Even fast food is so expensive now that many of us are eating at home more often to save the rest of our paychecks.
Unfortunately, that means recognizing our limitations in the kitchen.
We don’t want to discourage anyone looking to get started, so we’ve compiled a list of gadgets that will actually make your cooking experience that much more comfortable. With a little investment in your kitchen, you’ll be quitting DoorDash in no time.
Digital Food Scale
If you’re just making a quick stir-fry, accurate measurements aren’t that important. But when you’re baking or tracking nutrients, precision makes a big difference. A decent digital scale isn’t that expensive, and you’ll quickly see why it’s better than volumetric ones.
By eliminating the guesswork of eyeballing and scooping, you’ll double the quality of your baked goods. Plus, Amazon user Jennifer writes that the batteries last up to eight years before needing to be replaced.
Electric water heater
While electric kettles are a staple in European kitchens, many Americans still don’t own one, and while other methods of boiling water are useful, the speed at which water boils to perfection here is unmatched.
If you’re brewing tea, preparing drip coffee, or simply want to quickly heat water to the exact temperature for a recipe, you’ll be glad you bought this product. Plus, anonymous Amazon reviewers point out how convenient it is to be able to control the temperature to suit a variety of needs.
knife sharpening kit
A sharp knife is a safe knife, and if you use too much force on a dull knife you are more likely to accidentally hurt yourself, so you want to make sure they’re all properly sharpened.
While you could take your entire collection to a pro to get new blades, there are options for the more DIY-focused: Amazon reviewer LT calls the roller model “the easiest sharpener I’ve ever found that actually works,” and it’s available in a set with a stand and strop if you prefer.
Convection Toaster Oven
Air fryers are great, but one big problem is that you have to awkwardly toss food into a tiny basket instead of laying everything flat to maximize surface area. Apply the same idea to a larger machine and you get a versatile toaster oven with a convection option, allowing you to get everything crispy without having to cook it in super small portions.
As Amazon user Dan Costello put it, it can easily fit a whole pizza. “I can’t believe it, but the frozen pizza I made with it… [oven] “It was delicious. It was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and soft and light inside,” they said.
Immersion Circulator
Sous vide cooking may be the best cooking method ever invented. Not only is it great for lazy cooks, but the low, slow cooking method also means there’s a very low chance of overcooking — the margin of error is hours, not seconds.
Simply place the Joule immersion circulator in a water bath, quickly input what you want to cook, and you’re done. Reviewer Kasey Wheeler loves the gadget, saying it cooked the best steak she’s ever eaten.
Vacuum Sealer
While you don’t technically need to use a vacuum sealer to cook sous vide, it can make the sous vide process even easier. And even if you don’t plan on using sous vide, vacuum sealing can help keep your food fresh by eliminating as much air as possible. Say goodbye to food waste!
If food safety is a top priority for you, be sure to check out this review by Amazon user photog, which not only provides an extremely tight seal but also comes with a double-seal option for added peace of mind.
[Image: RDNE Stock project]