This post is sponsored by Xtrema Cookware. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make it possible for Precious Time Blog to provide free content and healthy living inspiration.
With all the time spent in my kitchen throughout the years, you can imagine the number of kitchen tools and gadgets I’ve collected. One might even call me a kitchen gadget hoarder because I am obsessed with anything kitchen tool related. Seriously, I want it all and nothing brings me more joy than browsing through Sur La Table. With all the kitchen items on the market, I’m going to share my top 18 kitchen tool must-haves.
Are you ready to get cooking?
18 Kitchen Tool Must-Haves
#1 Xtrema Cookware Pots & Pans
You guys, choosing the right cookware is just as important as the foods that we eat. I cannot stress this enough and it’s something that consumers are left with unknown information as to why. So, let’s clarify really quick.
Most cookware on the market is made with either aluminum, Teflon, copper, and/or coated with a nonstick coating material called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFOA releases toxins into your food when the pots or pans reach a certain temperature. Umm, no thanks, right? So, what do I use and trust? Xtrema Cookware.
Xtrema Cookware is made with 100% ceramic and is one of the safest options on the market. It’s completely all-natural, non-toxic, inorganic, and nonreactive and does not contain PFOA, PTFE, polymers, or coatings. You won’t have to worry one bit about chemicals, metal, or lead leaching into your food. Can I get an amen?! Did I mention that their products are oven-safe, dish-wash safe, microwave safe, and non-scratch.
To make you love them even more, every item made is tested for the presence of heavy metals. It’s also free of more than 800 compounds that may cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. (Source)
What Pans do I have and recommend?
- 11-Inch Traditional Wok with Lid. If you love a goos stir-fry like I do, this one is great.
- 3.5 Quart Versa Pot: My most used pot. I use it for almost everything from steaming veggies to cooking grains.
- 8 Quart Versa Pot: Perfect for soups, homemade broth, and anything else feeding a large crowd.
- 7-inch Traditional Open Skillet. I love this for everything including eggs, pancakes, veggies, hash, etc. If you’re feeding a large crowd, I recommend their 9.5- or 10-inch skillet. That’s personally next on my list.
I truly love and trust Xtrema products. If you follow along on Instagram, you’ll see me using them Every. Single. Day.
Shop Xtrema Pots and Pans Here, Use code: PRECIOUS10
Related Post: Non-Toxic Cookware and Why You Should Make the Switch
#2 Swiss Trio Peeler Set
Hands down the best peelers you’ll ever own. It comes in a pack of three and anyone who cooks in my kitchen always raves about these peelers. So good and affordable. Can’t live without them. Anyone who’s in my kitchen immediately always asks where I got these.
#3 Cheese Board
I love a good cheeseboard. You can use them for pretty much anything food-related. I like to use mine to serve breakfast, make a snack board for the kids and their friends, movie night board, and of course, epic cheeseboards. This one is my most used.
#4 Xtrema Cookware Teapot
Tea is my sanctuary and something that literally helps me relax each evening. I use my teapot every day, sometimes 2-3 times a day for different reasons. But just like cookware, you need to be very cautious with the teapots you use as they also contain the same harmful ingredients found in your pots and pans. Before using Xtrema, I had a Le Crueset pot. For quite some time, I would get these black things floating in my teacups and always thought it was the loose tea leaves from a bag that maybe had a slight hole in it. Later noticed that the inside of the teapot was peeling from the inside and I was literally drinking chemicals. GROSS. This teapot was actually my first Xtrema purchase ever made.
Shop Xtrema Cookware Here, Use Code PRECIOUS10
#5 Vitamix
Not to sound dramatic, but my life would not be as easy in the kitchen without my Vitamix blender. Seriously though…I use it 3-4 times a day for literally everything. I make sauces, smoothies, matcha lattes, nut milk, ice cream, salsa – anything you can think of. It’s the blender of all blenders. I’ve had mine for 8 years and I have never looked back. Worth every splurge.
#6 Immersive Blender
The one kitchen tool you don’t think you need until you need it. This hand-held tool is so perfect for whipping up small batches of dressing, homemade applesauce mayonnaise, and soup. Now, I know I can use my blender to blend up cooked soup, but there are days when I don’t feel like dirtying up another item and this hand blender is bomb.com. I’ve had mine since I got married and it’s amazing.
#7 Xtrema Cookware Storage Containers
Whether you’re meal prepping or storing leftovers, I’ve got just the storage container for you. Who here hates an overflow of storage containers and lids that are just thrown in a cabinet taking up so much space? I, for one, am guilty of that. But look no further because Xtrema created a collapsible (yes, you read that right), collapsible storage containers that are non-toxic and durable. Beyond one of my favorite new kitchens must-haves. We all need them so ditch the plastic containers causing more harm than good and grab these beauties. You and your cabinets will thank me later.
Shop Xtrema Storage Containers Here, Use Code: PRECIOUS10
#8 Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Ah, the cast iron skillet. It’s definitely another must-have kitchen essential in my book. It sears a steak perfectly and it’s very inexpensive. Just like my Xtrema pans, I also use this daily.
#9 Zester
I use a zester almost every day. Believe or not, not a lot of people have heard of or used a zester before and I am shocked because it’s a must-have tool that everyone would love and say “how did I live without this for so long?” I use it to zest lemons, limes, oranges, or any citrus, and to grate ginger, turmeric, or garlic. You can even use it to grate chocolate, fresh nutmeg, carrots or anything else that needs a fine grate.
#10 Meat Masher
This was introduced to me a year ago and it has changed the way I cook with ground meat forever. This will change your life and help to get the meat more broken up as you cook with it. Such a HUGE must-have.
#11 Xtrema Cookware Steamer Basket
This inexpensive silicone-based steamer basket is another amazing product that I use a few days a week to steam veggies or fruit if needed. It’s made with 100% silicone so it’s another way to ditch the harmful effects of metal and aluminum. Plus, I find it steams my veggies so fast and steaming your veggies is one the best way to retain all the nutrients (besides eating them raw). They also just came out with a ceramic version of the steamer, which you can shop for here.
Shop Xtrema Steamer Basket Here, Use code: PRECIOUS10
#12 Berkey Water Filter
If you’ve looked into your water system, then you’d know all about the dirty, nasty contaminants in your local water. It’s just gross and I encourage you to research your local water system. When you consume tap water, or water not properly filtered, you’re intaking industrial and agricultural contaminants that have been linked to cancer, brain, and nervous system damage, developmental detects, fertility problems, and hormone disruption.
As much as we wanted to do a whole-home filtration system, it was going to cost us $6,000. This is something we eventually want to do, but can’t at the moment. So instead, we opted for the Berkey Filtration Water System.
Want to know what Berkey Filters will remove? Let me tell you…
- 99.9999% Bacteria like E.coli, viruses, and parasites
- 99.9% Heavy metals, BPA, PFOAS, Chloramines, Petroleum, Herbicides and Pesticides.
- 99.5% Heavy metals, Pharmaceuticals, Flouride, and Radiology
#13 Cuisinart Food Processor
Every cook needs a food processor. It can grate and shred any vegetables you need. I use mine to make my Pecan Nut Butter, chimichurri sauce, and grounding fish to turn into patties or burgers. You can literally use it for everything and even if you don’t use it every day, you’ll be happy you own one when you need it.
#14 Toaster Oven
I try my hardest not to use the microwave to reheat food due to all the EMF radiation. I’ll either re-heat my food in my Xtrema Pan or I use my toaster oven. I specifically use my toaster oven to reheat pancakes, sweet potatoes that I’ve prepped the night before, or anything else that just needs to be warmed up. It has a reheat setting that I use for those and it’s perfect.
#15 Chef’s Knife
Every cook needs a good chef’s knife. It’s my most used kitchen knife in my whole set. I use it for everything. When my hubby and I first lived together, he had cheap ones and I hated using them because it would never cut in a straight line. When we were engaged, we registered for Wusthoff and it’s been so amazing. 8 years still going strong with that knife.
#16 Lemon Juicer
My life forever changed when I bought this lemon/lime juicer. I hated fishing out seeds from my food after I squeezed it. If you use lemons or limes often, this is a great bang for your buck. Inexpensive and use it daily.
#17 Stasher Bags
Jumpstart your plastic-free journey by starting with Stasher Bags. I use them for traveling food in, storing leftover fruits, veggies, or meat. They are machine washable and a kitchen essential I truly love.
Shop Stasher Bags Here, Use code: PTB10
#18 Beeswax Wraps
Another eco-friendly item that you’ll love. I avoid aluminum foil and saran wrap like the plague. Just won’t do it. But these beeswax wraps are amazing. The warmth of your hands activates them to stick to your bowls to store in the fridge. You can also use them to wrap sandwiches in. They are reusable and makes for easy cleanup.
Shop Beeswax Wraps Here, Use code: PTB10
There you have it. My love for cooking and all my favorite kitchen essentials in one post. You won’t regret a single purchase.
XO,
Natalie
This post is sponsored by Xtrema Cookware. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make it possible for Precious Time Blog to provide free content and healthy living inspiration.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.