Air fryers and Instant Pots may hog the spotlight, but beyond these names, there’s a whole lineup of brilliant and genuinely useful food gadgets most people don’t even know about. Here are 10 of those kitchen helpers, solving annoying problems and making everyday cooking easier.
10. The Chef’s Press
The Chef’s Press is a chef-designed gadget that helps food cook more evenly by applying the right amount of pressure on top. Unlike bulky cast iron presses, it’s stackable and comes in three lightweight sizes (8, 13, and 18 ounces). Home cooks who love crispy textures or want restaurant-style results will find themselves reaching for this slim, dishwasher-safe press.
9. Emulstir Salad Dressing Mixer
Bottled dressings take up space, and whisking oil and vinegar never keeps them blended for long. Enter the Emulstir. It’s a clear container with a built-in plunger-style mixer that makes emulsifying dressings almost effortless. Just add ingredients, pump the lever, and the dressing stays mixed and pourable.
8. StirMATE Automatic Pot Stirrer
This battery-powered tool clips onto your pot and stirs sauces, soups, or risottos for you. That’s right, we’re talking hands-free cooking! With self-adjusting arms and variable speeds, the StirMATE frees up your hands so you can prep other ingredients without worrying about burning the bottom.
7. Garlic Twist
Garlic presses can be fussy and hard to clean, but the Garlic Twist takes a different approach. It’s a round, clear device that you place whole cloves in, then twist like a grinder. In seconds, it minces garlic into uniform pieces with less mess. It’s dishwasher-safe, and you can even use it for ginger, nuts, or herbs!
6. Butter Bell Crock
This old-fashioned French invention deserves more attention. The Butter Bell keeps your butter fresh at room temperature for weeks by storing it in an inverted crock filled with a bit of water, creating an airtight seal. That means you always have soft, spreadable butter ready. No microwave or waiting needed.
5. Herb Stripper
If you’ve ever wasted time plucking tiny leaves off thyme or rosemary stems, this tool is going to be your new friend. The herb stripper is a palm-sized disc or wand with different-sized holes. Just pull the stem through the right hole, and the leaves fall off instantly. It works on kale and collard greens, making it a great prep tool for soups, roasts, and salads.
4. Oil Mister
Now, here’s a smarter way to coat pans and salads: using oil mister. It lets you spray a fine, even mist of olive oil (or any oil you like) with just a pump of air pressure, plus it’s refillable! Home cooks who want healthier meals, less mess, and fewer disposable cans will find this gadget both eco-friendly and practical.
3. Rollie Egg Cooker
The Rollie Egg Cooker looks quirky, but it makes quick, portable egg “pops” that slide right out on skewers. You crack in the eggs (or mix with veggies and cheese), and in a few minutes, out comes an omelet you can eat on the go. It’s doesn’t create a replacement for classic scrambled eggs, but it’s a fun, useful gadget for kids or anyone who needs a no-fuss breakfast.
2. VacuVin Pineapple Slicer
If you love fresh pineapple but hate the prep, you better grab this tool. The VacuVin slicer cores and slices a pineapple into perfect rings with just a few twists. It removes the tough core and rind, leaving you with neat spirals of fruit. This is a must-have for smoothie fans or hosts who want impressive fruit platters without the hassle.
1. Vacuum Blender
At the top spot, we have the vacuum blender, a high-tech gadget that blends ingredients while removing air from the jar. Why is this important? Less oxygen means less foaming, brighter colors, and longer-lasting nutrients in smoothies and juices. Unlike with standard blenders, your green juice actually stays green instead of turning brown. It’s a pricier gadget, but for the health conscious, it’s a serious upgrade.