Each year we publish a top 10 kitchen gadgets list.  This year we tried to keep prices down which makes them great stocking stuffers.  Each of these items is available on amazon.com or at your favorite local cooking store.  We also found many available at Bed Bath and Beyond and if you're like me, you have lots of coupons for BB&B laying around the house which makes your purchase even more affordable.

Anyone who has taken a class with Simply Impressive Cooking School  knows that we like using different gadgets to make your time in the kitchen easier and a lot more fun. This year, our list contains many basic gadgets that a kitchen should have. Most are extremely affordable and make wonderful stocking stuffers. We included a few gadgets that are a little pricier and where possible, we gave more cost effective options.

If you talk to most chefs, they will tell you their favorite gadget in the kitchen is a sharp chef’s knife. While we didn’t include the chef’s knife, we did include a way to keep your knives sharp.

Last year I was able to pick my absolute favorite gadget from our list (the digital meat thermometer), but this year I have included the workhorses in my kitchen. There probably isn’t a favorite on the list…they’re all my favorites and I could not live without most of them.

Check out the list and see if any of them should be added to your kitchen. Each of them is listed in our slideshow, too, so you can see exactly how they look.  All photos were taken from Amazon.com so you will know exactly what to order.  They will make a big difference in the way you work in the kitchen. Oh yes, one other thing...Amazon.com often has buy 3 get the 4th free, and some of these items are inclued in that special offer.  Enjoy!

To see our Sonoran Living Live TV segment, watch the video at the end of the article.  And don't forget to see our slide show with photos of each gadget.  It might help Santa figure out which item to buy,

1. Elongated measuring spoons ($10 to $15) – I love these measuring spoons because they fit right into my spice jars like round ones can’t. Look for a set with 1/8  tsp on it and if you can find one that also includes ½ tbsp, that’s even better.

2. Offset spatula ($8 to $20) – If you have ever had difficulty spreading frosting into the corner of a square baking pan, you will know exactly how helpful an offset spatula can be. I use it to get batter evenly into a baking pan, to smooth out food so that it fits evenly into a pan. I reach for them quite often. They come in multiple sizes for many uses.

3. Bench scraper ($8-10) – Bench scrapers are generally associated with bakers since they’re perfect for scraping dough off the ‘bench’. However, it’s perfect for so many other things. I use mine all the time for picking up diced onions or food I’ve just cut to bring it to the pan. They are also great for cutting things such as brownies or lasagna. Make sure to get one that has a ruler on it to help you cut more evenly. You will definitely get a lot of use out of a bench scraper, even if you’re not a baker.
 

4. Flexible cutting mats ($10) -- Flexible cutting mats are the perfect way to have separate cutting boards for chicken, meat, vegetables, etc. Some people use them directly on the counter as a cutting board. I like to use them over my cutting board to keep the cutting board clean. Besides helping to prevent cross contamination, they are also great for taking food from your cutting board directly to the pot, bowl, or whatever.

5. Citrus squeezers ($10-$20) – We use a lot of citrus in class and I always used my citrus reamer to get the most juice out of them. But we had to worry about seeds that way, and we really had to use a lot of pressure to get out all the juice. Then we had to strain it to make sure we didn’t get any of the flesh from the citrus. We almost needed 3 hands. With these citrus squeezers you get all the juice possible with one hand. They come in various sizes to meet all your needs.

6. Knife sharpener (hand held) ($20) – We all know that a sharp knife is the best tool you can have in the kitchen. But how many of us work with a dull knife? To keep my knives sharp on a daily basis, I like to use the Wusthof 2 stage knife sharpener. For a more professional knife sharpening experience, there are electric knife sharpeners. They range from about $40 to $150 and allow you to do a professional sharpening job.

7. Meat mallet/pounder ($10-$150) – If you wonder why you would want a meat mallet, wonder no more. Using one can make quick work out of evening out the thickness of a chicken breast, but they are also great for any job where you need a little oomph when you are pounding. I crack nuts and pepper and even use it to lightly press crusts into pans. Lots of uses beyond pounding meat. They come in several shapes and weights.

8. Digital OXO scale ($49) – If you are a baker, you probably have a scale in your kitchen. If you are not a baker, there are still plenty of uses for a kitchen scale. I use mine to separate large packages of meat into equal size packages and to make sure I have the same amount of batter in each pan to assure even baking. Heck, I even use it to weigh my mail when I’m not sure that 1 stamp will do the trick. Once you have one you will find hundreds of uses for it. This one weighs up to 11 lbs which is more than many more expensive scales hold.

9. OXO fat separator – ($12 to $17) If you ever make gravy or soup, you know what a pain it can be to remove the fat. With the fat separator, just pour the liquid into the cup and the fat rises to the top. With the spout on the bottom, it’s easy to pour the soup or gravy out and leave the fat in the cup. I won’t make my homemade chicken soup without it. Comes in 2 and 4 cup size

10. Removable bottom tart pan ($8 to $20) – I love to make tarts and quiches and this pan is perfect for making them quickly and serving them easily. The tart comes out with a fluted side and makes even the simplest tart look like it came from your local bakery. The removable bottom allows the tart to release from the pan easily and perfectly.

You may also want to see last year's top ten gadget list .

We would love to hear what your favorite gadgets are.  Leave a comment.  Who knows, they may make next year's top 10. 

For other articles and recipes see Mesa Food Examiner

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