These Are the Potato Tools You’ll Actually Use

A few weeks ago, we tested a few tools — these baked potato nails and these microwave bags— that promised to make quick and perfect baked potatoes. We were pretty disappointed by the results, but it spurred a more serious conversation: What tools does a home cook truly need for making the best spuds.

We ended up with a short list of 6, many of which are also handy for other tasks.

Your potatoes need to be cleaned before you can even think about doing anything else. You could use your hands and a pairing life, but this scrubber makes the process easier (and cuter). It’s comfortable to hold, the bristles are tough but not too tough, it has a built-in eye remover, and it stands up to dry after each use.

Buy: Full Circle Tater Mate Potato Brush, $5

This little guy will slide through thick potato skins like they’re butter. It’s the peeler we swear by — along with Ina and Giada.

Buy: Kuhn Rikon Original 4-Inch Swiss Peeler, $5

A good potato masher is key for rustic, perfectly lumpy mashed potatoes. Our staffers love this one because it has a sturdy head, churns out consistent results, and feels incredibly comfortable. We also love that it can be folded to store easily in our drawers. (If you want a giggle, read this tweet. It’s funny because it’s true.)

Buy: Prepara Stainless Steel Potato Masher, $21

If you prefer your mashed potatoes to be as smooth and pillowy as clouds, you need a ricer. This ricer, to be exact. It’s incredibly easy to use and clean, and it absorbs the pressure as you push, so you don’t feel like you’re getting a workout as you use it.

Note: We like this food mill even better for super smooth mashed potatoes, but it’s double the price and is only worth paying up for if you’re going to be making a lot of potatoes at once.

Buy: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Potato Ricer, $25

Fact: Crinkle fries are better than regular fries. Use this to cut up your spuds the next time you’re thinking about pulling out your air fryer.

Buy: HIC Wavy Crinkle Cutting Tool, $7.50

How else are you gonna make your own hash browns? Not only do we love this grater for shredding cheese, slicing zucchini, and even zesting lemons, we’ve also found that the coarse holes give us the best shredded potatoes for a homemade hash.

Buy: Cuisipro Surface Glide 4-Sided Box Grater, $25

Got anything to add to this list? Leave your ideas in the comments below!