12 Not Essential, but Nice to Have Kitchen Tools and Gadgets

Time-tested kitchen tools and gadgets that will bring value to any kitchen. Save time and have fun with these not essentials, but nice to have kitchen tools!

Besides absolute essentials, there’re so many handy tools and gadgets that make cooking and baking fun and efficient.

I’ll be honest, I’ve tried many, many kitchen tools and accessories over the years, but I only keep what really brings value. And today, I’m sharing with you those not essential, but nice to have tools, pots and small appliances.

1. Large Steamer

I absolutely love my large steamer. It has 2 steamer racks, which allows me to steam lots of dumplings at once. You can also steam vegetables, buns, etc. I think I bought mine at an Asian grocery store, it doesn’t have any brand name or anything. But this one looks really close to what I have.

2. Deep Pie Dish

This beautiful ceramic deep pie dish is my absolute favorite. You’ve probably seen it in my Pumpkin Mousse Pie or Lemon Meringue Pie. It’s so pretty to serve too.

3. Cuisinart Waffle Maker

While we don’t make waffles often, it’s surely nice to have for an occasional change of things. My kids love our rare waffle breakfasts. And this sleek, super compact waffle maker is perfect for us!

4. Cuisinart 4-Slice Toaster

If you love peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you’ll definitely appreciate a nice toaster. Besides bread, you can also warm up leftover pancakes.

5. Meat Pounder

This heavy duty, stainless steel meat pounder is my favorite for flattening an uneven chicken breast. It feels comfortable in my hand.

6. Kitchen Shears

This super convenient, super sharp Wusthof kitchen shears is a game-changer. I mostly use it for cutting up a whole chicken, but it’s also great for slicing fresh herbs and scallions.

7. Lemon Squeezer

Before having this little tool, I used fork for squeezing lemon juice. While that was an easy and efficient method, it left quite a mess. I love this tool!

8. Pizza Cutter

It’s funny how many different pizza cutters I’ve used, and this OXO pizza cutter is the winner. I love how big, sturdy and sharp it is!

9. Burger Press

Now, I can go on and on about this Cuisinart 4-in-1 burger press for a long time, but I won’t bore you with that. All you need to know is that this gadget makes shaping perfect size burger patties super easy and fast. Plus, it has additional accessories for making stuffed burgers!!

10. Cherry Pitter

If you love eating fresh cherries as much as I do, you’ll definitely appreciate this tool! Every summer, I buy a case or two of fresh cherries to freeze for making cherry pie. While having a good supply of fresh cherries is nice and all, washing and pitting them is quite a chore. Luckily, this cherry pitter makes the pitting real fast!

11. Immersion Blender

From creamy soups to smooth ganache, an immersion blender is a handy tool. While it’s definitely not a necessary for everyday cooking, you’ll appreciate for the convenience it brings!

12. Metal Skewers

Oh, how I love metal skewers! Unlike bamboo skewers, these metal ones are sturdy, reusable and reliable. No soaking required!