40 Best Kitchen Tools and Gadgets, According to a Kitchen Expert

This top-selling waffle maker comes in more colors and patterns than I can count, as well as shapes like hearts or stars. It’s perfect for quick breakfasts and kids.

You can also use it to make crispy rice!

This portable blender changed my mind about all portable blenders. It’s cordless, small, and highly efficient—the perfect size for my protein shakes and single-serve smoothies. The drinking vessel detaches from the base, so you don’t have to lug around the motor as you do with most other portable blenders (even though it’s light).

I used to be skeptical of jar openers until I tried this one. It works by placing your jar on the rubber grip, positioning the opener on the lid, and twisting the opener. It hasn’t let me down yet.

This newly designed garlic press feels sturdy in the hand. It features a swinging garlic-clove holder that makes cleaning as easy as possible; plus, it’s dishwasher-safe.

This is no ordinary knife. Its short, wide blade makes it perfect for scooping and spreading with ease—think peanut butter, jelly, cream cheese, you name it. Plus, the serrated side can be used to cut bread and tomatoes.

This dusting wand makes traditional sifters a thing of the past. Dip it into flour, confectioners’ sugar, or cocoa powder, twist the end to form the ball, then shake for a light, even dusting. It also takes up very little storage space.

Eva Bleyer, our Lab analyst, loves this tool for scooping every last bit out of a container. The shorter one works well with smaller jars and measuring spoons.

It’s hard for me to pick just one cooking tool I love and recommend from GIR, but if I had to, it would be this silicone spatula that I use almost every day, from scrambling eggs to stirring sauce and more.

Its ladle is also one of my favorites. It’s large, has measurement markings, and is flexible enough to scrape up every last bit of soup or stew.

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You’ll be amazed at how much use you’ll get out of this flexible but sturdy silicone cookie spatula. It’s a favorite of Chief Food Director Kate Merker and the perfect size for eggs and sometimes even burgers.

Thin and flexible fish spatulas are great for turning eggs, burgers, and, of course, fish. This one, with a silicone edge, is a new favorite that works with nonstick pans.

Our top-tested immersion blender can do nearly everything a full-size blender can, plus chop and whip cream. It’s a versatile multitasker for any kitchen.

RELATED: Best Hand Blenders

This scale has come in handy for me more times than I can count. It measures how much gas is left in my propane tank, so I know if I can get through a full cook or if I really need to replace it. It can also be used when fishing and for weighing your luggage.

These molds make it easy to make cocktail ice. They stack in your freezer and unmold in seconds. You can choose from different designs, such as flowers, footballs, and even ornaments.

I always recommend Evo oil sprayers. They spray a fine, even mist that’s ideal for air frying, and I’ve never had one clog.

I transport food in my Dutch oven all the time, and this stretchy latch is a lifesaver. It wraps around and secures your cookware lids, making it easy to carry soups, stews, and other dishes without worrying about spills.

I have several of these stashed around my house and office. It has a tiny ceramic blade that can open all of your packages, including plastic clamshells. It’s magnetic and comes with a hole on the end so you can store it on your keyring. We were so impressed with it that it won a Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award—twice!