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5 kitchen tools you didn’t know you needed

By Holly Riddle

Most of us will acquire, over time, the various kitchen tools and countertop appliances that are basically staples — a toaster, maybe a blender, a hand mixer, maybe a knife set. But what about those extra-handy kitchen tools that may be flying beneath your radar? The kitchen tools that no one really thinks to buy for you as a housewarming or wedding gift, but that are useful all the same? Could you be seriously missing out? Here are five kitchen tools you probably don’t have, but that you should definitely add to your culinary arsenal sooner rather than later. 

Okay, we know what you’re thinking. You already have a salt and pepper shaker. But do you have a salt and pepper grinder? These two shakers feature built-in grinders so you can enjoy not just fresh-cracked pepper with every meal, but freshly-ground salt, too. It’s a simple addition to your table that can make all the difference in flavor. The upscale design doesn’t hurt, either, and these grinders are sure to fit into any kitchen or dining room decor.
$0 from Amazon $17 from Walmart

Shied away from purchasing a pasta maker because it feels like a splurge? This affordable pasta machine might just change your mind. Easy-to-use, compact and capable of producing gorgeous batches of spaghetti, fettuccine and linguine, this is one kitchen tool that’s going to seriously impress your friends during your next dinner party.
$31 from Amazon $38 from Walmart

Mortars and pestles have been a part of the kitchen for millennia, but you won’t find them in too many modern kitchens, especially if you don’t often cook from scratch. But you’ll find that making your own dips, dressings, freshly-ground spice blends and more is all easier once you have this handy, ancient tool on your side.
$23 from Amazon

Get that coffee shop look and taste without ever leaving home. You can enjoy your morning cuppa joe with a serving of frothy milk thanks to this easy-to-use milk-frothing wand. The stainless steel whisk whips up your favorite milk to perfection, but you can also use it for whipping eggs and other liquids.
$18 from Amazon $18 from Walmart

Take the guess work out of grilling, roasting or barbecuing your favorite cuts of meat. This waterproof, long-probe, digital, instant-read meat thermometer will let you know the precise temperature of your meal, so you can rest assured of your food’s internal temperature. Battery powered, with an LED light, it can measure temperatures between -58 and 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
$21 from Amazon

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If you’ve been growing bored with your same ol’ cooking routine, liven things up with a new tool or technique. Make fresh guacamole using your new mortar and pestle, or cook up a batch of your favorite Italian dish using pasta that you made yourself. Or, impress your friends (or just your Instagram followers) with a whipped coffee or latte art. Adding one of the above kitchen tools to your life might just solve a cooking quandary you never knew you had. Who knows? You might just find that you love one of these less-popular cooking tools so much that it becomes your go-to housewarming or wedding gift. 

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Holly Riddle
Holly Riddle is a freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist, who also dabbles in copywriting, ghostwriting and fiction…
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