Avoid Single-Use Kitchen Gadgets -Use 20+ Better Tools! 

One of the most cluttered, least organized, difficult parts of many homes is the kitchen. Trust me. I’ve not only dealt with my own kitchen but also my mother’s kitchen and the kitchens at all my cleaning and house sitting jobs. I know it’s a struggle. But why is it so hard to organize your kitchen? I’ll tell you. Single-use kitchen gadgets are one of the biggest contributors to clutter and disorganization in the kitchen. 

But they are so tempting! Each one of these single-use kitchen gadgets promises to make their specific task easier and because they only do one thing they must be really really good at that one thing! Right? Not usually. 

Let’s face it. Most of the single-use kitchen gadgets you buy don’t even deliver on the one job they promise to do. Even if they make it easier you will likely fall back into the old way of doing things, using your trusty knife, your regular can opener and your good old fashioned cheese grater. 

Why Should You Avoid Single Use Kitchen Gadgets? 

So, the fact that single-use kitchen gadgets don’t always make the job easier should be enough reason to avoid them but there are a few other good reasons not to buy these wonder tools. 

First of all, let me tell you that I cook A LOT. In fact, we barely ever eat out unless we are out of town. Between my mom and I we know how to make almost anything including bread, cheese, kimchi, gnocchi and all sorts of ethnic dishes. I am not the kind of minimalist that doesn’t cook and will tell you that you don’t need kitchen tools. I am the kind of minimalist that believes in healthy home cooked meals and artisan level skills. 

That being said, I’ve tried a few single-use kitchen gadgets in my day and my mom has tried even more. What have I learned? Wel,l besides the fact that the payoff usually doesn’t meet the hype, I’ve found that a lot of these gadgets are harder to clean. They are a pain to set up and tear down. And often-times they break easily. 

But the biggest reason not to waste your money on single-use kitchen gadgets is this. They cause all of the headaches above while filling your kitchen with clutter and more than that it’s clutter you “will get around to learning how to use one day.” Guilt trip clutter. That’s the worst kind of clutter! 

What Should You Buy Instead of Single Use Kitchen Gadgets?

So if you shouldn’t buy an avocado slicer, a garlic pealing silicone tube, a Vegetti (the name alone! Yikes!) and fruit and vegetable specific storage containers what should you buy instead? What will actually make life easier in the kitchen? 

The answer is easier than you would think. Sometimes the classics really are the best. Look for quality tools that can do all sorts of jobs instead of specialist gimmicks. What do these multi-use tools look like? What are the things you should invest in for a tidy and functional kitchen?

Let me share my top favorite kitchen tools! And the best part? None of them only do one job! Toss away those single-use kitchen gadgets and create a kitchen meant for a real cook instead!

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A Strong Blender

The first kitchen tool I can’t brag about enough is our blender. We have had smoothies for breakfast almost every day for the last 8 years and we use our Blendtec Blender without fail! 

When I’ve tried other blenders they always burn out or leave things gritty. Blendtec Blenders on the other hand make everything smooth and if for some reason you burn yours out with something super hard they have amazing customer service. I know from my own personal experience of using mine the wrong way in the beginning. 

Yes, a Blendtec blender is pricey but it’s totally worth buying once instead of buying lousy blenders over and over again. 

Great Pots and Pans

The next, most important, of my favorite kitchen tools are my trusty pots and pans. I got a set of stainless steel pots and pans for my wedding and they are the gift that keeps on giving 15 years later. 

Unlike all the non-stick pans out there they won’t get scratched up and ugly within a couple of years, they won’t shed any weird chemicals into your food and they will last forever. You do have to clean them well after each use to avoid black bottoms but it’s well worth the effort! 

Here’s an extra cool tip! To make them nonstick you have to heat them up before you cook. You know your pan is hot enough when you put a little water in and the droplets dance around like little bubbles. 

Sharp Knives

Another one of my quintessential kitchen tools is a good set of knives. Obviously. You can’t do much cooking without chopping and I used to thing good knives were way out of my budget so I would buy the kind that get dull in a year tops. Then I discovered some great knives at a stunning price! 

I can’t brag about the Blue Diamond Knives enough. Sharp, affordable, long lasting and attractive, they are everything you could ask for at a fraction of the price of Cutco and other similar brands. (At the time of writing this post they were not offering the full set but keep an eye out for it at about $47)

To make them last even longer get yourself a good knife sharpener! 

Good Storage Containers 

What else do you need in your kitchen? Single use gadgets or storage solutions? Definitely not! Instead get some Pyrex tupperware that will last longer and be healthier for you than their plastic counterparts. 

I love having little glass dishes to put leftovers in, square ones for packing lunches, and bigger ones for when I need to take potato salad or watermelon to a get together. 

If all else fails recycle the glass jars your olives and pasta sauce came in for storage that is cheap and non-toxic. 

Baking Tools 

Speaking for glass dishes for the kitchen your basic glass pyrex baking pans will never be a single use gadget! You will use them for everything from brownies to shepherds pie to spanokopita! You can not go wrong with buying a set of at least two different sizes. 

What else do you need for baking? A couple of different sizes of mixing bowls, cookie sheets, a pizza pan, a liquid measuring cup and of course your dry measuring cups and spoons. 

If you are really into baking you are probably going to want to invest in a Kitchenaide stand mixer. Sure there are other brands on the market but I promise you none of them are as durable or versatile as the classic Kitchenaide. I guess if it doesn’t weigh a ton it just can’t hold up. If you are a light-weight baker just get a hand-mixer. 

Multi-Use Gadgets  

Lastly not all kitchen gadgets are single use tools. Some of them are quite handy and worth the investment depending on the type of cooking you like to do. 

For example, a Belgian waffle maker is pretty much single use but I love waffles so I decided I had to have one. I also like to make Indian food so an handheld immersion blender is very useful for me. 

Some other great tools I love to use every week are my crock pot and my air fryer! They really do simplify cooking and help me keep to my meal plan even on the busiest days. 

Beyond that, basic tools like a good potato peeler, some reusable silicone lids, and a couple good cutting boards are essentials that you will use all the time. 

Long Lasting Dishes

Is there anything else you really need for your kitchen? I’m sure I missed a few items like spatulas, a pasta strainer, and silverware but there is one last thing I can highly recommend. What is it?

Long lasting, easy to store, nigh-on unbreakable dishes. They may not look fancy but I love Corelle dishes because they check all the boxes! They are slim so they don’t take up a lot of room in your cabinets and they will last you for years and years. I don’t think you will ever regret investing in them. 

You Can Do Better Than Single Use Kitchen Gadgets! 

I hope this post has helped you outfit your kitchen in a better, more streamlined and efficient way. The goal is to outfit your kitchen once and have these really great tools work for you for years to come! 

What are some of your favorite kitchen tools? Share in the comments below! 

Simplify Beyond the Kitchen! 

What about the rest of your house? The rest of your life? Do you want to simplify EVERYTHING? If that sounds like you then I can help! I wrote a special e-book to help you start the minimalist lifestyle. In it you will learn how to simplify your home and your chores so you can finally start focusing on your bigger goals! Grab it today!