There are so many great ways to personalize your kitchen, creating a fresh, organized design that is warm and inviting and at the same time clutter-free. But as I am sure you will agree, the most important thing for your kitchen is to make sure it functions well and has all of the appliances you use on a regular basis to hand. Without the right appliances, making even the simplest of meals can take ages and that can be extremely frustrating and time-consuming.
This article has been designed to provide you with a handy guide listing the most important small appliances for your kitchen. Make sure you have got these appliances to ensure your kitchen is up and running smoothly in time for guests to visit!
1. Kettle
A kettle is number one on our list as it is one of the most useful tools to get everything up and running speedily in the kitchen. If you are looking to kick start your pasta, make boiled potatoes or anything else, you will need a kettle to get everything going. With a kettle by your side, you will be able to start meals faster and as a result, get them finished quicker. Those hungry bellies will not be able to keep up with you!
Not only is a kettle great for starting meals, but it is also key for getting the day going. What would breakfast be without a steaming hot mug of coffee? Or a drizzly weekend evening without a cup of your favorite herbal tea? Why heat your water in pots on the stove when you could have the convenience of a kettle on your kitchen work surface? Hot beverages in a jiffy! At unclutterer, you can see some of the best stove kettles.
2. Blender
Number two on our list is the modern blender. Blenders come with such a wide range of options and functions that they can perform, but even the most basic blender out there will be ideal for making a delicious milkshake or smoothie. Are you looking for a way to get your five a day in before you get out of the door in the morning? And what about something tasty for the kids to sip on once they have come back from school? I am sure they will love rushing to the kitchen and gulping down a wild berry smoothie with a little banana and a couple of spoons of honey.
Blenders, like the one on this site have really come a long way, with some models giving you the option to make purees, knead dough, make nut butter and even make a hot soup! Who couldn’t do with a helping hand in the kitchen? So make sure you treat yourself to a modern blender with some of the most awesome features that will help you whizz together something scrumptious for the family to enjoy this weekend.
When choosing a blender for your kitchen, it’s important to note the following points. According to kitchenhabit.com, the best blenders are powerful, easy to clean, and simple to use. So, these are the points we will focus on.
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Power
It is very important that your blender has enough power to do all the tasks that you want it to do. If you are making a healthy green smoothie, the last thing you want is chunks of leaves and stalks in your drink. A smooth consistency can only be achieved if your blender has enough power.
The average power for a budget blender is between 300 – 900 watts. These machines are capable of making simple smoothies, but they may struggle when it comes to more solid food. Mid-range blenders can have a power rating of anywhere between 900 – 1500 watts. The more watts your blender has, the more powerful it will be. High-end blenders are usually over 1500 watts, and these are expensive machines capable of blending any food you can imagine.
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Easy to Clean
Another important factor when choosing a blender is to ensure it is easy to clean. The idea of using a blender for food preparation is to save time, and if you have to spend hours afterward cleaning it, then you are not really saving time.
Some blender brands, including Vitamix, have self-cleaning functions built into the blender. When you are finished using the blender, you simply fill the container with warm soapy water and set it back onto the blender. Then you switch it to cleaning mode, and the blender will work its magic. Once the cleaning cycle is complete, empty the water out, give it a quick rinse, and your blender container will be sparkling.
If you are planning to use your blender on a daily basis, a self-cleaning function is an essential requirement to save you time.
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Simple to Use
Another useful feature for a blender to have is that it is simple to use. No one likes to use complicated machines for a simple task, and a blender is no different. The best blenders should allow you to add ingredients, put the lid on, and then press a button. That should be all there is to it.
There are certain blenders that make things too confusing, such as fancy locking systems, settings that are hard to understand, and lots of parts to take apart and put together. All of these things make the blender harder to use, and make it more likely that you will not use it. The whole point of a blender is to save time, not to waste time with un-needed features.
It is also useful if the blender has pre-programmed settings. If you are making a smoothie, for instance, there should be a smoothie setting that will blend for the correct amount of time. If you are making soup, there should be a soup setting that will run for longer, and some blenders can even make warm soup.
3. Slow Cooker
Weighing in at number three is the slow cooker – one of the most important kitchen appliances for those with busy schedules.
How do you like the sound of chopping your dinner ingredients, throwing them into the slow cooker and then coming back a few hours later to find dinner ready? That is what the slow cooker is all about. The great thing about this appliance is that it requires minimal babysitting, simply slide the food in, pop on the lid and forget about it! Check up on your food every few hours to see how it is getting on and add extra ingredients if the recipe requires.
Not only does a slow cooker mean you get to spend less time in the kitchen, but the long cooking process helps the food gather more flavor and also will make your food more succulent once it has finished. There is nothing better than fall off the bone lamb that melts in your mouth or even a family favorite pulled pork that is immensely tender and juicy. All of this and more await you on using a slow cooker to make your meals. Prepare yourself for the tastiest dinners you could imagine! Your family will not be able to get enough!
4. Toaster
If you are looking for a way to get out of the door faster in the mornings, then your kitchen simply cannot be without a toaster. Toasters are essential for making speedy and delicious breakfasts. The nice thing about a toaster is that they are super easy to operate, even your kids will be able to get their own breakfast sorted in time to catch the school bus!
Do not despair! A toaster does far more than heat your bog-standard sandwich bread! There are plenty of smart toasters out there that provide the user with various browning settings, give you the option to reheat your bread, defrost it and even keep it warm! Some toasters come with extra-wide slots that are ideal for toasting artisan bread and also have a special bagel setting that will toast the bread only on one side.
Toasters have also become family friendly with some models boasting a cool-touch exterior. Most good models also come equipped with a crumb removal tray that makes the unit easier to clean. It has never been a better time to invest in a toaster with all of the modern features!
5. A Food Processor
You should never expect wonders from just one kitchen appliance, but this one can almost deliver. It can do so much that once you have it in your kitchen, it gets hard to live without it. If you opt for one of the big ones, the 12-cup one gets the job done even if you have a big family to feed. By using this device, you can easily double the work done, and in some instances, even triple it. But don’t think that only the big one finishes the job. Even the smaller versions can surprise you in the positive of ways. Trust us; once you buy one of these, you’ll never look back. When its lifespan comes to an end, you’ll be rushing to get another piece. They’re that good.
6. An Electric Mixer
There’s plenty to choose from when it comes to electric mixers. There are both stand mixer and hand mixer versions available. If baking is what you predominantly are going to use a mixer for, please go with the stand option. Those who enjoy baking know this for a fact, a hand mixer could get you tired if you love to bake. Go with a stand one and enjoy baking like you never did. Yes, it’s going to make things much, much easier. If you are not all that into baking, then you could go with the hand version. These also have many appliances as you can use them for making whipped cream, mixing egg whites, or thoroughly mixing ingredients for a dessert.
7. A Pressure Cooker
Surprised? Don’t be; we know what we’re talking about. The pressure cooker is available everywhere these days, and if you think you don’t need you’re wrong. It is a versatile machine, and it can be used in all kitchens without a fault. We can even claim that it is better than the slow cooker we talked about above. This is especially noticeable if you don’t have too much space in your kitchen. If you’re still not convinced that you need one, or you can’t choose between a pressure cooker and a slow cooker, you can opt for an Instant Pot. It’s up to you in the end.
8. Electric Grill
No, no, you read it well. We believe that every kitchen needs an electric grill. Because, why not? These days, the weather can be tricky, so if you are in a mood for some BBQ, why depend on the weather. You can have a clamshell grill or an electric griddle. The choice is all up to you, and there really are many options available. The best part is that they come in all sizes these days, so there’s no way you can’t find one to fit your kitchen perfectly. Also, there’s no smoke involved. The food you’ll prepare on one of these will taste great, and it would be healthy above all compared to pan-friend food.
9. Microwave
You must be kidding! Is that what you thought? When we say microwave, we’re not kidding you, not at all. Yes, we know it’s an obvious choice, as most of you probably already have one. Most of us can’t imagine being in a kitchen when there’s no microwave. The conventional oven can’t stand up to them, as the time needed for heating food is halved with a microwave. What most people love about these is that they can last longer and are super easy to use.
10. Other Important Small Appliances
Although the appliances listed above are the most important for a smooth running kitchen, there are also some other appliances that you should consider purchasing to complement your kitchen. Take a look at the list below.
- Waffle maker – make waffles faster than ever and with a timer that will tell you when they are ready!
- Microwave oven – heat up last night’s leftovers. A microwave is also essential for microwave popcorn! Did someone say stay at home movie night?
- Food processor – get meals prepared ready for cooking.
- Coffee maker – do you fancy that coffee shop freshly ground beans taste in the morning? Then treat yourself to a coffee maker!
- Mixer – get baking! A mixer will help you out with your dough, save yourself from all of the tiring kneading and whisking!
