You Can Hack It! 4 Alternative Uses for Everyday Equipment

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
updated May 1, 2019
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Cherry tomatoes on a rack

Some of your everyday kitchen tools may be more versatile than you think. Here are some of our favorite ways to use a few standard kitchen tools to accomplish a bevy of kitchen tasks.

1. Turn cooling racks into a dehydrator.

When stacked on top of each other, using balls of aluminum foil as spacers between each rack and set in a very low-temperature oven, cooling racks mimic the basic setup of a food dehydrator.

2. Use a cocktail shaker to make vinaigrette.

Use this otherwise uni-tasking bar tool to shake up a vinaigrette to go with tonight’s salad. Shakers seal tightly, which means this method it leak-free, and the base is large enough to store enough dressing for the whole week.

3. Use a coffee grinder for whole spices.

The ancient approach of using a mortar and pestle to grind spices works just fine for small amounts, but for all other times, reach for your electric blade coffee grinder. It makes pulverizing a big batch of whole spices a lot faster and easier.

(Image credit: It’s Always Autumn)

4. Get creative with paper plates.

We rely on them for picnics and casual dinners at home, but there are a lot more smart ways to put paper plates to work. Use them to prevent splatters, store cookware, create a neat little package for food gifts, and more.