Today we’re looking at 5 appliances you need in your kitchen. Buying a new kitchen appliance can be stressful. They are often expensive, and there are so many to choose from that it can be tricky to pick the right one. In this guide, we will explore the various types of kitchen equipment and which one you need for your next purchase.
I will mostly be going over the types of equipment and their functions, but there will be some affiliate links to actual products I think are of great value.
Food Processor
Having a good food processor is like having an extra set of hands in the kitchen. It speeds things up so much that it’s hard to imagine cooking without one. This is the first kitchen appliance you need in your kitchen.
It’s important not to mistake a food processor for a blender. They are similar but serve different functions. A blender is generally for more liquid components. If you eat it with a spoon or fork, use the food processor. If you eat it with a straw, use a blender.
Now a blender is a very useful tool, but I place slightly more importance on the food processor. They offer so much utility. A good food processor can slice, chop, mince, puree, and more.
There are so many models on the market that you should be able to find one that fits your budget. They can range anywhere from $30 to over $200. Don’t be ashamed to snatch up a $30 model if you have to, it will help you immensely.
Air Fryer
Like multi-cookers, air fryers have been dominating the kitchen appliance game over the past few years. An air fryer is basically an evolved convection oven, it works by circulating heat with a fan to produce more even cooking. Many have multiple functions, such as toasting and broiling.
Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep fryers. Now don’t be deceived, those frozen french fries you bought from the supermarket are still not healthy even though you put them in the air fryer. But they are healthier than if you deep-fried them. The same goes for tater tots, frozen chicken tenders, and the like.
My air fryer has almost completely replaced my oven. This is so helpful in the summertime when running the oven really heats up the house. If you buy a big enough model, you can fit family-sized casseroles in these things.
I’ve reviewed a couple of air fryers already. If you like appliances with digital controls, check out the PowerXL. If you prefer analog controls, like me, check out the Aumate model I recently reviewed.
Deep Fryer – The Best Kitchen Appliance?
Ok, now on to kitchen appliances for the more active cooks. One of my personal favorites is the deep fryer. I know, fried food isn’t good for you. This isn’t something you should use every day, but it is a great piece of equipment to have in your arsenal.
There are so many incredible dishes you can make with a deep fryer. Fried chicken, pork chops, fried fish, I could go on and on. There is no shortage of side dishes either, such as french fries, tater tots, hushpuppies, etc.
A deep fryer is a lot easier and safer to use than trying to fry on the stovetop. The problem with stovetop frying is temperature control. It is difficult to keep the oil from getting too hot and burning your dish. A deep fryer has a thermostat that will keep your oil at the right temperature.
I’ve already reviewed what I think is the best deep fryer on the market: the T-Fal Easy Clean deep fryer. This model has a built-in filtering system that makes cleaning up and the disposal of oil super easy. The filtering system will also prolong the life of your oil.
Multi-Cookers
Multi-cookers have exploded in popularity over the past few years. Instant pot took over the internet for a hot minute, with every blog, Pinterest board, and Instagram feed littered with Instant pot recipes. There is a good reason for that popularity, as these appliances are extremely useful.
A multi-cooker can cook in a variety of ways, as the name implies. First and foremost it is a pressure cooker. Pressure cooking drastically reduces cooking time. This is very helpful with tough cuts of meat.
These appliances usually have slow cooking functions as well. Depending on the brand you choose, they can also be steamers.
A multi-cooker is going to offer the most bang for your buck thanks to its multiple functions. I’ve already reviewed one such multi-cooker, the Gowise USA. If you are looking for cooking inspiration, check out these 50 Instant Pot recipes from pressurecookrecipes.com.
Stand Mixer
The last item on our list is a stand mixer. When you think of a mixer, dessert probably comes to mind. But a mixer can do so much more! A stand mixer can help make bread, pizza dough, and more.
The higher-end models like Kitchen Aid even have attachments that can expand the utility of your stand mixer. You can easily add shredders and meat grinders to a Kitchen Aid.
Of course, you can make some amazing desserts with a stand mixer as well. Making cakes, pies, and even frosting is so much easier with a stand mixer. Your sweet tooth will be pleased.
Those are the 5 kitchen appliances you need in your kitchen. We’ve already got reviews for some of these appliances, and more are on the way. Bookmark this page and check back for updates!
[…] As you can see, air fryers have a lot to offer. It’s one of the reasons I have them listed as one of 5 appliances you need in your kitchen. […]
[…] All this being said, an air fryer is not a fryer. Don’t let other reviews fool you, it’s not the same thing. The food that comes out of it will not taste deep-fried. However, it is a good appliance and that warrants consideration. Its why I listed air fryers as one of 5 appliances you need in your kitchen. […]