I Know It Sounds Extreme, But These 44 Kitchen Products Are Actual ~Lifesavers~
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I Know It Sounds Extreme, But These 44 Kitchen Products Are Actual ~Lifesavers~These products will take you from kitchen klutz to culinary master.
1. A cute lil’ mini rice cooker that is designed to get you perfect, hot rice — aka the most versatile dish base ever — in less than 20 minutes! Reviewers rave about how consistent the end results are, so never end up burning your rice and having to make that emergency Thai food order ever again🤷♀️.
Plus, it’s got PFOA-free nonstick coating, makes up to two cups of rice, and includes a rice measuring cup, serving spatula, and recipe book.
Promising reviews: “I love this rice cooker. I’ve used it a dozen times. It cooks rice so fast. I use the small cup they provide, fill the rice to the top, and then add two of the same small cups of water. Hit the cook button and go on to do other things. When it’s done it’s on warm. I don’t add any butter or salt, the rice is cooked perfectly. The pot is nonstick, so very easy to clean up. Highly recommend.” —DRG
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in five colors).
2. A stackable cutlery drawer organizer with a design that lets you de-clutter your kitchen drawers and neatly display all your silverware so you finally know where that spoon went. It has over 8,000 5-star ratings and is especially perfect for small kitchens!Promising review: “I literally never knew a product like this existed but I’m so glad I found it. This is such a space saver! I couldn’t fit half of the things I currently can now that I have this. My previous utensil drawer organization was side by side instead of stacked. With this item, I have so much more space and can fit so much more! No more having items in cups or little boxes on the counter! And the blue color is gorgeous, my favorite. 10/10 would recommend to anyone.” —Helen P
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
3. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner to deep clean and deodorize your garbage disposal and pipes that have probably gone a little too long without your attention 😬. It removes hidden bacteria, leaves a lemon fresh scent, and can even help extend the life of your disposal!Amazon
Promising review: “Saw on TikTok (don’t judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you’re left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance.” —Jessica House
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $3.67 (available in four pack sizes).
4. A large Cuisinart food processor that will amaze you with how effortlessly it chops, slices, and shreds all kinds of ingredients — especially if you always dread the amount of time it’ll take to prep your meal. With this, you’ll be dippin’ into that salsa in no time flat.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth shelling out money for this, keep in mind it has a whopping 14-cup capacity, so if you really hate chopping vegetables, this will hold a garden’s worth. It also includes a spatula, instruction manual, and recipe booklet.
Promising review: “This food processor is a beast! Forget wasting time chopping and dicing. You can even put cheese in here. I’m glad I got the large. I cook a lot and it really has helped me save time while making dinner. It’s expensive, but totally worth it. I’m buying another for my parents!” —Tori Powell
Get it from Amazon for $249.95 (available in 10 colors).
5. A miraculous veggie chopper with four interchangeable blades that slice and chop your fruits and veggies for you. It cuts down your food prep time by a LOT, making it a huge relief for when you have guests coming over and you didn’t know making stir fry could take that long.
Promising review: “Makes life so much easier. I can’t imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper that was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.97+ (available in three styles and three colors).
6. A pack of oven liners made of nonstick material that’ll prevent your dinner’s overflow from creating a sticky, frustrating mess on the floor of your oven. This way, you can just remove the liner at the end of the night to rinse it off instead of having to get on your knees and scrub your oven clean.
Amazon
Promising review: “These liners are life-changing! I never thought I needed them until a friend raved about them. Cleanup is so simple, no more melted cheese or sauces burnt to the bottom of my ovens. I love that I can cut them down to size to fit my toaster oven. My husband enjoys grilling with the liners now, he doesn’t have to line the grill with aluminum foil which he found so annoying, deterring him to grill. This product really has simplified my life in the kitchen and I love it.” —Kindle Custommer
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two sizes).
7. A handheld milk frother if you spend so much money at Starbucks, the baristas are starting to learn your name 😬 This lets your curate your own rich, creamy foam in seconds so that you can enjoy caramel macchiatos and other foamy cups of joy from the comfort of your own home (and with probably twice the amount of money in your bank account than usual).
Promising review: “Best frother that I’ve ever used…very comfortable to use and powerful, too. Got this to replace another branded one that zonked out on me after only a couple of months. Love love this frother. I use it to ‘blend’ my morning coffee with coconut oil. This frother is more powerful than my last. The stand is a nice little bonus to keep the frother off the table and from rolling off the counter. The handle is very comfortable to hold. The back (if the label is facing you), has an index finger rest. I highly recommend this frother.” —N Duong
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 44 styles).
8. A charming macrame produce hammock to store your colorful fruits up and off of your prep space so that you’re no longer confined to one corner of your counter space when dicing up your tomatoes. TBH, who wouldn’t want something that works as both a space-saver and a lovely home decor piece?Knapp’s Knots / Etsy
San Diego-based small biz Knapp’s Knots is pretty much any macrame lover’s dream — in addition to their popular produce baskets, they make beautiful shelves, plant hangers, and wall decor.
Promising review: “I hated having a pile of fruit on my countertops. Bowls and baskets were always too big or small and taking up precious counter space. This is the perfect, cute and functional solution! I was able to screw in the hooks by hand — quick and easy installation.” —Taylormschulte
Get it from Knapp’s Knots on Etsy for $28.90+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors).
9. A dishwasher magnet that you’ll want if you’ve ever experienced the horror of watching your roommate put dirty dishes into a clean dishwasher. Easily switch this little gadget to “clean” or “dirty” so that everyone in the household is in the loop, and no one has to get the ~bombastic side eye~.
Promising review: “What took them so long?? Every household should have one of these. Does your partner point to the dishwasher and ask you, “Hey, are these good?” Mine did, almost daily. Not anymore, though! A breeze to install (our dishwasher is magnetic, but I’m really glad it came with adhesive pads — someday when we move, if we need them we have them!), and even though I bought it (mostly) as a joke, I use the heck out of it. Slides easily when it needs to.” —Andrea Braun
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in six styles).
10. And a pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets you’ll appreciate because they power away the limescale and mineral buildup that you can’t see in your dishwasher, which probably ends up on your dishes (yikes). It’ll replace those rancid odors with a subtle, lemony scent and return your dishwasher to its squeaky clean state.
Just pop them into the tray where you’d normally put detergent (or on the bottom of your dishwasher if you’re washing dishes at the same time), and run as usual!
Promising reviews: “This was simple to use, smelled good, and I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the dishwasher after the recommended cleaning cycle. This product actually did what it advertises that it will do! Great results, fairly economical — and by the way — it works!” —Old Southern Charm
“Just get them. Changed the way my 20-year-old dishwasher works. Much cleaner dishes and the interior is like new. First time you use it, run it empty with just the cleaner. I didn’t realize how much mold and ickiness it got out of my machine.” —drpicard
Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $8.99 (available in two sizes).
11. An instant-read thermometer that’ll act as your little helper to keep you from ending up with a drier-than-the-desert cake. Use it with meats and other desserts as well so that they’re baked to *chef’s kiss* perfection.
Britt: I sincerely hope you’ll never have to suffer through a burnt steak ever again (the same goes for anything that’s too raw as well), and using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to monitor the cooking process along the way and ensure your food is at its safest — and most delicious — temperature. This one might not be quite as durable as the pricier options on the market, but it’s much more affordable and will cover any basic cooking needs — just don’t leave it in the oven, like one reviewer did!
Promising review: “I like to make jam, and since moving to Denver I’ve had trouble accurately adjusting my recipes for the altitude. Things were coming out too soft (but still delicious!). This was a small investment that is making all the difference; I just cook to temperature now rather than time. I’ve made several batches and it is accurate, cleans up easily, and is sturdy and easy to use.” —Jen P
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors).
12. A nonstick microwave pasta cooker so that you don’t have to subject yourself to the patience it takes to wait around for water to boil. This cooker will satisfy your spaghetti craving in just 12–13 minutes! You’ll be slurpin’ up those yummy noodles like you’re in Lady and the Tramp in no time.
It also doubles as a strainer, and you can use the holes in the lid to portion out long pastas.
Promising review: “I love pasta, but I hate *making* pasta. Too many pots, pans, strainer, cleanup, etc. Forget it. And after a long day at work when I am craving pasta, all I want to do is eat right away. This pasta cooker cooked pasta better than I have ever cooked pasta in my life. I am Italian, so as you can imagine I have eaten (and made myself) a LOT of pasta. This product is a game changer. It was extremely easy to use, cooked quickly, and it came out PERFECTLY. Not over cooked, a little al dente, but not firm. Perfection. Now I have no excuse not to cook pasta for myself (and my husband) practically every day. BUY THIS. It will change your life.” —Hope Lanza
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
13. An Oxo corn peeler, because the main downside to the joy that is eating corn is having to those annoying threads out from your teeth. With this, you can easily slide those kernels off, which is much easier (and much safer!) than trying to use a knife and risk losing a finger.
Promising review: “I didn’t have high expectations for this corn cob peeler, but saw the good reviews so thought I would give it a chance. I am amazed. I can peel an ear of corn in seconds. As a child, I remember how my mom would peel off the corn and freeze it for year round corn. She would work her fingers to the bone. How great this would be for people who can or freeze corn. I noticed the blade is razor sharp, so I am being very careful with cleaning and storage. Highly recommended!” —Flossygirl
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in five styles).
14. A plant-based stainless steel cleaner for anyone who misses that beautiful, shiny reflection that their stainless steel appliances used to give off. It uses a blend of natural coconut oil to polish and remove streaks, smudges, and residue. It also leaves a protective barrier so that your surfaces stay cleaner for longer. Need I say more?Promising review: “The stainless-steel appliances in our rental were so stained and smudged. Regular cleaners didn’t work. I saw this product recommended on TikTok and immediately looked it up on Amazon. The reviews were good and price was right, but what won me over was the plant-based ingredient list and lavender scent. I used the product the day it arrived in the mail. Worked like a charm! Easy-to-use spray, microfiber cloth included. So now my stainless-steel appliances look shiny and my kitchen smells amazing! Highly recommend.” —diana, diana, diana
Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in two sizes and as a pack of two).
15. A pack of Baker’s Joy no-stick baking spray if you’re tired of sharing your signature homemade brownies with your pan. This spray uses flour and oil to ensure that your dessert slides right off and keeps its perfect shape. Plus, easy prep = easy cleanup!
Britt Ross / BuzzFeed
Britt: “My grandmother’s copper Bundt cake pan is one of my most prized possessions, but let me tell you — the first cake I attempted to make in it was nothing short of a disaster. I’d thoroughly greased the pan, so when it came time to flip my cake out, I figured it would be smooth sailing. Cut to: The bottom two-thirds of the cake slipped out easily, while the top stayed stubbornly fixed to the inside of the pan. A baker’s nightmare. I’d heard of Baker’s Joy, but until that moment, I’d thought of it as “cheating.” HOWEVER, I quickly got over myself and bought a can, and the next Bundt I made effortlessly glided out of the pan without me even having to do so much as tap on it (see photo above!). Let’s just say Baker’s Joy now has a permanent place in my pantry.”
Promising review: “I was ready to throw out my Bundt pans when someone recommended this to ease out cakes made in detailed Bundt pans. I was so excited that my gingerbread cake came out of the pan…perfectly. I tried a second time and it worked again. Hooray!!” —Rustycat2
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $18.
16. A Dash Safe Slice Mandoline — your fingers have been through enough near-death experiences in the kitchen. This comes with 30 slicing options that help you quickly achieve freshly cut, uniform fruits and veggies, whether you want them paper-thin or eight millimeters thick! This makes prep time so easy-breezy, I may just start cooking more (hey, I said might).
You can also use it for julienne- and matchstick-dicing! Just feed your ingredients through the tube, push the lever, and your slices will come out on the other side.
Promising review: “This tool is AMAZING! Like with anything, it has nooks and crannies to clean, BUT they provide a brush to clean it with. The product itself is easy to use and saved me SO much time! I just prepared a recipe that required a lot of ‘chopping,’ and I think this thing saved me 30 minutes! I wish I had bought it sooner!” —Craig J
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two colors).
17. A rapid egg cooker because it might just become the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning. It can make omelets, poached eggs, eggs Benedict, and scrambled, soft-, *and* hard-boiled eggs. (Six at the same time, might I add!). No need to worry about skipping out on breakfast when you’ve got your own personal little chef right here.Here’s what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: “I’ve owned one of these babies and have faithfully used it every week for upward of two years, and especially love it while working from home — it simplifies breakfast because I know no matter what assortment of groceries I’m working with, there are precooked eggs to add some protein to it (I like mine medium-boiled 🍳). If my dinner is boring or seems like it needs a little extra “oomph” to it, I’ll throw in an egg from this too. Some reviews note that the alarm on it is a little loud, but the new models have significantly decreased the volume and sing a little song instead!”
Promising review: “I saw someone on TikTok with this and gasped! Ordered it right away. I had no idea these things existed. Super easy and convenient and the hard-boiled eggs came out perfectly. I’m testing a batch now without punching a hole in the eggs to see how they come out. Because why not make an easy process even easier?!?! LOL.” —Gina
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in six colors).
18. A set of cleaning K-Cups — just what your single-serving coffee maker needs! It flushes out all of the residue that’s been making your morning coffee taste…weird (as if Monday mornings aren’t hard enough 🙄). Pop one in and brew as if you were making your go-to hot drink, then brew again without the cup to rinse it out. Now all that’s left to do is *sips coffee* ~enjoy~.
Promising review: “I bought this product because the needle in my Keurig 2.0 keeps clogging, causing inconsistent brew and taste. These cleaning cups fixed both of my issues, and I especially liked that it was really quick and easy to use. I put the cleaning pod in and ran one cycle, then took the pod out and ran a rinse cycle to clean out any leftover grinds. FAST, EASY, and GREAT results… VERY HAPPY!!” —Corey West
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.95 (also available as a 12-pack and an 18-pack).
19. And for your travel mugs, a pack of bottle cleaning tablets, because it’ll give your go-to work mug a much needed refresh and remove those stubborn stains giving your morning cup of joe a funky taste. The best part? It takes almost no effort on your part! Simply fill your bottle with warm water, drop in a tablet, let it fizz for 15–30 minutes, rinse, and kiss those coffee stains good bye.
Check out BuzzFeed Shopping’s Bottle Bright deep dive for more info!
Promising review: “Despite being diligent and rinsing my bottles out, they do tend to accumulate funky color, slight odor, etc. and generally just get gunkier over time. I heated up a pot of water, filled a few bottles, dropped one of these into each, and 15 minutes later most were sparkling clean, good as new. A few of the worst needed to be left a few hours/overnight, but in every case these pills worked magic. I also tried one just for kicks on my stainless steel lined coffee pot, over five years of daily use with filtered water, monthly descaling process, etc. but still showing browning inside, and one pill cleared all the stains away.” —C Stevens
Get a pack of 12 tablets from Amazon for $7.99 (also available as a 36-pack and 78-pack).
20. A patience-saving pair of herb scissors to help you achieve that Gordon Ramsay-level presentation with a fresh garnish. The best part? I’ll cut to the chase. These scissors have five blades so that you no longer have to mince all those frustratingly tiny leaves by hand.
It also comes with a comb to clean the leaves out from between the blades!
Promising review: “I like to grow herbs and use them in salads, soups, and many other recipes. I received these herb scissors as a birthday gift, and can’t believe how fast and easy it is to cut up cilantro, basil, parsley, lovage, etc. My husband tried them today too for the first time while making guacamole, and found that slicing the cilantro went very quickly. The storage case-cleaner is very efficiently designed, too. I ordered four of these sets to give as gifts.” —Lucille P. Nawara
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
21. A SinkShroom strainer if you’re someone who puts off doing the dishes because you can already tell how long the sink will take to drain just by looking at it (It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me). This helpful little gadget will catch all those extra food bits and keep your drain clog-free without slowing the flow of water. Guess there are no more excuses to avoid doing the dishes..yayyy.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon
And when it’s full, just *pop* the remnants into the trash without scraping any gunk out with your fingers.
Here’s what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga says about it: “I bought this for myself (since I’m clearly a REAL adult) and OMG. This thing REALLY works. Usually when my husband makes sauce from scratch I’m left with chunks of tomatoes throughout my sink and water that WILL NOT drain — that was until I bought the SinkShroom. My mom was so impressed she bought one, too. It’s a serious game-changer.”
Promising review: “I’ve gone through quite a number of sink strainers in my life and ALL of them have either broken or the little pop-up part won’t stay in the up position… especially when there’s a couple of pots in the sink that have been soaking. It doesn’t seem like a big thing, but day after day, cleaning out the sink drain, trying to get the little bugger to stay in the ‘up’ position, wrapping rubber bands around that pop-up thingy, only to have them become really yucky from the stuff I’m attempting to keep from going down the drain and I’d about had it! Then I find this SinkShroom. It’s been about two weeks and yes, it has CHANGED MY LIFE! I keep expecting a mini mess in the morning (my kids are usually up late at night, cooking and then cleaning their mess so it’s usually full in the a.m.) and there’s my SinkShroom… half filled with food pieces but EASY TO EMPTY!! No yucky wet mess. Just a simple flick into the garbage can. HALLELUJAH!” —Elizabeth B.
Get it from Amazon for $10.42 (also available as a two-pack and with a stopper).
22. Wilton cake strips to achieve cakes with smooth, flat layers and beautifully shaped domes that look like they belong on The Great British Bake Off. Just wet the strips, wrap them around your pans, and toss it all into the oven. You’ll be fooling everyone into believing you’re a pro in no time.
Promising review: “These really do work. You just soak them in ice water for a bit and put them around the pan and bake the cake, and the cakes come out much, much more level — no more dome top! After using these for the first time a year ago, I bought an extra set to have on hand for when I make multilayer cakes. You will still need to level your cake slightly, but it will be small adjustments rather than cutting off a large piece of the top. It is definitely easier to fit them to the pan BEFORE you get them wet — trying to adjust them when they are wet and cold is much more difficult. I’ve reused them multiple times with no issues. I highly recommend for anyone who does any basic level of cake baking/decorating.” —Michelle E.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.95 (also available as a set of six).
23. And a Wilton cake leveler if you refuse to let uneven layers be the downfall of the dessert you worked so hard to create. Use the measurement guide to adjust the blade to the height you want, glide it through your cake, and slather that yummy frosting on!
It’s designed for cakes that are 10 inches or smaller.
Promising review: “I had never used a ‘cake leveler’ before, although I had tried the procedure with a knife a couple of times — with disastrous results. This thing…what a great idea! I was making a special cake for a special birthday, and I wanted the layers to be even. I baked four layers, de-panned them, and let them completely cool in the fridge for an hour (as was recommended to me). I actually baked enough layers for two cakes, just in case I had a horrible accident while leveling and needed to start over. When the moment came to level, I approached the cake with some trepidation, but I needn’t have worried. The leveler sliced easily through each layer, with no tearing and no crumbling, and gave me perfectly flat tops. I ended up with two nearly perfect cakes. The trick is to be firm, but not rushed. A gentle sawing action did the trick. I will definitely be using this item a lot. My cakes finally look more like those made by the pros! Love it.” —Dr H
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
24. A 2-in-1 garlic press that lets you mince two cloves instead of one and comes with a silicone tube to peel them without having to get those potent juices on your hands (and potentially in your eyes!). Just cut off the hard part of the bottom of the garlic, put it in the tube, roll it around a bit, and out comes a perfectly intact clove.
Oh, and there’s also a small cleaning brush that’ll make getting those little stuck-on bits out a whole lot easier.
Promising review: “A garlic press??? Do you need a garlic press? The answer is YES, YES, YES!! This is a great garlic press combo set. It is made of very good, strong aluminum construction. It feels good in the hand, nice weight, and very easy to use. I have used it four or five times. It is designed with two holes, one that crushes the garlic, the second to slice the garlic. Both holes work great. The handle is nice and sturdy, easy to use. The durability factor is great. It comes with a little brush and a little cleaning tool to assist with cleaning. It makes cleaning fast and easy. It does a great job with any garlic that is stuck in the press. It does well in the dishwasher, too. I love the silicone peeler tube. I can’t believe I have never used a tool to assist with peeling. I guess it is better late than never!! This is a great press, of great quality, at a great price. It works great! This garlic press has saved me so much time in prep, making cooking a little easier. I will get one for my sister. She would love this, I know I do!! Great buy!” —Dee’s World
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
25. A pair of extra-long oven mitts, because let’s not forget — your wrists and forearms are subject to kitchen burns too! These will cover all the most vulnerable parts of your hands and arms, so you can reach into that oven for your freshly made casserole without fear for your skin against the super hot temperature.Promising review: “There is nothing to dislike about these oven mitts. They arrived quickly and I use them every day. I’ve baked cookies and bread and roasted meat and veggies without a single burn, which is a first for me. These long mitts protect way up on my arms and they are very flexible…no more pans slipping out of my hands because of padded cotton mitts that are too bulky to allow for a good grip. I will never use anything but these mitts, and I’m buying some for my daughter as well!” —Georgia grandma
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four sizes and 11 colors).
26. A cordless KitchenAid electric hand mixer for when you cannot find a single free outlet in your whole kitchen, but it’s time for another cozy night in with some yummy homemade cookies — this one makes 200 on a full charge!Amazon
It has seven speeds for everything from easy stirring to intense whipping, and can mix dough for dozens of cookies on a single charge.
Promising review: “Okay, I was skeptical about a cordless hand mixer. But I trust KitchenAid so I gave it a shot. Where has this been all my life?!? I love it! It’s quiet, powerful, lighter weight, and so convenient without the cord! Love!!!” —Staci Lyons
Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in three colors).
27. A pie crust shield you’ll be glad to have on hand when you realize it keeps those edges from getting burnt while the rest of it bakes to perfection. This is probably what Snow White used when making her signature gooseberry pie👀
It adjusts to fit pies ranging from 8–11.4 inches and is BPA-free!
Promising review: “Can’t live without these. You spend so much time preparing everything to make the perfect pie and then you notice that the crust is getting burnt. Argh. So you grab the aluminum foil and try not to burn your hands as you gingerly place it on the pie. This product is a game changer. It fastens into place to accommodate even little pot pies. You can put it on at the start and take it off near the end to brown the crust. No more burnt crust, I love it. I stick it in the dishwasher and it’s ready for the next pie. Worth the smile you’ll have on your face when you take your masterpiece out of the oven.” —OH
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99 (available in red or green).
28. An over-the-sink dish drying rack that’s especially ideal for kitchens in city apartments that could use a little (A LOT) more space. Use it to place smaller kitchen accessories or use it to since of your fruits and veggies!Promising review: “I bought this because I saw it on TikTok and I’m so glad I did! I hate having things on my counters that don’t belong. I have a dishwasher but I have some things (like most everyone) that aren’t dishwasher safe. I love that I can just roll this out and dry my dishes over the sink. The fact that air is able to get to all sides allows dishes like cups and bowls to actually get dry. Prior to this I was using a drying mat next to my sink, but I was always having to towel dry items that had been sitting out ‘drying’ for hours. Even my husband is impressed. He has told me multiple times it was such a good buy!” —Sheri
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two colors and nine sizes).
29. A four-event timer with a multi-tasking ability that I could only dream of having. It can track up to four separate events (each with its own distinct alarm!), has a magnet to stick to the fridge, and has a whiteboard so you can write down which dish is assigned to each timer. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll have your guests thinking you secretly have eight arms with how perfectly cooked every single dish is.
PS: It’s magnetic, so just stick it on your fridge!
Promising review: “This is SO handy! I was thinking of it, particularly for Thanksgiving, but have already used it for multiple cooking times. Takes a little practice setting, but once you do it a couple of times, it’s easy. Nice loud alarm. Does not shut off until you shut it off.” —shopping genie
Get it from Amazon for $10.63.
30. A jar of Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp for those nights when you get home from work and you’re in the mood for a flavorful meal but you are not in the mood to cook it. No need — just add this tasty condiment to your instant cup o’ noodles and it’ll give it just the right amount of spice, making your quick dinner go from basic to elaborate just like that.
Fly By Jing, Fly By Jing
Fly By Jing is an Asian woman-owned small business that makes sauces, seasonings, and dumplings featuring flavors from Sichuan.
Britt: “Ever since my sister introduced me to this life-changing condiment, I’ve slathered it on pretty much everything I could think of — from roasted vegetables and noodles to seafood and popcorn. It’s got a kick, yes, and while I’m a big fan of spicy food, the thing I love most about this chili crisp is that it also has great flavor that doesn’t get overpowered by the heat, which happens with so many other spicy sauces. That deep savory flavor comes from ingredients like fermented black bean, shallots, mushroom powder, ginger, and seaweed, so it’s no wonder it’s become my go-to pantry staple when I want to zhuzh up my dinner in a matter of seconds. PS: Some people even swear by it as an ice cream topping!”
Get it from Amazon for $11.79 or from Fly By Jing for $15.
31. An adjustable measuring spoon if you have a kitchen drawer that accommodates approximately five utensils. This combines five spoons into one so that you don’t spend half the time it takes for you to make your banana nut bread looking for your measuring utensils. All you gotta do is drag the slider to your desired amount and you’re good to go!
Promising review: “I really like that I can use just one tool to measure whatever I need by adjusting the spoon size. I cook and bake frequently and this has been so convenient to use. I no longer have to worry about finding a specific spoon size and this takes up less room, which is key since I have limited storage space.” —Amber O
Get it from Amazon for $12.25.
32. An oh-so-helpful corer so that your fingers are no longer at the mercy of a knife when trying to precariously prep your apple. It’s also suuuper satisfying to use. Pro tip: core the apple, slice it into horizontal pieces, and slather some peanut butter on it for an effortless, yummy midday snack!
It’s so much more efficient than using a knife, and once you’ve removed the core, the blades open up for simple disposal.
Promising review: “This thing is great. Very sturdy. Works amazingly well. I bought this because I had 1 1/2 bushels of apples I needed to core to make apple butter. Did the job in no time at all with this gadget. Much less waste than cutting around the core and in more than 99% of the apples, it removed the entire core and seeds without me having to do touch-ups with a paring knife. I highly recommend this tool and will be buying more of them to give as gifts for friends who enjoy the culinary arts.” —James Miller
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 14 colors).
33. And an Oxo 3-in-1 avocado tool because it’ll guac your world (🤭). It safely splits, pits, and slices your avocados so that you can stop faking that confidence when grabbing a knife to cut it in half (even though you know that seed in the middle is out for blood).
Promising review: “I love avocados, but I hardly ever buy them because they’re so inconvenient to deal with. This tool ABSOLUTELY changes that. I knew I was getting something that would make it a little easier to pit and slice my avocado, but I had no idea HOW MUCH EASIER it would be. This thing is amazing!” —Edianter
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
34. A silicone baking mat that’ll spare you so much money (and so many trees!) because it’ll let you kiss that flimsy parchment paper goodbye. This mat is bigger and thicker than your average one to accommodate more pastries and is made of non-stick material that helps reduce residue, making it super easy to clean. You can also use it as a sturdy surface to knead your dough!
If you’re sick of your cookies (or anything you cook) getting stuck to your baking sheet, consider this ingenious product your new best friend. Its slick, nonstick surface allows foods to glide right off (yes, really!) without any mess, and if you’re a lazy baker (like me) who doesn’t want to get the tape measure out, there’s a convenient measurement guide on each mat in case you want to be extra precise.
Promising review: “I like everything about these baking mats. They are great in the oven and really cut down on cleanup for cookie sheets and baking pans. I bought some more to put in my refrigerator. Cleaning is a breeze. I just take them out, wipe them down with vinegar and water, and rinse them off. I let them dry in the dish drainer whilst I wipe down the fridge. And they provide an added bonus of keeping the glass shelves from getting all scratched up.” —pauwau
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in three sizes).
35. A KitchenAid immersion blender here to save the day and keep you from having to pour hot liquids into a blender and risk burning yourself. It speedily dissolves any chunks in your homemade tomato soup so that it has that velvety, creamy texture without ever having to transfer it from the pot!
Britt: I own the blue immersion blender, and as someone who’s just 5 feet tall and has practically zero upper body strength, I find that it’s been a total game changer. Now, whenever I want a smooth sauce or silky soup, all I have to do is stick this bad boy into the pot, press a button, and presto! No more having to muster up all my strength to lift a heavy pot, and then pour hot liquid from it into a blender (I mean, disaster waiting to happen and such a poor use of time). Oh, and it’s SO easy to clean, plus the pretty blue hue makes me happy every time I use it!
Promising review: “Best immersion blender I’ve used! This thing is so powerful! Smoothly blended my roasted butternut squash, onion, and celery to make a bisque. I love the pan guard so I can blend right in the pot and it doesn’t scratch. It was very easy to use and clean. Highly recommend.” —Annabelle
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in 11 colors and in a bundle with accessories).
36. A total lifesaver, an Oxo fat separator with a stopper that keeps all of your gravy’s glorious flavor in and that unwanted fat out as you pour the juices over it. Gone are the days of having to take forever to skim the fat off (but I mean, who are you to correct others if they think you did this all yourself?).
Promising review: “I can’t believe I spent so many years using a spoon trying to get the fat out of gravy and sauces. This separator took mere seconds to do the work!” —Marlo Casabar
Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in two sizes).
37. A 100% natural oven scrub for when your mom is on her way to visit and uh.. your oven has seen better days. This is made of pumice powder and essential oils that give it deep-cleaning powers free of harsh fumes while leaving a light, fresh scent. No more scrubbing frantically until your arms fall off — this’ll cut through those tough stains for you.
Everneat / Etsy
It also comes with a metallic scrubber!
Everneat is a small biz based in Fairfield, Connecticut that specializes in natural cleaning products.
Promising reviews: “Love everything about this! Love the scent and the clean it provides! We could not get our oven window clean with any previous product — this did it in seconds :)” —Elizabeth Rowe
“This stuff is MAGIC! One application and it took 15 years of yuck off my oven that refused to come off with other oven cleaners! The product does most of the work so you really don’t have to scrub for hours. Highly recommend this stuff!” —Traci Hutchinson
Get it from Everneat on Etsy for $19.99 (available in three scents) or from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 14 styles).
38. A set of food storage containers with labels so that you never again confuse the cinnamon for the cumin powder — yikes. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a beautifully organized pantry cupboard that happens to make their everyday life easier? These containers are also air-tight so that there’s nothing in there that shouldn’t be in there.
This epic set comes with 15 canisters and 24 labels!
Promising review: “Fits and stacks not only on my counter, but in my cabinets, too! Instead of the boxes, I dump it all into the containers and label them. Gives me more space in my cabinet. Great buy!” —Doreem
Get a set of 15 from Amazon for $23.63+ (available in three colors).
39. A hands-free electric can opener, because idk about you, but I’m a little too uncoordinated to be hand cranking those cans open every time I get the motivation to meal prep. This does it for you and leaves a smooth edge to avoid cuts!
Don’t forget the AA batteries!
Promising reviews: “Life changing!!! I open dog food cans daily and pumpkin cans to mix with the dog food. My old hands couldn’t take it anymore! This little gadget does it ALL! Set it on top of the can, push the button, and walk away!! AND! NO SHARP EDGES!!” —Tammy Richardson
“Such an easy way to open cans. This will reduce my cooking time! I would shy away from cans at grocery stores because I had such a hard time using my mechanical can opener. They were risky and left sharp edges that could hurt anyone. This can opener is a godsend. It comes with an instruction manual that clearly shows how to use it. It’s super simple. I got it out of the box, inserted four AA batteries, and it was good to go. This is very user-friendly, no sharp edges, and gives a clean cut. I love love love it. To everyone who is thinking about getting one, it’s a little more expensive than the manual ones, but well worth it. It will save your hands!” —liberty
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in four colors).
40. An Angry Mama microwave cleaner — this mom actually cleans for you instead of being angry that you didn’t clean. Just fill with vinegar and water, heat in the microwave for about seven minutes, and admire how easily those gross, crusty food remnants wipe right off ~without~ the need for any hard scrubbing while crouched in that tiny space.
Promising review: “I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t cleaned my microwave in about six months. It’s an awful task. I ran Angry Mama one time, wiped down easily, then ran it one more time to get it really clean. Highly recommend using it more often than once every six months for a super fast, super clean microwave!” —Kelsey
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in four colors).
41. A four-tier kitchen organizer for those teeny tiny gaps in your kitchen that you thought had no use but to collect dust. Use this to store all your most-used spices and easily slide it in and out of its space, instead of cramming them all together and having them plan a sneak attack on you as you open the cabinet doors.
It’s perfect for things like condiments, baking ingredients, and canned goods, though many reviewers use this for their bathrooms and laundry spaces, too!
Promising review: “This is pretty fantastic. I had the exact amount of space needed to put this little pantry between my refrigerator and cabinets. It was easy to install and holds quite a lot of stuff. I put about 24 bottles of water and juice and some cereal and I still had space. Highly recommend it for small spaces.” —SIMARA
Get it from Amazon for $23.78.
42. A pair of cut-resistant gloves, so that your fingies no longer have to fear for their life when you reach for that knife. Throw these on and you’ll be choppin’ up those fruits and veggies with more confidence, whether you’re a beginner or a pro!Amazon
Promising review: “I bought the gloves because I had two nasty cuts in quick succession from a cheese grater. Anyone who has had injuries to their fingers knows how difficult it is to continue to do everyday activities and meal preparation while still protecting your wound. I received the gloves quickly after my order and pressed them into use immediately that evening. I am most impressed. My fingers/hands were protected from my very sharp grater and knife while I prepared dinner. I bought two pairs, one to keep and one to give as a gift. I am now going to buy a third pair in a larger size for a friend who also likes to cook but suffers from occasional run-ins with mandolines, graters, and knives. Great product!” —O’Hare
Psst — check out BuzzFeed’s NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves deep dive for more deets.
Get it from Amazon for $13.79+ (available in sizes XS–XL, three styles, and four colors).
43. A genius scrap collector that hooks right over a cabinet door or drawer so that you can easily dispose of all the leftover bits of food in your prep area without having to cradle them in your hands and run them over to the trashcan. What did Colette from Ratatouille say? Keep your station clean!
Promising review: “I love the size! I hang it from a drawer above the cabinet where the trash is located — it fits great without getting in the way of opening the trash below and helps me remember to use it for food scraps before putting in garbage in the trash. I also like that it’s silicone. I was worried it would be flimsy on the countertop when performing food prep, but not all — it stands on its own holding its shape. We have problems with fruit flies so I empty it into our food scraps bag in the freezer frequently, but I also find adding coffee grounds keeps food odors at bay. Ordering another one of these for our lake cabin and would definitely recommend to others!” —MalshiMama
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two colors).
44. And last but not least, an ultra-cushiony nonslip kitchen mat because your legs and feet deserve some lovin’ too! If you can’t stand feeling like you have to sit down every five minutes throughout your food prep time, place this in your kitchen area for that extra support and comfort to make standing for long periods much comfier.
Believe it or not, comfortable kitchen mats can cost way more than you’d think, but this affordable version has thousands of great reviews. It’s waterproof, has a nonslip bottom, and is super easy to clean.
Promising review: “For over a year, we’ve been cooking more meals in our kitchen, and the tile floor is very hard on our legs when you are just standing by the sink washing and prepping foods, not to mention washing dishes, etc. This kitchen mat relieves leg fatigue. So much so, no one is complaining about it anymore. Really such a good value compared to all the other more expensive alternatives. My only advice is when you receive the mat, to put it on a flat surface and weigh the edges down for a day or two, since it has a tendency to curl up after you unpack it. Other than that, it’s great.” —C. Cruz
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 12 sizes and nine colors).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
