5 Overlooked Kitchen Tools You Should Have at Home

Picture this. You’re preparing a meal, juggling bowls, pans, and ingredients, when suddenly you’re stumped. The cheese isn’t grating right, the chicken’s still raw in the middle, and your cookies are sticking to the baking sheet. 

Frustrating, right?

The thing is, cooking doesn’t have to feel like some sort of high-stakes cooking competition. The secret to a smoother kitchen experience isn’t adding yet another fancy gadget to your drawer but turning to the quiet heroes of the culinary world.

These tools might not have the glitz of a stand mixer or the charm of a Dutch oven, but they can completely change your cooking game. With that said, here are five overlooked kitchen tools every home chef should own.

The 5 Best Kitchen Tools for Cooking Efficiency

If you think cooking is too tedious, these 5 tools will change your mind.  

1. Bench Scraper

Source: Canva

A bench scraper, also known as a dough scraper, is a flat, rectangular tool with a handle along one edge. Originally designed for handling dough, this versatile tool is far more than just a baker’s companion.

Many home cooks overlook the bench scraper, yet it’s a game-changer for cleaning up messy surfaces, transferring chopped ingredients, and portioning dough. Its flat edge ensures precision, while its sturdy build makes it easy to maneuver. If you’re looking for an affordable option, try the OXO Good Dris.

Here’s what to do with a bench scraper: 

• Use it to divide pizza dough into perfectly even portions, then marvel at your family debating who got the “biggest slice.”
• Got sticky cookie dough clinging to your counter? The bench scraper clears it in one clean swipe, leaving your surface ready for round two.
• Stop scooping chopped onions in your hands. Scoop them up with the scraper and deliver them straight to the pan. No spills, no mess.

2. Microplane Grater

Source: Pixabay

A microplane grater is a slim, handheld tool with fine, razor-sharp blades designed for precision grating. It’s ideal for zesting citrus fruits, grating cheese, or even shredding spices like nutmeg.

Unlike larger box graters, the microplane grater offers finesse. It’s easy to use, requires minimal storage space, and brings out the best in ingredients by maximizing surface area for flavor extraction. 

A microplane grater can be used to grate fresh parmesan cheese over pasta for a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It can also be used to add a burst of lemon zest to baked goods. The Microplane Premium Classic Zester is an affordable brand with quality products that you can try. 

Here are more ways to use your microplane grater:

• Zest a lime over tacos, and watch your dinner guests ask, “What’s your secret?”
• Grate fresh nutmeg into your coffee or hot cocoa, and suddenly it tastes like a café masterpiece.
• Grate garlic or ginger directly into a pan of sizzling oil for an aromatic base that smells like you spent hours prepping (spoiler: you didn’t).

3. Silicone Baking Mat

Source: Bonappetit

A silicone baking mat is a reusable, non-stick liner that fits perfectly on baking sheets. Made from heat-resistant silicone, it replaces the need for parchment paper or cooking sprays. 

The tool is a gamechanger. It saves money, reduces waste, ensures even baking, and prevents sticking. It’s also dishwasher-safe, durable, and ideal for all types of cooking—not just baking. 

Plus, a Kansas State University food scientist has assured everyone that silicone mats are safe for home baking. You can use a silicone baking mat to bake cookies that slide right off without breaking. 

You’d also appreciate roasting vegetables without worrying about them sticking to the tray. Try the Amazon basics rectangular silicone baking mats to see what we mean.

• Use it to roast root veggies without the usual fight to scrape them off the pan.
• Love making brittle or toffee? Pour molten sugar directly onto the mat; it peels off like a dream once it cools.
• Roll out pie dough on a silicone mat for a smooth, flour-free experience that doesn’t stick or tear. Bonus? Cleanup is as easy as a quick rinse.

4. Kitchen Shears

Source: Freepik

Kitchen shears are heavy-duty scissors specifically designed for culinary tasks. Their sharp, sturdy blades can handle everything from snipping herbs to cutting through poultry bones. 

Though many rely on knives for most tasks, kitchen shears offer precision and control for jobs that are awkward or messy with a knife. They’re especially useful for quick, repetitive tasks.

You can use the kitchen shears to cut through the backbone of the chicken or use them to quickly chop herbs directly into your dish without dirtying a cutting board. The KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears is a great option that is popular for its durability.

Here’s how to get the best out of your kitchen shears:

• Cut fresh chives or cilantro straight over your dish and feel like you’re hosting your cooking show. No cutting board is needed!
• Spatchcocking a chicken sounds fancy, but kitchen shears make it as easy as cutting construction paper in kindergarten.
• Struggle with stubborn food packaging? Kitchen shears slice through it like butter.

5. Instant-Read Thermometer

Source: Unsplash

An instant-read thermometer provides a quick and accurate internal temperature reading for your foods. This device ensures perfect cooking results, especially for meat, baked goods, and even candies.

Home cooks often rely on guesswork to determine meal-readiness, which can lead to overcooked or undercooked meals. An instant-read thermometer removes the guesswork and guarantees consistency and safety.

The instant-read thermometer can ensure a perfectly juicy roast chicken by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You can also use it to temper chocolate to the ideal consistency for glossy, professional-looking desserts. If we’ve won you over, the Morning Star instant-read thermometer is a quality option you can try.

Here’s how to maximize your instant-read thermometer:

• Use it to heat chocolate to the perfect glossy temperature (90°F for dark chocolate) and pretend you’re on a baking competition show.
• Want a medium-rare steak without slicing into it mid-cook? A quick temp check guarantees perfection.
• Is your sourdough done? Check the internal temperature. 190°F means it’s ready to cool and devour.

Benefits of Using These Underrated Kitchen Tools

You need these kitchen tools in your arsenal. Besides the fact that they will make your cooking process generally more efficient, here’s why you should have them:

1. Improved Precision

From perfectly grated cheese to evenly divided dough, these tools help achieve professional-level results without extra effort.

2. Enhanced Versatility

Each tool serves multiple purposes, proving its value beyond its primary function. For example, kitchen shears can trim meats, cut pizza, or open stubborn packaging.

3. Time and Effort Savings

Tasks like cleaning up, prepping ingredients, and ensuring food is cooked properly are quicker and more efficient with the right tools.

4. Reduced Frustration

Say goodbye to burnt cookies, uneven slices, or messy counters. These tools make everyday cooking more seamless and enjoyable.

Big Impact from Small Upgrades

You don’t need a gourmet kitchen to cook like a pro, just the right tools. These five underrated kitchen gadgets are investments towards a smoother cooking experience. They’ll save you time, reduce frustration, and even inspire creativity.

So, which one will you try first? Whether it’s using a bench scraper to speed up prep or a silicone mat for flawless baking, these tools will quickly become your kitchen MVPs. Cook smarter, not harder.