14 must-have kitchen tools for 2024

Whether you're setting up your kitchen for the first time or need to replace worn-out items, stocking your kitchen with the right tools is the first step to enjoying great meals. Investing in these essentials will make cooking a fun, easy activity and something to look forward to. Here are 14 must-have kitchen tools.

1. knife

Without the right Gyuto, meal preparation can become a bit of a hassle. So, if you need a new knife, we recommend the MAC Professional 8-Inch Hollow Edge Chef Knife. This razor-sharp workhorse gets high praise from writer and former test kitchen manager Brenna Lai Killeen, and its balanced weight makes it extremely comfortable to use.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, choose the 8-inch Misen Chef Knife. It's a favorite of both Killeen and Food Features Senior Editor Carolyn Malkoon, who praise its ease of handling and its affordability. (You won't find a better Gyuto for less.) Plus, at Misen, she offers a 60-day trial, free returns if you don't like it, and a lifetime warranty if you like it.

A butcher block full of knives looks great on your counter, but for most basic cooking tasks you actually need three things: an 8- to 10-inch-long chef's knife, a paring knife, and a serrated bread knife. Only one knife. Buy the best knives at affordable prices. You can keep using it for years. Megan Steintrager, EatingWell's former senior digital food editor and current writer, loves Henckels, Vostoff, and Schun brands for paring and chef knives, and our associate commercial editor Kayleigh Drake loves crusty sourdough bread. For slicing, I trust my Vostov Gourmet 8-inch serrated bread knife. , baguette etc.

2. Knife sharpener

Once you have the right knife, you need to keep it sharp. (A dull knife is dangerous for you) and ) But you don't have to go through the trouble of hiring a sharpening service or spending a fortune on fancy electrical equipment. This two-stage manual sharpener from Henckels is our go-to. (Trust me, we've tested all kinds of methods and this one works. It's a trick.) Both coarse and fine abrasive grains, as well as Western and Asian style blades (which need to be sharpened differently) ) and can be used with all knives. Covered.

3.Chopping board

To avoid cross-contamination when cooking, we recommend having two cutting boards, one for raw proteins and one for cooked foods and produce. For raw proteins, I prefer to use a dishwasher-safe plastic cutting board like this Dexas Polyduo (included in our list of the best cutting boards on the market).

For prepared foods and produce, plastic or wooden cutting boards can be used. We love this set of 3 Williams Sonoma Cutting and Carving Boards. It's made from sturdy acacia wood and has holes along the perimeter to catch any liquid that may seep out during preparation.

4. Bowl

A set of stainless steel mixing bowls fit together to save space. It's cheap, versatile, and will last a lifetime. This FineDine set of his comes with six of his bowls ranging in size from 3 cups to 8 quarts, and our associate commercial editor Kayleigh Drake uses it for everything from whipping vinaigrettes to proofing batches of bread dough. I use these bowls frequently for cooking tasks.

5. Measuring spoons and cups

You will need one set of measuring spoons and two sets of measuring cups. A set of cups is for measuring liquids, and the cups usually have a handle and a spout. Another set is for weighing dry ingredients that can be flattened. This all-clad stainless steel set comes with both spoons and cups for measuring dry ingredients.

When it comes to liquids, our Commerce Associate Editor Kayleigh Drake loves this glass Anchor Hocking measuring cup that holds up to 32 ounces (her favorite color is red).

6. Cooking utensils

Nonstick frying pans are a great tool for novice cooks, but you should never use metal utensils, as scratches will have a negative effect on nonstick surfaces. You'll need to invest in both small and large nonstick skillets to cover all your bases, but our favorite all-around nonstick skillet is this 10-inch version from Made-In. With even heat conduction and an ultra-smooth non-stick surface, this frying pan scored highly across the board in our tests.

You'll also need large and small stainless steel skillets, large and small pots, and stock pots. To that end, investing in a complete cookware set is a cost-effective way to stock up your kitchen with all the pots and pans you need.

For nonstick cookware, we love this Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO set.

And when it comes to stainless steel, this 10-piece Hestan ProBond Professional Clad Set won us over in our cookware test.

Besides the basics included in most cookware sets, a wok is a must-have for dishes that cook quickly and at high temperatures, such as stir-fries. The wok we chose is the flat-bottomed carbon steel version from Yosukata. We like the durable construction and large capacity. Not to mention, the fact that it's already seasoned is also important.

7. Instant-read thermometer

Found in the meat section of almost every supermarket and other kitchen supplies, thermometers are essential for making sure your meat or poultry is cooked safely and to your liking. We love this from ThermoPro. This one comes in his two colors (red or gray) and also made it onto his list of must-have kitchen tools for Thanksgiving.

8. Salad spinner

Before you dismiss salad spinners as just another unnecessary kitchen gadget, hear us out. These seemingly disposable tools are actually incredibly versatile. Especially if you choose this her OXO Good Grip Spinner, which Commerce Associate Editor's girlfriend Kayleigh Drake loves. The lid has a pump mechanism with a knob that simply presses to start the spinner. The bottom of the bowl is rubberized so it won't slip or slide on your counter during use.

Not only does it make washing and drying leafy vegetables easier, but it can also be used as a colander and a bowl.

9.Bakeware

Whether you're baking a cake or roasting a chicken, it's important to have an oven-friendly pan. A standard-sized 9 x 13 sheet pan or stoneware baking dish is convenient for any meal, but specialty pans for pizza, roasting, and baking are also good investments.

This simple but durable baking pan from the Nordic War Naturals line earns the top spot on our list of the best pans for roasting vegetables.

If you're looking for a quality baking dish, we're a big fan of this 2-piece Staub stoneware set. Available in multiple colors, this set includes two rectangular baking dishes perfect for baking casseroles, lasagna, and desserts. Safe to use in the microwave, oven, and freezer, and dishwasher safe.

10. Storage container

Food storage containers aren't just for holding leftovers. It's also useful for storing unused ingredients from dinner preparation. We love the Simply Store Glass Food Containers Set of 18 from Pyrex. Containers in multiple sizes make it extremely versatile, and glass containers are safe to use in the microwave, oven, and freezer. It's also dishwasher safe, so it's easy to clean.

Want to learn more about plastic food storage containers? This Rubbermaid Brilliance Leakproof Set is durable, stackable, BPA-free, and the containers are odor and stain resistant.

11. Slow cooker

Slow cookers, commonly known by the brand name Crock-Pot, are the perfect tool for busy families. Just throw the ingredients in the cooker before work and dinner is ready when you get home. We love this 6-quart 3-in-1 slow cooker from Cuisinart because it has steaming, sautéing, and roasting capabilities (in addition to slow cooking, of course).

For an affordable option, we also like this programmable 6-quart Crock-Pot slow cooker. The price is about half that of the aforementioned Cuisinart.

12. Stand mixer

A stand mixer makes it very easy to make baked goods, especially bread and cookie dough. This KitchenAid comes in several different colors and is equipped with a tilting head, 10 speed settings, and three attachments including a whisk, paddle, and dough hook. Our Associate Editor Kaylee can't live without her KitchenAid stand mixer. I use this stand mixer to make everything from homemade whipped cream to garlic knots.

13. Blender

Having a blender on hand is great for making smoothies and salad dressings. And if you're looking for a great blender that can power through anything, the Vitamix 5200 is the one for you. The Vitamix brand is not only famous for its powerful and high-performance blenders, but this particular He Vitamix model received perfect scores in every category in our latest product test.

However, Vitamix blenders aren't cheap. So, if you are looking for a great blender at a more affordable price, the Breville Fresh and Furious is the one for you. This blender also scored highly in our tests. And of all the blenders we tried, this one made the best frozen drinks.

Depending on your needs, you can choose between a high-speed blender and a standard blender. Breana Killeen prefers Vitamix or Wolf brands for high-speed use and KitchenAid for everyday use.

14.Vegetable steamer

I love the convenience of being able to steam vegetables in the microwave. Much faster than cooking on the stovetop, this handmade stoneware microwave vegetable steamer from Uncommon Goods keeps vegetables warm and ready to serve on the table. Much easier than the plastic wrap covered bowl situation I used before. No, there's no going back now.

our trusted expertise

Our writer Alex Roe is our next food editor. eat well And has been cooperating with this brand for more than 3 years. During that time, she tested hundreds of products, from kitchen tools to ingredients, and also created healthy and delicious recipes for EatingWell's viewers.

This article was updated by Kayleigh Drake, a former full-time baker and current EatingWell Commerce Editor who writes for publications such as Food & Wine, The Spruce Eats, and Simply Recipes.