Essential Kitchen Tools: Gadgets and Accessories

Whether shopping for yourself or for a gift, the variety of kitchen tools and gadgets available can be overwhelming (and tempting!). It's hard to narrow down the options to the truly essential. In the end, it depends a lot on how you cook - what sorts of food, size of household - but there are a number of items that every kitchen should have. These suggestions are perfect for anybody setting up their own household for the first time or looking for great graduation gift ideas.

It's hard to get more basic than the humble can opener! Purists might insist on a manual version, but others prefer the convenience of electric. The former requires some manual dexterity, but it will take up less space than the latter.

The OXO model below is a classic manual can opener with excellent reviews for both performance and comfort. It even includes a built-in bottle opener so you don't need a separate tool.

For those who prefer an electric model, the West Bend 77203 is very highly rated for functionality and appearance. It's compact, easily cleaned, available in several colors, and a strong performer. It, too, includes a bottle opener and also a knife sharpener in the back.

Spoons, spatulas, and tongs are indispensable for any cooking endeavors. If you want the absolute minimum number of each, go for versions that are safe in non-stick cookware. Wood, plastic, silicone, and similar materials are all good choices, although they're more heat sensitive than metal and a bit more finicky in care. For a larger collection, add a metal spatula and a large metal mixing spoon. A ladle is another good addition as your collection grows.

Wood is a classic material for spoons that is comfortable in the hand, but it does stain a bit and shouldn't be left for long periods in things like a pot of soup. If you do get any wooden spoons, go for the nicer hardwood versions instead of the flimsy softwood: they will perform better and last longer. A less fussy alternative is the highly rated, inexpensive OXO plastic spoon below. It's even heat resistant to 400F.

The Norpro spatula below is an excellent performer. Some might find the flat portion a bit small, especially compared to larger utensils suitable for grilling, but it fits well in smaller pans and makes for nimble handling of food.

Consider also getting a silicone spatula set for scraping bowls - and getting that last bit of peanut butter out of the jar. Silicone can stand higher heat than the older rubber types and is resistant to stains and odor.

Tongs typically come in lengths from 9" to 16", but 12" is the most versatile for kitchen use. Avoid the type with open loops: they're almost useless when trying to handle food. The style with a larger, solid gripping area that you see in commercial kitchens will become an extension of your hand with a little practice. The OXO version below has nylon heads for use in non-stick cookware, unlike the more common all-steel construction, increasing their versatility.

You will need basic sets of measuring spoons and cups. A lot of people will just go to the plastic versions, but you're better off with stainless steel in the long run. It's not that much more expensive, will last longer, and is much easier to get clean. Try getting plastic free of grease after measuring oil for salad dressing, and you'll see why stainless is the better choice.

The Cuisipro measuring spoons recommended below are shaped to make it a bit easier to fit them in small spice and condiment jars. It has all the basic sizes from 1/8 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon. The Amco measuring cup set has four sizes - 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup - and, like the spoons, is dishwasher safe. Both should last for years.

Until you're roasting turkeys and rack of lamb on a regular basis, by far the most versatile baking pan is a simple 9" x 13" rectangle. It is perfect for a batch of brownies and works well for a roaster chicken.

Pyrex is very popular in this size but is better suited to casseroles than baking. The edges are more curved than in metal pans, reducing their versatility, but they are attractive, easy to clean, and are suitable for use as serving dishes. Oblong Pyrex pans are sold more by capacity than linear measurement: the 3 quart size works well for many applications.

Metal pans - generally steel - are the way to go if you plan on any sort of baking. Sturdy and lightweight, they are an excellent value. And if you're roasting that chicken, you can make the gravy right in the pan, getting every last bit of fond, something that you can't do with glass. But over time and with use metal tends to discolor and is not really suitable for serving at the table.

These items are a good idea and can improve your cooking experience, but none are critical when just starting out. Add them as you build your collection of kitchen tools and as the need arises.

Instant Thermometer

A good digital thermometer comes in handy far more often than you might expect. Want to try your hand at baking bread? Make sure you don't overheat the water otherwise you'll kill the yeast. When reheating food that been frozen, test it to make sure it's reached a safe temperature. And a thermometer is really the only way to be sure how well-done that roast is. Taylor makes a number of solid and affordable models that run on watch batteries.

Salad Spinner

A spinner does one thing - remove water from greens and similar items - but it does that very well. If you prepare a lot of salads or eat a lot of fresh spinach it can be worth the storage space. Zyliss models get high marks and come in a variety of sizes.

Vegetable Peeler

A paring knife can do the same job, but a basic vegetable peeler is easier for a lot of people to use. It can also be safer than an knife. OXO makes a couple styles with comfortable handles that get good reviews.