Unexpected Kitchen Tools Our Editors Adore
Playful gizmos can turn routine meal prep into a creative, joy-filled ritual.
Every kitchen lover has a secret: a gadget, tool, or piece of equipment that may not be essential, entirely practical, or even justifiable to a minimalist. Yet, somehow, these items win a permanent place on our shelves, countertops, and—most importantly—in our hearts. In this article, our editors reveal the unconventional, sometimes quirky, kitchen tools they can’t bear to part with. We’ll discuss why we love them, how they make our cooking lives richer, and even what we wish everyone else understood about these beloved oddities.
Why We Fall for Unconventional Kitchen Tools
Classic kitchen advice cautions us against ‘unitaskers’—gadgets designed for one job. Counter space is precious; practicality rules. Still, even the most logical among us give in to whimsy, nostalgia, or sheer delight. Our favorite non-essentials can:
- Turn a chore into a joy
- Invoke memories or cultural pride
- Encourage culinary experimentation
- Celebrate design, inventiveness, or tradition
1. The Joy of Owning a Mortar and Pestle
Editor Pick: Granite Mortar and Pestle
Ask almost any home cook and they’ll say a spice grinder or food processor covers most needs. Yet, the tactile pleasure and control offered by a sturdy mortar and pestle is unmatched. Whether it’s crushing aromatics for a curry, mashing garlic with salt, or pounding chilies for sambal, the mortar and pestle turns simple recipes into immersive, sensual experiences. The weight of the granite, the rhythm of each movement—these sensations connect us to generations of cooks past.
- Perfect for: Pesto, guacamole, curry pastes, spice blends
- Why we love it: Total control of texture and flavor extraction
- Editor’s tip: Use a damp paper towel under the base to hold it steady
2. Small Sheet Pans: Not Just for Cookies
Editor Pick: Eighth and Quarter Sheet Pans
Full-size baking sheets are kitchen standards, but their little siblings—the eighth and quarter pans—deserve equal adoration. These compact pans offer flexibility for smaller portions, testing recipes, or prepping mis en place. With limited oven space, they allow staggered batch baking or toasting spices without cross-contaminating flavors. Durable, stackable, and easy to store, these pans are our not-so-secret workhorse.
- Perfect for: Toasting nuts, roasting one chicken thigh, baking a test cookie
- Why we love it: Portion control and less washing up
- Editor’s tip: Try them in a toaster oven!
3. Japanese Mandoline: Razor-Thin Slices
Editor Pick: Benriner Mandoline
Knives may be fundamental, but nothing rivals a Japanese mandoline for producing impossibly thin, precise slices on demand. Whether prepping piles of shredded cabbage for slaws, julienning carrots, or slicing potatoes for chips, the Benriner makes short work of tasks that would fatigue even a chef’s hand. It’s not the safest tool (hello, guard!), but it’s one that inspires confidence with practice.
- Perfect for: Salad prep, garnishes, even potato gratin
- Why we love it: Uniformity and speed
- Editor’s tip: Always use the safety guard (fingertips are precious!)
4. Glass Measuring Cups: Function and Nostalgia
Editor Pick: Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups
Plastic and metal measuring tools abound, but the classic glass measuring cup feels both sturdy and comforting. The bright red markings, the weight, and the easy-pour spout bring a sense of belonging—these belong in every family kitchen. They’re microwave-safe, perhaps indestructible, and double as prep bowls for whisking vinaigrettes or melting butter for baking. A true multitasker in a world obsessed with specialization.
- Perfect for: Measuring, mixing, melting
- Why we love it: Visibility, heat-proof versatility, nostalgia
- Editor’s tip: Use as a gravy boat or smoothie glass in a pinch
5. Offset Spatula: Beyond the Cake
Editor Pick: Small Offset Spatula
Officially sold as a frosting tool, the offset spatula shines far beyond cake. Its size, thinness, and gentle bend make it ideal for flipping pancakes, spreading hummus, lifting fried eggs, or loosening brownies from their pan. It’s an elegant, precise extension of the cook’s hand—a tool that seems basic, but once you use it, you’ll wonder how you did without.
- Perfect for: Spreading, lifting, flipping, smoothing
- Why we love it: Featherlight touch and versatility
- Editor’s tip: Try it for plating—it gives you chefly finesse!
6. Flexible Fish Spatula: Not Just for Fish
Editor Pick: Slotted Fish Spatula
Despite its name, the fish spatula is the Swiss Army knife of utensils. Its thin, flexible blade slips under delicate foods—fish, yes, but also pancakes, cookies, fried cheese, or vegetable fritters. The slotted design helps drain oil, while the offset handle adds control. Once you’ve experienced how it handles even the most fragile fillet, you’ll want it within reach always.
- Perfect for: Fish, eggs, pancakes, cookies, latkes
- Why we love it: Flexibility, delicate handling, durability
- Editor’s tip: Stainless steel edges double as a scraper for extra crispy bits
7. Potato Ricer: Restaurant-Style Mashed Potatoes
Editor Pick: Stainless Steel Potato Ricer
Serious mashed potato fans know the value of a ricer. Rather than mashing, which can yield gluey results, a potato ricer extrudes potatoes into fine threads, creating the lightest, fluffiest mash possible. It’s large, not essential for everyday use, and a pain to wash, but if you love silky mashed potatoes or want effortless homemade gnocchi, it’s irreplaceable.
- Perfect for: Potatoes, cauliflower, pureed vegetables
- Why we love it: Airy, lump-free results
- Editor’s tip: Use for squeezing cooked leafy greens, like spinach
8. Stainless Steel Bench Scraper
Editor Pick: Multipurpose Bench Scraper
Often ignored or regarded as a baker’s exclusive, the bench scraper is invaluable in almost any kitchen. It makes quick work of moving chopped vegetables, portioning dough, or scraping messes off your countertop. Simple, sturdy, and affordable, it exemplifies tools that punch far above their weight class and makes every prep session smoother.
- Perfect for: Prepping, baking, cleaning, mincing herbs
- Why we love it: Multi-functionality and precision
- Editor’s tip: Chill it for perfectly squared butter slabs
9. Rice Cooker: Set It and Forget It
Editor Pick: Zojirushi Rice Cooker
While stovetop rice is possible with just a pot, the rice cooker is beloved for its convenience and consistency, especially for busy cooks or families who eat rice frequently. The best models go well beyond rice, performing double duty for steaming, porridge, and even cakes. Programmable settings, keep-warm functions, and reliability make this an often-resented but ultimately adored appliance.
- Perfect for: All grains, steaming, slow-cooking, porridge
- Why we love it: Reliability, hands-off cooking, versatility
- Editor’s tip: Use the timer for fresh rice, ready when you wake up
10. Silicone Lids: The Universal Cover
Editor Pick: Reusable Silicone Lids
Plastic wrap and foil have stiff competition from silicone lids, which create airtight seals on a range of cookware and bowls. Their flexibility, reusability, and temperature resistance make them ideal for covering leftovers, steaming vegetables, or preventing splatters in the microwave. Their eco-friendliness is an added bonus—a small act of sustainability that simplifies cleanup and reduces waste.
- Perfect for: Storing, steaming, reheating, spill prevention
- Why we love it: Reusable, adaptable, eco-friendly
- Editor’s tip: Use to keep pasta water from boiling over on the stove
When Editors Say No: Tools We Can’t Justify (But Still Love)
Not every tool on this list is justifiable. Some, like the potato ricer or the rice cooker, occupy valuable space and get used less often than we admit. Others might overlap with simpler, multi-use equipment. Still, their sparks of joy, nostalgia, or wow-factor mean we can’t let go. The lesson? Uniform practicality doesn’t breed passion; sometimes, it’s the impractical, silly, or niche tools that nurture our culinary creativity most.
- Listen to your heart—and your cooking habits
- Store what you use most within reach
- Don’t be afraid to own something just for the love of it
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Should I buy a tool that I’ll only use for one recipe?
A: If that recipe means a lot to you (or you use the tool enough to justify its space), go for it! Just don’t let unitaskers overrun your kitchen unless you really enjoy them.
Q: How do I decide which tools are worth keeping?
A: Ask yourself: Does it save me time or improve my results? Does using it make me happy? Do I reach for it more than alternatives?
Q: Isn’t a rice cooker just a luxury?
A: For rice eaters, a rice cooker provides consistency, convenience, and, in some cases, expanded cooking options. If you regularly eat rice or grains, it’s not a luxury—it’s a sanity saver.
Q: Are all these tools expensive?
A: Many editor favorites are surprisingly affordable. Bench scrapers and sheet pans, for example, offer great utility for little cost. Consider where you want to invest and where you can save.
Q: How should I store rarely used gear?
A: Invest in clear storage bins or label shelves so you won’t forget what you own. Rotate items seasonally for easy access.
Final Thoughts: The Tools That Spark Joy (and Cooking)
Every kitchen tells a story, and the tools we choose become part of that narrative. Whether you reach for a humble spatula or a showstopper like a mortar and pestle, remember that joy in the kitchen often lives in the details. Cook what you love. Use what brings fun, beauty, or ease. And don’t be afraid to fall a little bit in love with the unexpected kitchen gear that calls to you—logic and minimalism aside!
This article celebrates the sometimes impractical, always beloved kitchen tools our editors cherish—inviting you to let your culinary heart guide your next kitchen addition.
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