If you are new to cooking or a seasoned pro, there are certain tools and utensils that you cannot be without.  I have got to tell you of my Top Ten.

Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products listed below and recommend them because they are companies that I have found helpful and trustworthy.

1. Wustof knives

I can’t imagine using my old “pretty good” knives.  They were sharp when I got them but a month later, they were not so good.  The steel is not good with cheap knives.  It is an investment in fine cutlery to buy a Wustof Classic knife.  The Classic is the premium grade and the one you want.  Sure it’s expensive, but it will keep a sharp edge and can be sharpened and honed again and again.  All I can say is that it is fun to cut with a sharp knife.  Do yourself a favor and get sharp knives first! You can look at knives here.

2.  Boos Block

Boos block cutting board.  Heavy and stable.  Makes it fun to use your Wustof knives!  I do not like using lightweight cutting boards.  They actually move around and increase the possibility of cutting yourself.  Do yourself a favor and use a stable heavy duty cutting board. Boos Block cutting board.

3.  Kitchen Aid Mixer

A good mixer is a must, and we have always had Kitchen Aid.  If you are a bread maker, this is essential.  Get the most powerful one you can.  The wattage rating will be a clue to the power. Look at mixers here.

4.  Food Processor

A food processor is also a must have.  They make short work of hard jobs and do things not really possible to do by hand.  Again, we have a Kitchen Aid brand and have used it for years and it keeps on grinding.  I recently bought a new bowl and cover for ours since the old plastic was getting tired.  That’s how old our machine is.  We love it. Processors here.

5.  Instant Read Thermometer

If you don’t have one you need one.  They keep getting better and faster reading.  Must have for meats and breads. Thermometer.

6.  Infra-red Thermometer

I didn’t know I needed this until I got one.  I use it everyday to see what the temperature is of my skillet or oils.  Works great and keeps me from burning things, especially since I am stuck with an electric range. Get yours here.

7.  Kitchen Scale

You won’t use it everyday, but when you need it you’ve got to have one.  I know that I’m done guessing at weights. OXO Scale.

8.  All Clad Skillet

This is my go to skillet when I want some high temperature searing.  It performs great and cleans up like new. 12 inch skillet.

9.  Microplane Box Grater and Blade grater

This is actually two pieces of equipment.  The box grater for bigger jobs like cheeses, onions and vegetables.  The small blade plane is used to zest fruits and grate smaller quantities of cheese. Box grater.

10.  Immersion Blender

This is another tool that is not used quite as often but when needed, you’ve got to have it.  It’s perfect for soups and sauces and cleans up easily which I really like. KitchenAid immersion blender.

So there you have the top 10 kitchen gadgets I can’t do without.  They make my day in the kitchen so much easier and I’ve recommended the brands that have been my favorites over the years.  If you need any of these things for your kitchen, check out the links provided.

Thanks and Happy Cooking

Joe