The Best Gadgets to Save Time in the Kitchen: Chef Abdul’s Top Picks

Cooking delicious meals doesn’t have to mean hours spent in the kitchen. With the right gadgets, you can save time, streamline prep work, and elevate your cooking game. Chef Abdul has curated a list of the best time-saving kitchen gadgets to help you enjoy cooking while keeping it efficient.

  1. Food Processor
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Quickly chops, slices, dices, grates, and even kneads dough.
  • Best Uses:
    • Making pesto, hummus, or dips.
    • Shredding cheese or slicing vegetables for salads.
    • Preparing dough for pies or bread.
  • Pro Tip: Look for a food processor with multiple attachments for versatility.
  1. Immersion Blender
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Blends soups, sauces, and smoothies directly in the pot or container, reducing cleanup.
  • Best Uses:
    • Pureeing soups like tomato basil or butternut squash.
    • Emulsifying salad dressings or whipping cream.
    • Making quick smoothies or protein shakes.
  • Pro Tip: Choose one with detachable parts for easy cleaning.
  1. Instant Pot or Multicooker
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Combines multiple functions like pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, and steaming into one gadget.
  • Best Uses:
    • Cooking rice, quinoa, or beans in minutes.
    • Making stews, soups, or curries faster than traditional methods.
    • Preparing tender meats or perfectly steamed vegetables.
  • Pro Tip: Use the delay-start function to prepare meals when needed.
  1. Mandoline Slicer
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Creates uniform slices or julienne cuts quickly and easily.
  • Best Uses:
    • Slicing potatoes for chips or gratins.
    • Cutting vegetables for salads or stir-fries.
    • Preparing fruit slices for desserts or garnishes.
  • Pro Tip: Opt for a Mandoline with adjustable, versatile thickness settings.
  1. Electric Kettle
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Boils water faster than a stovetop, perfect for tea, coffee, or quick cooking.
  • Best Uses:
    • Making tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
    • Speeding up cooking by using pre-boiled water for pasta or soups.
    • Preparing instant noodles or oatmeal.
  • Pro Tip: Choose one with temperature settings for brewing different types of tea.
  1. Garlic Press
  • Why It Saves Time:
    It minces garlic quickly and eliminates the need for fine chopping.
  • Best Uses:
    • Adding garlic to sauces, marinades, and sautés.
    • Creating garlic paste for recipes.
  • Pro Tip: Look for an easy-to-clean, stainless-steel option.
  1. Air Fryer
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Cooks crispy, fried-style food with little to no oil in less time than an oven.
  • Best Uses:
    • Making fries, nuggets, or roasted vegetables.
    • Reheating leftovers to keep them crispy.
    • Preparing quick snacks like samosas or spring rolls.
  • Pro Tip: Choose an air fryer with a large capacity if cooking for a family.
  1. Salad Spinner
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Quickly washes and dries leafy greens, making them ready for salads or cooking.
  • Best Uses:
    • Cleaning and drying lettuce, spinach, or kale.
    • Removing excess water from washed herbs or small veggies.
  • Pro Tip: Use the spinner bowl to serve salad and minimise dishes.
  1. Kitchen Scale
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Ensures accurate measurements for recipes, especially for baking, with fewer measuring cups and spoons to clean.
  • Best Uses:
    • Measuring ingredients for precise baking.
    • Portioning protein or grains for meal prep.
    • Ensuring consistent seasoning or ingredient ratios.
  • Pro Tip: Opt for a digital scale with a tare function for convenience.
  1. Handheld Spiralizer
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Quickly turns vegetables into noodles or spirals for healthier, creative dishes.
  • Best Uses:
    • Making zucchini or sweet potato noodles.
    • Creating spiralised vegetables for salads or stir-fries.
  • Pro Tip: Look for a sturdy model with adjustable blade sizes.
  1. Egg Cooker
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Boils poaches or steams eggs to your preferred doneness with minimal effort.
  • Best Uses:
    • Preparing hard-boiled eggs for salads or snacks.
    • Making soft-boiled eggs for breakfast.
    • Poaching eggs for Eggs, Benedict, or ramen.
  • Pro Tip: Choose one with a built-in timer to get perfect results every time.
  1. Micro plane Grater
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Quickly grate cheese, zest citrus, or shred spices like nutmeg.
  • Best Uses:
    • Adding Parmesan to pasta or risotto.
    • Zesting lemons or oranges for desserts and drinks.
    • Grating fresh ginger or garlic for marinades.
  • Pro Tip: Rinse immediately after use to prevent food from sticking.
  1. Electric Hand Mixer
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Whip mixes or blends ingredients faster than manual mixing.
  • Best Uses:
    • Mixing batter for cakes or muffins.
    • Whipping cream or egg whites.
    • Combining dough for cookies or bread.

Pro Tip: Choose a model with multiple speed settings for versatility.

  1. Silicone Baking Mats
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Eliminates the need for parchment paper or greasing pans.
  • Best Uses:
    • Baking cookies or pastries.
    • Roasting vegetables or fish.
    • Making candies or brittle without sticking.
  • Pro Tip: Easy to clean and reusable, they are a great eco-friendly option.
  1. Meat Thermometer
  • Why It Saves Time:
    Instantly checks the doneness of meat, ensuring it’s perfectly cooked without over- or under-cooking.
  • Best Uses:
    • Roasting chicken, turkey, or Mutton.
    • Grilling steaks to the desired doneness.
    • Checking the temperature of bread or desserts.

Pro Tip: Use a digital thermometer for precise readings

Final Thoughts

The right kitchen gadgets can transform your cooking, making it faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, investing in these time-saving tools will free up time to focus on what matters most: sharing delicious food with loved ones.

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