Whether you’re trying your hand at baking for the very first time or getting down to business adding the finishing touches to a favourite recipe, plenty of us budding chefs are always on the lookout for smart ways to make cooking in our kitchens easier.
And, naturally, no kitchen setup is complete without a suite of nifty gadgets you can turn to when the recipe calls for it. But while we might all own an electric whisk and multi-setting microwave; chances are there are plenty of distinctly unique gadgets out there that you never knew existed.
So, to make those tricky recipes and large lunches quicker and simpler to prepare, the team at Wren Kitchens used data from Amazon, social media, and various search engines to find the most popular, practical, and unheard-of kitchen gadgets around.
After picking out 20 of the most distinct and budget-friendly tools, we broke our list down to the 8 most useful items, all of which you can read about below and buy for yourself if they take your fancy!
1. The watermelon slicer
First on our list, and perhaps one of the most unique items we picked, is the watermelon slicer.
Let’s face it, on warm summer’s day, there are few things more refreshing than a cool slice of watermelon. But what’s less exciting is having to go through the process of cutting one into chunks and scraping off the rind.
Fortunately, the watermelon slicer takes care of these problems for you while making the fruit cleaner and safer to prepare. Simply half your melon and then use this tool to remove the flesh and transform it into easy-to-eat, bite-sized cubes, thanks to its stacking, windmill blade design.
Odd to look at? Yes. Popular? Very. The watermelon slicer is by far the most popular tool on our list, with over 7,380 searches a year, making it a must-have item for melon lovers.
2. The spaghetti pot
Pasta is a staple for many delicious dishes, but even we have to admit that awkwardly holding a boiling pan over the sink while draining your spaghetti is the worst and potentially most dangerous part of serving pasta recipes.
That’s where the spaghetti pot comes in. Built with straining holes built into the lid, this uniquely designed pot lets you drain your pasta directly into the sink with minimal effort. And not only does it save you time while serving, it saves washing-up because it’s dishwasher-friendly too!
The spaghetti pot was one of the most talked about gadgets on our list, boasting a rating of 4.4 stars on Amazon and a search volume of 7,190 for the year. So, if pasta is a favourite of yours, then the spaghetti pot is a must-have in your kitchen.
3. The egg slicer
If there’s one thing that practically everyone knows how to cook, it’s a hard-boiled egg. Just pop it in a pan, boil in water for 6 minutes, and you’re done. What’s much trickier is slicing up a cooled boiled egg without it crumbling or falling apart.
As its name implies, the egg slicer is designed to make egg slicing uniform, quick and efficient. All you need to do is place your egg in the holder, pull the slicer down, and hey-presto, you have a perfectly sliced egg for your salad, sandwich, or otherwise.
And it’s not just eggs that you can use this tool with. From fruits to small pieces of cooked meat, the egg slicer’s multifunctionality is just one of the reasons it’s so popular. It currently holds a yearly search volume of 6,990 and is versatile tool for many a summer recipe.
4. The three-tier oven rack
When it comes to big events or family occasions, like Christmas and Easter, the biggest challenge isn’t always finding space at the table. More often than not, it’s trying to fit everything in the oven so that everything can be served in one go.
For many of us, rack space is probably at a premium when cooking, which is what makes the three-tier oven rack so handy. Providing you with an extra shelf to use when preparing large meals, with this tool to hand, awkward and hectic roasts will be a thing of the past.
While being one of the simplest items on our list, this hasn’t reduced the three-tier oven rack’s popularity, with a search volume of 5,380 for the past year. So, if roasts are your thing, then you should definitely pick up this item as soon as possible.
5. The over-the-sink cutting board and strainer
Chopping and rinsing ingredients is a common step in almost every recipe, but let’s face it, cleaning a chopping board and tidying up the mess often takes longer than the task itself; not to mention the chore of rinsing vegetables.
Fortunately, the over-the-sink cutting board and strainer is designed to accommodate both tasks in one go – all while never leaving your sink. Made from toughened material, and with a foldable rinse basket installed, you can clean your ingredients and prepare them without having to move around the kitchen.
With a yearly search volume of 2,570, it might not be the most sought-after gadget, but those who do own one vouch for its usefulness. In many cases, you’ll even be able to find a board that perfectly fits into your sink, providing a stable chopping surface while you work.
6. The corn peeler
Whether served as a side at a summer barbecue or as part of a wider family dinner, corn on the cob is a favourite for many – but getting irritating bits of corn stuck between your teeth as you eat off the cob is not!
Picking corn directly off the cob can be a very time-consuming and tedious task, unless you have one of these handy corn peelers. Designed to slip around a cob, inside blades strip the corn away while keeping your fingers safe, letting you enjoy sweetcorn and clean teeth.
The corn peeler is certainly an unusual item, but one that gets a healthy search volume of 2,330 a year. So, if you’re a fan of sweetcorn, then this gadget is for you.
7. Herb scissors
If you’re partial to roasts or a garnish on your soups and salads, you probably know just how difficult it can be to chop herbs without making a mess. To avoid the mess, herb scissors have multiple blades that let you chop herbs quickly and directly over your dish, helping you sprinkle just the right amount of garnish for the perfect flavour.
And while they might currently only be featured in 1,830 searches a year, herb scissors make a big difference, and we think they will soon become a popular kitchen item.
8. The avocado slicer
Nowadays a salad is not a proper salad unless it contains an avocado or two. With their key nutrients, creamy texture and smooth flavour, what’s not to like, apart from get the stone out?
Our final gadget is the solution. Featuring in 1,610 searches a month, the avocado slicer has a specialised blade that is perfectly suited for cleanly removing the stone in one quick twist. You can then use the fan blade to easily cut your stoneless avocado into seven beautiful slices.
And there you have it; these are just some of the unique and interesting tools that make cooking that much easier. Of course, if you want to make use of these tools in the perfect environment, you’ll need your dream kitchen as well.
If you’re thinking of renovating or upgrading your kitchen, why not reach out to the affordable luxury kitchen experts Wren, who will work with you to bring your dream kitchen to life? And don’t forget you can visit our blog as well for more insightful pieces like this one.
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