It's that time of year again when everyone is looking for the perfect gift to give their loved ones. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to figure out what your friends and family will actually like.
To help you with your holiday shopping this season, we've compiled a list of 5 kitchen tools to avoid gifting this holiday season (and 5 more worth the splurge) for a beginner or a pro!
Especially, if you're looking for gifts for someone who is just starting out, this list can give them some guidance on which items they might want to consider purchasing first. It's also helpful if your family members are starting up their own homes, although it is always the best practice to seek out what they already own to avoid any duplicates that they don't need while still making sure that they have the necessities covered.
Here are our top five kitchen tools you should avoid this holiday season:
1. Garlic Press:
This is the number one kitchen tool that should not be on your list. While it may seem like a useful gadget to have, but the same can be achieved with a box grater or a zester.
Or a better alternative to this would be buying bulk garlic and mincing it with a food processor, then freezing it with some olive oil in ice trays.
My issue with garlic press is that it is one-use gadget. Unless you buy a good quality garlic press, they're often made from cheap metal that breaks easily and can be a pain to clean. Most brands out there do not crush or mince your garlic cloves evenly. Clean up is also tricky since a lot of the garlic gets stuck in the grooves.
Alterative: Gift a box grater/zester instead. It does more than one job & is perfect for quick garlic mince.
Kitchen Aid Box Grater
2. Egg Slicer:
If you are looking for a fun gadget to add to your kitchen, this one is not the right choice. This tool does exactly what it says, but doesn't come with any added benefits. It can be just as easy to cut your eggs using a pairing knife (or even a butter knife) rather than purchasing an egg cutter. So unless you are actually looking for a novelty item to add to your kitchen, this tool is probably not worth the purchase.
Alterative: Gift a good quality pairing knife that will serve more than one purpose.
Wusthof Pairing Knife
3. Apple Core Remover:
Like the garlic press, this tool is not worth your money because you can substitute it with common kitchen tools that are more effective. For example, if you're looking for a simple way to remove apple cores simply use a pairing knife instead of a core remover. Arguably, core removers leave more waste, so a pairing knife is an ideal choice in terms of reducing waste as well. For those who may not want to use a knife, a teaspoon does the job better than a core remover and leaves much less flesh on the core.
Alterative: Gift a good quality pairing knife that will serve more than one purpose.
You don't necessarily need a Wusthof knife. There are other cheaper & durable options on Amazon.
4. Bread Maker:
Similar to the egg cutter, this item is a novelty kitchen tool that doesn't have any other benefits besides being able to make bread. A much better way of making breads is baking it the old-fashioned way in an oven. The bread bakes more evenly and has a much better crust.
If you're looking for an easy way to bake your own homemade bread, there are wonderful one-bowl recipes available. Here is one recipe I use quite often.
Alterative: Instead of gifting a bread maker, consider gifting good quality loaf pans that can be used for baking more than just breads.
Cast Iron Loaf Pan
Much like my skillets, I prefer cast iron loaf pans for baking. These heat evenly and are perfect for breads and cakes.
Carbon Steel Loaf Pan
If you are not a fan of cast iron pans, you can go for a carbon steel loaf pan. These are just as good & cook evenly.
5. Opaque containers for storage :
This is another item that is not the most efficient. When opaque containers are used, they either have to be opened every time to know what's in them, or there is a need to label them. Labeling is a good solution until you want to refill the containers with something other than what was previously in them. So, in my opinion, opaque containers are not the best option, unless it is for items that need to be kept away from sunlight, like olive oil.
Clear containers make for a perfect alternative. They not only help with efficient storage but since they are transparent, taking inventory is also easier when you plan those Costco hauls!
Alterative: Clear containers with air-tight lids are perfect for any kitchen.
Air-tight Clear Containers, set of 12
Dis-honorable Mentions:
Any pan/gadget that cooks only 1 kind of thing:
This is a tremendous waste of money and space because you can use standard pans to cook multiple items. For example, if you're looking for a specialized pan to make pancakes or omelets, it's better to just stick with a regular frying pan instead. These specialty pans don't do anything that an everyday pan can't and they tend to be more expensive.
These are just some of the kitchen tools you should avoid this holiday season if you're looking for a more budget-friendly and time-efficient way to cook!
There are some really wonderful culinary gadgets that are well worth the money whether you're buying for a novice's kitchen or for a pro chef.
Here are our top five kitchen tools you should definitely buy this holiday season:
1. Pre-seasoned cast iron skillet/pan:
A cast iron skillet/pan is a great investment for your kitchen because it has multiple benefits that other pans don't have. For one, they're non-stick so you won't have to worry about food sticking and making a mess. This is not due to any other outside layer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as Teflon), which most non-stick pans are coated with and there are studies that suggest that Teflon coating may be toxic to your health. Secondly, they heat evenly which means your food will cook perfectly every time without the need to constantly stir or flip it.
Best For: Cast Iron pans can be a wonderful alternative to any non-stick pan or a specialty pan like an omelet pan.
Cast Iron Skillet
2. Good Quality wooden cutting board:
This is another item that you should invest in because it will make your life easier and safer. Wood cutting boards, unlike plastic ones, can be easily disinfected and do not hold onto bacteria as much which means that there's a lower chance of getting sick from using them. The high-quality wooden cutting boards, such as the ones made by John Boos & Co., are also very durable so you won't have to worry about replacing them frequently. Furthermore, plastic can come off from certain plastic cutting board used over time. Overtime, with plastic boards, you could be ingesting micro plastic.
Best For: Meal prep of any kind. Bonus is you have a spare one that's smaller, it can be used as a cheese board.
John Boos & Co. Wood Chopping Board
3. Ninja food processor:
This one is probably our favorite gadget and you may have seen this in a lot of our videos.
One reason this gadget has been our favorite for over 5 years now (that's right! the one you see in our videos is at least 5 years old, if not more) is because of its power and durability. Furthermore, it doesn't take up a lot of space so it's perfect for those with small kitchens. See our Ninja Blender in action in this video below.
Ninja food processor is another one of those gadgets that have multiple functions and will save you a lot of time in the long run. It can chop vegetables, make smoothies, salsas & chutneys, puree fruit, as well as whip up your own homemade sauces. You can also use the Ninja blender with a tall jar to make your own salad dressings.
Best For: The Ninja Food Processor is great for multiple uses like blending smoothies, chopping vegetables, and so much more. Gift this to someone who likes cooking but does not have the time for home-cooking.
Ninja Food Processor/ Blender
4. Stainless steel pot/ pan :
If you're looking for a multipurpose pot or pan that will last you a lifetime, stainless steel is the way to go. It's inherently non-stick, in a non-toxic way & without the use of Teflon, so you won't have to worry about your food sticking and it doesn't react with any type of food which means that your meals will always come out tasting the same. Although they may be a bit pricier than other pots and pans, they're definitely worth the investment.
Best For: These are great for multipurpose use. Best part, if they are fully stainless steel (including the handle) they are also oven friendly. Imagine the ease of cooking if you can sear the chicken and bake it in the same pan!
Stainless Steel Pots Set
5. Box Grater:
This is one of those gadgets that you probably didn't think would be super helpful but will definitely make your life so much easier in the kitchen. A box grater, such as this one by Kitchen Aid, has multiple functions and can be used for a variety of foods, from cheese to vegetables. It's also compact which makes it very easy to store.
Best For: Box graters are great for food prep whether it is slicing veggies like zucchini or potatoes or grating root veg like garlic and ginger. And, of course, they are great for grating cheese!
Kitchen Aid Box Grater
Honorable Mentions:
Chef's Knife: A chef's knife is a must-have in any kitchen and it's definitely one of the more used items on this list. If you buy a good quality knife, it will last you a lifetime if you take care of it and can be used for a variety of tasks such as chopping, slicing, dicing etc.
Kitchen scissors: A kitchen scissors, such as these ones by OXO Good Grips , is great for cutting up fresh herbs or snipping some twine. They're also dishwasher safe so you won't have to worry about cleaning them!
Can opener: A good quality can opener, such as the ones by OXO Good Grips , is important for those who like to save time and effort in the kitchen. They also help you avoid sharp edges on opened cans which means that there's a lower chance of getting cut when cooking or storing food!
Good quality strainer/colander: A good quality strainer is important for those who like to prepare their own broths and soups. It will help you drain the water from your veggies or pasta without any of it spilling over, which can make a mess in your kitchen! They also come in various sizes depending on what type of pot or pan you're using so it's a good investment to make.
Tools We Use In Our YouTube Videos
For a list of tools we use on our channel, please see our Kitchen Tools page on the website. We keep this list constantly updated and refreshed.
There is a similar list for our Filming Gear as well.
Now that you have a better idea of what kitchen tools to invest in and which ones to avoid, it might be time for your next cooking adventure. It can be daunting when faced with so many decisions- but not anymore! If you're a beginner, don't invest in expensive tools that are only marginally better than the ones on this list. Instead, focus your money on kitchen essentials that can be used for more than one purpose. Good tools will make cooking more enjoyable and easier for years to come and will help make a new hobby less daunting.
Have you already invested in any of the 5 items we recommend?
Which ones are on your wish list for future purchases?
Which of these 5 tools have you purchased or found most useful?
Let us know in the comments below!
We hope this article has been helpful as a smarter holiday gift guide. Stay tuned for more blog posts on how to make food taste even better or explore other aspects of culinary arts like baking breads, cakes, cookies etc.
Happy cooking and happy holidays!
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