10 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets That You'll Actually Use

The vast array of kitchen gadgets available today is mind boggling to say the least. Going to your local kitchen store is like a kid going to a candy store. Everything looks so good! The problem is that we often buy our kitchen gadgets on impulse, and then when we get them home they don't work as promised, take more time to use than we thought, and often just take up space in our kitchen drawers and cabinets. Here are some new "must haves" that are everything they claim to be and then some!

This handy little item will allow you to grate then store all sorts of  cheeses and veggies.  Progressive’s versatile grater set includes four blade inserts, a plastic frame, and a measuring container with a three-cup capacity.  All you have to do is insert the blades to shred, slice, grate, and zest. The non-skid feet keep the container from moving while you are grating. The entire set is safe to clean in the dishwasher and, when ready to store, the inserts fit compactly into the measuring container. Overall, the set measures 10.1 inches long by 4.2 inches wide by 3-1/2 inches high. A little gem that you’ll use all of the time, and to make it even sweeter, it’s covered by a one-year warranty.

This little gem peels, cores, and slices an entire pineapple in seconds.  You can get one of two versions.  They are either made from durable plastic or stylish stainless steel with a medium-sized blade.  You can create one slice at a time or cut up the whole fruit at once.  This kitchen gadget makes perfectly-shaped rings; preserves the pineapple shell intact to use as a decorative bowl , and it is ideal for a hostess gift or for tropically themed parties.  If you’ve ever tried to slice a pineapple without this before, you KNOW how much you need it!

This fantastic cookware features the most stick-resistant surface on the face of the planet without any type of chemical or nonstick coating. REALLY!  There is no metal transfer or interaction with foods. These pots and pans are safe for food storage, and the nickel-free surface is perfect for allergy sufferers. Clean up is a snap, as they are all dishwasher safe!

Those hard-to-lift cake layers are no problem at all for the Wilton Cake Lifter.  This must have has a heavy-duty construction so it will stand up to years of use.  It also has a stainless-steel blade and a non-slip handle made from ABS over TPE.  It is absolutely the perfect gadget for lifting large and heavy cakes.  It measures 11.6 by 9.4 by 1.4 inches and weighs 12 ounces.  This is the perfect gift for for professionals and novice bakers alike.  Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, and easy cleanup is always the way to go!

This nifty little device is designed to crush, mix, and release flavour from whole spices, herbs, garlic, nuts, citrus rind or even lime or bay leaves.  Simply pop your ingredients inside, add the magic ball and give it a good shake.  The ceramic ball does all the work crushing, grinding and bruising the contents, releasing amazing aromas and zingy flavors. You can also add liquids like oil and cream to create delicious dressings and marinades.   You can pour the contents straight over your food for a culinary delight!

Wait until you try this.  It’s just amazing and QUICK!  Put the knife away.  This gadget thinly slices carrots, zucchini and more for stir-fry or salads.  The handle is designed to offer optimum functionality and comfort. The manufacturer even included contoured soft grip areas, for extra cushion, making them comfortable for big jobs.  You’ll definitely be eating healthier and getting more creative with this wonderful kitchen tool.

The FreshForce citrus juicer extracts more juice using less hand strength than regular handheld juicers. It has a patented gear and linkage mechanism which maximizes leverage to squeeze 20% more liquid from lemons, limes, small oranges and tangerines. The convex pressing bowl with concave pressing plate conforms to the shape of halved citrus for smooth operation. You’ll have the fruit juiced in half the time with no waste and easy clean up.  This heavy-duty juicer separates pulp automatically with the built-in strainer.   It makes it so easy to add citrus flavor to batters, marinades, dressings and desserts. Now you can quickly bring lemon or lime flavor to seafood and add the refreshing taste of citrus to iced tea and cocktail beverages. The sturdy handles lock closed for in-the-drawer storage. Stainless-steel pressing bowl, die-cast metal pressing plate and sturdy nylon handles for long-lasting use. Dishwasher-safe.  An innovative leader in the kitchenware industry, Chef'n creates extraordinarily clever, outside-of-the-box kitchen tools.

This is a true must have for anyone who enjoys pan frying, sautéing, or other “stove top” cooking.  The activated carbon filter absorbs unwanted odors during cooking like fish and onions to name a few.  It helps to keep stovetops clean from splattering grease, and releases the steam while cooking.  This is both dishwasher safe and oven safe.

If you spend any time in the kitchen, standing and preparing the food you love, these ergonomically engineered and medically proven mats a must to promote proper circulation, better posture, and reduce muscle fatigue and stress. Wellnessmats retain buoyancy and resilience years after you buy it for maximum comfort, safety and stress relief. Offering 50% more comfort than other leading mats, the longevity of the mat is permanently locked into each fiber. These high quality kitchen mats will not de-laminate or curl at the edges.   They feature a nonslip antimicrobial surface that is stain- and bacteria-resistant, a nonskid bottom and  a no-trip beveled edge for ultimate walking safety and ease in rolling serving carts. These mats are also puncture- and heat-resistant. Tried, tested and preferred in the industries where standing is required, Wellnessmats are advocated by healthcare professionals and are service-industry favorites for airports, salons, gyms, retailers, hotels and professional kitchens. They are ideal for every area in your home where standing is commonplace such as the  kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and workshop. They come with advanced polyurethane technology are made in the USA, and come with a 7-year manufacturer warranty.

This might just be my favorite gadget of all.  Chasing leafy fresh herbs around with a big kitchen knife can be a time-consuming and irritating chore.  Preparing fresh herbs is simple with the OXO Good Grips Herb Mincer. Its stainless steel blades quickly chop fresh leafy herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro and more.  It is a simple, rocking handtool for mincing fresh herbs.  It is especially great for hard to cut herbs like rosemary. This tool is made with stainless-steel blades and durable plastic body.  The soft, nonslip grip keeps hands safe during chopping.  Included with this gadget is a plastic cover to protect blades between uses.  The entire unit separates into 2 pieces for easy cleanup and is dishwasher safe.