How to Choose Kitchen Tools
The kitchen tool market is flooded with unitaskers—gadgets designed to do only one specific job (like an avocado slicer or a garlic press). As a rule of thumb, avoid unitaskers. Instead, invest your budget into high-quality multitaskers. A sharp chef's knife can slice an avocado and mince garlic better and faster than specialized gadgets, and it takes up less space.
Investing in Quality vs. Budget Options
You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to have a fully functional kitchen. Here is a strategy for outfitting your kitchen:
- Where to splurge: Items you touch every single day. A high-quality chef's knife, a heavy cutting board, and a highly accurate instant-read thermometer are worth the premium price tag.
- Where to save: Items that don't mechanically degrade fast. A $25 cast iron skillet performs almost identically to a $200 artisan one—the difference is mostly aesthetic and out-of-the-box smoothness. Basic stainless steel mixing bowls, bench scrapers, and digital scales are great places to buy budget options.
Remember that a cheap knife that is kept incredibly sharp will always perform better than a $200 knife that is dull. Maintenance is just as important as the initial purchase.