Kitchen Appliances and Accessories That Are Fundamental

Trust us, we’ve tried these dishes, and they actually cook veggies, rice, and protein in less than half the time it would take in the oven. You’ll get two large glass dishes and two medium-sized, plus the glass lids that form an airtight seal. The magic is that they cook with steam, and they’re even dishwasher-safe. You’ll never look at your oven the same. Psst…use code SKIMM15 for 15% off your order until November 15. ($135, Anyday)

IYKYK. This Smeg toaster is incredibly functional; it toasts to perfection via different levels, and has an automatic stop button. It also has a removable crumb tray for quick and easy clean-up. But the real draw is how cute it looks in your kitchen. It comes in 10 retro-chic colors, like pale blue and pastel pink. ($199.95+, Nordstrom)

Name something better than using the waffle maker at a continental breakfast at a hotel. Well, making the same quality waffles in the comfort of your home. All you have to do is whip up the batter, choose the browning setting (from one to five), and wait for the green light to tell you it’s time to get out the syrup. ($29.95, Amazon)

If you like a cup of Joe without all the frills, this coffee maker will get the job done every time. It makes up to 12 cups, has an easy-to-clean basket, and automatically pauses brewing so you can grab a cup before it finishes. ($27.99, Target)

If you’re more of a specialized coffee drinker, it’s hard to go wrong with a Nespresso machine. Just grab this machine that looks sleek on your countertop, choose from one of the pods, and make the perfect espresso. The best part? The set includes a milk frother you can use to make foam or even heat milk for hot chocolate. ($169.99, Amazon)

Is this a bottle opener or a futuristic gadget? Honestly, a little bit of both. This rechargeable electric wine opener removes corks in seconds, is simple to use, and will look beautiful on your counter. It can open up to 30 bottles on a single charge and thankfully has few buttons, but heads up — you’ll need to cut the foil first before using. ($25.99, Amazon)

It’s the perfect kitchen addition for recipes and morning blends for one — like healthy smoothies and individually portioned sauces. It has a 1200-watt motor (double the original version) and comes with two 24-ounce cups and one 32-ounce cup, plus a recipe book. It’s also quieter than most blenders, and we love that. ($149.99, Nutribullet)

If you’ve gone back and forth on whether to get an air fryer for years, we’ll make the decision process easy. As long as you have enough space in your kitchen to leave ample room on all sides of the fryer while it’s in use, you need one. Whether you’re making wings from scratch or just reheating pizza, it’ll make just about everything quicker and crispier than you’re used to — with much less oil. ($129.99, Amazon)

At some point in our lives, we’ve all dreamed of owning the freestanding KitchenAid mixer. It comes with a stainless steel bowl that can hold dough for over 100 cookies or four loaves of bread. It has 10 speeds and 15 attachments you can add to your collection over time. The question is not whether to invest in one, but which color? ($449.95, Amazon)

Tea drinkers know: there’s something about using a kettle that feels extra-special. This one has an automatic shut-off function 30 seconds after it finishes boiling so you don’t need to stress about burning your house down. Plus, it has a sturdy handle and a dripless spout so you can easily pour. ($24.94, Amazon)

Is a panini press absolutely essential? No. Will it change the quality of your homemade sandwiches forever? Absolutely. This one is actually a griddle as well, so it’ll be your kitchen’s new multitasking hero. It opens all the way with both sides laying flat, so you can grill burgers, make quesadillas, or cook chicken. The possibilities are endless. ($89.99, Amazon)

Soups, stews, chili, rice, and more. This Instant Pot can cook food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods. Or you can switch it up and go the slow-cooking route for savory dishes. Plus, it’s got a lid that’ll lock, so spills will never be an issue. ($109.99, Amazon)

Trying to get a handle on potatoes or onions can be tough. To keep all your fingers intact, reach for a chopping bin instead. This one has eight blades: three for chopping and five for slicing, julienne, grating, and shredding. The cut pieces will fall into the bin below, which means less mess on your counters. As an added bonus, everything will be uniform, so you won’t run into that one piece of garlic that you couldn’t hold still to cut. ($18.99+, Amazon)

This can opener ensures you can go hands-free while it’s opening without the added elbow grease of a traditional crank version. It opens cans of all sizes, is cordless and rechargeable, and securely holds onto the lid once it’s open so there’s no mess. ($24.96, Amazon)

We promise. These Japanese stainless steel knives — which were also one of Oprah’s Favorite Things — never seem to dull, no matter how much we’re slicing and dicing. They’re incredibly sharp, even making it easy to slice through a stubborn sweet potato, and feel great in your hand since they’re not top heavy. They also come with a stand so you can display them proudly. ($170, Material)

This pan is designed with a chemical-free, nonstick ceramic coating. It’s sure to be the mainstay you reach for every weekend to make pancakes and eggs that slide right onto your plate. Plus, it comes in eight colors and a set of two sizes if you’re replacing all your old ones. ($85.50, Caraway)