The Kitchen Tools I Actually Reach for Every Single Week
I’ve bought a lot of kitchen tools over the years. Some of them are still in the cabinet where they landed when I brought them home. But these get used constantly — a few of them I honestly couldn’t imagine cooking without at this point.
This isn’t a list of gadgets. This is what’s actually in my kitchen.
EXTRA LARGE CUTTING BOARD (15×20 IN.)
https://amzn.to/4w5jXrQ
I use this pretty much every single day. It fits perfectly on the counter next to my stove, and I can work entirely on the board without constantly shifting things around. If you’ve ever felt cramped on a standard cutting board, this is the upgrade that actually makes a difference.
LODGE CAST IRON SKILLET (12 IN.)
https://amzn.to/4gwDuN2
Love my cast iron! It’s so versatile and just gets better with use — which is kind of the whole point. This one has a great grip on the handle that makes it easier to maneuver than a lot of cast irons out there. Goes from stovetop to oven, holds heat better than anything else I own.
NINJA DZ550 DUALZONE AIR FRYER
https://amzn.to/4ewCvtI
I held off on getting an air fryer for way too long — no good reason for it — and this is the one I’m glad I ended up with. The two separate baskets are the feature that sold me. You can cook two completely different things at once, and the Smart Finish setting syncs them so everything’s done at the same time. It roasts, dehydrates, reheats, and does everything it claims to. I use it several times a week and genuinely wish I’d bought it sooner.
SHEET PAN WITH COOLING/COOKING RACKS
https://amzn.to/4vYYT5U
A kitchen basic, but having the rack that fits inside makes a real difference — better airflow, crispier results, easier cleanup. I use these for roasting vegetables, cooking chicken, baking. Get the rack with the pan. You’ll use it every time.
GLASS MEAL PREP CONTAINERS (5-PACK, 36 OZ)
https://amzn.to/4vYUT5B
These are the containers I actually reach for. Glass holds up over time, doesn’t stain, doesn’t absorb smell, and goes from the fridge straight to the microwave or oven. The snap-locking lids actually seal, which sounds like a low bar but a lot of containers don’t clear it.
OXO GOOD GRIPS FOOD SCALE
https://amzn.to/4vS3GWM
If you cook or prep food with any consistency, a food scale makes a real difference. This one has a pull-out display so you can read it even when a large bowl is sitting on the platform — which sounds like a small thing until you realize it matters every single time you use it.
MIXING BOWLS WITH LIDS
https://amzn.to/3QbCZNW
Mixing bowls that come with lids are just more useful than the ones that don’t. Prep in the bowl, cover it, straight into the fridge. No hunting for a lid that fits.
BENTGO PREP 3-COMPARTMENT CONTAINERS (20-PIECE)
https://amzn.to/4xGFTL8
These are what I grab when I’m packing food to take somewhere. Three compartments, BPA-free, hold up in the microwave and dishwasher. Having 20 means you’re never short if you’re prepping for a full week.
A few of these I’ve had for years. A few are more recent. But every single one is in regular rotation.
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