Top 5 Kitchen Utensils Every Cook Needs

A pot drainer is an essential kitchen utensil, made of metal or plastic, that you place over the edge of a pot to drain off liquids. It has a raised lip for steadying against the pot, and a handle to keep the liquid or steam from burning your hand. Pot drainers are versatile, as they are for left or right-handed use.

A pot drainer can be used to drain water from noodles or vegetables, or grease from cooked meats. It's especially good if you plan to add ingredients to the noodles, vegetables or meats, and want to use the same pot. By draining the liquid, you cut out the step of transferring food from the pot, to a bowl, then back to the pot. This saves you time, plus cuts down on washing an extra bowl.

Pot drainers are easy to use. Simply cover half of the pot with the strainer, then tilt the pot slowly to drain the liquid into a bowl or down the drain. Keep pressure on the strainer so it stays against the pot. The drainer holds the food in the pot, while the holes let the liquid pour through.

Many people prefer colanders or wire strainers instead of pot drainers. I prefer the pot drainer, as it takes up very little room in a drawer. Plus, it is really easy to clean!

A vegetable peeler has a number of uses, and every kitchen needs one or two of these! A vegetable peeler works by removing a thin layer or peel from the surface of your food.

I use my vegetable peeler to remove the skin of cucumbers, carrots and potatoes. I imagine they are also good for apples, or any other hard vegetable or fruit. I also use them to shave off thin slivers of hard cheese, and to make chocolate curls.

Kitchen tongs are probably one of the most versatile of the cooking utensils. Having a pair of tongs is like having an extra set of hands. Tongs keep you from burning your hands; getting your fingers dirty, and provides you with an extended reach.

It's best to have several sizes of cooking tongs. I own three sizes: 9 inches, 12 inches, and 16 inches. I use the 12 and 16 inches tongs the most. The smaller size is the best for serving salads.

If you ever have trouble opening a jar of pickles, then you definitely need several jar openers. They are made of rubber, and take up very little space in your kitchen. I've been using these for years, and cannot imagine not having one!

I remember when we used to run water over jars, then tap them with a knife handle. Sometimes they opened easily, other times the jar broke. With these rubber jar openers, you don't have to worry about breaking the jar.