1. Misto Oil Sprayer. I haven't bought a can of Pam since I got my Misto. Fill it with olive oil (or canola or vegetable, if you prefer), pump, and use like you'd use any chemicalized cooking spray in a recipe. A true game changer. $12.95 Misto 5061116 Aluminum Oil Bottle Sprayer (Google Affiliate Ad)
2. Nonstick Barbecue Skewers. Skewers are such an excellent tool to use when you are cooking on the grill. Skewering cubed vegetables, shrimp, chunks of meat, marshmallows is a million times easier than turning each piece individually. These skewers have a nonstick coating so you don't need to spray them or worry about soaking, breaking, or burning traditional wooden skewers. $0.95 each at Crate & Barrel.
3. Microplane Rasp Grater. I love this grater-- for grating cheeses, zesting citrus fruits, and finely mincing garlic or ginger this is my favorite tool. It is easy to hold and produces a really fine feathery texture on whatever food you are grating. $15.95 at Crate & Barrel.
4. OXO Hand Held Mandolin. A mandolin is a great tool to use to precisely and thinly slice fruits and vegetables. I especially like it for potatoes when I want more of a chip-like quality, for slicing carrots for a sautee, and also for shredding brussels sprouts. $15 at Crate & Barrel.
5. Kuhn Rikon Corn Zipper. I have always had a weird aversion to having things stuck in my teeth so you can imagine that eating corn on the cob is basically a nightmare for me. Until discovering this tool, I have always used a knife to messily cut the corn off the cob, but this little zipper is amazing-- it quickly and cleanly peels the kernels (cooked or raw) right off the cob! $12.95 at Cooking.com.
6. Le Creuset 10" Skillet. A heavy cast iron skillet is a definite kitchen essential. So many recipes seem to require a heavy bottomed pan that can travel from stovetop to oven and this cast iron skillet is durable and ideal for this purpose. Plus Le Creuset products have great colors-- I have this Spinach green one! $99.95 at Crate & Barrel.
7. Champagne-Wine Stopper. The best wine bottle stopper out there. It's airtight so you can use it for bottles that are stored horizontally and even to keep your champagne bubbly after opening it! $6.95 at Crate & Barrel.
8. Cuisinart Smart Stick. Talk about bang for your buck. This tool is an immersion blender, electronic whisk, chopper, and food processor. The Smart Stick is great for pureeing soups, chopping veggies for salsa, and blending sauces. $59.95 at Sur La Table.
9. OXO Stainless Steel Salad Spinner. The easiest way to clean and dry large quantities of lettuce for your salad. And a bonus-- the handy stainless steel outer bowl is pretty enough that you can turn around and serve your salad right in it. Limited clean up! $49.99 at Bloomingdale's.
10. ROSLE Garlic Press. I use garlic in almost every meal I make so a good garlic press is essential. This one is great because it is easy to clean and so powerful that you can put cloves in with the skin on and still get perfectly minced garlic. $45 at Sur La Table.
I realize a lot of these items are available at Crate & Barrel... likely because most of these items were given to us via our Crate & Barrel wedding registry.
Which tools are essential in your kitchen?
This form from Little Giant is made of lightweight aluminum and has a good 300-pound weight rating. Remember, in any case, lowes extension ladder that lightweight is a relative term, and a few clients may in any case be shocked by the weight of this multi-use stepping stool.
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