Guest Picks: Versatile Kitchen Tools Worth Buying

Forget the one-hit wonders. These 28 handy cooking tools are worth investing in

Liza Hawkins
With her down-to-earth approach to food, and a dash or two of snark, Liza enjoys eating, reading, cooking, dining and writing on a daily basis. By day, she's an insurance professional, by night she gracefully (or not sometimes) barrels through life keeping up with her blog (a)Musing Foodie, other freelance writing jobs, non-profit work, Twitter and Facebook, her kids, her husband, and whatever else happens to fill her plate. Read her blog here: http://www.aMusingFoodie.com
With her down-to-earth approach to food, and a dash or two of snark, Liza... More »
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Alton Brown is one of my all-time favorite Food Network personalities, and his pronounced hatred of "one-trick" kitchen gadgets has stuck with me for 10 years. I agree that (with the exception of a few things) having an endless assortment of kitchen tools that are only good for one specific task is, well, no good. Here are my favorite must-have kitchen tools worth buying.
— Liza from (a)Musing Foodie
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modern small kitchen appliances by KitchenAid
by KitchenAid
by KitchenAid
KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Artisan Series Stand Mixer, Empire Red - $299.99 »
If you don't own a KitchenAid mixer, find a way to get one. Even the most basic model helps with a boatload of tasks in the kitchen. It's worth every penny.
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modern kitchen tools by Chicago Metallic
by Chicago Metallic
by Chicago Metallic
Chicago Metallic Large Spoonula - $5.50 »
If you've never used a large spoonula for making scrambled eggs, you're totally missing out. Best. Invention. Ever. They have tons of other great uses too; they're very versatile.
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traditional kitchen tools by Chicago Metallic
by Chicago Metallic
by Chicago Metallic
Chicago Metallic Measuring Cups - $9.50 »
There's nothing more important than good measuring cups, and these will last forever!
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traditional kitchen tools by Chicago Metallic
by Chicago Metallic
by Chicago Metallic
Chicago Metallic Measuring Spoons - $4.50 »
A good set of metal measuring spoons makes life easy. I keep mine hanging on my magnetic knife rack, so they're always within easy reach.
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traditional kitchen tools by Bed Bath and Beyond
by Bed Bath and Beyond
by Bed Bath and Beyond
Calphalon Wooden Utensils - $4.99 »
Wooden spoons are a cook's best friend. My absolute favorite must-have for any stove top cooking is the flat-edged spoon, but all the others are super useful too.
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eclectic knives and chopping boards by Crate&Barrel
by Crate&Barrel
by Crate&Barrel
End Grain Chopping Board - $36.95 »
There's something so oddly satisfying about chopping, mincing and slicing veggies on a wooden cutting board. Save your plastic board for meats.
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modern knives and chopping boards by Crate&Barrel
by Crate&Barrel
by Crate&Barrel
Wüsthof® Ikon 5" Hollow Ground Santoku Knife - $99.95 »
Love her or not, Rachel Ray made these Santoku knives a staple for many home chefs (myself included) a few years back. If you don't have one, it's time to buy one. I have both the 5" and a 7" knives, and I love them.
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modern blenders and food processors by Food Network Store
by Food Network Store
by Food Network Store
Classic Series Pro Custom 11 Food Processor, White - $199.95 »
A food processor may not be used often enough to keep out on the counter, but it's useful enough to keep on hand — even if it's home is under the counter. I have one salsa recipe that is nearly impossible without one; it makes such a difference.
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modern blenders and food processors by Food Network Store
by Food Network Store
by Food Network Store
Artisan Bar Blender, Onyx Black - $99.95 »
Use it for making sauces, blending drinks, crushing ice — it's a very versatile must-have!
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modern kitchen tools by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
Piazza Ice Cream Scoop - $26.00 »
Trigger ice cream scoops in a variety of sizes can be your best friends for everything from scooping ice cream to making meatballs to filling cupcake tins.
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traditional kitchen tools by Amazon
by Amazon
by Amazon
Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater - $12.95 »
I use my Microplane all the time — mostly for zesting citrus, but also for things like Parmesan cheese. Just make sure to tap it gently when done so that all the zesty goodness comes out from behind.
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modern kitchen tools by Target
by Target
by Target
Pyrex 8-cup Measuring Cup with Lid »
An 8-cup measuring cup, a batter bowl — call it what you want. Having a clear bowl with cup measurements is a dream. I use mine every weekend for pancake batter, and the top is an added bonus.
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modern kitchen tools by Amazon
by Amazon
by Amazon
OXO Good Grips Box Grater - $17.99 »
The only thing better than a box grater is a box grater with a built-in storage container.
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modern kitchen tools by Cutlery and More
by Cutlery and More
by Cutlery and More
Demarle Silpat Nonstick Baking Mat - $9.95 »
"Is a silicone baking mat really worth it?" someone on Twitter asked me recently. The answer? Yes. It makes tons of baking tasks a breeze.
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modern kitchen tools by Macy's
by Macy's
by Macy's
Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Shears, Black - $29.99 »
I use kitchen shears for lots and lots of things, but my favorite use is for meat — especially raw chicken. Leave the knives at home; a pair of good, sharp kitchen shears can make that task a breeze. Tip: Make sure you get a pair that can withstand the dishwasher.
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traditional knives and chopping boards by CUTCO
by CUTCO
by CUTCO
2 3/4" Paring Knive »
A small paring knife can be your best friend for smaller, more detailed cuts. It pays to get a good one — don't go cheap.
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modern kitchen tools by Bloomingdales
by Bloomingdales
by Bloomingdales
OXO Instant Read Thermometer - $11.99 »
A meat thermometer doesn't have to be anything fancy. My favorite is an instant-read model. With one quick plunge, it tells me within 10 seconds whether or not the meat is ready to come out of the oven. It's a breeze to clean too!
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modern knives and chopping boards by Amazon
by Amazon
by Amazon
OXO Good Grips 10-1/2-by-15-Inch Utility Cutting Board, Black Edge - $14.99 »
As much as I love my wooden cutting boards, I also have a plastic one on hand for use with raw meat. The best part is that it goes in the dishwasher for sterilization and easy cleaning.
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traditional kitchen tools by Bed Bath and Beyond
by Bed Bath and Beyond
by Bed Bath and Beyond
Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Strainer - $27.49 »
Use a fine mesh strainer for squeezing fresh lemons (without also getting the seeds), straining sauces, dusting powdered sugar and a bunch of other things. I love how it sits over the bowl, making it hands free.
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traditional serveware by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
Ten-Piece Glass Bowl Set - $39.95 »
Glass nesting bowls are great for prep work and mixing batters. They're also wonderful for serving pasta and salad. You'd be amazed how often you use the tiny condiment bowls.
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modern kitchen tools by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
Rösle Locking Tongs - $23.00 »
One pair of locking tongs can do many, many jobs: flip pan-seared chicken breasts, pull al dente spaghetti from its pot, serve salad — and all with only one hand! It's a definite must-have.
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traditional kitchen tools by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
by Williams-Sonoma
Stainless-Steel Colanders - $18.00 »
From straining pasta to rinsing fruit, colanders that sit up off the sink with feet are great. Bonus if they're also dishwasher-friendly.
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traditional cookware and bakeware by Crate&Barrel
by Crate&Barrel
by Crate&Barrel
Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set with Double Bonus - $449.95 »
A quality set of pots and pans can change your entire cooking frame of mind. I love a good cast iron skillet (that's been well seasoned), and I also love stainless steel cookware. But the most versatile, by far, is the non-stick variety. If you can only afford one set, go that route. Complement your set with a piece or two of the other material.
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modern kitchen tools by Kmart
by Kmart
by Kmart
Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel And Silicone Solid Turner - $9.99 »
A silicone turner (or spatula, as us laymen call it) works with pancakes, fish, roast potatoes — you name it. It's used almost every day in my house!
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traditional cookware and bakeware by Wayfair
by Wayfair
by Wayfair
Nordicware Natural Commercial 18" Bakers Half Sheet - $10.67 »
Whether roasting a chicken, baking cookies or using it as a catch-all for a bubbly casserole dish, a baking sheet with a 1-inch lip is perfect.
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traditional kitchen tools by Macy's
by Macy's
by Macy's
Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup - $4.98 »
I use my 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup every day. Every. Day. Enough said.
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modern small kitchen appliances by Kohl's
by Kohl's
by Kohl's
Wolfgang Puck Hand Mixer - $59.99 »
Though I love my KitchenAid stand mixer, there are times when a simple hand mixer is perfect; making mashed potatoes is one.
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modern small kitchen appliances by Kohl's
by Kohl's
by Kohl's
Kalorik Stick Hand Mixer - $39.99 »
For times when you don't need a full blender or you simply want a creamy, smooth soup, a stick mixer is your tool. You may not use it every day (unless smoothies are part of your morning ritual), but you'll use it enough to warrant the purchase.

Next: Ultimate Storage Solution for Measuring Cups
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