If you enjoy cooking, you probably already have a few nifty kitchen gadgets you can’t get by without. While some gadgets can be gimmicky, the right ones can make a big difference, simplifying fiddly tasks, and speeding up those pesky time-consuming jobs. But which gadgets should you keep an eye out for in 2024?
From budget buys that won’t break the bank to slick gizmos worth investing in, here are 15 kitchen gadgets for an easier life.
1. Garlic press
As garlic lovers will know, there’s no comparison between crushed garlic in a tube or jar and freshly crushed garlic. But as garlic lovers also know…peeling the cloves can be annoyingly fiddly.
The good news is that some garlic presses, like the Zyliss, are designed to work with unpeeled garlic, turning the cloves into fresh crushed garlic and leaving the skins to be disposed of. The Zyliss garlic press even has a concealed plastic brush that easily cleans the holes of any debris – and the big chamber means you can crush more cloves in one go.
2. Meat thermometer
To eliminate harmful bacteria, meat must be cooked to a specific internal temperature. But cook it for too long, and you risk drying out the meat and ruining the flavour. A meat thermometer is a great way to gauge when meat reaches the minimum temperature for safe consumption.
As well as the traditional ‘stab it and see’ thermometers, there are innovative digital options. These set off an alarm on your phone when the meat reaches the desired temperature, guaranteeing you perfect, consistent results.
3. Champagne sealer
If you’re a fan of champagne, prosecco, or cava, you’ll know that pouring yourself a glass from a bottle you opened the night before is always a disappointing experience (unless you happen to like flat drinks). But feeling pressure to finish a bottle of wine is never good.
So, if you’re trying to cut down on your alcohol intake, you might want to pick up a champagne sealer. Once you’ve popped one of these little gadgets into your bottle, you’ll safeguard those bubbles for up to three days.
4. Coffee grinder
If you’re a coffee enthusiast, why not start grinding your own beans at home? Freshly ground coffee is more flavourful than pre-ground coffee, as the roasted beans are slower to go stale. The fact that your home will be filled with the delicious aroma of ground coffee is another perk!
The best coffee grinders employ a seamless grinding mechanism that quickly turns roasted beans into fresh, ground coffee. There are electronic and hand-operated models at a wide range of prices, so there should be something for every budget.
5. Tofu press
If you’re veggie or vegan – or simply trying to eat less meat – there’s a good chance you’re aware of how annoying it can be to strain tofu. While some packs come already pressed, others need straining, which often involves wrapping your tofu in kitchen paper, and balancing heavy cookbooks and cans on top of chopping boards.
So why not make things easier for yourself and buy a tofu press? These gadgets are easy to wash, slot right in the dishwasher, and guarantee firm, flavourful, crispy tofu.
6. Air fryer
Air fryers have become the ‘must-have’ kitchen appliance in recent years and, if you don’t have one yet, why not see what all the fuss is about?
Air fryers are better for your health, as they give food that lovely crispy texture and golden-brown colour using little to no oil. Plus, they create little mess and are one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook. There are plenty of small air fryers, too, so if you usually just cook for yourself or a partner, it won’t take up much room in the kitchen.
Have a read of our guide, 13 best air fryers 2024, to find out more. Alternatively, check out our articles, 12 best air fryer recipes and 10 airfryer breakfast recipes to jumpstart your day, for more inspiration.
7. Soda maker
We all know that drinking more water is good for our health – though some of us just can’t get too enthused about drinking tap water.
If you prefer the feel and taste of sparkling water, a soda maker is an excellent investment. Not only will it mean you get to enjoy delicious, carbonated drinks at any given moment, but if you regularly buy sparkling water, it can save you money in the long run too – as well as space in the fridge.
While some soda makers are expensive, others come in at under £40, so they’re probably more affordable than you think.
8. Hand-held spiralizer
If you’re looking to cut back on carbs and eat more veg, a spiralizer is a great purchase. It makes it easy to swap pasta for ribbons of vegetables, and whip up beautiful salads that use all kinds of ingredients.
While stand spiralizers are easier and quicker to use, hand-held versions keep costs down and use up far less space. They need a bit of elbow grease to use, but the budget-friendly price tags and ease of washing make up for that.
We like the OXO Good Grips spiralizer, as the handy twist action makes light work of veg, like courgettes, and the spiked pad prevents finger injuries.
9. Electric tin opener
Whether it’s tinned tomatoes or a can of beans, tinned foods are a store cupboard staple. But opening tins isn’t always easy – or safe – particularly if you suffer from mobility issues like arthritis. While there are decent manual tin openers out there, electric openers make lighter work of this job.
They’re easy to use too: just hold the tin under a metal guide pin, and press the button to start the motor. The gadget then works hand-free, as a magnet is used to hold the can and it rotates as it cuts.
10. Avocado slicer
The craze for avocados hasn’t died down, and many of us enjoy eating this creamy, health-boosting fruit on toast or in salads and sandwiches. But depending on how ripe your avocado is, splitting, pitting, and slicing and scooping the fruit can be tricky… and messy!
Save yourself some time and mess by buying a handy avocado slicer. These cool three-in-one gadgets allow you to quickly core and slice avocados, but they can also be used on kiwi and dragon fruit.
11. Combined juicer and blender
Every kitchen needs a blender – though if you want to make fresh, healthy juices more regularly, why not save worktop space and invest in a combined juicer and blender?
Combined models allow you to easily make delicious juices and smoothies, as well as boasting all the functions of a traditional blender. There are many options available, but the Robert Dyas 4-in-1 Juice and Blend has two speed settings and a handy pulse function, and quickly crushes all your favourite ingredients, from nuts to coffee beans to fruits.
12. Electric hand mixer
Electric whisks are incredibly versatile. They can be used for everything from making smooth, lump-free cake batters to mashing potatoes. While there are many hand mixers on the market, we like the Kenwood Hand Mixer, which has a sleek retro chrome design that fits comfortably in your hand, and makes light work of mixing, whisking, and kneading.
There are five different speeds as well as dough hooks, flat beaters, and a balloon whisk – essentially a tool for every job. And the stainless-steel beaters are non-degradable and dishwasher safe. Plus, the unique splash guard means there’s no mess!
13. Smart bin with voice control
For something on the fancier end, there’s simplehuman’s smart bin. While it might seem strange to spend a few hundred on a bin, this incredibly innovative gadget handles more than just waste disposal. It’s also got a recycling component, voice and motion control, and an optional compost caddy. Just say “open bin” or wave your hand in front of it, and the bin will open for mess-free disposal.
While it isn’t cheap, this gadget is definitely durable. The bin is designed to last for 20 years, and the stainless steel pedal is engineered to last 150,000 steps.
14. Knife sharpener
Knives are the most commonly used kitchen tools, but if yours is blunt, you won’t get far. Dull knives are also less safe to use than sharp ones.
While some chefs like to use rod-shaped steel sharpeners or whetstones, hand-held block sharpeners are a better option for household kitchens as they’re so easy to use.
The AnySharp knife sharpener is a particularly nifty gadget. It takes up very little space, yet the suction pad base is so secure you can sharpen with just one hand. And because it takes just three pulls to sharpen a knife, you’ll have professional-quality knives in seconds.
15. All-in-one pan
If you’re short of storage space in your kitchen, investing in a decent all-in-one pan might be one of the smartest purchases you make. Rather than having multiple pots for different purposes, a good all-in-one pan can replace a frying pan, saute pan, saucepan, stock pot, wok, skillet, and braiser.
Because it’s cast iron, your food won’t stick, allowing you to go easy on oils, too. We love the Goodful All-In-One pan, which is reasonably priced, and comes in a variety of gorgeous colours.
Final thoughts…
So there you have it…15 kitchen gadgets that make cooking and preparing food quicker, easier, and, in most cases, more enjoyable.
For cheap gadgets like avocado slicers and knife sharpeners to more expensive investment tools and appliances, like smart bins and air fryers, there’s something for every budget.
So, whether you’re looking to save time or space, get more creative in the kitchen, or simply surprise a foodie friend or family member with a thoughtful gift, hopefully there’s a gadget here that excites you!
Do you agree with our recommendations? Perhaps you have your own suggestions for kitchen gadgets you can share with our readers? We’d love to hear about your culinary experiences in the comments below.