21 handy cooking tools we rely on in our own kitchens

If you frequently cook with lemons or limes, or you just make a lot of guacamole, you need this $7 tool in your drawer. It stops seeds falling into your food and ensures you get every last drop of juice. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks Senior Editor

I don’t have the space for a KitchenAid stand mixer in my small New York City apartment, so I opted for a Breville hand mixer instead — and woah, I did not realize how effortless it could be to prepare cookie doughs and cake batters. I especially like this mixer’s easy-to-adjust speed control and built-in light. It comes with three different types of attachments and a see-through container to store both the attachments and the device itself. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks Senior Editor

Williams-Sonoma’s splatter screen has helped me crack down on kitchen grease big time. The screen's small perforations let steam escape so that my food never gets soggy, but they keep in all the grease that would have otherwise ended up all over my stove and the areas that immediately surround it. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks Senior Editor

My time-saving hack for silky-smooth and creamy mashed potatoes is a potato ricer (you also need to add lots of butter and sour cream). You simply place boiled potatoes into the ricer and give it a squeeze, forcing the potatoes through the many tiny holes and into a bowl. It’s much less arm work than a regular masher, and the results are 1,000 times better. No lumps, no problems! — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Picks Senior Editor

A waffle maker is one of those single-use tools most people are unsure about, but Krups’ has earned its place in my kitchen. It turns out perfectly shaped diner-like waffles in about 10 minutes, and has become a regular part of my weekend routine. Plus, its grates pop off, so you can easily clean it without risking any damage. — Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Associate Editor

Get your laughs out now, everyone. I know the name of this gadget is not great, but it works really well for such a simple tool. Each end makes veggie noodles in a different size, and all you have to do is twist your zucchini, cucumber, carrot, or other long veggie around to create them. It takes up a lot less space than those huge spiralizers, but one thing to watch out for is that you don't catch your finger on the blades inside when you get down to the last little bit of whatever you're spiralizing. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks Editor

Sous vide cooking, which uses an immersion technique that involves putting food in sealed bags and cooking it in a water bath, used to be restricted to restaurants because of its expense, but ChefSteps puts that power into the home chef’s hands with the Joule. This tool cooks meats and vegetables perfectly by bringing them up to a pre-set temperature, and doesn’t let anything overcook. — Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Associate Editor

Note: We also named the Joule Sous Vide the top pick in our Buying Guide — you can check it out here.

If your kitchen drawer can’t easily open or close because it’s overstuffed, OXO’s utensil holder is the answer. It has three sections, and holds everything from my spatula to my citrus press, and its rotating bottom makes it easy to get at whatever I need. — Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Associate Editor

Another tool I use to clean up my drawer is this set of adhesive hooks, which line the wall behind my sink and counter. They’re the perfect size to hold awkwardly sized utensils, like a burger mold or measuring cups. — Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Associate Editor

I was perfectly content using regular muffin pans until I had the opportunity to try Silpat’s. Now I’m ruined. What makes this pan so good is its non-stick material, which allows you to pop out the muffins without letting them cool first or using grease. — Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Associate Editor

Seconded! Brandt and I are both obsessed with these muffin pans. I threw out my metal one immediately after trying this for the first time. We tested out the Silpat muffin pans together a little while back in case you want a more in-depth review. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks Editor

The most used tool in my kitchen is a cast iron skillet, and Milo’s is the one I trust the most. Its enameled coating makes it easier to clean that raw cast iron, and it doesn’t need to be seasoned regularly. — Brandt Ranj, Insider Picks Associate Editor

I’m an amateur cook, and one reason why I don’t do it often (and thereby don't get any better) is because I hate having to continually refer back to a cookbook or a recipe on my phone. This lets me ask cooking questions to Alexa without taking my hands off the cutting board or having to pause my podcast or music — since I’m probably already using the Echo to listen. It also helps with the boredom I still feel whilst cooking. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks Reporter

I don’t know if this counts as cooking, but it’s definitely an unexpected key player in my kitchen. It’s pretty big and bulky, but it’s relatively easy to clean and makes a flawless eight-ounce. cup of juice in only five seconds. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks Reporter

Upon learning that my meals mostly consisted of whatever I could boil, my father sent me this handy $40 George Foreman Grill to make cooking full meals — including protein — easier and therefore more appealing. It really has been a lifesaver. It makes a quick healthy meal of chicken and veggies in minutes, and it works as a panini press. The plates are removable and easy to clean, and it’s extremely versatile for how affordable it was. It also doesn’t hurt that the sloped surface drains about 42% of the fat. — Mara Leighton, Insider Picks Reporter

If you're a minimalist whose goal is to pare down, not add to the clutter of your kitchen, you'll want to take a look at kitchen essentials brand Material. Its Fundamentals Set comprises two knives, a pair of tongs, a wooden spoon, a metal spoon, a slotted spatula, and a wooden base to hold it all together, but my favorite is the tongs. You can lock and unlock the tongs simply by squeezing and flipping with one hand, giving you the power to multitask and the feeling of a pro chef who knows exactly what they’re doing. — Connie Chen, Insider Picks Reporter

I’ve used this appliance way more than I expected because it basically acts as a speedy convection oven. I hate cranking up my oven just to re-crisp my leftovers or make a small side dish, and this air fryer is the perfect alternative. It’s easy to use and clean, and helps you make healthier versions of your favorite fried foods. — Connie Chen, Insider Picks Reporter

I tend to take things very literally, so to me, the "hand-iest" tool that I use in the kitchen has to be these silicone oven mitts from Honla. While there is nothing flashy about these mitts, they perform exactly as you would hope a pair of oven mitts should. They slip on and off easy, the silicone exterior provides a solid grip on whatever you may be pulling out of the oven, and they do not let any heat through to your hands. — Danny Bakst, Insider Picks Content Producer

I think I've told everyone I know about this fish spatula. I'm actually a vegetarian, so I don't even use it for fish, but it's designed precisely to be able to handle and flip delicate foods. So yes, it's great for fish (probably) but it's also great for literally anything else you cook in a pan. It's flexible with a razor-thin edge so you can get underneath anything to flip it without dislodging that crispy crust or perfect sear you worked hard to achieve. Throw away your other spatulas and replace them with these — you won't be sorry! And if you need further convincing, here's my in-depth review on this fish spatula. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks Editor

Whether you're zesting lemons or grating Parmesan cheese or even fresh nutmeg, this is the best possible tool for the job. The top has a little rubber cover that keeps the grater stable on a cutting board, and the handle provides a comfortable grip. It's dishwasher safe, very sharp, and extremely effective. I store mine on a hook for easier access I also really appreciate that there's a built-in loop for hanging. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks Editor

This clever tower grater from Chef'n is a new favorite for me. Each of the three sides, which have differently-sized grating holes, can be removed from the base and used on their own. If you keep the tower intact while you grate, your cheese or veggies will stay safely tucked inside. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks Editor