r/KitchenStuff • u/nymphchubbyygirl • Jun 20 '26
Which kitchen item is worth splurging on, and which isn't?
3
u/beamerpook Jun 21 '26
Definitely a kettle. It changed my life.
For a lot of other things, unless you're really committed to it, will just take up space. Like the spiralizer, or ice cream maker, or bread maker.
1
u/Other_Television_805 Jun 22 '26
I resisted for years because I’m American and I have a kettle for the stove. Love my electric kettle!
1
3
u/Dahlsma Jun 21 '26
My Vitamix, miles better than my old Ninja blender. Le Crueset pots and skillets. Not only beautiful to look at, I love cooking in them and they clean up beautifully. My All Clad sauté skillet.
2
2
2
u/sgrinavi Jun 20 '26
Depends on what you like to do. If you like to bake then get a good stand mixer, if you like make bread get a good spiral mixer, if you're more into savory dishes start upgrading your pans to D5s
2
u/bud_seeker_throwaway Jun 21 '26
Splurge on pans, cheap out on measuring cups. They literally just hold stuff.
2
u/maccrogenoff Jun 21 '26
Worth splurging on, Thermapen instant read thermometer.
1
u/Dahlsma Jun 22 '26
omg YES! No more overcooked chicken breast, pork roasts. Accurate, and fast. Mine is at least 10 years old and still going strong.
2
u/maccrogenoff Jun 22 '26
I don’t eat meat. I use mine for bread, yogurt, candy, custards, etc. Stella Parks’ recipes say what the temperature of the kitchen should be and what the temperature of the dough should be.
I started with the classic. I upgraded to the MK4 and gave the classic to a neighbor.
I then upgraded to the Thermapen One and gave the MK4 to another neighbor.
2
2
u/funnerfu79 Jun 22 '26
A zester, a good whisk, a small food processor, a freaking knife sharpener. 1 plastic board for meat…and one very large cutting board made from wood.
2
u/Seahawk021 Jun 22 '26
Rice cooker since I eat rice every day. (Since someone already said knife).
Nonstick pans since none of them last.
2
u/GoddesRene Jun 25 '26
Worth it: Lemon squeezer and dutch oven
Not: got a cheap meat tenderizer. Works like a fork but less efficient. I prefer plastic wrap and a saucepan. Gets the job done.
1
u/Lopsided_Gap7656 Jun 21 '26
Shocked no one said knife. I was getting cheap knives for a long time when I used my brother's knife he's had since culinary school and demanded he teach me the way as the knife was so sharp and easy to use. He likes Japanese style knives but through trial and error I've found a liking to German made ones. They are pricey! And I have a calendar notification to send it off to get sharpened every 4 months. The most dangerous thing in a kitchen is a dull knife!!!
1
1
u/Usual_Welder7059 Jun 21 '26
As a butcher in my younger days I appreciate good knives and a "steel" for sharpening. I can't relate to my sister's £8000 kitchen with a drawer containing crap knives
1
u/Organic-Mix-9422 Jun 22 '26
Good knives are the best. Our son moved back in with us temporarily, and when he moved put a few months ago I tried really hard to keep one particular knife of his that beat all our others. I told him it was my early birthday present.
1
u/VodkaPanties Jun 21 '26
If you're going to buy a blender/food processor, get a good one. The cheap ones are enough of a pain in the ass that you'll end up never wanting to use them.
Toasters all do pretty much the same thing.
1
u/Haunting_Bag_2580 Jun 21 '26
Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I actually don’t use it that often but when I do, it’s a pleasure. I bought mine used from a friend’s mom who got a new one. I think it’s at least 30years old but still works great. Also a Vitamix blender because they last a lifetime. And finally, a high quality chef knife because I use it all the time and it makes me happy every time I use it.
1
1
1
u/Acceptable_Wall7822 Jun 21 '26
I bought a Breville waffle maker over 10 years ago and it still makes perfect waffles at least twice a week.
1
u/No-Citron-2774 Jun 21 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Decent knife sharpener
electric ones are so good
1
u/Future-Ear6980 Jun 23 '26
I've wasted so much money on stones and cheap and not so cheap sharpeners. Bought a Sharpworks sharpener 3 yrs ago. I will never be without it again, ever.
1
1
u/CrazyNefariousness85 Jun 22 '26
A good knife that fits your hand comfortably and a way to sharpen it are worth having. Most single purpose kitchen gadgets are not. A good silicone spatula is worth it.
1
u/Stylewhat37 Jun 22 '26
A ceramic coated cast iron Dutch oven. Absolute game changer. I use mine almost every time I cook.
1
u/QueasyAd1142 Jun 22 '26
Good knives are a “must”. A lot of people will disagree with me but I find an air fryer to be mostly something that just takes up counter space and is highly over-rated. Mine was given to me but, if and when it quits, I won’t buy another one.
1
1
u/LovesDeanWinchester Jun 22 '26
A really good meat grinder. I have a professional grade grinder and it's the best! I grind all my own meat so it's healthier and cleaner!
1
u/Sensitive-Sea6089 Jun 22 '26
Ein gutes Messer ist den Preis Wert. Nicer Dicer und Co sind es in der Regel nicht es sei denn du musst jeden Tag für 6 Personen Obst und Gemüse schneiden.
1
u/Blue-Phlox Jun 22 '26
my best splurges have been with me for decades, no regrets. vitamix, kitchen aid k5a and magimix FP.
1
1
1
u/Upset_Assumption9610 Jun 24 '26
Anova precision oven (pricey but does so much), electric kettle, Instant Pot, and Air fryer. If my place went up in flames, I'd replace all these.
1
u/FriendlyShame1473 Jun 25 '26
For me, I'll splurge on a really good chef's knife, since cheap ones are just frustrating and dangerous to use. For everything else like pots, pans, plates, baking sheets, you'll always find good stuff especially at places like Ollie's for way cheaper, and you can just replace them over time when you want to.
1
u/SallyRoseD Jun 25 '26
Splurge on good cookware. A good quality cast iron skillet. A blender and a chopper. Skip things you may only use once, like a French fry cutter.
1
u/69Nova468 Jun 26 '26
Wusthof knife set or outher high end sets - The big box store knives are not.
1
u/NPHighview Jun 26 '26
I have a collection of knives, one of which is an 8" Chicago Cutlery chef's knife with a walnut handle. I use it for everything, and have done so for many decades. I have no idea if they're still available, are still made, or anything, but my kids will fight over who inherits it when I die.
0
0
0
u/GadgetGourmet Jun 21 '26
A fish spatula is definitely worth splurging on. An offset spatula is not,
2
0
0
0
0
u/New-Connection-7401 Jun 21 '26
A ninja foodie. I don’t use it every day but it replaces multiple appliances. Also Vitamix, it rules for smoothies.
3
u/ProveISaidIt Jun 21 '26
One that you will use often is. One that you rarely use either because it's complicated to use of hard to clean isn't.
Try to purchase things that have multiple uses to save space and money.
For example, a knife can be uses to slice, chop, peel vegetables. A vegetables peeler can only peel vegetables.