Kitchen tools to save money – what you really need

I cook from scratch everyday. My kitchen cabinets and drawers are FULL of gizmos and gadgets. Save yourself money and don’t buy things you don’t need for your kitchen – no matter how enticing the infomercial. If you feel like you MUST get it, wait until it shows up at a yard sale.

There is nothing on this list that I have not seen or purchased at a yard sale or thrift store.

1. Knives – I have good ones and keep them sharp. They are a cook’s best friend.
2. A manual can opener – I finally got one with rubber covered handles. My hands are glad.
3. Measuring cups & spoons – Pyrex measuring cup for liquids. Nested measuring cups for solids.
4. Nested glass bowls – The smallest bowl is great for scrambling one egg. The largest bowl is a swell family popcorn bowl.
5. A manual hand mixer – The best tool to use for mixing pudding, pancake batter, and a lot of other things. A lighter and more mobile tool than counter top mixers.
6. Large soup pot & lid – How could I cook for my family without a soup pot? Throw in some meat, veggies and water and simmer, simmer, simmer.
7. Small saute skillet – From one fried egg to sauteed mushrooms.
8. Large deep skillet – I use this to make chili. I suppose if I fried chicken, I would use this skillet.
9. Electric kettle – I only acquired this in the last year and it is soooo wonderful. I can boil up water for a cup of tea in a 30 seconds. I don’t use it for anything but water, so I don’t have to wash it.
10. Vegetable peeler – My peeler is an ergonomic palm peeler. I think this little number is my favorite kitchen helper.
11. Small electric chopper – Use for chopping onions tear-free.
12. Garlic press – Way easier than trying to mince with a knife.
13. Blendtec blender – Used daily for making green drinks, blended soups and nut flours. I’ve used it to make homemade ice cream.
14. Pot holders – Can’t do without these handy-dandy hand savers.
15. Strainers (large and small) – Large for pasta and small for washing berries
16. Salt grinder – I only use Himalayan salt that I grind myself. Salt is essential to life, but you have to eat the right salt.
17. Slotted spoon – For stirring and poaching.
    
18. Spatula – For flipping pancakes, eggs and the like.
19. Cutting board – I have wooden and plastic.
20. Manual juicer (for lemons and oranges) – Fresh lemon on salad is the best.
21. Kitchen scissors – Use daily for everything from cutting string to chicken bones.
22. Toaster oven – I don’t use a microwave, so we warm up individual casseroles in the toaster oven.
23. Cookie sheet – Get the kind that don’t burn your cookies.
24. Casserole dish – Another Pyrex wonder.
25. Pot with handle & lid – Boil eggs in 20 minutes or boil a pound of noodles.
26. Cheese slicer – I got this from Harmony Farms almost 20 years ago and it’s still perfect. What a great tool for thin slicing hard cheese.
27. Grater – There is nothing better for making egg salad.
28. Egg slicer – OK, we are a big egg family. Hard boiled eggs are just more fun when they are sliced.
29. Tin foil – Line the broiler, cover the dish, clean the dirty casserole dish. A great invention.
30. Sponge, towels & soap – Gotta clean up all the mess I made using the above items.

Do you have unnecessary items in your kitchen?

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