It is easy to get distracted by high-end appliances and expensive cookware, but the reality of daily cooking comes down to the tools you hold in your hand. A blunt peeler, a flimsy spatula, or a can opener that slips off the rim will ruin your cooking experience faster than a cheap frypan ever could.
If you are setting up a new kitchen or finally throwing out the cheap plastic tools that have been frustrating you for years, here is a guide to the essential kitchen gadgets and utensils worth investing in.
Essential Prep Tools
Prep work is where most of the actual cooking happens. Having the right tools for peeling, slicing, and mashing cuts your prep time in half and makes the whole process significantly more enjoyable.
The Mandoline Slicer
A knife is great, but when you need perfectly uniform slices of potato for a gratin or paper-thin cucumber for a salad, nothing beats a mandoline. The OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer ($99.95) is the gold standard here. The V-shaped blade cuts through soft fruits like tomatoes just as easily as hard root vegetables, and the textured surface stops wet slices from sticking to the runway.
The Potato Masher
Mashing potatoes should not be a workout. The OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher ($29.95) changes the angle of attack. Instead of a vertical handle that forces your wrist into an awkward position, it uses a broad horizontal handle. You press straight down, absorbing the pressure through your arm rather than your wrist. The fine-grid stainless steel plate guarantees a lump-free mash every time.
The Salad Spinner
Washing greens is non-negotiable, but wet lettuce ruins a salad by diluting the dressing. The OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner ($59.95) uses a patented one-handed pump mechanism that gets greens incredibly dry with almost zero effort. The built-in brake button stops the spinning instantly, and the clear bowl is actually nice enough to use as a serving dish.
Cooking and Serving Utensils
Once the prep is done and the heat is on, you need tools that can handle high temperatures and heavy lifting without melting or bending.
The Fish Turner
Do not let the name fool you. A fish turner is arguably the most versatile spatula you can own. The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Fish Turner ($29.95) features a thin, flexible, bevelled edge that slides effortlessly under delicate fish fillets, pancakes, or fried eggs. The slotted design allows excess oil to drain away before the food hits your plate.
The Silicone Spatula
For scraping down mixing bowls or folding egg whites, you need silicone. The Tovolo Flex-Core Silicone Spatula ($17.95) is brilliant because it hides a rigid nylon core inside the flexible silicone head. You get the strength needed to mix heavy doughs, combined with the soft edges required to scrape a bowl perfectly clean. It is also heat resistant up to 315°C.
The Tongs
Tongs are an extension of your hand. The OXO Good Grips Tongs 30cm ($19.95) hit the sweet spot for length, keeping your hands safely away from spitting oil while still offering precise control. The scalloped stainless steel edges grip food securely, and the pull-tab locking mechanism means they will not spring open in your utensil drawer.
The Problem Solvers: Gadgets That Actually Work
Shop Kitchen Gadgets and Utensils at Minimax
Upgrading your kitchen tools is one of the fastest ways to improve your cooking. You can explore the full range of kitchen gadgets and utensils at Minimax online and in-store. Free delivery applies to orders over $130, and Click & Collect is available at all 15 Minimax stores nationwide.