28 of the Best Food Prep Kitchen Tools & Essentials like Chef’s Knife, Cutting Board, and more
Every household needs to boost their kitchen with updated kitchen tools & essentials. Some households desire to replace or update their kitchen with new tools, while others do not put the effort due to a lack of curiosity or time. In either case, all households may require comprehensive research from both digital and physical markets to prepare a kitchen essentials list for buying, which is a time-consuming process.
Although numerous kitchen essentials are required to keep the kitchen running smoothly, such as Food Prep Tools, Cookware & Bakeware, Cooking Tools, Tableware, Food Storage, and Kitchen Appliances, etc., I have focused on Food Prep Tools in this article because they are the first necessity of kitchen in the cooking process.
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Food Prep Tools: Kitchen Essentials
The tools that we use to prepare foodstuffs by slicing, grinding and mixing foods (eg vegetables, fruits, etc.) before cooking are referred to as “food prep kitchen tools & essentials”. To create the highest-quality kitchen essentials list for food prep, I conducted thorough research and covered all of the required food prep kitchen essentials, which I have detailed below with photos, specifications, qualities, rating and customer reviews.
28 of the Best Kitchen Tools & Essentials for Food Prep
Cutting Board | Chef’s Knife (2) | Paring Knife | Bread Knife | Honing Rod | Knife Sharpener | Vegetable Peeler | Grater | Kitchen Shears | Citrus Presser | Garlic Presser | Potato Masher | Whisk | Measuring Cups & Spoons | Mixing Bowls | Colander | Salad Spinner | Mortar and Pestle | Pepper Grinder | Rolling Pin & Chakla | Tea Strainer | Ice Cream Scoop | Pizza Cutter | Basting Brush | Funnel | Oil & Vinegar Dispenser set | Can Opener
Cutting Board
It is one of the food prep kitchen tools & essentials which we use to chop/cut vegetables, fruits and non-veg items. Different homemakers have a different choice in choosing chopping board. For instance, some prefer wooden board, while other like using hard-plastic or stainless steel board.
My pick is Bulfyss Large Natural Bamboo Wood Chopping/Cutting Board (34 cms x 24 cms) as it is a high-quality bamboo wooden board, that is large enough for all chopping needs, including cutting vegetables, fruits, and non-vegetarian products. It is light in weight and simple to handle, despite its wide dimensions.
Chef’s Knife (2)
It is a master kitchen tool that is extensively used in both home and commercial kitchens for cutting vegetables, fruits, meats and chicken. Because of being a professional tool, its quality should be favourable for easy operation. So, I chose two types of chef’s knives to meet the requirement for cutting stuff.
Chef’s Knife (For Vegetable Chopping)
The blade material of this Chef’s knife (Solimo Premium High-Carbon Stainless Steel Chef’s Knife) is made of high carbon stainless steel with sharp edges having durable and long-lasting properties. Also, its handle is fixed with three rivets which provide a comfortable and secured grip. It has a blade that is 8 inches long and a handle that is 5 inches long. Because of its comfort, sturdiness, ease to hold, and reasonable price, this chef’s knife has achieved a near 4.5-star rating on Amazon based on 3450 reviews. So, I would highly recommend you to use this chef’s knife.
Chef’s Knife (For Meat/Chicken Chopping)
Paring Knife
It is commonly used in both home and commercial kitchens for cutting vegetables and fruits. Apart from this, it is also capable of mincing, peeling and paring the same.
I would prefer you to use Victorinox, Swiss Classic Kitchen Paring Knife set of 3 pieces. As its blade is made of high-grade stainless steel, and the handle is made of polypropylene hard plastic, which provides long-lasting toughness, slip-resistant grip, anti-corrosive properties, and non-flexibility. It also has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon, based on 2882 reviews.
Bread Knife
It is a decent kitchen tool that is used for slicing bread, cakes, and pastries etc.
For this item, my pick is Solimo Stainless Steel Bread Knife (20cm) as it is Amazon’s choice, as well as its serrated blade, which is made of high-quality, food-grade stainless steel. Also, it provides a comfortable grip in holding.
Honing Rod
The purpose of this steel rod is to sharpen the knife’s blades such as standard and serrated blades. Because after a period of time, the blade of the knife gets blunt due to its regular function. So we can use this kitchen tool to restore the efficiency of the knife’s blade.
My pick is PERFEKT MESSER Knife Sharpening Kitchen Tool (10 inches). Because its rod is made of high-grade stainless steel and the handle is made of slip-resistant polypropylene material. Due to its ideal properties of steel rod, it is able to sharpen all types of kitchen knife blades.
Knife Sharpener
You can also use this type of knife sharpener to sharpen all types of kitchen knife blades. However, Its sharpening method differs from that of a honing rod.
My pick is the KitchenIQ Knife Sharpener (2 Stages). As it has a 4.4-star rating based on 6321 reviews on Amazon, I am certain that it will never disappoint you.
Vegetable Peeler
Without this kitchen tool, it may be difficult for households to prepare vegetables for salad as well as cooking. That’s why, its availability is essential for all households to get ease and speed for peeling the vegetables & fruits.
I would certainly recommend using Victorinox, Swiss Classic Multipurpose Peeler. As its double-edged blade is made of martensitic stainless steel (high carbon stainless steel) which provides the firmest peeling. Apart from this, its handle is made of polypropylene which is hard, durable, and slip-resistant. Furthermore, it has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with 8555 reviews.
Grater
It’s a great kitchen tool for grating and slicing cheese and vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, carrot, ginger, and radish.
I would recommend you to use the Bagonia Stainless Steel Grater and Slicer with 6 Sides. Because it has scored a 4.4-star rating on Amazon. Apart from this, it is quite qualitative as it is made of high-grade stainless steel with a comfortable plastic grip handle including a plastic container and its lid. Furthermore, it has sharp blades with different shapes and sizes on all sides assisting households to get desired output. Overall, it is durable, sturdy and easy to clean.
Kitchen Shears/Scissor
It is a very useful kitchen tool for cutting vegetable herbs and more, such as green chilli, green coriander and Green Mint etc.
I would like you to use the Kraft Seeds Multipurpose Kitchen Household and Garden Scissor. As it is made of high-grade stainless steel with 4.5 inches blade length. Furthermore, it offers a comfortable grip, sharp blades and is easy to clean. Because of its versatility, it can also be utilized as a bottle opener, nutcracker as well as in a kitchen garden. Moreover, it has gotten a 4.1-star rating over 2997 reviews on Amazon.
Citrus Presser
We use this kitchen tool for squeezing citrus, lemons and more in order to make homemade juice. It is a very useful and handy item.
My pick is Zulay Stainless Steel Citrus Presser. As it is made of high grade solid stainless steel. Because of that, it provides ease and comfort press while squeezing lemon and citrus. Furthermore, it has maintained a 4.7-star rating on Amazon, based on 3564 reviews.
Garlic Presser
It’s a kitchen tool that minces garlic cloves and ginger in a matter of seconds as well as gives us uniformly minced garlic and ginger.
For this item, my recommendation is CARDEX Garlic Crusher Presser. Because it is made of high-quality, food-grade stainless steel and is easy to function with uniform and comfortable mincing.
Potato Masher
It’s widely used in kitchen to mash boiled vegetables as it ensures an even and convenient mash.
My pick is Amazon Brand – Solimo Stainless Steel Vegetable Masher. As it is Amazon’s top pick, with a high rating and positive reviews. Its high-grade stainless steel mash and polypropylene-plastic handle provide desirable output. Moreover, it’s convenient to use, wash, and clean.
Whisk
It’s great kitchen tool for whisking eggs, mixing ingredients, and getting rid of air from mixtures.
The Stainless Steel Wire Whisk Set is my first choice. Firstly, this set includes three whisks with lengths of 9 inches, 10 inches, and 11.5 inches. Secondly, each whisk is made of high-quality stainless steel and has a solid-black handle for a comfortable and stable grip when whisking. Furthermore, it has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon, based on 832 reviews.
Measuring Cups & Spoons
Each and every households want to maintain or enhance the quality of their cooking by taking accurate quantities of respective food grains such as flour, pulses, rice, oil, spices, and others. For this, measuring cups & spoons are necessary kitchen tools for the measurement of all food grains.
My pick is Dynore Stainless Steel Set of 4 Measuring Cup 4 Measuring Spoon. As the measuring cups set consists of 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup & 1 cup and the measuring spoons set consists of 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon & 1 tablespoon which are clearly engraved with calibration. As a result, it provides us ease in taking accurate quantities of all food grains.
Mixing/Serving Bowls
To mix and prepare the foodstuffs, we use mixing bowls. I generally prefer Borosilicate-glass mixing bowls as it is highly heat resistant as well as we can use it to prepare food in a microwave, and oven also. Additionally, these bowls can also be used as serveware items.
For this product, my preference is Femora Borosilicate Glass Round Mixing Bowls, consisting of 4 bowls of 1050 ml, 1650 ml, 2100 ml & 2650 ml. Since it is easy to wash and clean as well as it doesn’t absorb any stain and odour.
Colander
This kitchen tools comes in handy for rinsing water from foods like steamed rice, noodles, vegetables, and fruits etc.
My pick is Little Hope™ Stainless Steel Colander (25 cm, Silver) as it is Amazon’ choice. Furthermore, this colander has fine-sized wire mesh to prevent the wastage of grains while rinsing the foodstuffs as well as it is sturdy, durable and easy to handle.
Salad Spinner
We use this kitchen tool for mixing the salad. Also, we can utilise its lid to contain the chopped, washed and mixed vegetables.
My pick is Homecare Stylish Plastic Vegetables & Salad Spinner (23.5 cm x 17 cm). Because of its versatility, this item meets all of the needs that are expected of it, such as mixing salad, washing vegetables (due to the drainage facility on its side surface), and containing chopped, washed & mixed vegetables on its lid. Furthermore, it has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon. Overall, I am certain that it will never let you down.
Mortar and Pestle
This kitchen tool is basically used for crushing the spices such as ginger, garlic, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and dried red chillies etc.
I would recommend you using B E Craft, Green Marble Imam Dasta/Mortar and Pestle Set. Firstly, the composite unit of this item is made of green granite stone with smooth edges and finishes. Secondly, I did not get any dust and loose gravel coming out of it during its operation. Furthermore, the diameter and height of its mortar are 3.5 inches and 4 inches respectively, which provide a spacious and deep zone for crushing the spices. Moreover, the price of this item is reasonable and, in terms of its durability, sturdiness, and working quality, it has scored a top rating with good reviews from Amazon customers.
Pepper Grinder
Sometimes, it is required to grind a few amounts of ground pepper and salt to add it into tea or other home usages. In this situation, Pepper Grinder is the best option to get a quick response.
I used ZIZLY Stainless Steel Pepper Crusher as it was Amazon’s choice. Firstly, I found it to be perfect because it had adjustable grinding accuracy and high-quality glass. Secondly, I observed that the ceramic portion of this object is extremely durable and can be easily separated from the stainless steel portion for cleaning purposes. Furthermore, it has a 4.3-star rating and positive reviews on Amazon. So, I would recommend you to use this product.
Rolling Pin & Chakla
This is the most practical unit for rolling and spreading kneaded dough balls. The heavier this unit is, the more comfortable it will be to operate.
I chose Vinayak Crafters Rolling Pin & Chakla as it was Amazon’s choice and found that it was durable, heavy, very sturdy and easy to use. Besides it, this set includes a high-quality marble chakla and a hardwood rolling pin which are heavy and provide a comfortable feel. Moreover, Chakla is carved out of a single piece of marble with a diameter of 22 cms which signifies its long-lasting durability. With a 4.5 star Amazon rating over 1759 reviews from customers, I would recommend you to use this product.
Tea Strainer
We use this item to sieve tea or other liquids. You may have seen that most households use a metallic strainer, while a few homemakers use a plastic tea strainer to sieve the hot tea, which could be hazardous to them.
My pick and recommendation for all households are a Stainless steel double mesh tea strainer 9cm long, which has two layers of extra strong mesh, making it extra durable and long-lasting. Moreover, It is easy to clean and wash.
Ice Cream Scoop
It is a basic essential of the restaurant, parties and kitchen to pull out the ice cream from the container.
The Amazon’s Preference and my pick are Sakoraware Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop, which is made of high-quality stainless steel metal. It has a length of 18.8 cm and a bowl diameter of 5 cm. Moreover, the deep bowl of the scoop consisting of spring penetrates the ice cream to pull out a rounded section easily.
Pizza Cutter
It’s a pizza, bread, pastry and sandwich slicing kitchen tool that’s commonly used in both restaurants and home kitchens.
My pick is Mosaic Pizza Cutter that is made of zinc alloy with multifunctional operations. Its blade is strong and sharp enough to slice pizza easily and quickly. Furthermore, it has an anti-slippery handle that provides extra comfort in holding. With 4.2 star Amazon’s rating and positive reviews, I am certain that it would not let you down.
Basting Brush
For applying oil on skillet, pan, and chapati etc., most households keep it in their kitchen, while some homemakers pour oil into the skillet, and pan etc. roughly which might be excess, resulting in harmful for health. So, in this condition, using a basting brush is the best option in order to optimize the application of oil while cooking.
Silicone Basting Brush with Stainless Steel Handle, 9 inches long is my pick for you. Since it is made of high-temperature resistant silicon bristle and stainless steel handle which are 100% Food grade, FDA approved and BPA free. Moreover, it has a 4.4 star Amazon rating with good reviews which indicate its authenticity.
Funnel
It’s a product that’s usage is to pour oil and other liquids into the containers so that the oil and other liquids can not spill out from the containers.
The funnel should be like that can not topple over while pouring the oil. Keeping in mind this view, I selected DeoDap Silicone Rubber Funnel and found it high-durable and wear-resistant. Besides these, I observed it was made of food-grade silicone and easy to wash and clean. So, I would recommend you to use this product.
Oil & Vinegar Dispenser set
This dispenser set is a good choice for containing oil and vinegar to avoid messy oil-pouring work as it provides us to pour the oil and vinegar with ease and with minimal overspilling.
My pick is the Avora Glass Oil & Vinegar Dispensers set (500ml each), as it is made of high-quality crystal glass as well as each dispenser consists of an airtight bottle stopper and a pouring spout with a lever-release snap lid which provides extra comfort in oil-dispensing.
Can Opener
Its usage is to open all kinds of packed and sealed food containers, including cold-drink cans and sauce bottles.
After putting in a lot of effort, I found the Shapes Imporio Stainless Steel Can Opener to be solid, durable, and simple to use when opening various liquid cans and bottles. In addition, 305 viewers gave it an average 4.2-star rating on Amazon. As a result, I am confident that it will not upset you.
Conclusion
To sum up, you can observe that I have selected the 28 best kitchen tools & essentials for food prep which are mentioned above. This kitchen tools & essentials list has been prepared by keeping various factors in mind, i.e. specifications, qualities, rating and reviews. My main motive for creating this article was to provide comprehensive details about food prep kitchen tools & essentials for all households who need them.
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