The Cheap Pantry Gadgets Professional Chefs Swear By

Stocking a kitchen can feel like navigating a sea of gimmicky gadgets, each promising to revolutionize your cooking experience. But these pieces often end up as clutter or garage sale go-tos. I know from experience that things like mango slicers, avocado holders, and egg toppers might have their once-a-year appearance, but the real MVPs are the versatile gadgets that consistently deliver, making cooking easier, faster, and all the more enjoyable!

We decided to reach out to the true experts who are in the kitchen each and every day – professional chefs – to get their take on the most indispensable and affordable kitchen gadgets that make a real difference in your everyday cooking and kitchen routines. While you might not be breaking down a pig, preparing crisp, colorful macarons, or fileting fish on a daily basis, these expert-trusted gadgets are guaranteed to streamline and simplify your cooking process. Get ready to discover the secret arsenal your home kitchen is missing that’ll take your cooking from meh to mesmerizing! 

Large Wood Cutting Board

There’s a never-ending debate between home chefs over whether plastic or wooden cutting boards are superior. But Chef Jane Wild, owner of Jane and The Lion Bakehouse, recommends wood. They’re aesthetically pleasing, and, if you take proper care of them, can last a lifetime. “I use one side for prep, cutting, and chopping,” she says. “I flip it to use when baking and shaping dough.” Wooden boards should be thoroughly cleaned by hand — never put one in the dishwasher.

Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven  

If your cabinet is full of cheap, chipped cookware, it’s time to upgrade to an enameled cast iron Dutch oven — and you don’t have to spend a ton for quality. Wild uses a Dutch oven almost daily for baking bread, roasting chicken, or making soups. “I use it to cook on the stove, boil, fry, sauté, and in the oven to roast and bake,” she says. “It’s non-stick, non-toxic, and holds heat evenly. This one is a workhorse that can do so much and simplify your kitchen!”

Kitchen Scissors

The scissors that come in packs of kitchen knives are not just for opening boxes or cutting tags off clothing. Those are actually meant to assist you in the kitchen. Take a tip from Wild and use them for trimming herbs and cutting pie dough, or even arranging flowers and cutting masking tape if you need to label food in your fridge. 

Deli Food Storage Containers

Chris Shepherd, James Beard Award-winning chef, founding director of Southern Smoke Foundation, and host of Eat Like a Local, recommends keeping a stock of these affordable food storage containers. “I have these containers at home at all times,” he says. “Deli containers are used in professional kitchens on a daily basis. It helps to organize your leftovers and your prepped items in your refrigerator. It also is a great vessel for an ice water when you need one!”

Adjustable Rolling Pin

Bakers know the importance of a great rolling pin. Caty Johnston, pastry chef and co-owner of Suzybeez Bakery, suggests an adjustable rolling pin so you can choose your desired thickness for whatever you’re crafting. They’re especially great for rolled sugar cookies or pie dough.

Food Scale

Baking requires precise measurements, more so than savory dinners do, so Johnston recommends keeping a kitchen food scale. “Baking is like a science,” she says. “So it’s best to use recipes that have ingredients measured via weight for a more precise measurement.” 

Magnetic Conversion Chart

You don’t want to be Googling recipe conversions while you’re mid-mix with dough all over your fingers. Instead, keep a magnetic conversion chart right on your fridge.

Featured image credit: GMVozd/ iStock