No kitchen should be without these essential small appliances.
Appliances make life easier. Nowhere is this more evident than in the kitchen, where small appliances save you time and effort every single day. Although large appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens and dishwashers, are crucial to a functional kitchen, small appliances bring a diversity of conveniences to your kitchen (when I say “small,” I’m referring to appliances you can store right on your kitchen counter).
I’ve compiled a list of my 5 essential small kitchen appliances I think everyone should own, no matter your cooking skills level. The list is sourced from my many years of experience in the kitchen, both now and as a kid watching my family members cook.
Air Fryer/Toaster/Convection Oven
I don’t know how I ever lived without this. If your kitchen has the countertop space to spare, invest in a good convection-powered toaster oven/air fryer. It’s more than just a luxury; the various features offer so much flexibility beyond simply reheating food and making toast. And the air fryer feature? It’s the singular reason why I bought this model. You’ll be amazed how easy and quick it is to whip up a meal in no time and without turning on your regular oven (especially convenient in the summer). I have this model and I use it every day. Features I especially like: the simple, rotary dials (as opposed to a digital readout), the light inside the oven and how easy it is to clean.
Coffee Maker
Coffee makers are an indispensable small appliance. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker (do I want to know these people?) it’s useful to have one for times when family or guests spend the night and love a hot cup of coffee at the start of the day. So don’t disappoint. And don’t forget the filters.
One site I love to shop is overstock.com. They have an amazing selection of everything! Here’s a link to shop all the varieties the coffee makers. Personally, I recommend the Hamilton Beach 12-cup drip coffee maker. It’s inexpensive and won’t take up much counter space.
Blender
More than just for smoothies, a blender is a very versatile appliance. These high-powered machines reduce whole fruits into delicious smoothies, whole veggies into nutritious soup, and can easily mix up a batch of margaritas for your next get together.
I own this one. It has variable speeds and is powerful enough to crush ice cubes. I love it!
Slow Cookers
Perhaps your mom’s or grandma’s go-to for a hearty Sunday supper, the trusty slow cooker still is as valuable as ever. Find easy recipes, throw ingredients together before you go to work, then come home to a hot, home-cooked dinner. How easy is that? For easier clean-up, invest in inexpensive plastic liners for the insert. When food is done, allow the slow cooker to cool, then simply toss out the liner. Here’s the one I use. It has intuitive digital controls as well as a handy locking lid, perfect for transporting without spills.
Stand Mixer
Every home needs a stand mixer whether they know it or not. From beginners to pros, a stand mixer is the way to go. Think of it as more of an investment than anything. Baking cupcakes for a crowd? Preparing bread dough from scratch? Everything is easier with a stand mixer. And unlike a hand mixer, a sturdy stand mixer gives you the freedom to multitask.
And when it comes to sturdy, it’s tough to beat the durability and versatility of the Kitchen Aid stand mixer. It features assorted attachments, doesn’t take up a lot of room and is powerful enough to handle virtually anything. And it comes in some cool colors.
Here’s where you can find yours:
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
