If we were stranded on a culinary desert island and could only have a few kitchen tools with us, there would be obvious frontrunners. But although we could make do with a good knife and cast iron skillet for just about everything, that doesn't mean there aren't a few extras we'd like to have too. They might not be your Grandma's wooden spoon or your favorite balloon whisk, but these five second-tier tools aren't far behind!
1. Can Opener: Sure you could probably hack into a can with a knife, but a good can opener that will see you through large can and small is hard to come by. Here's a basic favorite for many and don't forget to check out which brand readers prefer in this post.
2. Bottle Opener: There are as many different bottle openers as there are pairs of socks in the world and all that matters is that you find one that you like. Here are a few that are fun and functional while these are a little more glamorous. (And of course don't forget that many can openers also open bottles.)
3. Fine Mesh Sieve/Strainer: Long ago I did away with sifters in my kitchen as my mesh sieves work perfectly for draining fried foods from oil and sifting my pastry fixin's together. Not sure what the difference between that and a few other look-alike items in the kitchen? Read up on strainers, colanders, and the chinois here!
4. Tongs: Although tongs and spatulas battle it out for best grilling tool we use them for far more than outdoor cooking in our kitchen. We have four pairs and use them more than almost any other kitchen tool we own!
5. Handheld Mandoline: Even if larger models are available for when you're doing lots of prep work, this small handheld kitchen staple gets a workout during many meals in our house. We prefer the kind with a handle, though this model sits across a bowl and works just as nicely. Not only do they slice, but they can also act as a peeler too!
What tools do you have in your own kitchen that come in second — just barely! — to your first tier of tools? Do you have a passion for your peeler? Do you salivate for your slotted spoon? Share your favorites in the comments below!
Related: 5 Tools & Gadgets We Tried (and Mostly Loved) This Year
(Images: Emma Christensen, Fred and Friends, Faith Durand, Macy's, Amazon)
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My tongs are definitely first tier as is my microplane grater, sieve/colanders and can-opener. They are all used daily.
I have a mandolin that I have never used, I should fish it out of its box and give it a try.
I'd say wooden spoons and a spactula!
I love my tongs, my big spoons, my microplanes (I have two of everything...meat and dairy)
I don't have, but would really like a mandolin!
I would argue can openers as a first tier unless you're only working with fresh ingredients - forever.
We have 2 pairs of tongs and I'm forever complaining that we need more. I use them for everything!
Where's the grater? I can't live without mine. I use it everyday to grate fresh ginger into..well, everything! I also love my strainer.
I've wanted a mandolin for a while now. I bet I'd go crazy thinly slicing EVERYTHING I could get my hands on. Then, I'd get tired of it : )
I have those exact tongs and they are awesome!
You're going to need a manual can opener to get into the emergency supplies in your earthquake or whatever kit, so it's a first tier item to me. We learned the hard way.
I consider my strainer first tier, absolutely. I wash it by hand because I use it so often that I don't want to wait for it to go through the dishwasher.
Flat-ended whisk (for making sauces and mashing potatoes, in addition to whisking things), bamboo spoon/spatula with a pointy end, a really big mixing bowl, tongs, and a ladle (I make a lot of soup).
I need more fine mesh strainers. I have just one really old one that is getting rusty...