From the article: 10 Kitchen Gadgets Under 15 Bucks That Really Work
Some of the hardest-working, longest-lasting tools in the kitchen sell for under $15. In your experience, what have they been? Share Your Favorite Tool
Jar Opener
- I have a big, plier-like jar opener that cost $12 and has saved my weak-armed self from searching down a strong neighbor many, many times. I can pop open anything!
- —Guest Molly
The wire whisk
- I have a huge collection of wire whisks that I use for everything from salad dressing to cooked custard. Nothing mixes better.
- —ABBUSYCOOKS
Couldn't Live Without My ...
- Y-shaped peeler, zester that came free with a food mag subscription, cheap cherry pitter, kitchen shears, and my trusty silicone baking mat
- —Guest FionaH
7-in-1 Mandolin Slicer/Grater
- My cousin gave me something called the "7-in-1 Mandolin Slicer/Grater." It's white plastic with stainless steel blades. He got it at the Corning Revere Factory Store for $9.99 (the price is still on it). When I got married, someone gave me a high-tech really expensive mandolin that I could never figure out how to use. This cheap plastic one, however, is great! I use it all the time! (The box says "Imported by Corning Revere Factory Stores, Corning, NY 14831")
- —NancyL.
Microplane and Parmesan - the Best
- The long thin microplane isn't available to buy in the UK (???)so I have mine brought over by anyone visiting the States. I keep a few in the drawer, one for zesting and one for my Parmesan cheese. It is the best Parmesan grater ever. The cheese seems to go about three times further as it grates so light and fluffy and it melts like a dream onto a hot sauce. I LOVE IT!
- —ElaineLemm
Microplane Grater
- I'm a big fan of my microplane zester/grater, which I've owned for probably around 10 years, and is around $13. I use it for hard cheeses, garlic, ginger, lemon zest, chocolate, nutmeg and more. And it's stayed sharp after all those years!
- —JessicaHarlan
It's the Palm Peeler Hands Down and Up
- I just love the palm peeler. I have more control when I peel anything from a potato to a cucumber. Plus being a lefty, it's an equal opportunity peeler. Others may say they are, but I don't find that to be true.
- —CarrollPellegrinelli
I Like Only the Basics
- I agree that some gadgets do work, but I have yet to find a gadget that's worth drawer or cupboard space, or worth the effort to clean. Maybe I've become too proficient with the basics.
- —Guest Christine
This will sound odd, but...
- My grandmother's jar opener, from (?) the 40s. Simple, effective, and i use it all the time.
- —nacheroo
Tongs
- The most recent totally useful tool I've added to my kitchen (and I added it about 5 years ago) is a skimmer for removing the foam that rises to the top of homemade stock. It's a big improvement over an ordinary spoon and over a slotted spoon.
- —Guest Kevin
