Top Essential Kitchen Tools & Appliances

I’ve made a lot of lists over the years. The best tortillas. Where to get a perfect cup of coffee. Tiki drinks. Self-care rituals. Fish tacos. Pasta spots. You name it.

But this list? This one feels different.

It’s not just a guide. It’s a game-changer. It feels like getting handed a secret. Like being added to the guest list for a party you didn’t even know existed. But really, it’s just me, my Notes app, and a few kitchen tools that have completely transformed the way I cook at home.

This list has superpowers. The kind that can make you want to cook more. Kind of like when you buy new workout clothes and suddenly feel more excited to hit the gym.

And for me, it all starts with one tiny but mighty tool: the Microplane.

She’s my secret weapon. I use her every single day. Ever since Sam gave me Salad Freak a couple years ago, I’ve eaten an absurd amount of salad. I haven’t bought a bottle of dressing since. My kitchen is stocked with vinegars, citrus, garlic, and oils. And with just those simple ingredients—and my trusty Microplane—I can make even plain lettuce taste incredible. Like, go-back-for-seconds salad. Ask-you-for-the-recipe salad.

People ask all the time: “What’s in this?” “What’s on this pizza?” “Wait… is this salad pizza?” Yes. Yes it is. And it’s the best. Salad pasta? Also phenomenal. Savory yogurt? Stay with me.

Here’s the magic: when you grate garlic with a Microplane, it turns into this silky, aromatic paste that blends into anything and makes it instantly better. Stir it into plain Greek yogurt with a pinch of Maldon and a drizzle of olive oil, and you’ve got the world’s easiest, most addictive dip. Grate it into lemon juice and EVOO for a zippy arugula dressing with a shave of parmesan. Game over. It’s so simple.

And yes, it grates cheese and zest and spices beautifully. If you’ve got a garlic press? Honestly—let it go. And make room for the real MVP. They’re a bitch to clean anyway.

Becoming a great home cook isn’t about mastering complicated recipes. I don’t have time for that. It’s about curiosity, confidence, and a few tools that make everything easier and a lot more fun.

So here it is: my top kitchen utensils that will totally change the way you cook. Plus a few fun extras I just couldn’t resist. While I usually can’t stand clutter on the counter, every now and then, a tool is so good (and so cute) it earns a permanent spot. Like the Japanese toaster that somehow makes toast feel like a tiny luxury.

It’s the kind of thing you don’t know you need… until you do.

Just like this list.

The Tools That Changed My Life in the Kitchen

The Essentials

• Microplane
  Microplane | $18
  An icon. Simple, sharp, and essential. You’ll use it daily—trust.

• Carbon Steel Frying Pan
  De Buyer | $96
  Never buy a non-stick frying pan again. It will just end up in the landfill. This pan will outlive you.

• Chef's Knife
  Shun | $179
  Razor-sharp and perfectly balanced. The knife you’ll actually enjoy using.

• Paring Knife
  Wüsthof | $35
  A forever paring knife. Small but mighty.

• Coffee Machine
  Moccamaster | $359
  The Rolls Royce of filter coffee machines. Handmade in the Netherlands. Brew bar-worthy.

• Vitamix (or another) Smart Blender
  Vitamix | $699
  Quiet(ish), powerful, gorgeous on your counter. Smooth everything in seconds.

• KitchenAid Mixer
  KitchenAid | $449
  It’s a classic for a reason. Comes in dreamy colors, and can do way more than bake.

• Dutch Oven
  Le Creuset | $420
  A centerpiece pot you’ll pass down one day. Go bold with color or classic with white.

• Cast Iron Skillet
  Staub | $179
  Gorgeous and performance-driven. Works like cast iron, looks like art.

• Ultimate 5-Piece Utensil Set
  Gir | $68
  Modern, minimal, non-toxic, and incredibly functional. A well-curated starter set.

• Silpat Half Sheet Baking Mat
  Silpat | $29
  Reusable and reliably nonstick. Bake cookies like a pro, or roast with less cleanup.

• Wood Cutting Board
  John Boos | $145
  Beautiful, durable, and meant to live on your counter.

• Mortar & Pestle
  Williams Sonoma | $59
  It’s heavy, classic, and totally satisfying to use.

• Butter Keeper
  CB2 Butter Keeper | $20
  Keep butter soft and spreadable, the French way.

• Porcelain Bowls for Countertop Eggs & Fruit
  Hasami | $28
  Minimal and beautiful. Let your produce shine (literally and figuratively).

• Immersion Blender
  Breville | $129
  Ergonomic, powerful, and comes with smart attachments so you can blend in the bowl.

• Citrus Juicer
  Chef’n via Amazon | $30
  Best-in-class lever action. Get every last drop with zero seeds.

• Pepper Mill
  Food52 | $58
  Elegant, iconic, and adjustable. You’ll never go back to pre-ground.

Just for Fun (But Still Worth It)

• Espresso Machine
  La Marzocco Home or Breville | $699
  Café-quality espresso in a dreamy, compact form. This is the splurge.

• Chef Spoon
  Hedley & Bennett | $29
  Taste like a pro. Elegant and cult-loved. Rocio’s favorite kitchen utensil.

• Mandoline Slicer
  Benriner | $58
  Razor-thin slices with serious precision. Bonus: it’s compact.

• KitchenAid Pasta Roller Attachment
  KitchenAid | $90
  Fresh pasta > boxed pasta. This makes it feel easy.

• Pizza Oven
  Gozney | $499
  Portable, gas-powered, and gives that wood-fired vibe with no wood pile.

• Sous Vide
  Anova | $399
  Perfectly cooked proteins, every time. The nerdy upgrade you’ll grow to love.

• Air Fryer
  Cosori | $100
  Not just an air fryer—it also roasts, dehydrates, and bakes. Perfect for crispy everything without crowding your counter.

• Toaster
  Balmuda | $300
  Steam-powered toasting that crisps the outside while keeping the inside fluffy. Yes, it’s worth the counter space.

• Electric Kettle
  Fellow or Balmuda | $165
  Sleek, fast, and precise. Pour-over perfection meets modern design.