The unconventional toolkit one might need to be a top chef could surprise you. We might believe that we have drawers full of kitchen tools to call ourselves chefs, but most chefs find themselves relying on only a handful of necessary gadgets. This article explores which of these gadgets chefs recommend for everyday cooking in the kitchen at home.
The gadgets that are listed here reflect the contrarian opinions of the pros. By the end of the article, you might be one step closer to cooking like a chef and not a gadget collector. Also, keep in mind that professional kitchens have to work under extreme time constraints, which demands tools that work more efficiently to keep up with demand.
1. The Kunz Spoon
Often referred to as the cult hero of the culinary toolkit. Many chefs like this spoon because it is commonly used in professional kitchens. It was designed by Chef Gray Kunz to be versatile and durable. This magical spoon is not just for simply stirring but is also used for tasting, portioning, saucing, and tasting dishes. This made this spoon very popular. So much so that the trend of owning this spoon resembled cult-like behavior, as people were referring to it as a ‘wand.’
Regardless, this is still a good spoon to invest in, as it would definitely streamline your cooking process. This is essentially a spoon that was designed by a chef for chefs, so it is tailor-made to fulfill their needs. It has a long handle and a well-shaped ball so that you can drizzle precise amounts for a perfect curation on the plate.
2. Precision Over Power
The Japanese mandoline is the tool that Michelin-stared chefs, such as Jun Tanaka, swear by for food processing and slicing. This is a manual slicer, which means that it offers uniform and ultra-thin cuts that would not usually be achieved by using just a knife. It is actually quite a simple too, but it could be powerful as it saves time, makes for even cooking and could transform a visual appeal of a dish.
The low-tech tool can deliver results that other high-tech gadgets can’t match when it comes to the consistency and precision that are important in the kitchen. It is crafted with razor-sharp blades that can be adjusted according to thickness, which enables chefs to cut slices as thin as paper or thick cuts with more ease.
3. Beyond Breakfast
Juices for my common part of breakfast, but can be seen as luxury. Chefs such as James Cochran Would often use industrial grade producers to create a multitude of different things, such as reductions and cocktail bases. Thus, an industrial juicer is next on the list. These machines are used to extract the maximum amount of flavor and nutrients which enables crafting of anything and everything such as marinade and desserts.
This is an interesting item to note because juicer does not have to just be used for juice. It could be a tool for culinary innovation. So you might already have one of these on hand, or you could consider investing in a powerful producer. This investment will pay off when you can explore new textures and flavors or even just minimize waste.
4. Fine Dining at Home
Chef’s tweezers seem like a very odd addition to any kitchen, but they are a necessity in the world of fine dining. These are not your ordinary tweezers. They are extended precision tweezers used for plating delicate microgreens or herbs onto a plate. Shifts use them instead of using their fingers or big tongues. By investing in a good pair of shift tweezers, you could elevate your plate presentation and make every plate restaurant-worthy.
They are available in various sizes and in various shapes so you could have creative freedom while plating like a chef. This tool encourages an attention to detail and presentation. It has the possibility to turn simple meals into works of art that almost look too good to eat.
5. Silky Smooth Results
We, as regular chefs at home, would use a basic strainer while professionals would often reach for a chinois. In layperson’s terms, this would be an ultra-fine mesh strainer that could be used for soups, sauces, and purées. This item works well because it is able to remove even the smallest particles that could give velvet textures to high and cuisine. This gadget reminds us that refinement is not just about the ingredients themselves but also the tools and techniques that you use.
This could be considered an extreme strainer, but it can be a game changer if you are seeking restaurant-quality results. To better understand where the strainer originated from, we can look back at French kitchens over the years, as they were commonly used for a multitude of French sauces. The strainer is made from stainless steel and has a very fine mesh that can filter fibers, seeds, and other impurities that normal strainers could miss.
6. Economic Meets Efficiency
When we look at where economics meets efficiency in the kitchen gadget category, we can look at the offset ladle, which could be found in many restaurant kitchens but not so commonly in households. Basically, it is an angled-handled ladle that gives you the ability to pour, scoop, or plate dishes with much more control. It is easier on the wrist, especially when you’re working at awkward angles in big pots.
This is more of an economic innovation that came from the high demand for efficient, high-volume services in restaurants. This little could solve problems. You never even thought you had. This makes it a worthy tool to have in your kitchen; the ladle design will minimize risk movements because it is positioned away from the ball and allows for a more natural pour of ingredients.
7. The Contrarian Skillet
We all have some sort of stainless steel and nonstick pan in our home, but did you know that most chefs prefer to use carbon steel because it has unique properties. Carbon steel is much lighter than cost iron but it can be just as durable another advantage of carbon steel is that it heats up quick and develop a natural nonstick patina overtime.
That is why it is the best pan for sautéing, searing, and even baking. Chefs also favor them because of their versatility and longevity. This contrarian skillet definitely challenges. The notion that nonstick options are always better than carbon steel pans combines the heat retention of cast iron with better responsiveness to temperature changes, ultimately allowing the user to execute more precise cooking techniques.
8. More than Dough
The bench scraper as a baker’s tool could be seen as a chef’s secret weapon because these two can do much more than just portion out the dough. If you get one that is sharp enough, it can also be used to chop ingredients, smash garlic, and clean surfaces on the go. Usually, a bin scraper has a sturdy, flat design, which makes it more efficient. It is a simple tool that has great versatility and is definitely a must-have in your kitchen.
Make sure that your bench scraper has a stainless steel blade and also a comfortable handle that will allow you to gather, move, and chop much faster. This small multifunctional tool could even help you reduce clutter and streamline your prep work for your dish. It could encourage better organization and work faster, making your cooking a more seamless process.
9. The All-in-one Revolution
So, most of the tools that we have looked at so far are on the simplistic side, but this next one embraces an all-in-one high-tech approach to cooking. The Thermo-mix is an all-in-one appliance that can steam, blend, and cook. It is lost on the list because it is somewhat controversial, but one cannot escape the precision and efficiency that come with using this mixer. It can make complex preparations seem much more straightforward. It is definitely an appliance that speaks to future innovations in kitchen technology.
It integrates many cooking functions into a single device, which is controlled by precise temperatures and timers. It is programmable and also capable of replacing some odds and ends that you have as current kitchen tools.
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