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Every kitchen is a little different, but all apartments have one thing in common: space. It’s where you will spend a lot of time cooking and eating your food in this limited space, so having the right tools will make it easier for you to cook and prepare meals.
Whether you’re cooking for just yourself or two roommates or you’re prepping for the usual family dinner, the last thing you want to be doing is spending your time running around looking for what you need.
There are some small things that will make your life easier and get dinner on the table faster! Here are some of the essential small kitchen tools you should have in your apartment.
Small kitchen tools you should have in your apartment
The right kitchen tools can make all the difference between a healthy and delicious home-cooked meal or one that’s just as convenient but lacking in nutrition. So, it pays to have them on hand so you don’t have any letdowns when cooking at your house!
That’s why it’s important to have the right kitchen tools that you can use frequently and easily. There are a couple of must-have small kitchen tools that would be perfect for apartment homeowners with the limited amount of space.
Here are some of the most useful and efficient small kitchen tools you should have in your apartment.
1. Food thermometer
Food thermometers, especially the digital ones, are essential for many kitchen experts. Whether it’s for cooking, baking, or grilling, you need a food thermometer to ensure that you are cooking the food properly and all the way through. It helps you gauge the right temperatures which helps you achieve the best tasting dishes for you and your family.
You can opt for instant-read food thermometers for starters since it is easy-to-use and can be versatile in different cooking situations.
2. Can opener
Opening cans without a can opener in the kitchen is definitely challenging, which is why we recommend you to have a can opener (manual or electric) which are typically small and won’t take a lot of space in your cupboard.
3. Kitchen shears
Durable, sharp, and heavy duty are the qualities you should look for in kitchen shears. They should also be comfortable to hold and to use without being too bulky. Good quality shears are easy to clean and durable, since the goal of using shears is to help you trim fat and cut meat into smaller pieces. It’s also useful for snipping herbs, opening bottles, and cutting food packaging.
4. Cutting board
Your cutting board is almost as crucial as the knives you’re using when chopping and cutting ingredients. You need to consider the material of your cutting board, whether you’re using wooden or plastic ones.
Many prefer wooden boards, since they do not easily dull knives, but there might be the danger of being unable to clean the wood completely. Wood absorbs water and water retained on the board can nurture the growth of bacteria and molds. You also need to regularly wash and replace your cutting board every 6 months for your food safety as well.
5. Vegetable peeler
Every household needs a reliable vegetable and fruit peeler. Peeling potatoes, carrots, and many fruits can be light and breezy with this small kitchen tool. Why risk accidentally cutting yourself with a knife when you have a peeler? Make sure you’re buying a peeler with a good grip so peeling can be quick and effortless.
6. Measuring cups and spoons
Many recipes require precise measurements. This is highly important when it comes to baking.You should use measuring cups and spoons to measure out both wet and dry ingredients such as herbs, spices, flours, yeast, vinegar, among others.
Choose among various materials for measuring cups and spoons, but we recommend getting a stainless steel one for a long-lasting kitchen tool. Look for the durability so you won’t need to replace them after a while.
7. Aluminum Pan
If you’re fond of baking and doing pastries, having a good quality aluminum pan is essential. You can cook dishes, veggies, cookies, and more with a pan that fits perfectly in your oven. Don’t forget to use baking sheets and prepping your pan so you can keep your pan in good condition.
8. Cast-iron skillet
Probably one of the most important and versatile small kitchen tools we have on this list, cast-iron skillets make cooking so much easier at home! They might not be that small, but this tool is ideal for a wide variety of cooking needs such as frying, grilling, and broiling food. You can even use it for baking in the oven! As long as you know how to take care of your cast-iron skillet, it’ll stay in good shape for a long time.
9. Knives
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to use a dull knife when you’re chopping ingredients for your dish. And contrary to what many people would believe, dull knives are not safer to use than sharp ones. Dull knives are more prone to accidents because you are exerting more force in chopping and slicing than with sharp knives.
It’s crucial to have at least 3 kitchen knives in your apartment. The most essential ones are the chef’s knife, the paring knife, and the serrated knife. You can usually get them on sets with a block that holds them or individually.
10. Grater
Box graters are helpful and they’re not just for cheese. You can also use them on many other foods that may require grating like getting zest from citrus fruits, shred carrots and cucumbers, or grate garlic, ginger, and turmeric root.
Conclusion
Apartment homeowners always consider the limited space they have in their apartments, and having the right small kitchen tools that do the job more effectively and efficiently is a game changer. These are just some of the essential tools in the kitchen every household needs.
What other essential small kitchen tools do you recommend to add on this list? Let us know in the comments!
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