14 Kitchen Gadgets Professional Chefs Actually Use at Home
Products: Digital Thermometer, Microplane Zester, Silicone Baking Mat, Immersion Blender, Cast Iron Scrubber, Herb Scissors, Kitchen Scale, Oil Mister, Garlic Press, Bamboo Cutting Board, Measuring Cup, Oven Mitts, Pastry Blender, Digital Timer, Mixing Bowls
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Microplane Classic Zester
What it is: A razor-sharp grating tool originally designed for woodworking. It creates fluffy clouds of citrus zest, parmesan, or garlic paste instantly.
Why chefs love it: It doesn't crush the food; it shaves it. This releases more flavor oils and less bitterness (especially with citrus pith). It's the secret to restaurant-quality pasta and desserts.
Shop Now →ThermoPro TP19 Waterproof DigitalMeat Thermometer
What it is: An instant-read thermometer that gives a temp in 2-3 seconds. Waterproof, magnetic, and has an auto-rotating display.
Why chefs love it: Chefs don't guess; they measure. This ensures chicken is safe (165°F) and steak is perfect medium-rare (130°F) every single time. No more cutting into meat to check.
Shop Now →Silpat Silicone Baking Mat
What it is: A fiberglass mesh sheet coated in food-grade silicone. Replaces parchment paper and cooking spray.
Why chefs love it: Nothing sticks to it. Cookies bake evenly with no burnt bottoms. It's reusable thousands of times. Professional pastry chefs swear by the Silpat brand.
Shop Now →KitchenAid Corded Hand Blender
What it is: A stick blender you dip directly into the pot. Purees soups, emulsifies salad dressings, and makes smoothies right in the cup.
Why chefs love it: Pouring hot soup into a standing blender is dangerous and messy. This blends it right in the pot. Essential for silky smooth purees and vinaigrettes.
Shop Now →Cast Iron Cleaner
What it is: A square of stainless steel chainmail rings. Looks like medieval armor for your hand.
Why chefs love it: It scrubs burnt-on food off cast iron pans without stripping the seasoning (the non-stick layer) like soap or steel wool does. Indestructible.
Shop Now →OXO Good Grips Glass Food Scale
What it is: A precise digital scale with a pull-out display (so big bowls don't block the screen).
Why chefs love it: Baking is chemistry. "One cup of flour" can vary by 30% depending on how you scoop it. Weighing ingredients (grams) guarantees the recipe works perfectly every time.
Shop Now →Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Scraper & Chopper, Dough Cutter
What it is: A flat rectangular blade with a handle. Used to cut dough, scrape counters, and scoop up chopped veggies.
Why chefs love it: It's an extension of the hand. Instead of picking up chopped onions with your hands (and dropping half), you scoop them all in one go. Keeps the cutting board clean.
Shop Now →Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer
What it is: A heavy-duty handheld squeezer with a gear mechanism that increases leverage.
Why chefs love it: Gets 20% more juice out of a lemon than standard squeezers with half the effort. No seeds, no pulp, just juice. Built like a tank.
Shop Now →Misto Oil Sprayer
What it is: A reusable bottle you fill with your own high-quality olive oil. You pump the cap to pressurize it, and it sprays a fine mist.
Why chefs love it: Store-bought cooking sprays contain propellants and cheap oil. This lets you use your good oil to coat pans or dress salads lightly.
Shop Now →Stainless Steel Salad Spinner
What it is: A pump-activated spinner that dries washed lettuce by centrifugal force.
Why chefs love it: Wet lettuce = soggy salad where dressing slides off. Dry lettuce = crisp salad where dressing clings. It's the difference between a sad side salad and a restaurant-quality appetizer.
Shop Now →Cast Iron Skillet
What it is: Heavy, pre-seasoned cast iron pan made in the USA. Lasts literally forever.
Why chefs love it: Unbeatable heat retention for searing steaks. Goes from stovetop to oven. The more you use it, the better it gets. A kitchen essential for under $30.
Shop Now →Garlic Press
What it is: Heavy-duty press with a large hopper. Crushes garlic cloves instantly.
Why chefs love it: Some purists mince by hand, but for busy weeknight cooking, this is a lifesaver. This model is easy to clean (the little red cleaner tool pushes the skins out).
Shop Now →Tovolo Large Ice Cube Trays
What it is: Trays that make giant 2-inch ice cubes.
Why chefs love it: Big ice melts slower. This keeps cocktails (whiskey, negronis) cold without watering them down. Also great for freezing leftover stock or herbs in oil.
Shop Now →Modern Innovations Magnetic Knife Bar
What it is: A wooden strip with strong magnets inside that mounts to the wall. Holds knives securely.
Why chefs love it: Knife blocks are germ factories that dull blades. Drawers are dangerous. This keeps knives sharp, clean, and visible (plus it looks like a pro kitchen).
Shop Now →