10 Multifunctional, Space-Saving Kitchen Tools for Meal Prep - The Kitchn
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Even if you have more than enough kitchen space (though I’ve never actually met anyone who feels like they do), it’s good to cut down on clutter wherever you can. This might mean going through your drawers and cabinets and getting rid of cookware that no longer serves your needs, investing in some under-sink organizers, or giving away that single-use countertop appliance that you rarely use. But even after doing all of that, you might find that your kitchen is still housing some seemingly benign culprits that tend to turn every drawer into a junk drawer. These offenders are often small in size, but you end up accumulating a bunch of them and wasting precious real estate in the long run. We’re talking about items like measuring spoon sets, colanders, graters, and more.
Thankfully, our staffers have written about a number of multifunctional, all-in-one kitchen tools over the years. Each of these products combines a bunch of meal prep staples into one compact design, freeing up storage space in the process. You’ll find 10 of our favorite examples below, so stock up, and watch as your workstation becomes more efficient and less crowded in no time.
Great Jones
An editor favorite, the Great Jones Full-Steam duo gives you all the benefits of a colander, steamer, splatter guard, and trivet in two convenient sizes. As a result, you won't have to rummage around drawers for multiple different tools during meal prep, and storage will be a breeze afterward thanks to the colanders' collapsible design. Plus, they're made with food-grade silicone and reinforced with stainless steel.
Although it’s the size of a small pair of shears, the Zibra Open-It! is an absolute workhorse when it comes to cutting flower stems, opening plastic packaging, snipping zip ties, and pretty much any other task that you'd struggle to complete with a basic pair of scissors. Contributor Shifrah keeps hers on hand and said she doesn't know how she lived without it. "Not only does the Zibra Open-It! put so many useful tools at my fingertips, but it also does it without taking up much space," she wrote. "In fact, the tool creates space in my junk drawer because it takes the place of a whopping five tools." You, too, will find it especially useful when holiday gifting season rolls around!
Williams Sonoma
As we briefly mentioned, measuring spoons are essential, but their bulky parts tend to scatter and leave your drawer looking a mess. Save yourself the headache and invest in this adjustable measuring spoon, which also comes in measuring cup form. The spoon gives you five standard measurements in one handy tool; simply use the built-in slider to adjust the volume to your needs, and measure away!
You've never seen a meal prep system like this one! The Chop N’ Drop not only features a durable bamboo cutting board, but it also comes with a built-in grater (that comes with interchangeable grater heads) and a bottom compartment that houses up to three storage containers that easily catch and store your veggies, fruits, cheeses, and meats. What's more, each BPA-free container has a 1.5-liter capacity, not to mention a snap lock cover that makes moving your food from the prep station to the fridge super simple. Storage, too, is a breeze because all the pieces have their designated spots within the cutting board.
When you first hear that this measuring set has 20 pieces, it's understandable to think that that's way too much of anything. But we guarantee that you’ll get plenty of use out of every piece in this bundle, from the measuring tools to the citrus reamers to the sifter. In addition to those items, you also get a citrus zester, pulp separator, egg separator, leveler, funnel, and a liquid measuring cup with a storage lid to hold it all. Indeed, all of these items nest inside one another when you're finished to help prevent chaos in the kitchen.
Sure, a standard grater usually has multiple different grater styles on its 360-degree surface, but it's still not the most efficient design. That's because standard graters are often too big and bulky, and there's nothing to catch the cheese or veggie shavings underneath. Enter the OXO grate and slice set, which is the perfect miniature size for daily use. Even better, it comes with three panels: a medium grater, a coarse grater, and a slicer blade, as well as a container for food collection and compact, easy storage once you're done.
was $19.99
Save yourself the hassle of trying to find the right cooking utensil, and grab the five-in-one Barracuda tool instead. It can function as a pasta tong, egg scraper, strainer, rice scoop, and basic stirring spoon, so you don't have to keep an overstuffed utensil canister on your counter anymore. And right now, this gadget is 35 percent off, so snag it for under $15 while you can.
Williams Sonoma
You probably already know this, but another easy way to save space is to get a corkscrew that also doubles as a bottle opener and foil cutter. This one from Williams Sonoma is perfect, plus it's one of their more budget-friendly options. Once folded, it takes up barely any space, but if you like to enjoy a glass of wine or bottle of beer after a long day, you'll no doubt find yourself reaching for this gadget frequently.
was $23.99
This kitchen tool set is so small, it literally fits in the palm of your hand. That's because the set features five flat panels that cover all your culinary needs, including a grater, pizza cutter, bottle opener, peeler, and grinder. You also get a removable ring, so once you're done using the tools, you can simply slide them back onto it and stow them away neatly. Additionally, each piece is dishwasher-safe.
The SpoonBuddy is like any other spoon rest in that it keeps pasta sauce off your counter in between stirs. But what makes this product brilliant is the suction cup bottom that allows you to attach it to any smooth, non-porous surface to hold it steady. Stick it on the counter, and the spoon won’t tip over. Better yet, stick it right onto the pot handle, and save that space for prep! When you turn the Spoon Buddy over, you also get a jar lid opener to do the work for you. Then, flip it back over, and you’ve got a handy half-cup at your service. How many functions is that? We've stopped counting.
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