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For my next trick, I'll cook an entire chicken without burning the house down.
1. A microwave pasta cooker that'll give you perfect pasta in all of its ~al dente~ glory. You'll never overcook or underboil spaghetti again.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: "What a silly little gadget I laughed at myself for purchasing... and absolutely LOVE!!! I thought it would ruin my pasta but it doesn't! It comes out exactly the same as if I'd cooked it on the stove. The difference is I don't have to babysit it, and I don't have to dirty a three times larger–pasta pot. I put this in the microwave without the lid and I can walk away from it, do a sauce on the stove, sauté some veggies, or whatever. It has never boiled over, ever. I am so glad I bought this!" —Stacey Carpenter
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
2. This clip-on strainer — you'll want to buy it ASAP if you're sick and freakin' tired of accidentally burning your hands while trying to strain boiling water out of your food.
Amazon
Promising review: "I am so happy I purchased this strainer. I was really tired of trying to lure an unsuspecting (yet hungry) family member to hold the strainer so I didn't burn my hands or dump the pasta or vegetables into the sink. This strainer is a time and aggravation saver. It's kind of small, so I wasn't sure I would like it, but it even works on my large (eight-quart+) pots. I have some Revere pots with the rolled lid and Kitchenaid that flare out a bit. The strainer works great on both. I have used this several times and it has never slipped off. I usually cook one pound of pasta at a time and it holds up well. I like the flexibility of the strainer to work with varied sizes. The other good thing is that this hardly takes up any space at all." —Jersey girl
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in black and green).
3. A silicone sink stopper to make trapping and removing wet food bits MUCH easier and LESS icky.
Amazon
Promising review: "It kills me to write this review since I never thought I would be writing a review for a sink strainer. I guess this means that I am officially getting old but, when you come across a well-engineered product that solves a problem for you, no matter how simple, it should get credit. This strainer allows full flow down the drain even when it is full of food particles so you can just clean it easily after you are all done. No food can sneak by due to the design and it even looks good.
Pros: Fits great, looks good, engineered perfectly, solves your kitchen sink drain issues.
Cons: Makes you re-examine your life now that you are this excited about a sink strainer." —CaptainDingle
Get it from Amazon for $7.
4. Bluapple produce savers because nothing's more heartbreaking than reaching for some veggies to whip up dinner and realizing that half of what you bought has already gone bad. 😭
Amazon, amazon.com
The spinach in the pic on the right is over a week old, according to the reviewer!
Promising review: "It works. Simple as that. I have even ordered more because it works wonders in my vegetable drawer and also in my fruit basket. Before it seemed things would go bad so fast (three to four days ) now I can see veggies last two weeks and some fruits a week longer than expected." —MFC
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
5. A pasta measuring tool to *finally* put an end to figuring out how much spaghetti you really need for you and one other person. That also means you won't have to toss any leftovers (or eat pasta for days) because you accidentally made too much.
Amazon
Promising review: "This small plastic item is the best way to measure spaghetti that I have found. Works much better than trying to stuff a bunch of noodles in a small hole." —Steven Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $10.95.
6. This butter saver that'll ensure all your sticks of butter stay as fresh and as mess-free as possible.
Amazon
Promising review: "I have purchased these for my own use and to give as gifts. It makes storing butter sticks in the fridge so neat and easy. It also measures one tablespoon with the width of the top of the cap, clever idea. I wash them by hand, not in the dishwasher to help preserve them. A bit pricey, but it's a unique idea and very useful. I've never found them in any stores in my area, so I'm glad I found them online." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in European and Western sizes).
7. A set of stovetop burner protectors so you can unleash your inner Gordon Ramsey without having to painstakingly scrub old grease and dried spills and stains from around your burners.
Amazon
Don't worry, it's heat-resistant up to 500 degrees, and reviewers say it works. You can't let it get in direct contact with flame, though.
Promising review: "This really helps keep the stove clean I no longer have to clean the stove every day. The material is thick, and the food slides right off if you wipe it with a towel. In case your stove is too big fear not it's really easy to cut to your stove size. That's what I had to do with mine, and turned out great." —Patrik Shrestha
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $10.97.
8. This Instant Pot that combines the amazing powers of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and warmer ALL into one unearthly device. It'll also adjust the heating on its own to give you the dish of your dreams so you barely have to lift a finger.
Promising review: "I grew up with my mom cooking in the old fashioned type pressure cooker that breathed steam and rattled like a dragon and scared me to death. I swore that I would never use one myself! Then my adult daughter got an Instant Pot and kept telling me how great they are, and now I have an Instant Pot too! The instructions are long so plan on taking some time to read through them all. You can also download a user's guide and print out all 50 some pages as well, which I did. There are videos that help a little bit. Once you are ready to cook, be prepared to think nothing is happening because this cooker is quiet. I would think each time I used it that I would open it and the raw meal would be staring me in the face. But no! Tender meats and veggies in no time at all!" —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $79+ (available in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart pots and in four colors).
9. An air fryer for when you want to enjoy the crunch of French fries (or any little snack of choice) but without any extra grease or oil.
Promising review: "This product is very simple to use, cleaning it is extremely quick and easy, and the taste is actually a lot better than I had expected. Before this, I used a typical oil fryer. My husband, who can be a very picky eater, was skeptical about his French fries in an air fryer. We made frozen McCain French fries in it and they came out perfect. They tasted a little different from NOT being suspended in oil, but they had a perfect crunch with a still soft inside. My husband was quite pleased there was not much of a difference in taste or crispiness. It is VERY LARGE. I thought it would be about the size of our 12-cup coffee pot, but it was a lot bigger. Overall, very happy the purchase, the ease of cleaning and the taste of the foods made in it." —Kayla B
Get it from Amazon for $65.99+ (available in three colors).
10. This little kitchen timer to make sure you never, ever, EVER accidentally forget about your food and burn it on the stove again.
You have the option to either prop the timer on the counter using the built-in stand or mount it on your refrigerator door or other magnetic surfaces.
Promising review: "Ordered this kitchen timer because it stated the alarm is loud. It certainly is loud! Other alarms either lost their sound or died on me. Even the wind-up ones die over time. I like that it is battery-operated because I have lots of rechargeable batteries. The sound has to be loud enough to hear in the back of my house. My house is rather large and I used to burn a few cookies because I didn't hear the timer I had. I forget to carry it around with me and thought the loud one would be my best bet. My husband complains that it is WAY too loud, but he isn't the cook, so all he has to do is block his ears, run to turn it off, or just go in the garage and play with his toys and leave me alone! After ruining some meals with burned food he should understand the importance of this timer!" —Southern Charm
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three colors).
11. A super sleek 13-piece knife set that'll help you cut through meats and veggies like they're made of air. This knife set = major time saver when you're no longer struggling to cut up cabbage with your old, dull knives.
Amazon
The set includes a chef's knife, a bread knife, a carving knife, a utility knife, a paring knife, a cheese knife, a pizza knife, and six steak knives.
Promising review: "Nice knife set. My girlfriend loves it. They are really sharp — no fighting to cut meat with this set, unlike our previous set. They have been washed many times and I haven't seen any signs of rust. I've never used a pizza knife before, but this one works great. Thanks for a great experience and set." —chris
Get a 13-piece set from Amazon for $39.99 (also available in a five-piece set and an eight-piece steak knife set. There's also the option to purchase just a chef's knife or just a kitchen utility knife).
12. Orrrr, this knife sharpener to breathe new life into an old set of knives so you can still prep your ingredients like a pro.
Amazon
Promising review: "I was looking for a good knife sharpener for a long time, and all I tried were disappointing and not doing a good job. Frankly, I was giving up on my set of knives and looking to purchase a new one. My friend recommended this knife sharpener after she saw my frustration with dull knives. I'm so glad I bought it! And now — a month after the purchase — frustration no more: I've sharpened all of my favorite and most used knives and the kitchen is a happy place again! I like how the sharpener has three stages, it looks cool and does a good job. It is designed very well, easy to grip and comfortable, doesn't slip on the countertop. Oh, and a cut-resistant glove included in a package was a nice touch. Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase and highly recommend it!" —VOX.LA
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in black and tan).
13. An rapid egg cooker because if you're like me and always end up with an egg that's too raw and runny, you'll be thanking the heavens when you can actually get SIX perfectly soft- or medium-boiled eggs in one go.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: "If you are on the fence about getting one of these, GET ONE. It really is as easy as it sounds to have a perfectly cooked egg, no guesswork. If you're particular about egg yolks like me and like them soft but not runny or raw, I've attached an image (above) of a perfectly soft boiled egg that was cooked as directed (I timed it, this one was 11 mins. You don't have to time it at all as the buzzer will go off, just for reference). Just have an ice bath ready next to the cooker and let the eggs sit for a minute or two in there — the shell comes right off. This makes healthy eating a breeze in the morning! Where has this been all my life!??!?" —rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).
14. One & Done Seasoning — you'll want to put it on literally everything you cook for top-notch flavor. Salt and pepper who?
Amazon
Promising review: "The girlfriend always asks while cooking, 'What should I put on this chicken or pork?' BAM! Problem solved! Kickass seasoning, cheap, but really does go great on pretty much any kind of meat! Especially fish, or any kind of seafood! It DOES have a kick to it, so if you don't like spicy you may not like it. It's not crazy hot, just a hint of spice in there." —Drew Patterson
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
15. This silicone bear that'll turn brown sugar from hard lumps to soft, cooking and baking–worthy material. You'll never be caught tossing hardened brown sugar again.
Amazon
Promising review: "OMG, soft brown sugar! I've heard of the product for years, shame on me for not buying one sooner. They work. Brown sugar in a glass canister, hard as a rock, can't chip it out, cutie brown sugar bear soaked for 20 minutes. A half-hour later, it's fully soft and usable." —Karsie
BTW, if you have a big jar of brown sugar that needs softening, reviewers say it may take a day or two; but a smaller amount can be softened in less time, of course.
Get it from Amazon for $5.74+ (also available as a pack of two).
16. A doo-hickey that'll open those pesky jar lids so you can stop breaking your wrist and running lids under hot water just to get your dang olive jar open.
Amazon
Promising review: "This jar opener is like magic. It grips those lids tremendously without a lot of squeezing effort, which unfortunately now that I am 70 years old is needed. With arthritis in my right hand, it is very difficult for me to open anything and this jar opener makes it a breeze. Don’t do without it any longer, you will thank this review later." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
17. Flexible cutting boards to make cooking fun again because 1) they're super cute and colorful, 2) they help you avoid cross-contamination, and 3) they're super easy to clean.
Amazon, amazon.com
These beauties are dishwasher safe, which makes for effortless clean-up.
Promising review: "Cutting boards creep me out. I hate raw meat, I hate having to cut it, I hate having it touch anything! Cutting boards are my worst nightmare; I worry so much about bacteria. As a result, I go through cutting boards quickly and don't like to spend a ton of money on them. These are great, cheap, get the job done! They're also extremely easy to store and clean since they flex easily. I also love that if I need to pour whatever I've cut into a container of any kind, I can bend the edges to guide the food! I will likely get these again when it is time for new cutting boards!" —Kristi Fullerton
Get a set of three from Amazon for $5.79 (also available as a set of two clear mats).
18. A set of reusable cooking bands that you can use in place of twine or toothpicks for holding food together while cooking it. They're durable enough to securely wrap around meat and veggies.
Amazon
Promising reviews: "I love these! Anything you need kitchen twine for can be replaced with these. Much easier to use, durable. I have prepared food with them and frozen, thawed and cooked and never had a band break. A staple!" —heather
"LOVE these!!! They make trussing and dressing a chicken SO much faster and easier. Cleanup afterward is a breeze — I just rinse the chunks off and put them in the silverware rack of the dishwasher looped around a handle so they don't fall through and they come out beautifully clean." —Jen M A
Get a pack of 25 from Amazon for $7.08.
19. Ceramic pie weights to help you avoid a rising crust when blind baking. Look out, world, there's a new barefoot Contessa in town.
Amazon
Prromising review: "These little ceramic beauties do the job, no unwanted puffing of my unfilled crusts, and the cost is great." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
20. Or a whimsical ceramic pie bird that'll give your pastries the ventilation they need to avoid soggy crusts and boiled over juices.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: "Not only is this pie bird cute as heck when the finished pie comes out of the oven, but it delivers what it promises: a well-cooked bottom crust. Makes for a fabulous conversation piece as well, as most people have never heard of a pie bird. I have purchased more as gifts to go with pie plates, etc for gifts. Great product!" —Denise Caparula
Get it from Amazon for $4.23.
21. Some heat-resistant mini silicone spatulas to make sure you get the last bit of everything from the bottom of every jar. Plus, they're perfect for cooking and spreading things like frosting, cheese, and mayo.
Amazon
The spatulas are heat resistant for up to 446 degrees and dishwasher safe.
Promising review: "These are mini spatulas that have proven perfect for the small baking! They are only six inches long but durable enough to empty those jars and cans that have those very irritating lips on them! I've used these many times already with both cold and heated items and have worked wonderfully! It's nice to have six so with my larger recipes I don't have to keep rinsing off the one spatula anymore and one for each item! I also ran them in the dishwasher and they held up just fine! I'm super glad I purchased these!" —Nels1cin
Get a set of five from Amazon for $5.99.
22. A recipe book because it's the perfect way to learn how to whip up yummy-tasting meals without spending forever in the kitchen.
Amazon
Promising review: "I used this book for my entire menu this week, and I am extremely impressed. Each recipe was a big winner, and they did NOT taste like typical thrown-together simple recipes. A real standout for me was the chicken and dumplings recipe. It made use of supermarket rotisserie chicken, chicken broth, and a few fresh veggies and all-purpose flour. It was amazingly flavorful, with perfect soft-springy drop dumplings, and the most complicated thing you had to do was chop the onion. THAT is how you do semi-homemade, Ms. Lee. The pork schnitzel with apple coleslaw was also especially good, especially for a 20-minute recipe." —C. Bergin
Get it from Amazon for $19.79 (also available for the Kindle).
23. This herb and kale stripper to help you prepare those leafy greens in a snap. Just insert the stem through a hole and pull!
Amazon
Promising review: "There are so many reasons why we don't like to cook kale. Cleaning off the sand, drying the leaves, separating the stems, and of course the frustration of starting with a huge amount and ending up with one serving. This little device has split the prep time in half because it removes the stem from the leaves in one easy pull. The outer edges are just sharp enough to cut the leaves without slicing your fingers when you're taking the stems off. My husband actually asked, 'Can I separate the stems this time?' Hell yeah, you can. I can't wait to try this out with tiny herbs too!" —Lindsay & Eddie
Get it from Amazon for $7.52.
24. And a nonstick silicone mat you can bake directly on top of to avoid having the bottoms of your food burn, thanks to this baby's tiny pyramid surface design.
Amazon
It's also a great place to rest piping hot pots and pans if you don't want to damage your countertop or table.
Promising review: "I have used the mat to cook frozen fish, shrimp, and fries. It is nice to be able to put them on the mat and I don't have to try to remember to turn everything over halfway through the cooking. Since air circulates all the way around the food so I don't have to turn it over. Clean up is a breeze because the mat can go in the dishwasher. Food comes out of the oven nice and crisp and not oily." —MargeL
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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