Katie Schenk
7 min
1.8K
Let's face it, men are taking over the kitchen.
You're probably wondering:
How many men actually make dinner? According to the Washington Post, 43 percent of American men are doing (at least some of) the cooking. That's higher than at any other point in history.
And the numbers continue to rise.
Maybe you're a Gordon Ramsey in the making -or perhaps you avoid the kitchen as much as you possibly can. Either way, you need these killer kitchen gadgets. There are some that you just cannot live without.
They don’t even need to be all that high tech; a kitchen gadget can be as simple as a garlic press or a spatula. As long as it makes life easier, then it counts.
Each of these kitchen gadgets is sexy and manly in its own right. So, roll up your sleeves, pour yourself a drink and enjoy.
Whether you're just playing around, impressing your girl or entertaining the guys, these kitchen gadgets will bring out your inner man. Plus, some of these gadgets are just plain fun to play with.
And, as an extra bonus, these gadgets make great gifts too – especially when they’re on sale. Now, let's take a look.
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No room for a smokehouse? Can't stand working with liquid smoke? This is the gadget you need to get the flavors you didn't even know you were missing.
Don't use this indoors the first time you try it. And you may never want to use it in tiny kitchens.
Used by world-renowned chefs, this is the only handheld smoker that infuses food with earthy, smoky flavor in two minutes. So, if you're looking for an incredible gift for a man that loves to cook, this could be the one.
What’s it used for? This is used to impart a smokey flavor to foods, and unlike traditional smoking methods that require hours of cooking, this device can be used tableside just before a meal is served.
Is it easy to use? If you had a smokehouse on the property, you would probably find this a lot easier to deal with. It really works quickly and effortlessly. There isn't that much to it. Simply fill the chamber with one of the various types of wood chips, then turn it on, light, and apply cool smoke to your food.
Dishwasher-safe? No. Sorry. But, it's hard to argue with this type of flavoring simplicity.
Will it break the bank? It's less than $100, how great is that? Imagine how much you'll save on trips to the local BBQ joint. We think it's an awesome deal.
What Reviewers Say:
People that own this device really and truly love it. Here's what they have to say about it:
There are a lot of things to love about this air fryer. The size and weight of the appliance make it a perfect addition for even small kitchens. And yet, the cooking capacity is better than average. It’s also available in some cool color options. The pre-set programs make it easy to operate, even if it claims it will only fry (unlike many other models). But, it is a serious drain on power and creates a fair amount of heat (and cooking smells).
Manual or digital: It’s almost surprising that you can get such a quality digital air fryer for this price. Operation is via LCD touchscreen, but you may need to spend just a bit of time getting to know the controls.
Presets and programs: Fries, pork, chicken, steak, shrimp, fish, warm - and cake. What more could you ask for?
Capacity: You can fit 3.7 quarts of food in this baby. That’s a fair size, especially given the outer dimensions of this fryer and its cost.
Noise: 57 DB
Temperatures: Variable between 175-400°F.
Timers: 30 minute timer with automatic standby feature that switches the fryer into standby mode upon completion.
Multitask ready: Yes, just take a look.
Cleaning: The pot and basket are removable and can be dumped in the dishwasher. That’s such a big help, isn’t it?
Additional features: It’s the pre-set programs that wow us here. You really don’t get much else in the way of features.
Product dimensions:
Will it break the bank: Hardly – at least most of the time. Its MSRP is more than $250. But, you’re going to pay a lot less – closer to $100. And, sometimes, you’ll find it even less than that. Nice.
While these sheers make pizza cutting easy - that's hardly where their usefulness ends. They're also great for pastry cutting (or even fabric). That's because of the lovely lifter on the bottom blade.
Some of the older models were made from substandard materials. Even now you may want to avoid putting these in the dishwasher.
These pizza scissors are one of the most fun kitchen gadgets you're going to find. They don't just cut your pizza; they also help to lift it so you can serve it quickly and easily. Cool, right?
It's super easy to use. Really, you just need to be able to use a pair of scissors to make these happen. The Scizza's unique spatula tip slides easily under food (or anything else), and the extra-long 4-inch blades wholly and cleanly slice through food. Brilliant.
You can put these scissors in the top rack of your dishwasher, but hand washing in warm, soapy water is recommended.
For scissors, these aren't exactly inexpensive. So, you'll want to make sure to take care of them - that's where the whole hand washing thing comes into play.
Make fresh and flavorful pasta from scratch - with minimal effort. You can make up to a pound within 15 minutes. Score!
The cleanup of this machine leaves something to be desired... for some users. Others love it.
This is an incredible idea for any man that loves his pasta and noodles - and is tired of the effort. Indeed, it's ideal for anyone who likes to eat lots of noodles at home or if you want to get creative with your ramen.
What’s it used for? With the Philips Noodle Maker making fresh, homemade pasta is easy, no need to knead. Just put in the ingredients and let it make your noodles or pasta in 10-15 minutes.
Is it easy to use? Yes, yes, yes. Add flour, press the start button, add water or egg or other flavoring liquids, and then in minutes your noodles will be coming out of the maker. There are even kneading time adjustments available.
Dishwasher-safe? Unfortunately no. This is a handwash deal. If the pieces could go in the dishwasher then we wouldn't stop raving about this until everyone bought one.
Will it break the bank? This is definitely a luxury item. If you don't love your pasta, or have some disposable income, you will need to move along.
What Reviewers Say:
With 4.7 stars out of a possible 5 on Amazon, you have to know this is going to be an attention-grabbing product.
You can expect to save as much as 60 percent in energy consumption (compared to a conventional oven). It's the rotating tray that evenly bakes your pizza (or anything else on it).
If it stops working, it's better to call customer service than short the power in your home. Sorry.
This gadget perfectly cooks pizza and wings. Plus, it's just one of the coolest kitchen gadgets you can ever own. The rotating tray turns continuously to assure even baking and it saves as much as 60% in energy compared to a conventional oven. That's pretty cool.
What’s it used for? Use this to make pizzas from scratch, or heat one of those refrigerated pizzas you picked up at the grocery store. But, you can also use it to cook wings or just about anything else that needs such lovely attention like egg rolls or cinnamon rolls.
Is it easy to use? If you can push a button and place pizza on a tray, it's easy to use. If you struggle with these functions, then you should move along.
Dishwasher-safe? No, this is a wipe and handwash sort of gadget. Luckily, there aren't a whole lot of parts.
Will it break the bank? For $40, it's one hell of a gadget. And, you may just find yourself saving money. Not only is it cheaper than using the oven, it's so much fun that you'll choose to use it instead of ringing for pizza delivery.
What Reviewers Say:
You're going to love this baby. A lot of people do.
Get soda water in less than a minute without electricity, batteries, clean up, or tubing. You're going to love making your own mixers or sparkling drinks at home.
You will need to replace the CO2 bottles from time to time. And, watch out - you can't put the bottles in the dishwasher.
SodaStream has been around for a long time - even if this gadget is a new addition to this list. And it's perhaps one of the best additions you can offer a home bar - or just have lying around for those long summer days when you need a mixer... or perhaps to take a break from all those drinks. Once you start using it, you'll never turn back. Plus, it's so much better for the environment than an endless stream of cans and bottles.
What’s it used for? This is the easiest way to make soda water, tonic, and a host of carbonated beverages. As long as you have the appropriate syrup, you can whip up just about anything you want. Brilliant, right?
Is it easy to use? Yes, yes, and yes! Once you've inserted the CO2 bottle into the back, all you need to do is screw in the bottle and push a button. Really, it's about as simple as that.
Dishwasher-safe? Sadly, neither the machine nor the bottles are dishwasher safe. You'll need to wipe down the machine and hand wash the bottles. If only it could go in the dishwasher, we'd be in love.
Will it break the bank? If you can get this model for less than $75, you've just scored a massive deal. Not only do you get the SodaStream machine, you also get a starter carbonator and a bottle for mixing drinks. However, you should know that you'll need to pick up the flavors separately. Still, you'll recoup your investment quickly during the long summer days (or the winter ones when stopping off at the shops seems like a huge hassle).
The design of this gadget enables perfect cooking of every layer (rather than a messy mound of breakfast food). The secret? cooking the egg separately - and yet all at the same time.
The lack of an on/off switch means you'll need to deal with the plug every time. And, you're going to wish you had more than one of these so you can make multiple sandwiches at once.
There's no way that you can pass this gadget up. It lets you make your own delicious breakfast sandwiches. And, whatever the reason for your late night, not going out for hangover food is the best thing in the world, right?
What’s it used for? Now you can cook delicious breakfast sandwiches in the comfort of your own home. It always tastes better when you use fresh ingredients, including eggs, cheese and much more. (Oh, and if you need it, Hamilton Beach also has a model that makes 2 at once!)
Is it easy to use? Not only are your breakfast sandwiches ready in 5 minutes, there are a few quick and easy recipes included in the box. And, it's deadly simple to use, especially as you keep the egg separate!
Dishwasher-safe? All the removable parts are dishwasher safe, but you'll need a damp cloth to wipe down the body. All the surfaces are covered with durable, nonstick coating, so you definitely don't want to scrub at them with abrasive sponges.
Will it break the bank? If you were to use this once a week, it wouldn't take you long to recoup your investment. Use it daily and you'll probably have paid for it in a matter of days. In other words, it won't break the bank... as long as you use it!
What Reviewers Say:
If you're like these folks, you're going to love this baby.
This simple gadget transforms cooked potatoes into smooth mash rather quickly and easily. The handle has been designed so that you can hold it in whatever way suits you best.
It doesn't fit into any kitchen drawer, so you may need to rethink your space a bit.
Holy mash potatoes! You know the problem with ordinary potato mashers right? You still get lumps. This super sweet gadget has an ergonomically designed handle and (can you believe it), it's heat resistant to 500 degrees F. We can't believe it took so long for someone to think of this.
What’s it used for? The potato mashers you grew up with are inefficient. They allow chunks of potato to slip out the side. You'd have to spend way more time than you ever wanted to make your mash lump-free. That's where the potato ricer came into play - but that's messy (and a lot of hard work). Now, finally, we have the Smood. (And you want to get this now!) All you do is press as this gadget takes the pressure off your wrist.
Is it easy to use? This baby takes less effort than a regular potato masher - and it traps your potatoes so they've got no way of escaping your quest for potato perfection. If you're not in love with the Smood from Dreamfarm, well... we just don't know.
Dishwasher-safe? Oh yeah baby! Toss it right on in.
Will it break the bank? Okay, okay, it's not as if this is the cheapest potato masher out there, but you're paying for quality... and lump-free mash.
What Reviewers Say:
With big stars on Amazon, you can bet people have a lot of brilliant things to say about this gadget.
You don't need to haul your knives off for sharpening every month with this handy gadget. It's small enough to fit in the knife drawer - and it makes a great gift for guys with smaller kitchens.
It might just be a little too compact for some users.
You know that sharp knives are the most important thing you can have in your kitchen. That's why you need this sharpener. Or maybe it's because of the compact shape and price of this kitchen gadget. How about its status as an Amazon #1 Bestseller? We give up - there's too many reasons to recommend this baby. And all that is on top of the fact that it's what you need to get dinner on the table properly. Nice, right?
What’s it used for? If your knives are dull, you run the risk of ruining the entire cooking experience (and possibly the food). The handy thing about this sharpener from Kitchen IQ is that it offers both coarse and fine options.
Is it easy to use? Yes and that could be the corner angle (V-Grip Bottom) that allows you to use the edge of your counter rather than the awkward position you normally need to assume. We just beg you to exercise caution when working with knives. Please, please, please.
Dishwasher-safe? It's not really necessary to wash this baby; you can just wipe it clean. Of course, we urge you to wash your knives and dry them thoroughly before sharpening them. Anything else is just plain unsanitary.
Will it break the bank? No! Better yet, it will save you a lot of money. Not only will you skip the expense of professional sharpening (on a regular basis), but just think of all the meals that will be devoured when properly prepared. Nice, right?
What Reviewers Say:
Lots of people love this gadget; you might well be one of them.
This gadget cuts veggies and fruit into noodle ribbons super quickly and easily. And, it's surprisingly sturdy with suction feet that release by pulling the tabs.
This takes up quite a bit of space when fully assembled (and disassembling and reassembling is a bit of a pain).
This vegetable spiralizer will help you easily keep up with your healthy lifestyle and make dieting a breeze! It's perfect for low carb/paleo healthy meals when you use it to make vegetable pasta.
What’s it used for? Make quick work of fancy vegetable peeling with this spiral vegetable slicer. Think curly fries and zoodles for a start. Or, just have fun making professional-looking garnishes, such as onion rings.
Is it easy to use? Unbelievably, this is one of the easiest kitchen gadgets you'll ever use. That said, it does take some time to put together - and you'll need to do that every time you use it. Once you get the hang of it though, you won't be able to live without it.
Dishwasher-safe? Yes. Wait, maybe we need to make that sound a little more exciting... YES! Put this baby in the dishwasher! (But only on the top rack.)
Will it break the bank? It's actually rather cost-effective, especially when you get into using it. Plus you get three sets of blades and the whole thing is backed by a one-year warranty. Nice.
What Reviewers Say:
This is a #1 Bestseller in its class, you can bet people love talking about it.
This garlic press is durable with large, soft, non-slip handles - and the chamber is big enough for a few cloves. Basically, it's comfortable and convenient.
Occasionally, the soft grips will fill with soapy water in the dishwasher so you may need to remove them to release that water. Better still (or more irritatingly), you can hand wash this garlic press.
You may not want to use it to prepare a meal for the ladies (though garlic is a natural aphrodisiac), but a garlic press says that you know your way around the kitchen. Women think that’s sexy.
What’s it used for? If you want to add fresh, minced garlic to any dish, you'll need a garlic press. Sure, you'll find plenty of celebrity chefs who claim it's just as quick to chop and then press with the flat of your knife. We don't believe them; this is clearly faster and easier.
Is it easy to use? If you have one kitchen gadget in your drawers, this is the one to have. The large capacity garlic chamber works through several small cloves with minimal effort. All you need to do is fill the cup and squeeze. You'll get minced garlic easily - no mush and no chopping.
Dishwasher-safe? The manufacturers say it is dishwasher-safe and many people toss their OXO Garlic Press into the machine, but you may not want to do it everyday. It may lead to soap trapped under the rubber grips (or wear it down too quickly).
Will it break the bank? This is definitely not the cheapest garlic press on the market. But it is easily one of the best before you start moving into stupidly expensive models. Really, you should just splurge on this.
What Reviewers Say:
You'll find an incredible amount of people that want to rave about this gadget.
This combination cutting board is ideal for watching cooking videos and shows while prepping dinner. The bamboo is also durable and easy to use (besides being good looking in the kitchen).
You can store knives in it, but it's not ideal unless you can work it into your overall decor.
This awesome cutting board has a protective screen for your iPad. Follow a recipe, or watch a movie; it all depends on why you're cooking. The removable, clear screen shield protects the iPad from chopping debris. Plus, there are eight built-in storage slots for various kitchen knives.
If you can use a cutting board, it's about as simple as that. The side slots for knife storage are only essential if you leave this on your countertop for your kitchen tablet. But, all in all, it's as easy as you would think to use.
You'll need to hand-wash this cutter. And, think of this as a friendly reminder not to store dirty knives in any woodblock, drawer, or anywhere else. Wash them and then put them away. Anything else makes your kitchen unsafe to work in or eat from.
Only $30.00 for a gadget you're going to want to use every day. A definite worthwhile investment!
Cooking is fun. What takes the fun out of cooking is the prepping.
More than the cooking itself, it's the preparation of ingredients that takes up time and effort. So, anything you can get your hands on to make that part of cooking less tedious and time-consuming is worth it.
As defined by encyclopedia.com, a ‘kitchen gadget’ may be a specialized artifact used for the preparation of a single kind of dish or for performing one specific function across a variety of dishes. In short, kitchen gadgets are tools that make life in the kitchen easier.
They’re like an extra pair of hands that make cooking, cleaning and doing anything in the kitchen effortless. So, whether you’re a professional cook, a novice, a chef, a mom, a husband taking the load off your wife, or a person just trying to impress someone, kitchen gadgets are a necessity.
A Brief History
The golden age of kitchen appliances began around 120 years ago, with the early years of electric power. The word ‘gadget’ became part of the language in 1886, and many gadgets that are part of every kitchen today had early starts.
Can Opener
It surprises many that the can and the can opener were not invented at the same time. In fact, a half century elapsed before the opener was around for the can.
First, the can was invented in 1810 by British merchant, Peter Durand. It was invented to provide rations for servicemen. British soldiers used knives, bayonets and sometimes rifle fire to get into the cans.
It was in 1858 that the first patented can opener was invented. The brainchild of Ezra J. Warner of Connecticut, the first can opener was part bayonet, part sickle, and would clumsily wind its way around the periphery. Because so many of the early households had their own ways of opening cans, Warner’s invention didn’t sell well. The opener that is recognizable today was the invention of William Lyman who obtained a patent in 1870.
Pop-Up Toaster
The pop-up toaster had its beginnings in a plant in Stillwater, Minnesota in 1919. Receiving financial backing from friends, Charles Strite produced one hundred hand-assembled toasters.
Up until that time, most households used the oven or the fireplace to toast their breads. Strite’s machines were sent to restaurants who loved the pop-up principle and the timing adjustment for the desired degree of darkness. It wasn’t long until most homes had an automatic toaster.
Blender
The blender goes back to 1922. Band leader Fred Waring financed the development and marketing of the first Waring Blendor, which he insisted be spelled with an ‘O’ to distinguish it from others. But the blender, which was originally known as a ‘vibrator’, was first invented in 1922 by Stephen Poplawski.
He was the owner of Stevens Electric Company, in Racine, Wisconsin. He wanted a way to mix up drinks like malts and milkshakes, which had become popular at soda fountain restaurants. So, while the Waring Blender was pitched to bartenders, the Poplawski blender was sold to soda fountains. Then, in the 1950s, the buttons we now see on all blenders were added, enticing the average housewife to purchase them.
Aluminum Foil
A staple in most households, the aluminum foil came to the attention of the American housewife in 1947. Starting off as an important protection from moisture for cigarettes and candy, the non-toxic, paper-thin, resistant-to-moisture product conducted heat rapidly, and kept foods odor proof. Today, the foil has an almost unimaginable number of uses.
There are many other gadgets that make the kitchen pleasant and take some of the misery out of cooking. These inventions have accumulated around kitchens over the years, drifting down the spectrum from curiosities to novelties, and eventually to necessities.
Nowadays, gadgets are more present in our kitchen than ever, and most people have more technology in there than in any other room in their house. With the overloaded schedules of many families today, the kitchen is often an area that everyone would rather stay away from. It’s interesting to realize that many of the items we take for granted today were blessings and lifesavers to the homemakers of the past.
Types of Kitchen Equipment
Whether you plan to prepare elaborate haute cuisine meals, or just make a quick soup and salad lunch, the proper equipment makes food preparation easier. These are the four main categories for all things used in the kitchen:
Cookware
These are the apparatus that we actually cook in. They include woks, pots, pans, baking sheets and trays. Four basic pans can handle most of our cooking needs: a medium-size frying pan, and small, medium and large saucepans.
Cast iron and copper are preferred, but they carry a heavier price tag. If you want to go easy on the budget, stainless steel would be a better choice over lightweight aluminum pans because although they are the cheapest, the savings you get is only short-term, as they do not stand up to much use.
Knives
You can’t survive in the kitchen without knives. Whether for chopping vegetables, carving a roast, or simply paring an apple, a good blade makes the job easier.
A good chef’s knife is essential, and if you plan to cook any fish, poultry or meat, you will also want a boning knife and another for filleting. There are also blades designed for peeling and paring. Crusty bread is easiest to cut with a serrated knife.
Whatever kind of knife you purchase, remember that it should be right for the size of your hands to avoid stress on your wrists and arms.
Utensils
These mostly handheld tools help us prep and cook with ease. Of course, with the knife comes the chopping or cutting board. The workhorse of every kitchen, there are few meals where cutting and chopping aren’t involved.
Kitchen utensils also include, measuring cups and spoons, shears, colander, can opener, mixing bowls, blender, grater, whisk, peeler, tongs, rolling pin, spatula, ladles, flat turner, spaghetti server, corkscrew, masher, serving plates, bowls and spoons, cookie scooper, thermometer, lemon squeezer, mandoline slicer, spiralizer, lemon/lime zester, and basically anything else used on and for food that don’t go directly on the fire.
Appliances
By definition, an appliance is a device or machine that uses electricity or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LPG is commonly used for domestic cooking and outdoor grilling.
So, appliances refer to refrigerators, stoves, conventional and convection ovens, toasters, microwaves, blenders, food processors, rice cookers, coffeemakers, air fryers, deep fryers, grillers, steamers, pressure cookers, pancake makers, instant pots, slow cookers, waffle irons, panini press griddles, and many more. What kitchen appliances you invest in depend on your taste, what you eat, and your lifestyle.
Of course, let’s not forget the humble towels and potholders. These essential kitchen tools hold a spot all their own, as a good towel and potholder set not only make our kitchen look beautiful, it also protects us from burns.
Useful, multi-purpose utensils make cooking enjoyable, and the everyday tools we have in our kitchen make our life a lot easier.
Spice It Up with Unique and Weird
There are kitchen tools that range from clever to downright ridiculous. Either way, it’s pretty impressive they exist at all.
If you’re craving s’mores but don’t want to go through all the trouble of starting a bonfire, the s’more maker is what you need. The device looks like a little man playing bongos.
The ‘hands’ press down on the layer of chocolate and marshmallow in between two pieces of graham cracker or cookie. You just place the entire thing in your microwave and voila! You’ve prepared your favorite camping snack flame-free!
Ice cream sandwich? The ice cream slider maker is the one for you. The tool that looks like a measuring cup lets you stick any cookie of your choosing in the bottom of the mold, your favorite ice cream in the middle, and another cookie on top. Now all you have to do is push it out and enjoy your custom cream confection!
If you like weird and quirky, or you’re one of those who hate hard-boiled eggs rolling around or off your plate, but don’t like picking them up with your bare hands to eat, the egg cuber is the thing especially for you. As the name suggests, it allows you to mold hard-boiled eggs into a square shape after cooking. Now you can neatly stack hard-boiled eggs on a serving plate if only to satisfy the O.C. in you.
Kitchen Gadgets Lowdown
Scores of cabinets and miles of counter space, a place for everything and everything in its place – this is the dream kitchen. Another real-life situation: kitchen corners, counters, cupboards, drawers, windowsills, and tables have a tendency to accumulate clutter. So, while it’s true that cooking can be stressful if your kitchen doesn’t have the essential cooking gadgets, think twice before you acquire.
Cooking is a great hobby because it allows you to provide people with nutritious and delicious dishes. It's also a great way to relieve stress. Having the right gadgets makes cooking faster and ensures your dishes taste right. But to fortify your kitchen from the ‘mad-mess’, keep one thing in mind:
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Katie’s Cleveland proud; but she’s also lived in Australia, Switzerland and now stays in South Africa. That’s a roundabout way of saying she can’t sit still; she’s always moving, always busy.
She has a BA in International Relations from Kent State University and work towards a Masters in Human Rights. She speaks French, is learning German and used to dream in Spanish. For years, Katie worked as a producer on fashion and advertising shoots before she realized her passion was the written word.
Katie’s far more interested in guy’s gear than women’s, except she has a wardrobe brimming with little black dresses. She drinks her beer out of the bottle and is raising her two boys to be better men.
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12 Best Cool Kitchen Gadgets Every Man Should Have
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— Katie