14 essential kitchen tools under $50
The products on this page were selected by our team of experts, producers, and editors - and we truly love them all. Purchases you make through these links may earn us a commission.
Ok, we admit it: we're total suckers for cool kitchen gadgets and gizmos. However, the fun does not always have to mean frivolous!
We compiled our top kitchen must-have gadgets so you can chop, infuse, grate and get to the eating sooner. From silicone baking mats to collapsible colanders, check out these 14 essentials you can find for under $50.
Chef’s knife
If there’s anything to splurge on this list, it’s a decent chef’s knife. Dull knives are prone to sliding around on slick produce, and they require greater applied force to cut effectively. Those two conditions are ideal for accidental hand slicing! You will most likely need this tool every time you cook, so you might as well go with a high-quality blade.
SHOP: Victorinox Swiss Army Classic 6-Inch Chef's Knife; $45.41 at Amazon
Silicone baking mat
Never buy cooking spray, pan greasing, and parchment paper again with these incredibly versatile silicone baking mats! Placed directly on an existing cookie sheet or countertop, the silicone mats offer a wonderful alternative, helping to promote healthier results and ultimate convenience when baking or candy making in the kitchen.
SHOP: Silicone baking mat; $12 at Simons
Cast iron skillet
Cast iron skillets have been workhorses in kitchens all over the world for over 2,000 years. Modern versions are made from heavy cast iron and pre-seasoned (so food doesn’t stick); with impressive heat retention abilities, these skillets are favoured for use on both the stovetop and oven alike.
SHOP: Amazon Basics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Pan; $42.79 at Amazon
Jianama 8 in 1 Versatile Kitchen Gadget Set
This kitchen gadget will change your cooking game completely. It's an eight-in-one cooker set that can effectively handle of variety of cooking tasks without the need to switch cooking tools. Use this product for cutting, serving, striping, measuring, separating, mashing, flipping and tightening! It's perfect for small spaces, dishwasher-safe and leaves no scratches on your cookware.
SHOP: Jianama 8 in 1 Versatile Kitchen Gadget Set; $28.79 at Walmart
Silicone Splatter Screen
Save yourself from one of the perils of frying foods at home: the dreaded hot oil splatter. This screen has holes to release steam, so everything stays crunchy, but keeps all of the greases in the pan as it's intended to be. Sized to fit over most pots and pans, it's made of heat-resistant silicone that's easy to wipe clean or toss in the dishwasher.
SHOP: Beckon Ware NO-Rust Silicone Splatter Screen; $29 at Amazon
Bubble teapot & bubble cup set
If you ask us, the best way to enjoy tea is to sip it with someone you love. Welcome new guests to your home with some delicious tea with this Bubble Teapot and Bubble Cup Set. Share a special moment with a special someone AND drink your favourite tea – it’s the perfect combination! It contains a 45 oz teapot, infuser and saucer. and two ceramic mugs each designed to hold 8 oz of tea. Now all you need to worry about is which leaves you steep. Happy sipping!
SHOP: Bubble teapot & bubble cup set; $49 at David's Tea
Microwavable popcorn bowl
This microwavable popcorn bowl gives you the convenience of a bag of popcorn without the extra clean-up and chemicals. Just fill the bowl with kernels, add oil or butter if you want and pop it in the microwave. You'll have a healthy snack in minutes, all while minimizing the number of dishes you need to use! This bowl makes up to three to four cups of popcorn and is dishwasher safe.
SHOP: Zero waste microwave popcorn bowl; $9 on Simons
Herb Cutter
This convenient herb cutter is designed with two functions. Not only does it efficiently cut your herbs with a delicate rocking motion, but there are three different-sized holes right on the cutter that are designed to perfectly strip stemmed herbs of all kinds!
SHOP: Leo Herb Cutter and Bamboo Cutting Board Set; $39.50 at Indigo
Colander
Every kitchen needs a heavy-duty colander for draining but this one is the ultimate pick because it's collapsable! Save precious cabinet space with this two-pack, and use it for pasta, fruit, vegetables and more.
SHOP: Collapsible Colanders (Set of 2); $16.99 at Amazon
Copper Saucepan
A saucepan is perfect for when you need to cook something with liquids, such as boiling pasta or simmering sauces. A four-quart saucepan is easy to maneuver and handle and is a great addition to the kitchen if you're cooking for one or four people.
SHOP: Gotham Steel Hammered Copper 2.5 qt. Aluminum Non-Stick Stock Pot with Glass Lid; $32.97 at Walmart
Reusable Silicone Bags
An innovative and versatile option to create healthy and delicious recipes, these reusable silicone bags can be put in the microwave, oven and/or steam cooker. This eco-friendly option is machine washable, sturdier, can handle extreme temperatures and offer a tighter seal. They come in a variety of sizes, so whether you're sealing up fresh vegetables or a dressing, you'll be set to put everything away in its right place.
SHOP: 1 L stand-up sous vide reusable silicone bag; $6.99 at Simons | Hot Homey 4 Pack Food Preservation Bags; $29.99 at Amazon
Grate and Slice Set
A good box grater is essential for any kitchen, whether you're shredding cheese for nachos or creating zucchini noodles. This convenient multifunctional utensil makes for quick prep. This set comes with four plates. for coarse and fine grating, slicing and julienne. The snap-on container helps measure ingredients as you go, while a safety guard protects your finger from the blades.
SHOP: OXO Spiralizer, Grate & Slice Set; $49.99 at Amazon
Cutting board
One of the most basic tools you need in your kitchen is a good cutting board, but our top pick is anything but basic. This innovative design from Joesph Joseph allows the three boards to be neatly stored together. Each board has a curved profile at one end so it also creates a handy chute down which chopped food or waste can be easily guided. These boards are dishwasher safe, knife-friendly and a must-have item for any cook, baker and chef alike.
SHOP: Joseph Joseph Nest Chop Set of Nesting Plastic Cutting Boards; $38.04 at Amazon
Measuring spoons
Recipes are all about balance, and if you just eyeball your ingredients based on how much you think a tablespoon and a cup are, buckle up for a truly inconsistent time in the kitchen. When it comes to baking or balancing out salad dressings, you’ll need these tools to measure accurately. We love this one from OXO because of its unique magnetic that keeps the spoons neatly stacked together and allows you to easily remove them one at a time.
SHOP: Oxo Good Grips 11137600G Magnetic Measuring Spoons; $14.99 at Amazon
