Here you have it – the Crowded Earth Kitchen “Top Ten” list of affordable kitchen gadgets we simply love. There are no status symbols on this list… if you’re looking for a TV show food processor that costs more than many people pay for rent, you’ll need to look some place else. We’re pretty frugal and low tech around here. Check out the “old standbys” that we use often and highly recommend!
1) CANNING SUPPLIES. Cooks who learn to preserve food through simple, hot water bath canning save more money than cooks who don’t. Investing in a few basic canning supplies will pay off quickly!
Granite Ware 0718-1 Enamel-on-Steel Canning Kit, 9-Piece
2) A STOCKPOT. You can get away with saucepans and little one-quart pots when you’re living on ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese, but when you get serious about cooking, you need a stockpot. Yes, you do.
Excelsteel 16 Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot With Encapsulated Base
3) AN IMMERSION BLENDER. I resisted this for a while, and tried ladling soup back and forth from a stockpot to a standing blender. The first time I burned myself, I stopped being (quite so) cheap and bought an immersion blender.
Conair Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-75BC 200 Watt 2 Speed Hand Blender (Brushed Chrome)
4) A BUNDT PAN. I don’t have a huge assortment of baking pans, but I do love my Bundt pan. I use it for everything from delicious, light sponge cakes to decadent pecan rolls. The shape looks fancy – anything baked in a Bundt pan makes a great buffet centerpiece!
Cuisinart AMB-95FCP Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware 9-1/2-Inch Fluted Cake Pan
5) A FRENCH PRESS COFFEE MAKER. Best… coffee… ever! Just add coffee grounds and boiling water – this couldn’t be any easier. It works with tea leaves, as well.
SterlingPro French Coffee Press –8 Cup/4 Mug (1 liter, 34 oz), Chrome
6) INDIVIDUAL RAMEKIN DISHES. These are great for serving appetizers and desserts.
Norpro 6 Piece Porcelain Ramekin Set
7) OIL FREE, MICROWAVE POTATO CHIP MAKER. I wouldn’t have believed it if my mother didn’t buy one first to try it out, but this little gadget is amazing! You can make awesome snack chips out of potatoes and other vegetables (sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, you name it) without any added fat. How cool is that?!
Joie Healthy Microwave Potato Chip Maker / Slicer / Cooker (Colors May Very)
8) Silicon Mat for Macarons. After several trips to France, I have developed a borderline obsession with macarons. These silicon mats are perfect for beginners, and are less than $5! Recipes coming soon…
1 X Silicone Macaron macaroon Baking Sheet Mat Muffin DIY Chocolate Cookie Mould Mode – 48 Capacity
9) Ninja Master Prep. This blender is absolutely fabulous, and completely affordable! For approximately $30, this blender will do everything from quickly pureeing soups to effortlessly crushing ice. How cool is that?
10) 17-Piece Tools and Gadgets Set. Look, Everybody needs these things in their kitchen, especially if they’re just starting out. Whether you need to stir, whisk, ladle, peel, measure, scrape, open, or grate, this set does it all.
KitchenAid Classic 17-piece Tools and Gadget Set (Black)
There you have it… a short list of Crowded Earth Kitchen favorites! What’s your favorite gadget in your kitchen? Feel free to comment below!
Crowded Earth Kitchen 
Love the Silicon Mat for Macarons – perfect! I’m hooked on Afternoon Teas that include wonderful French sweets – so I might just have to get this (and all the beautiful accessories) for my The Pleasures of Afternoon Tea (https://rosemarieskitchen.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/the-pleasures-of-afternoon-tea/) Thanks for the perfect share.
I’ll check it out! 🙂
I’m hooked on my little microwave potato chip maker. It has a built in mandolin for thin slicing your potatoes, and in 3 to 4 minutes, you have 20 crisp, seasoned-your-way chips. My husband and I each have a small bowl of these in the evenings occasionally, and they’re so tasty, it’s all you need!
I’m also a big fan of a kitchen shears. I like the one by Pampered Chef. One little snip, and I can open any bag or package. It’s dishwasher safe, and my all purpose scissors don’t get gacked up!
I’m a microwave potato chip convert myself now! Kitchen shears… great idea!
Your experience with a blender sounds just like our house right now. I have been asking to get one since our blender isn’t working out as it used to for soups. My husband cooked one soup the other day and burnt himself. Now are in the market to get one. haha I’m going to look at the one you mentioned
Immersion blenders are awesome – I wish I knew about these years ago. Instead of transferring hot liquids to the blender, you just put the blender stick in the pot!