ado….

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings. These are a few of my favorite things.”

(I’ve never understood how that became a Christmas song played during the holidays, but that is a post for another day!)

My Favorite Kitchen Gadget Gifts

A Sharp Knife

This is without question the gift I use the most (as in almost daily). A sharp knife is a cooks’ best, most effective tool (and a great gadget gift idea for the home cook). I have had mine for many years and it has yet to fail me! You can’t go wrong buying a good quality Chef’s knife or Santoku.

Citrus Juicers

For years I tried to mimic my favorite television chefs when they demonstrated their tricks for juicing citrus…wooden reamers, squeezing the lemon through your fingers to catch the seeds, juicer bowls…but I always ended up with stinging cuticles or seeds in my juice. But this little beauty is so simple, so easy…and no seeds! It’s a must for your home cook!

Pinch Bowls

I am a huge believer in mise en place (everything in place), particularly when I am baking or trying a new recipe that requires a lot of timing. So these silicone pinch bowls are so handy! They are small enough to store almost anywhere, and are perfect for holding measured spices as you prepare to cook.

A Microplane

This microplane is the perfect tool when your recipe calls for the zest of a citrus fruit, freshly grated spices like nutmeg, or finely grated hard cheeses like parmesan. It makes quick work of the grating job, and it makes you feel very “chefy”!

Mixing Bowls

Over the years I have gone through so many different mixing bowls…different shapes, different sizes…but there was nothing easy about them. They didn’t stack, they didn’t nest, and they danced over the counter top when I was using a mixer or whisk (and not a smooth waltz either…more like break dancing!). So these bowls were the answer on so many levels. They fit neatly inside one another for easy storage, they have lids for storing, and my favorite feature…they have non-slip bottoms so they stay put while you are mixing.

A Flat Whisk

True story, my daughter ordered this for me for Christmas (from my list), and when it arrived she thought it was broken…she didn’t realize it was supposed to be flat. This flat whisk is terrific for sauces and gravies because it scrapes the bits from the pan to get all of the flavor. It is also great for beating eggs and for lifting poached eggs or fruit from your pan. It is easier to clean than traditional whisks, and it stores more easily as well! A great addition to the kitchen gadget drawer!

Stand Mixer

This is the most expensive item on this list, and it is not something I use all the time, but it is worth every penny my husband spent on it! There are just some things that are so much better (read: easier) if you don’t have to hold a hand mixer for 10 minutes (buttercream frosting) or whisk by hand until your arm muscles start cramping (meringue)! And oh, the attachments!

Salt and Pepper Keepers

I love these bamboo salt and pepper keepers! I always thought the chefs on those cooking shows were just playing to the cameras when they added “a pinch of salt and pepper”, but it is actually so much easier to get just the amount of seasoning you want in your dish when you aren’t shaking it out of a jar. And they are so cute too!

Glass Steamer Bowl

My son came up with this gadget gift on his own, and it is probably my second most-used gift in my kitchen (just behind my knife!). We eat a lot of fresh vegetables, and quite often we steam them. This little jewel has seen more broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and squash than Ol’ McDonald’s garden! The lid has a vent you can keep open or closed, depending on what you are cooking. And the glass dish is oven and dishwasher safe!

Electric Tea Kettle

This was the gift I didn’t know I needed! I was never much of a hot tea drinker…being from Texas if you asked for tea it was iced (and usually sweet). Only in the last few years have I discovered the benefits of hot tea. Recently, my brother and sister-in-law visited for a graduation, and dear Karla wanted tea. Being the gracious hostess, I pulled out my small saucepan and boiled water (come on…surely I’m not the only one?). Boy did they get a laugh out of that! The next day a package arrived from Amazon, and in it was this beautiful electric tea kettle (blue lights and all). The water boils in about 90 seconds (depending on how much you are heating), so no more saucepan tea for me!

Bear Paws

This is also a gadget gift I never asked for. My sweet husband found these all on his own. I’m sure the look on my face when I first opened them gave him some concern, since I wasn’t really sure what to do with them. But I was soon channeling my inner Wolverine, making short work of shredding chicken and pork for tacos. And the first time I used them to pick up a large roast without burning my fingers I was all in!

Herb Scissors

I love to slice and chop and wield my Santoku like a Samurai warrior, but there are just some herbs that are a pain in the buttocks to chop with a knife (think dill for one)! So, these clever herb scissors make life so much easier when you cook with a lot of herbs! They even have a comb that goes between the blades to make clean up a breeze!

I have so many more gadget gifts to share, but we would be here for quite some time, so I will save those for another post. I hope my list has inspired you with some great gift ideas for your favorite cook. Most of these can be found at a local store, or they are available on Amazon if you prefer.

Do you have a favorite kitchen gadget that made your cooking life easier? Or have you given an amazing gadget gift to someone? Please share in the comments below! And while you are here, please subscribe to A Slice of Spice so you won’t miss the good stuff!

Until next time, keep it spicy!

Michele