Here are some of my favorite kitchen tools and appliances, which you will see featured in many of my recipes. Many of these items have held a place in my kitchen since I graduated college (paid links):
- Ice Cream Making Tools
- Mixing Bowl with Lid – This OXO batter bowl with lid is my go-to for chilling my ice cream base in the fridge before churning.
- Cusinart Ice Cream Maker – This ice cream maker can make up to 2 quarts at a time and delivers consistent results each and every time. Note that you need to freeze the bowl for 24 hours ahead of time.
- Quart Ice Cream Containers – My brand of choice is Tovolo; the containers are a harder plastic with a silicone top that comes in a bunch of fun colors
- Pasta Making Tools
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer Pasta Roller Attachments – These attachments make it a breeze to laminate and roll out your dough. They also include attachments to cut the dough into fettuccine or spaghetti.
- Pasta Drying Rack – Once you make your pasta, this stand makes it easy to dry it out perfectly. Plus, it folds flat when not in use!
- Sous Vide Tools
- Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker – I originally had the Anova 1.0 and recently upgraded to the 3.0 version linked here. The app allows you to track the progress of your meal and even has some great recipes for you to experiment with. Once you try the sous vide method and realize how easy it is, you’ll be hooked!
- Baking Tools
- Kitchen Scale – Weighing out ingredients is the best method for perfect baking recipes every time!
- Rolling Pin – I prefer a marble rolling pin because doughs are less likely to stick to it and it stays nice and cool
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer – You see a stand mixer in every baker’s kitchen, and for good reason! Stand mixers make it easy to slowly stir in ingredients, whip egg whites, and create the perfect dough. KitchenAid Stand Mixers also have what feels like a million attachments you can buy to do even more (and you’ll see quite a few of those in these lists!)
- Silicone Mats – These help make sure your cookies don’t brown too much on the bottoms. As a plus, they also keep your cookie sheet clean! Note: for butter-heavy recipes, like these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, I recommend not using a silicone mat, as it causes your cookies to spread
- Cookie Sheets – My go-to cookie sheets are OXO Good Grips Non-stick Pro sheets. They are commercial-grade, heavy-gauge aluminized steel which provides fast, even heat distribution and lasting durability and stability
- Piping Bags – piping bags fitted with a tip are how I pipe frosting onto just about anything. They add a bit of a more professional look to cupcakes with minimal effort
- Coffee Tools
- Nespresso Verturo Coffee and Espresso Maker – I love that this machine can make both coffee and espresso drinks with minimal effort. The water tank and capsule container make it so easy to get your first cup each morning. I also love that Nespresso pods are recyclable and can be easily shipped back to Nespresso for recycling!
- Dreo Milk Frother – I use this milk frother at least once a week to make lattes and iced lattes. It has different settings for different milk types as well as offering five different foam options
- Other Small Appliances
- Dreo ChefMaker Combi Air Fryer – This is so much more than an Air Fryer! This appliance has three professional cooking modes: Chef Mode, Classic Cook (including air fry, defrost, reheat, broil, roast, toast, bake, and dehydrate), and Probe Cook. It makes amazing air fryer salmon, sous vide level steak, the crispiest potatoes, and has even replaced my microwave as the appliance I use to reheat nearly everything!
- Hurom H320 Cold Press Juicer – If you are not a fan of pulp, this is the juicer for you. It makes impossibly smooth juice, separating the pulp from the juice. The Hurom H320 is also surprisingly easy to clean!
- Ninja Slow Cooker – This is my ride or die appliance. I have had my Ninja Slow Cooker for over a decade and still use it at least monthly!
- Vacuum Sealer – I use my vacuum sealer all the time to store/freeze foods from big box stores, as well as when I sous vide
- Pots and Pans Brands
- Hestan NanoBond – I am obsessed with Hestan pans. They can take a beating and still look new!
- Le Creuset – My rectangular dish with platter lid is my go-to for beautiful casseroles!
- Staub – My Staub Dutch Oven is another tried and true item in my kitchen. I’ve had my Staub for close to 20 years and it always delivers even heat while looking gorgeous!
- Canning Tools
- Canning Pot with Jar Rack and 4-piece Utensil Set – This is a starter kit for canning, including a very large pot, a rack that fits in the pot for your jars, and a 4-piece utensil set to help fill your jars properly and lift the processed jars out of the pot. When it comes to canning, I highly recommend using Ball products, which are well tested and proven
- Wide Mouth Mason Jars and Bands – I personally prefer wide mouth to regular mouth jars and tend to use pint-size over any other size
- Canning Labels – These come in handy so you can put what you canned and the Month/Year on your jars!
