10 Kitchen Utensils You Can Live Without (and What to Use Instead)

Hey there, fellow kitchen aficionados! Let’s talk about something near and dear to our hearts: kitchen utensils. We all love them, but let’s be honest, do we really need every gadget cluttering up our drawers and cabinets?

Being a self-proclaimed foodie, I have spent countless hours in the kitchen experimenting with various utensils, gadgets, and appliances. Over time, I've come to realize that not all kitchen tools are created equal. In fact, some are simply unnecessary and end up gathering dust in the darkest corners of our drawers.

Don’t get me wrong, I love having all the gadgets my heart desires, but let’s face it, there are quite a few utensils you can happily bid farewell to, freeing up space for the essentials and simplifying your culinary adventures. So, grab a cup of your favourite brew, cozy up, and let’s dive into the world of minimalist kitchen essentials!

Invest in a sturdy garlic press to ensure it doesn't break the first time you use it.

Garlic Press

The garlic press is a handy little tool. It does keep your hands smelling a bit fresher after crushing several cloves, and it does press the garlic into a form that is easy to add to a sauté pan.

However, using the side of a wide knife works just as well. Strike a clove with the side of the knife, slip the skin off, then give it a rough chop. Now toss a little salt over the garlic and use the flat side of the knife to work it into a paste.

If you are going to buy a garlic press, take my advice and get a metal one which has a strong hinge and fixed plates. The ones with the removable plates may seem like a good idea but trust me when I say they offer more problems than solutions.

Stay far from a plastic garlic press as these tend to break after the first clove.

Both these tools can be used for the dual purpose of cutting herbs and pizzas so you really only need one, or simply use a sharp knife.

Pizza Cutter

Who doesn’t love a good homemade pizza night?  But do you really need a designated pizza cutter?

If you aren’t using your pizza cutter for any other cutting tasks, then a sharp pair of kitchen scissors works wonders for slicing through your cheesy masterpiece.

Plus, they’re versatile enough to tackle other kitchen tasks too.

If you do have a pizza cutter, you can use it instead of cookie cutters to cut dough for other baking projects.

Herb Chopper

Now, I personally love my herb chopper, but it isn’t really necessary.

Say goodbye to that bulky herb chopper and hello to a simple pair of kitchen shears. Kitchen shears are perfect for snipping fresh herbs directly into your dishes, saving you time and eliminating the need for yet another gadget cluttering up your drawers. Of course, if you do have one, you can justify having it by using it to cut your pizza as well – who says we can’t rationalise things to suit our whims?

These seem like a good idea but are definitely not suitable for children or anyone whose hands are not steady as its possible to cut yourself badly on these sharp blades.

Mandoline Slicer

Mandoline slicers are great for achieving uniform slices, but they can be a nightmare to clean and store. Save yourself the headache and reach for a trusty chef’s knife instead. With a bit of practice, you can master the art of slicing vegetables to your desired thickness with ease.

If you really do want a Mandoline slicer, look for one which has different blades which can be used for various vegetable cutting needs. Many of them come with a blade for cutting chips (fries) which is great if you love hot chips.

Spaghetti Server

Do you really need a specialized server just for spaghetti? Not when you have a pair of tongs!

Tongs are versatile, easy to use, and perfect for serving up a hearty plate of pasta. Plus, they’re great for tossing salads and serving other dishes too, making them a kitchen essential.

A flat grater is a great space saver if you battle to find place for all your favourite kitchen gadgets.

Box Grater

The trusty box grater, a staple in many kitchens but, while it’s great for shredding cheese and veggies, it can take up a lot of precious real estate in your drawer.

Instead, consider investing in a multi-purpose microplane grater. Not only does it take up less space, but it’s also perfect for grating everything from citrus zest to hard cheeses.

Oven Mitts

While oven mitts are handy for protecting your hands from hot dishes, they can take up valuable space in your kitchen. Added to that, they rarely actually prevent the heat from getting to your hands, so they aren’t always fit for purpose.

Instead, opt for silicone oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves. They offer the same protection without the bulk, and they’re easy to clean too.

This is one of my most used appliances and one I would not do without.

Onion Chopper

Chopping onions can be a tearful experience, but do you really need a dedicated chopper?

Honesty, the jury is out on this one. While a sharp knife and a bit of practice are all you need to dice onions like a pro, and getting rid of this piece of equipment is one less gadget cluttering up your kitchen, I love having a gadget that can do this job for me. To solve the space problem, I use my stick blender, which has different blades and comes with two containers for different functions, to chop onions.

Large Blender

Blenders are great for whipping up smoothies and soups, or mixing your favourite cake batter, but those large countertop models can be a pain to store.

Instead, consider downsizing to a handheld sticker blender (sometimes referred to as an immersion blender).

Not only does it take up less space, but it’s also perfect for blending small batches of sauces, soups, and smoothies with ease.

The best part of using a stick blender is that you can use it in your pot, without having to dirty another bowl, if you want to blitz a chucky mixture into a smooth sauce or soup.

If you want to see just how easy it is to use in a pot, check out my Potato Soup video in which I show you how to make a quick and easy soup, and demonstrate exactly how handy a stick blender can be.

This is great to have, but not a necessity.

Double Boiler

While a double boiler is handy for melting chocolate and making delicate sauces, it’s certainly not essential.

Instead, create your own makeshift double boiler using either a heatproof bowl or a pot set over a (larger) pot of simmering water. It works just as well and saves you valuable cabinet space.

Save yourself the cupboard space

By eliminating unnecessary kitchen utensils, we not only save on cost and drawer space but also simplify and streamline our cooking process. With a few basic tools and a touch of creativity, we can achieve the same delicious results without cluttering our kitchens. So, let's bid farewell to the unnecessary gadgets and embrace a simpler approach to cooking.

Your kitchen will thank you!

Happy Cooking.

PS: Just for kicks, I did a Google search of obscure kitchen utensils and found some I’ve never heard about which, in my opinion, means they are obsolete, in my world at least.

Here are two that I don’t see the need for… at all.

Corn kernel remover which is used to remove corn kernels from the cob. Isn’t that what a sharp knife is for?

Strawberry huller: I must admit, I had to look up what the hull of a strawberry is. FYI, it’s the part that attached the fruit to the plant. I just use a knife to slice this off. Who knew there was a special tool to do this.

PPS: Next week I’ll be looking at things everyone says you don’t need that I simply love. Here’s a clue what might be included… the bread machine I simply couldn’t live without and my slow cooker which allows me to be lazy and read my book on cold winter’s day while still cooking gourmet fare.

Want to try out some of these tools? Find great recipes to prepare with them. Go to the recipe page here.