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27 Kitchen Products To Make Cooking Much Easier

27 Kitchen Products To Make Cooking Much Easier

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An egg timer so you end up with perfectly ~egg-cellent~ boiled eggs every time — whether you want them soft, jammy, or hard!
Promising reviews: "I've used this product for many years (at least 15 years and I honestly think it's been more years than that). I get perfect eggs every time. It's so easy to use! I add it into the cold water while I put my eggs to boil, and the red part starts turning a dark color from the outside in, as the timing correlates to whether your eggs have cooked long enough to be soft, medium, or hard. I wash this easily with a soapy sponge (never used in a dishwasher). Two friends were recently fascinated by this, so I just got these as little gifts. I was sure to get them this exact brand as it's what I've always used. I have never had to replace it and it has consistently gotten a lot of use over the years." —Mezzanine Daze"I just used it for the first time to hard-boil 12 eggs, and it worked perfectly! All 12 eggs came out perfectly hard-boiled. It was super easy to use, too. I just boiled water, put the eggs in along with the timer, and waited. As soon as it turned black, I took the eggs out and put them in ice. The eggs slid right out of their shells and were the perfect level of hard-boiled, with no runniness. I highly recommend buying this, so you don't need to worry about taking the eggs out too early or overcooking them. It is a much easier way to make the most amazing hard-boiled eggs!" —Briana PutrusGet it from Amazon for $9.99.
An Instant Vortex Plus air fryer that will let you whip up delicious foods with practically just the touch of a button. (Seriously, it's as easy as that!) Plus, it can also broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, and reheat just as easily. Wowza!
Promising reviews: "Love this! Makes my cooking easier. Love this so far. It is fast and reliable. The only thing I miss is having a recipe available for use. But overall, I have enjoyed using it, and the food comes out delicious. Very happy with my purchase." —Juls B"Have you ever used one of these things? They are freaking great, I could cook all kinds of stuff in it without heating up the whole house, and it's pretty damn quick. Really easy to clean, which makes me really happy because, honestly, I hate kitchen work. This thing has made my life easier and I love it." —DanielGet it from Amazon for $139.95+ (available in two sizes).
And a magnetic air fryer cheat sheet to make cooking with your new air fryer even speedier. This handy guide lists out cooking times and temperatures for all sorts of popular food items, including meats, vegetables, frozen foods, and more, so you don't have to waste all that time sifting through online recipe blogs.
Promising review: "All the info I need. And right where I need it. It's easy to use and makes using my air fryer so much easier." —Pamela A.Get it from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in two colors and in bundles).
A TikTok-famous veggie chopper since it will make slicing and chopping all those veggies a piece. of. cake. The bottom part even acts as a storage container, too!
A heat-resistant meat and potato masher because you'll find it's a whole lot less work to use this handy tool than trying to smush everything with a fork or traditional masher. Work smarter, not harder, my chefs!
An Instant Pot ready to take up the position of head chef in your household. Save yourself the hassle and let this do the (pressure) cooking, roasting, broiling, steaming, and sautéing for you!
I love my Instant Pot all year long and use it at least once a week. During colder months, I tend to make a new soup, chili, or stew every week, and in warmer months, I use it for roasting veggies, baking potatoes, cooking rice, and more! It's such an easy and quick way to meal prep for the week, or portion and freeze for easy weeknight meals, which is ~super clutch~ when you're a busy gal like me (and who isn't busy!).Promising review: "I absolutely love my Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1! This versatile kitchen gadget has quickly become my go-to appliance for making dinner time so much easier. The combination of nine functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, rice cooking, steaming, and even yogurt making, really saves time and space in the kitchen.I've used it for everything from tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken to perfect rice and even delicious homemade yogurt — and it's delivered every single time. The pressure cooker feature is particularly a game changer, cutting down cooking times drastically, which is a lifesaver on busy days.The interface is user-friendly, and the display is clear and easy to read. I was a bit intimidated at first, but after reading the manual and using the pre-programmed settings, it's been smooth sailing. It's also easy to clean, which is a big plus.If you're looking for an all-in-one kitchen appliance that can handle a variety of cooking tasks with ease, I highly recommend the Instant Pot Duo Plus! It's a total time-saver and has helped me elevate my meals without the hassle." —Ronnie JacobGet it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two sizes).
An electric griddle for all my breakfast and brunch lovers. This thing is perfect for sizzling up your entire morning spread, from pancakes and crepes to bacon and eggs — and the nonstick surface makes it a breeze to clean, too!
I'm not kidding when I say that our electric griddle came out every single weekend when I was growing up. It's just that good. The non-stick surface is so much easier to cook on than a regular pan, too.Promising reviews: "My family loves breakfast night — and this bad boy makes breakfast cooking for a crowd so much easier. I have had one just like it for 10 years — I'm just now replacing it!" —Kindle Customer"I had one of these a million years ago. It started to peel, so I threw it away. This is the perfect way to cook pancakes. You get the exact temp. I always used just between 300 and 350. This is even nicer than my old one was... You can take the handles off!!! Stores perfectly. AND wow... Talk about non-stick... This surface is slick...It is the perfect appliance that I have ever owned. Really, if you cook a lot of stuff at once, this is the trick. And...the temp control is the bees knees." —G. TurnerGet it from Amazon for $59.99.
Plus, a cleverly designed pancake dispenser bottle in case you tend to struggle with pouring out the batter on the griddle or pan. Use this for perfectly shaped flapjacks with no drips or spills!
Promising reviews: "This thing makes pancake mornings so much easier. I add the ingredients in, shake it up, and pour. No bowls or mess. The little blender ball inside helps mix everything up nicely, and the spout gives you good control, which is great if you like getting creative with pancake shapes (I don't lol). Plus, it stands on its own, which is super handy." —Juliana Narvaez"Most likely the best thing to ever be invented for moms lol. This makes cooking pancakes or anything liquid so much easier. It's mess free and it's so easy to clean up when done using." —AliciaGet it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors and in bundles).
A nonstick cookware set since you deserve stylish pots and pans that won't leave half the food stuck to the bottom, giving you a headache both while you're cooking and afterwards, when it's time to do the dishes. Enter these gorgeous babies!
The set includes medium and large frying pans, a saucepan with lid, and steamer, a casserole pot with lid, a saute pan with lid, and a white silicone turner.Promising review: "These pans are super stylish. I love the material, the style, and the color. They're so nice looking, I added wall hooks to keep them on display when not in use. They're easy to cook in and even easier to clean. I've had no issues with food sticking at all. Everything wipes out super easily. They have a nice feel to them. Much heavier than typical aluminum pans, which allow them to heat more evenly and stay in place while in use. Some of our smaller nonstick pans were off balance due to the handle being heavier than the pan itself. These CAROTE pans don't have that issue at all. The included utensils are heavy as well. They have a nice feel to them. They're great pans for the price. I enjoy each piece of this set. It's a great addition to your own kitchen, or would make an amazing gift for somebody." —JMVGet it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in six set sizes and three colors).
A rather genius expandable colander that rests directly over your sink. Such a clever solution for rinsing veggies, straining pasta, peeling potatoes, and other kinds of prep work — we love to see it!
Promising review: "Loved this and bought a couple as Christmas presents. Works great and makes cleaning veggies easier. Would highly recommend." —Amazon Customer"This is one of those little appliances that make your life in the kitchen easier." —RigovichGet it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in seven colors and various two-packs).
A super handy clip-on strainer to help ensure you don't lose a single noodle when it comes time to drain the excess water — this attaches directly to the rim of the pot to prevent any such tragedies.
Promising reviews: "Works exactly as described!! Makes pasta cooking and the straining process waaaaaaaaaaay easier! :) love it! Everyone should have one in their kitchen! Or two lol! (Washes great in dishwasher)" —Amazon Customer"Great kitchen gadget to have! Every single kitchen should have one of these! Super easy to use stays put and does the job!" —Donna VGet it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in seven colors).
Or, a bestselling microwavable pasta cooker so you can skip the whole boiling and straining water bit entirely and just use the good 'ole microwave instead.
A digital food thermometer because the key to preparing perfectly moist and tender meat is to cook it to the exact right temperature, which this will conveniently measure and display for you in real time. No more guessing games — just simple BBQ-ing that delivers ~sizzling~ results.
Promising review: "I'm really impressed with the ThermoPro TP025 Digital Food Thermometer. The extra-long stainless steel probe is perfect for safely checking temperatures on the grill, in the oven, or deep inside large roasts without getting too close to the heat. It gives quick, accurate readings in just a few seconds, which makes cooking so much easier and more precise. The backlit display is bright and easy to read, even in dim lighting, and the foldable design makes it super convenient to store in a drawer or take on the go. Overall, it's a solid, reliable kitchen tool that's become a must-have for me. Great quality for the price, and I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone who cooks at home or outdoors!" —Amy GriffinGet it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a two-pack).
A Ninja professional blender featuring 1,000 watts of high-speed, ice-crushing power and an extra large 72-ounce capacity, which means you can whip up even more of your fave smoothies, soups, and sauces in record time...and maybe even sneak in an extra serving or two of veggies for the whole fam.
Promising reviews: "There are some products that just change your life. The blender is mostly plastic, but it doesn't feel cheap. It is very secure. It locks onto the base with a satisfying click. The lid locks down with a similar click. Unless you have heard both clicks, the blender won't start. And good thing. The blades are very sharp. They are angled to create a vortex that instantly turns any fruits and vegetables inside into viscous liquid. I like that the spout has a lid that locks open so you can pour easily. The blades come out so they can be cleaned easily, along with the inside of the decanter. This blender has high, medium, and low settings. You can pulse. It is loud, which I take to be a feature and not a drawback. Neither my kids nor I particularly like fruits and vegetables, so we don't get nearly enough. And yet I can put in 10 bananas, two cartons of strawberries, two of blueberries, a bag of spinach (yes, spinach!), a cup of plain Greek yogurt, one interrupted conversation...and: ambrosia! The decanter is huge, and yet between the three of us, we can and do empty it in one meal. Yay!" —The Wheels Go Round"My husband has been using this blender for a while and it's a GIANT upgrade from our last one. The lid is sturdy and basically locks in place. The pitcher also locks in place. No leaks! Has a nice spout to pour out of. Cleaning is a breeze, no small parts for connecting the blade to the pitcher! It's just the lid, the pitcher, and the blade "pole". The pole has 3 tiers of blades, which is probably the best part. Makes blending so much quicker and easier. This is THE blender, seriously." —AustinGet it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in four styles).
Or, a nine-speed immersion blender since it basically does the job of a big boy blender, only directly in the pot, bowl, or cup itself! Plus, it has attachments for frothing and whisking too, so you can whip up a fancy little latte, should you so desire.
Promising reviews: "Would definitely recommend this product for anyone looking for a small, lightweight but durable and functional blender tool for your soups and a mixer for your baked goods. It's great to have two different attachments. Super powerful but not overly spastic. It keeps your kitchen clean and makes cooking that much easier." —Matt Rinidini"Packaging was well done. Very pleased with the product, and it makes cooking simple to achieve. I cook for a family of seven!!! Any way to make a task easier, I am all about it. Buy this, it helps make smoothies, salsas, soups, mixing, and beating, and is much easier to use and clean." —JacksonGet it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in two other bundles).
Our Place's "Always Pan 2.0" if using lots of cookware at once quickly overwhelms you. This multi-functional beauty does 10 (!!) different jobs to make cooking less complicated: saute, sear, bake, braise, steam, fry, boil, roast, strain, and serve!
Promising review: "Amazing how easy this purchase has made cooking! It has eased the stress of preparing meals and actually made cooking something to look forward to! You really don't need high heat to make amazing meals, and the nonstick pan and easy cleanup are *chef's kiss!* And the handle holder is an amazing bonus! This would make an amazing birthday, housewarming, or holiday gift for friends and family! Amazing investment for cooking at home!" —Alison S.Get it from Our Place for $129 (available in five colors and two other sizes).
A silicone baking mat so you can ditch the parchment paper (which is real P.I.T.A to rip out of the container, right?!) for something just as effective and less wasteful. Talk about a win-win!
Promising review: "We have been using a set of silicone mats for several years. We have been very pleased with the Amazon Basics brand! Easy to use and easy to clean!Ever wake up to a baking tray that someone has left in the sink with a stuck-on pizza crust? If any of you have ever had a teen cook in your house, you can relate! My problem was SOLVED with these!! We have had no issues at all with higher heats! Do they stain? Yes, with some foods, such as spaghetti sauce. There is really little you can do about that. I purchased a new set today so my husband has perfect ones to bake his Christmas cookies! We also needed two more so he can bake more cookies at a time! Easy to clean! They are safe on the top rack of your dishwasher, or you can handwash if you like. We only use them in our dishwasher. It's just plain easier. We have purchased these as gifts and they are much loved. We have trained our new chefs in the house to use them! Yay! No more cooking spray all over!" —Olivia"This is the best thing! It fits perfectly on my cookie sheets. It is easy to clean and is a helpful tool in my baking!" —Alissa GGet a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two styles and four-packs).
A revolving spice rack that's fashionable, functional, and certain to speed up your cooking time. Did I mention it comes with 20 spice jars already pre-filled and labeled?!
The jar includes the spice rack and 20 pre-filled spice jars: basil, bay leaves, celery salt, chives, cilantro, coriander, crushed mint, dill weed, fennel seed, herbes de provence, Italian seasoning, marjoram, oregano, parsley, pizza seasoning, rosemary, savory seasoning, season salt, and sea salt.Promising reviews: 'I love this spice rack. I organised my spice jars in alphabetical order to make it easier to locate each spice. Good-sized jars of spices. Looks great on the countertop too. If you're looking for something like a well-made product, then look no further! And, to top it off, you get 5 years of free refills!" —Susan C"Love the look and the combination of spices! It is so much better to have them handy when cooking. It makes everything so much easier and enjoyable!" —Lina BarzevaGet it from Amazon for $33.37 (also available in a three-pack, which would be great if you plan to gift these to people).
An absolutely adorable bird-shaped lemon juicer to squeeze out your citrus juice and have a little fun while you're at it. It's almost like the bird is singing a juicy little lemon tune for us, no?
A leakproof kids' bento box with five compartments since it will make prepping and packing a healthy school lunch easier for you and actually eating said lunch much more enjoyable for them. No more foods getting all mushed together during the bumpy bus ride.
Promising review: "I recently got the Bentgo Kids Mermaid Leak-Free Lunch Box for my 3-year-old daughter, and I am so impressed! The five compartments are perfect for packing her favorite snacks, from fruit and crackers to little sandwiches and even a small treat. She loves how everything is separated, and I don't have to worry about foods mixing together. Cleaning is super easy as well, and it's lightweight enough for her to carry herself, which she enjoys. Overall, this lunch box has made packing her meals so much easier and more fun, and I'd definitely recommend it to other parents!" —Jennifer YangGet it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in 33 styles).
A *crab-tastic* silicone spoon holder that clips to the pot lid and quite literally pinches the utensil in place with its cute little claws! Yep, this is a need not a want.
Promising review: "Red the spoon crab is about the size of a baseball, and very sturdy. What I didn't know is that he can clip onto your pots and pans easily and securely to hold the spoon over the pot to freely drip. He also ROTATES TO MAKE LIFE EASIER!!! He arrived as advertised and it was no effort to clean him up. He's in the kitchen now waiting on me to make dinner, and I think he's the best kitchen purchase I've made in a long time! If I could award above 5 stars I absolutely would, this company and their products UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT and surpass every mark." —AshleyGet it from Amazon for $16.95.
A two-stage knife sharpener to get those dull blades back to their former pointed glory. Effortlessly slicing through meat and tough veggies is wayyyy easier than having to practically saw through 'em.
A "Bacon Bin," which unlike the old pickle jar you've been using, is actually meant to collect and store grease. This easy-to-use cutie is heat resistant and features a built-in strainer to separate out small bacon bits.
As soon as the grease hardens, you can scoop it out for easy disposal, or if you're feeling more adventurous, reuse it in other recipes. Promising review: "I love this little guy. I make a lot of Bacon Jam for friends/family and that results in generating a lot of bacon grease. I needed something convenient, yet small, to store the bacon grease in. This little guy fits the bill perfectly. Makes it easier to use the bacon grease in my vodka pie crust instead of lard or shortening when I make my homemade pot pies. He's practical, doesn't take up a large amount of space on my counter, and just downright cute!" —BonBonGet it from Amazon for $18.
A garlic press that works through a gentle rocking motion rather than by loading the cloves in and smushing the garlic out (like more traditional presses). Why is this design far superior? Well, it's not only way easier to use but also easier to clean. *Plus* it comes with tools for peeling off the shell and scraping the minced garlic off the surface.
Promising reviews: "Excellent kitchen tool. I bought three of them as gifts and everyone uses them, and loves them. They make prepping fresh garlic so much easier and less time consuming. Great price, great value!" —purchasee"I use fresh garlic in a lot of recipes and this makes mincing it so much easier and faster than just using a knife. I love that it comes with the garlic peeler and little knife to help scrape it off the tool." —Ansley RickGet it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two colors).
An adjustable measuring spoon designed to replace the army of measuring utensils currently on reserve in your drawer. This one tool can measure dry and wet ingredients up to 1 tablespoon or 15 ml, and that means fewer dishes to clean later.
This can measure wet ingredients from 1 ml up to 15 ml and dry ingredients from ¼ tsp up to 1 tbsp.Promising reviews: "It's easier to know what quantity is in the body. There are no spills. It's just easier to use than the traditional spoon set. It also takes up less room." —Bizzy"BUY! SO much easier! As someone who cooks dinner at least six times a week, the constant use of measuring spoons is vital, but also annoying because they add up in the sink. This is one dish, and quick and easy to clean. Love!" —JocelynGet it from Amazon for $8.99.
A four-pack of collapsible funnels since they're super handy for all sorts of random things, like refilling the salt and pepper, and measuring out liquids *and* they fold up super compact for smart storage.
Promising review: "I love these they are awesome easy to clean and store away because they with the different sizes collapsible and stackable. Make my life easier." —TishGet it from Amazon for $5.38 (also available in a six-pack).
A nifty multitool jar opener about to become your trusted sidekick in the fight against super tight jars. According to reviewers, it's easy to use even if you've got weak grip strength or arthritis. Plus! It's got a bunch of other neat features, like a bottle cap grip, jar breaker claw, pull tab assister, soda can tab opener, and bottle opener.
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  • Newsweek

Rescue Cat Won't Let Go of One Thing After Adoption, Viewers Obsessed

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4-Year-Old Can't Use Fire Escape, Horror as Mom Sees What the Problem Is

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Newsweek

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The note Hanson wrote for her neighbors to apologize and explain. The note Hanson wrote for her neighbors to apologize and explain. @miltonandotto / TikTok While she isn't certain which neighbor wrote the letter, Hanson has spoken directly to some of the people in her building and they were very understanding. It's been 12 months since she received that letter, and Otto has made great strides in that time. For the most part, he doesn't bark or whine when Hanson leaves now. Whenever she checks the pet cam, he's usually asleep with his blind rescue brother named Milton. "He does get sad when I leave, but he is doing so well. He was not left alone for more than 30 minutes to an hour after that note. He either went to a friend's who was home, or a dog sitter. Little by little, I tried various ways to leave him, and one day, miraculously, there was no barking, crying or scratching. And it just got better from there," Hanson continued. Indeed, Hanson told Newsweek that Milton "appreciates the peace" now too as they can both get their beauty sleep. The proud owner often documents the lives of her rescue dogs on their dedicated TikTok account (@miltonandotto), and in July she shared a post about the note her neighbors wrote. The post has melted hearts in a matter of days, leading to more than 38,200 views and over 3,200 likes on TikTok at the time of writing. The online response has been incredibly uplifting, as Hanson hopes to show that rescue dogs are capable of thriving if they're given patience and love. "Everyone, for the most part, is supportive and proud of Otto for being such a champ. I hope we are helping to educate people on the horrors of puppy mills but also the strength and resilience of dogs. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch Otto thrive," Hanson said. Otto's story has generated over 100 comments on TikTok, as internet users praised the progress he's made so far. One comment reads: "such a brave little soul!" Another TikTok user wrote: "That was such a sweet and thoughtful note they left, glad he's doing better." Another person responded: "Beautiful story and ending." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.

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