The right kitchen tools can help improve the quality of your cooking. (iStock)
Cooking is equal parts skill and artistry, and it only improves with practice. One easy way to improve your kitchen skills is to use gadgets that help you prepare dishes with precision. We've picked 8 kitchen gadgets that will help novice chefs master advanced dishes. These tools will help you prepare flavorful, precise dishes time after time, helping you take your cooking to the next level.
Here are 8 kitchen tools that will improve your kitchen skills.
This frying pan will change your game. (Macy's)
A cast iron skillet can go straight from stove to oven. You can quickly brown meat and braise it in the oven. Or you can use it to make scrambled eggs or Spanish omelettes. And if you take good care of it, the pan will last a lifetime. Lodge's Chef Collection Cast Iron Skillet is a great choice. You can find the 12-inch skillet for $30 to $65 at the following stores:
Grow your own herbs to add flavor to your cooking. (Aero Garden)
Take your herb growing to the next level by growing your own herbs. The AeroGarden makes it easy to grow your herbs right in your kitchen. The AeroGarden Harvest Elite grows herbs up to 5x faster than planting them in soil. Available for under $120.
With this tool in your kitchen, you'll never overcook meat again. (Thermoworks)
Proper cooking times are paramount for safety, but they're also important for creating the right chemical reactions to produce top-notch dishes. Swap out your basic thermometer for a digital option like the ThermoWorks Thermapen One. This thermometer is rated top for its ease of use and fast, accurate readings. You can get it for under $115 at the following retailers:
Try your hand at precision cooking with this tool. (Sur la Table)
Sous vide cooking is no longer just an option for fine-dining restaurant kitchens. You can try this ultra-precise slow-cooking method at home with reliable results time and time again. This Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide is top-rated for its quick heat-up and easy programming. You can get it for $250 at the following stores:
Use a scale to measure portions accurately. (Walmart)
Professional chefs rely on accurate weight measuring scales to produce consistent results. If you're looking to take your cooking to the next level, add a food scale to your arsenal. The Escali Digital Scale tops several lists as the best choice for accurate measurements. You can get one for $25 at the following stores:
Slice vegetables paper-thinly. (Walmart)
A mandolin dramatically simplifies your food prep routine. It's the only tool that can slice vegetables paper-thin and cut potatoes perfectly into steak fries. This mandolin from OXO makes producing uniform slices easy, safe, and versatile. You can get one for under $50 at the following stores:
This handy kitchen gadget allows you to squeeze and strain juice whenever you want (Walmart)
Having a manual juicer on hand is perfect for squeezing every last drop of juice out of lemons, limes, and other small fruits that you need for your recipes. The Zulay Kitchen 2-in-1 Lemon-Lime Squeezer has a built-in strainer in the base to remove seeds and pulp. The holes in the bottom of the juicer also double as a seed filter to keep pulp and seeds out of the way. You can get one for under $20 at the following shops:
A hand blender makes making sauces and soups easy. (On the table)
The immersion attachment for your hand blender is perfect for whisking sauces and soups on the fly, meaning you can keep your recipes all in one pot or bowl. With the whisk attachment, you can do everything a hand blender can. The Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender has an ergonomic trigger grip, plus a low-suction blade and foot design for better control. Available at the following retailers for $130:
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