Food and Recipes Kitchen Assistant 35 Ingenious Kitchen Tools That Will Simplify Cooking—And They're All Under $20 By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on December 5, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Courtesy of amazon.com There are so many products out there that claim to make your life easier. Far too many times we've been drawn in by an altruistic commercial, only to receive a product that falls far short of its myriad promises. To save you time and money, we've filtered through the fluff and found a few cool kitchen products that will actually come in handy. You spend so much time in your kitchen preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and that's not to mention cleaning up afterwards...); these fun kitchen gadgets will help simplify the process and reduce the elbow grease spent on preparing a delicious meal. Plus, all of them are under $20—so there's no splurge necessary. From cast-iron pan scrapers to snap-on strainers, these everyday products are so essential, you'll be wondering how you ever lived without them. Transform your everyday cookie-cutter routine with these kitchen gadgets that feel like they're from the future. Practical and innovative, these ingenious kitchen accessories make great wedding and housewarming gifts, too. But we bet that you'll keep a few of these quirky cooking tools for yourself. Lodge Cast-Iron Pan Scraper Buy on Amazon We love a good cast-iron skillet for a variety of reasons, especially well-seasoned grub, but what we don't love is cleaning it. Our troubles are officially over thanks to this nifty gadget. Stubborn cast iron residue has met its match with this small-but-mighty pan scraper. This tiny device is sure revolutionize your kitchen cleanup. Price at time of publish: $5 Roasting Scoop Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma If you are as into roasting veggies as we are, this scoop is worth the pricetag. No crispy crumb will get left behind with this device. Price at time of publish: $20 Pie Weight Buy on Amazon Gone are the days of filling our blind-bake pie crusts with dried beans. This perfectly-sized, spill-free pie weight will do the trick and keep your pie crusts from puffing up. Price at time of publish: $18 Bench Scraper Buy on Amazon A favorite kitchen gadget of Alton Brown, this bench scraper has so many uses. From transporting ingredients into a pan to cleaning up your countertop, there are myriad ways to use this simple device. Price at time of publish: $11 Ultimate Silicone Egg Tool Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma The ultimate omelette needs a trusty egg tool, and this cheery spatula fits the bill. We might just be inclined to scramble eggs a little more often. Price at time of publish: $11 Jar Grippers Buy on Amazon If the jar is stuck, don't waste all your energy trying to twist it open with the dishrag. These ingenious jar grippers will make opening even the toughest jars a breeze. Price at time of publish: $8 for a pack of 12 Meat Chopper Buy on Amazon Taco night just got a serious upgrade. This high-temp meat chopper will help you chop and stir that ground meat faster than you can say "dinner's ready!" Price at time of publish: $7 Toaster Tongs With Holder Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma Ever have trouble getting that piece of toast out of the toaster? Consider that first-world problem solved. These tongs even have a holder that sticks to your toaster, so you don't even have to search for it in the junk drawer. Price at time of publish: $12 Handheld Milk Frother Buy on Amazon Addicted to lattes, but simply can't replicate that coffee shop taste at home? Save a pretty penny on your morning joe and order yourself a milk frother. It'll instantly make your home-brewed latte taste professional. Price at time of publish: $20 Microplane Buy on Amazon Instantly upgrade any dish by showering the plate with freshly-grated cheese or lemon zest. Trust us, it makes a world of difference. Price at time of publish: $19 Apple Corer and Slicer Buy on Amazon Slice and core your apples in a split second with this handy tool. Baking an apple pie just got so much easier. Price at time of publish: $11 Mini Ice Cube Tray Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma There is nothing better than a good iced tea with the right sized ice. Many people would say that pebble ice is the best kind of ice, and this tray helps you get the perfect size pebble every time. Price at time of publish: $14 Electric Coffee Grinder Buy on Amazon Like black pepper, coffee simply tastes better when it's freshly ground. Buy those beans in bulk and grind them as you need them with this convenient electric coffee grinder. Price at time of publish: $20 Citrus Juicer with Built-In Measurement Cup and Strainer Buy on Amazon Wondering just how much juice is in that lemon? This kitchen gadget is a three-in-one juicer, strainer, and measuring cup, so you can be precise in your cooking and baking. Price at time of publish: $12 Herb Scissors Buy on Amazon These multi-bladed, stainless-steel herb scissors make snipping and chopping a breeze. Perfect for adding that finishing touch of greenery to every dish, these scissors will become your new favorite pair. Price at time of publish: $12 Strawberry Huller Williams-Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma We love this sweet strawberry huller that is great for getting the leaves off of strawberries. The berries are ready to serve to little ones or you can fill them with chocolate or a cheesecake filling for the perfect bite. Price at time of publish: $9 Snap-On Strainer Buy on Amazon You'll never struggle with a colander again once you've tried this convenient strainer that snaps right onto the lid of your pot. This tool is also a space saver since it is a fraction of the size of a classic colander. Price at time of publish: $16 Spice Gripper Clip Strips Buy on Amazon Short on cabinet space? Make use of the space on the inside of your cabinet door—these clip strips will turn the empty space into a spice rack. Price at time of publish: $11 Baggy Rack Stand Buy on Amazon Bagging up leftovers just got a whole lot easier. This device holds your zip-top bag open while you ready your sandwiches, chips, or snacks. Price at time of publish: $8 Cherry and Olive Pitter williams-sonoma.com Buy on Williams-Sonoma Ever try to pit an olive or cherry? Buy this instead. The tool will give you perfectly pitted cherries or olives in minutes, making it the ideal tool for cherry pie bakers and martini makers. Price at time of publish: $15 Silicone Nonstick Baking Mat Buy on Amazon Sick of scrubbing your baking sheets? This silicone pan liner is designed so that even burnt sugar and fat rinses right off in warm, soapy water. Price at time of publish: $15 for a set of 2 Boiled Egg Peeler Buy on Amazon Meet your new deviled egg sidekick. This tiny chamber completely peels your hard-boiled egg quickly and without any broken pieces. Price at time of publish: $15 Pizza Cutter Wheel Buy on Amazon Pizza night has never been so fun. Quickly (and safely) slice that pizza with this wheeled cutter. It's also great for cutting veggies and herbs. Price at time of publish: $10 Egg Bite Maker Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma Looking for an eggcelent way to start your day? This egg bite maker is what you need to whip up a delicious breakfast on the go. Mix in your favorite toppings for a mini omelette everyone in your home will love. Price at time of publish: $15 Tower Kitchen Multi-Tool Holder Buy on Amazon Is there anything this tool can't do? This functional gadget airs out your drying water bottles, props up those plastic bags you're scooping leftovers into, and even acts as a trash bag holder. Price at time of publish: $19 Easy Pour Funnel Buy on Amazon If you are an avid baker or candy maker, you need this nifty tool that simplifies your work with those sticky sweets. The handy little gadget can pour so many things, from pancake mix and cupcake batter to caramel drizzle. Price at time of publish: $10 Bagel Holder Buy on Amazon If you love starting your morning with bagels straight from the bake shop, you need this handy gadget. Simply place the bagel in the holder for simple, safe slicing. Price at time of publish: $18 Zester Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma Don't get us wrong, we love our microplane, but sometimes we want our zest to be just a little bit more ... zesty. This tool can make all the twists, peels and everything else your heart desires from thin strands to thick. Price at time of publish: $15 Rapid Slicer Buy on Amazon Are you tired of cutting up those cherry tomatoes and grapes one by one? Not anymore. It's easy to start your new year with flavorful salads, filled with fruits and veggies. Price at time of publish: $15 Mini Mushroom Funnel Buy on Amazon If you need an easy-to-clean funnel for more than just baking, may we suggest this little gem? The cute mushroom's top flips up, turning it into a funnel that's perfect for all of your pouring needs. Made with silicone, it's even dishwasher safe! Price at time of publish: $17 Pickle Jar Strainer Buy on Amazon Pickles are polarizing, but if you love them, you need this nifty pickle strainer. The fun tool lets you pick up your pickle without having to slosh around in the brine to find one! Price at time of publish: $14 Mushroom Cleaner Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma This mushroom cleaner, known as the Shroom Broom, will help you kiss those days of gritty mushrooms goodbye. The little brush gets into all of those little nooks and crannies to clean off that dirt and grime. Price at time of publish: $12 Butter Spreader Buy on Amazon Say goodbye to unspreadable butter and ripped bread with this butter knife. What makes this knife so special is the butter curler that makes even the coldest of butters ready for your homemade rolls. Price at time of publish: $13 Kale And Greens Stripper Williams Sonoma Buy on Williams-Sonoma In the South, we are all about our greens, and this tool makes stripping those beloved veggies a whole lot easier. Simply pull one leaf through one of the holes and you will have greens ready for the stove. Price at time of publish: $8 Tea Infuser Buy on Amazon On cold winter days, curling up with a cup of hot tea is always a great idea, and this tea infuser makes the experience even more cozy. The tools comes in a variety of cute and funny little critters, so there is something for everyone. Price at time of publish: $22 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit