13 Tools That'll Save You Time in the Kitchen

Adjusting to a new shelter-in-place normal probably means you’re spending about 32 hours a day in your kitchen. Cooking. Baking. Eating. Cleaning. Dishwashing. Rinse. Repeat. Yeah, us too.

So we’re letting you in on some secrets to help you tackle kitchen time, smarter. Like tools and gadgets that will make prep and cleanup easier. Which gives you more time to actually enjoy your third loaf of banana bread. Here are the essentials worth adding to cart.

For when your microwave has pasta sauce splattered inside…

Grab a silicone lid. Not only can they be used to prevent spills, but they also keep leftovers fresh. And keep food warm before everyone sits down to dinner. So you can say ‘bye’ to plastic wrap. And ‘hi’ to the new hero of your kitchen. ($40, Food52)

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For when you’ve spent way too much time trying to chop a mushroom…

Put the knife down. This multi-chopper has five different size blades. So you’ll be able to dice tomatoes, onions, and peppers like a pro. The kit also includes a peeler, cleaning brush, and bin so your ingredients won’t be all over your kitchen countertop. Sigh of relief sold separately. ($24.77, Amazon)

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For when you always overcook your soft-boiled eggs…

Take out the guesswork. Choose your preferred style (hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or omelette) and set the timer. Then jump in the shower while your breakfast is cooking. The device will switch off when it’s all done. Eggcellent. ($19.94+, Amazon)

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For when your hands still smell like garlic from last night’s meal prep…

Soap it up. Well, minus the actual soap. Rub your hands with this stainless steel bar under water to get rid of smells you don’t want, like onion and fish. Now you can enjoy a meal without any lingering aromas. Chef’s kiss. ($7.99, Amazon)

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For when you’re craving a cold brew from your local cafe that’s closed…

Make your own. It’s simple. Just pour water into the base of this coffee maker. Then scoop your favorite ground beans into the mesh filter, and insert that into the water. For the perfectly chilled brew, leave it in your fridge overnight. Brew la la. ($19.99, Amazon)

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For when you’re struggling to cut through meat with a standard knife…

Choose a scissor. But be careful. Any kitchen shear you use for meat shouldn’t be used for veggies or random tasks like opening packages. So grab two, because this pair even has an herb stripper. Aka, it really makes the cut. ($17.70, Amazon)

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For when you’re looking for more space in the dishwasher (because who isn’t)…

Decrease the bulk. Enter: the flat colander. It’ll catch food scraps, wash veggies, and stack like a dream. Just in time for your 12th cycle of the day. ($11.03, Wayfair)

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For when you wanna slice cucumbers for a salad and grate cheese for your pasta…

Do it all in one. This kit features a mini slicer, medium grater, coarse grater, and finger guard (bye, knicks and cuts). All within a neat storage container. Who says we can’t have it all. ($19.95, Sur La Table)

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For when you just wanna open your utensil drawer on the first try…

Organize your gadgets. Looking at you, whisk. Each compartment of this organizer is designed to make the most out of your drawers. Hence the use of vertical space. The makeover your cutlery didn’t know it needed. ($9.99+, The Container Store)

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For when you want a firm handle on your baking sheet...

Opt for gloves. Sometimes mitts just don’t give you the control you need. That’s where these come in. Your fingers are free to move as they please. And will stay safe from unwanted burns. ($17.99, Amazon)

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For when wiping down your kitchen counter is basically your new hobby…

Give your sauce spoon a rest. This utensil rest can fit up to four cooking tools (spatula, turner, and slotted spoon). So your counter will never know it’s pasta night. ($13.99, Amazon)

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For when you’ve lost one too many muffin bottoms to the ‘non-stick’ pan…

Say goodbye to aluminum. And hello to silicone. Each mold is flexible so you won’t have to bang the bottom of your banana bread. Or stick a knife into your cake pan just to get it loose. Oh, and they can withstand high temps and be put in the dishwasher. The next season of “The Great British Bake Off” is calling. ($49.99/set of 3, Amazon)

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For when you’re tired of watching your strawberries go moldy after three days…

Try a new container. These containers regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide flow, so they keep your produce from spoiling. That’s right. Lettuce won’t wilt. Blueberries won’t mush. Plus, the built-in filter never needs to be replaced. ($24.99/set of 3, Amazon)

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PS: These are editorially selected, but if you purchase, theSkimm may get something in return. PPS: If something’s out of stock, oops, it was there when we published. And we apologize for any shipping delays due to COVID-19. Thanks.

Skimm'd by Alexandra Napoli, Jessica Kelly