Helpful Small Kitchen Appliances

8 Helpful Small Kitchen Appliances

by Kathryn Weber

There’s no question that large kitchen appliances get the job done. But when you need something done quickly or efficiently, sometimes it’s the little devices that offer big benefits. Here are eight that can help your kitchen efficiency and make meals faster and easier to get on the table, with less clean up to boot.

TOASTER OVEN
Far from their older versions, toaster ovens today can do more than just brown bread. Toaster ovens can defrost and broil as well. If your toaster oven simply toasts and reheats, it might be time to get more versatility with a replacement that can help you bake a quick batch of cookies quickly or broil a steak.

ELECTRIC SKILLET

They may seem old-fashioned, but if you’re tired of cleaning up your stove’s nooks and crannies, and the grates, these workhorses can save you time and cleaning. An electric skillet can be placed on a counter to brown or sear food before going into the slow cooker or make a meal that requires a skillet and do it with fast cleaning.

ROASTER OVEN
When you have a turkey, dressing, pies and rolls to cook, your oven can run low on space. Counter top roaster ovens are terrific for holidays when you need extra oven space. Plus, they’re not as drying as a standard oven giving you moister results.

PANINI PRESS
If you think these are just for sandwiches, think again. Panini presses can be used to cook bacon quickly, cook crispy hash brown servings, create flatbreads, grill chicken paillards, or whip up an oozy, cheesy hot sandwich.

RICE MAKER
Tired of eating undercooked or mushy rice? Try a rice cooker. It’s a small appliance that can whip up a batch of rice that’s perfectly steamed every time. To give your rice maker more versatility, get one with a vegetable steamer basket; then you’ll have two sides made in one appliance.

WAND BLENDER
Nothing beats a cup of soup on a winter day, and with just some vegetables and broth, you can whip up a cream of spinach, potato or broccoli soup in a snap with your wand or immersion blender. Better still, some wand blenders come with attachments that will quickly whiz up a batch of salad dressing or tartar sauce, or chop up onions, parsley or garlic in small quantities in seconds.

ELECTRIC KETTLE
Whether it’s a cup of instant noodles, a warm mug of hot chocolate or hot water for your French press coffeemaker, an electric kettle will get it all done fast. Maybe you like a three-minute egg in the morning or need to make some hard cooked eggs quickly. Add your eggs to your water kettle, and cook to desired consistency.

SLOW COOKER
Nothing beats coming home from work with dinner ready and waiting. The slow cooker has been around for decades, but recently more celebrity chefs have been embracing their versatility and how they can have a ready-to-eat meal. From cooking up pulled pork sandwiches to creamy mac and cheese, slow cookers are a must for busy home chefs.