Sometimes, cooking can be a challenge. You might find that you have very little time to cook a full meal from scratch, and this is often when ordering a takeaway or popping in a microwave meal is preferred. However, this usually isn’t the healthiest option.
Instead, you might just need a helping hand to make the cooking process a little easier. Thankfully, there are numerous kitchen appliances that can be used to do this. In this post, four of the top kitchen tools have been listed and explained, all of which can simplify the cooking experience.
Air Fryer
One of the most popular kitchen appliances for easy cooking is the air fryer. Air fryers have surged in popularity in recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic and people spent more time cooking at home. In fact, it was said in 2023 that roughly 60% of American households owned an air fryer.
This appliance offers several advantages that can simplify the cooking process, especially if you regularly cook daily. It is quick and convenient to use, requiring less preheating time and shorter cooking durations compared to ovens and stovetops. Some models even feature pre-programmed settings for popular foods, which can make them the perfect option for busy individuals or those who cook for their families.
Not only will your meals be ready quicker, but air fryers have the potential for healthier cooking. They can achieve crispy results with little to no oil, and this is a much healthier alternative to deep frying. If you are on a health kick or want to lose fat, then an air fryer could be ideal.
Whetstone
The next appliance you might consider is a whetstone. Cooking from scratch can be a time-consuming process, especially if your kitchen knives have gone dull and do not chop as effectively anymore. Dull blades are also more dangerous than sharp knives. For these reasons, your cooking experience would benefit from having a whetstone to hand.
Whetstones, also known as sharpening stones, are used to sharpen the edges of knives by grinding away small amounts of material. This type of kitchen tool comes in various grits, which allows for different stages of sharpening, from removing material to polishing the blade. Oil or water should be used with the whetstone to enhance the sharpening and prevent damaging the stone.
Having freshly sharpened knives will mean you can chop vegetables and slice meat with ease and more precision. You will have a much more enjoyable experience cooking your favorite meals, and you might even achieve better results, too.
Slow Cooker
Slow cookers are the next on the list of appliances that can offer a helping hand when cooking. This is an excellent choice for busy individuals who aren’t home to prepare and cook ingredients during the day. Instead, you could start cooking a meal in the slow cooker in the morning, and the meal will be ready when you return home.
Additionally, a slow cooker is an effective way to prepare large quantities of food. This allows you to have meals ready for the rest of the week, which is a big bonus for individuals who have packed schedules. Plus, the different dishes you can prepare using a slow cooker are wide-ranging, such as chili, soups, and stews, meaning you will grow tired of meals any time soon.
Food Processor
Finally, you might also want to consider purchasing a food processor to help simplify the cooking process. A food processor can perform a variety of tasks in the kitchen, including chopping, kneading, mixing, pureeing, shredding, and slicing. It will often come with different blades and attachments to handle these diverse tasks, which makes food preparation easier and faster.
Using a food processor can improve the consistency of your meals. If you were to chop, shred, or slice ingredients by hand, you could find the results are not uniform, but food processors guarantee this. It could also allow you to try making staples, such as hummus and nut butters, from scratch, and this could save you money in the long run.
To conclude, there are numerous kitchen appliances that could offer you a helping hand with cooking. The four appliances mentioned in this post will speed up the process and make it easier for you, no matter your lifestyle.
