Kitchen Appliance Checklist: Your 19 Must-Haves

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The kitchen is the beating heart of any home, where the magic of cooking and gathering happens. Choosing the right kitchen appliances can significantly impact your culinary experience. Whether you’re setting up your first home or giving your kitchen a refresh, finding the perfect appliances can be a game-changer for your meal prep and cooking adventures.

So, if you’re looking for guidance on where to start with kitchen appliances, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together an all-encompassing list of essential kitchen appliances to streamline your cooking process and elevate your kitchen’s functionality.

While investing in these appliances may seem like a significant decision, having the right tools at your disposal can truly transform your kitchen.

From innovative smart home appliances to convenient, time-saving gadgets, our list includes everything you need to meet your kitchen demands.

How to use the kitchen appliances list?

In the culinary world, a kitchen appliance is your trusty sidekick, simplifying the art of cooking and catering to your unique culinary needs. We understand that curating a collection of kitchen essentials for your first home can be a significant investment.

Start by assembling a list of must-have appliances that align with your cooking habits and lifestyle, and gradually add the remaining items as you go along.

This gives you the opportunity to better understand your cooking process, the ambiance of your kitchen, and your unique style before committing to each appliance. It’s wise to take a more measured approach rather than feeling compelled to buy everything at once.

You will need to identify major and minor kitchen appliances that your kitchen can’t do without. You’ll want to carefully consider your budget, kitchen layout, and the available space for these appliances. These fundamental kitchen appliances can serve multiple roles, offering you flexibility and time to focus on building your collection of cooking utensils and kitchen tools.

Small Kitchen Appliances List

 

1. Rice Cooker

Rice holds a special place in many kitchens as a beloved staple food. For some households, it’s not just an ingredient; it’s the cornerstone and trusted sidekick to every home-cooked meal.

Yet, the stovetop method for making rice can be a bit challenging for some. That’s where the rice cooker comes to the rescue.

With a rice maker, you no longer have to worry about whether the rice will come out mushy or burnt. It streamlines the entire process, making cooking rice a breeze.

As a young adult, I vividly recall my mom saying that even the most determined attempts to mess up rice in a rice cooker would be in vain. The result is consistently fluffy, tender rice that’s neither too dry nor too moist. A rice cooker is an invaluable addition to your kitchen, and well worth the investment.

Buy at Walmart / Buy at amazon

2. Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker

Slow cookers, sometimes called Crockpots or Instant Pots, are extremely versatile small kitchen appliances that can make single-pot meals like stews and soups and even tenderize tough cuts of meat.

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Walmart 

3. Air Fryer

Air fryers have gained popularity in recent years for good reason. What’s amazing about these appliances is their ability to ‘fry’ and cook food with minimal oil, resulting in crispy, delicious dishes that aren’t heavy on calories or fat.

Air fryers use hot air to circulate the food, ensuring even cooking. This method is cleaner and less messy than traditional deep fryers while delivering similar results. Whether you’re into french fries, chicken wings, or nuggets, an air fryer is a smart addition for households that enjoy fried foods in the kitchen.

Buy at amazon

4. Food Processor

Food processors are best for handling dry ingredients and chopping them into smaller bits, like mincing garlic, nuts, and other vegetables and herbs. It is the ultimate kitchen companion for prepping and cooking food.

Buy at Amazon | Buy at Walmart 

5. Blender

A blender is a small kitchen appliance that is meant to pulverize and combine wet and dry or solid ingredients. Blenders are versatile kitchen appliances that can assist in making smoothies, pureed soup, salad dressings, sauce, and even baby food. This immersion blender is a must-have appliance for every kitchen.

Buy at Walmart | Buy at Amazon

6. Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer

Hand Mixers make it easy to stir bread dough, cake batter, and other pastries, combining wet and dry ingredients, like flour and eggs. The style of mixer you choose will greatly depend on your funding and counter space.

Buy at Amazon

7. Toaster or Toaster Oven

Most people love a good toast of bread accompanied with some butter. From bread, bagels, and waffles, there is just something remarkable about the smell and taste of toast.

With its unique design and ability to turn electricity into heat, a toaster is one of the most essential appliances for every household.

When buying a toaster, consider your personal toasting habits, the size of the toaster, the number of slots (2-4 slices), and its overall functions (from defrosting to reheating).

Buy at Walmart | Buy at Amazon

8. Coffee Maker

When it comes to brewing that perfect cup of joe, you’ve got plenty of options – from the simplicity of pour-over methods to the elegance of cappuccino machines, the convenience of Keurig, and the timeless charm of a French press.

Then there’s the dependable drip coffee maker. It all comes down to your daily coffee consumption and personal taste preferences. A coffee maker is the unsung hero of your kitchen, ensuring you and your family enjoy coffee tailored to your liking.

It’s an essential item if you’re a coffee enthusiast, and it doubles as a thoughtful housewarming gift for friends. After all, nothing says ‘welcome to your new home’ quite like the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

Buy Coffee Maker at Walmart

9. Coffee Grinder

A coffee grinder is a handy tool for grinding whole coffee beans. This is especially important when dealing with specialty coffee like Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, as whole beans give you more control over the flavor and freshness, preserving the coffee’s shelf life.

The grinder efficiently transforms the beans into ground coffee, making it an essential for coffee lovers, especially if you have a coffee bar at home.

Buy an Electric Coffee Grinder at Walmart / Buy on Amazon

10. Electric Kettle

If you are a tea lover and want to upgrade from the traditional stovetop kettle, this is a must-have. An electric kettle can make hot water and quickly heat water to any temperature faster than a stove.

Buy Electric Kettle on Amazon 

11. Electric Wine Bottle Opener

Wine lovers understand the need for an electric wine bottle opener. Even the most experienced wine drinker knows how difficult it can sometimes be to uncork a wine bottle. An electric wine bottle opener makes the process much easier and less time-consuming.

Buy on Amazon

12. Ice Cream Maker

Who can resist the charm of homemade ice cream, especially on a scorching summer day? The secret to crafting your dream flavor with your chosen ingredients is an ice cream maker.

While it’s a bit of a kitchen luxury, it brings the joy of creating ice cream to your home. It’s a treat for your taste buds and an excellent choice if you have kids and want to enjoy some delightful food activities at home.

Buy on Amazon

13. Kitchen Scale

A kitchen scale is a practical tool for measuring food ingredients within your kitchen. It plays a crucial role in keeping track of your food portions and ensuring precise cooking.

With a variety of options, ranging from basic mechanical scales to more advanced digital ones, there’s a food scale that suits every kitchen.

Buy Kitchen Scale on Amazon

14. Electric Can Opener

Electric can openers are those handy little gadgets you might not realize you need until you do. They effortlessly simplify the task of opening cans, big or small, making it a less messy affair.

It’s time to say goodbye to the traditional handheld can opener and embrace the efficiency and ease of an electric one.

Buy on Amazon

15. Indoor Electric Grill

There are times when outdoor grilling just isn’t an option, especially during the colder winter months. That’s where an electric grill comes in, broadening your kitchen’s capabilities and delivering that quick, delicious cooking you’d expect from an outdoor grill.

Whether it’s a grilled cheese sandwich, a panini, or a medley of grilled vegetables, an electric grill can handle it all. These grills are usually compact, smoke-free, and a breeze to clean, thanks to their nonstick coating.

Buy on Amazon

16. Juicer

A juicer is a fantastic addition to your kitchen toolkit, enabling you to extract fresh juice from a variety of fruits and vegetables. It’s a surefire way to get the maximum nutritional value from your drinks.

Whether you opt for a centrifugal force juicer, masticating juicer, or triturating juicer, having one in your kitchen is a valuable choice.

Buy on Amazon

17. Waffle Maker

 There’s nothing better than a warm, crisp, golden homemade waffle. Having a good waffle maker can make the waffle-making process effortless.

Buy on Amazon

18. Bread Machine

A bread machine has one primary function, and that is to create bread. This is a very useful and convenient appliance for people who like to make their own bread. A bread machine will knead your dough automatically, making the entire process so much easier.

19. Popcorn Maker

Freshly popped popcorn is just so yummy. This little gadget is an upgrade from the old-fashioned way of putting popcorn in a pot on the stove. With a popcorn maker, you’ll enjoy the delight of popcorn that’s often fresher and more delicious than the prepackaged microwave bags.

Plus, it easily stores away in your snack pantry when unused. So why not treat yourself and bring home a popcorn maker to elevate your next movie night experience?”

Buy on Amazon | Buy on Walmart

 

Other basic kitchen appliances to consider:

• Panini Press / Maker
• Pasta Maker
• Milk frother

Please let me know what you think of this kitchen essentials list below. Follow us on social media – Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for other design inspiration, DIY projects, and home decor ideas.