Cooking gadgets every kitchen MUST have

Cooking gadgets come in all shapes and sizes but some are useful enough to be found in every kitchen. Learn about the top  must-have cooking gadgets.

1) A good cooking knife and paring knife

Ask any chef what their essential kitchen item is and a good cook’s knife is always going to be at the top of their list. “I have used one knife for 13 years. A good knife doesn’t have to be expensive, but you do need to maintain it properly. Along with a good cook’s knife, a razor sharp paring knife is her other essential blade in the kitchen “Perfect for slicing tomatoes and for cutting anything small that you have to hold in your hand.

2) Food processor

A food processor can make your life easier in so many ways. It will make you a shortcrust pastry in seconds, make a mix for meatballs and rissoles quickly and whip you up a nice dip in a flash.

A good food processor is expensive but will save you time and money by making the harder jobs easy, adding that a food processor will also slash your weekly shopping bill as it will encourage you to make more foods from scratch and not waste money on expensive convenience products.

3) Scales

No kitchen is complete without a set of scales and once you have a set, the world of recipes will get a whole lot bigger. “Don’t cut yourself out of cooking some great recipes because you can’t measure the ingredients. Scales don’t have to be fancy, they just have to measure.

4) Stick blender

A nifty hand-held stick blender takes up little room in your appliance cupboard and is a godsend in the kitchen. Use it to puree baby food fast, quickly crush nuts, blend soup while still in the pot and whizz milkshakes after school in a flash. “Stick blenders are a real necessity in the kitchen as they can do the job of many appliances that take up lots of room.

5) Measuring cups and spoons

Like scales, Jen also can’t live without her other cooking calculators – measuring cups and spoons. “Baking is a science and one of the hardest parts of cooking is getting that right,” she says. “A handful of flour doesn’t work, unless you are Nigella!” To ensure you always get your baking measurements right, invest in some quality stainless steel measuring cups and spoons that are easy to keep clean.

6) Timer

Cooking recipes for the right amount time is the best way to guarantee success in the kitchen - so a timer is a gadget that’s worth the clutter. “Once you've gone to all the trouble of making that cake, don’t forget it! It is so easy to get distracted.. “When baking, I always set the timer and put it in my pocket so I can hear that ding! The timer gets used for other things in my house too, like timing showers and TV time.”

7) Mixer

You don’t need to spend a fortune on this essential kitchen appliance. “It doesn’t need to be fancy and a hand mixer will do, but you do need to own one to cook a LOT of recipes.  A mixer with a stand is better because it allows you to add ingredients as you mix.

8) Non-stick cookware

If you’re still using cookware that you have to scrub and scour after dinner, it’s time to upgrade to non-stick - because busy mums just don't have time for this! “Non-stick cookware is so easy to clean and every cook loves that,” says Jen, adding that non-stick will also help you to cook lighter meals as you’ll be using less oil to cook with.