Whether you’re an aspiring chef or a domestic engineer that enjoys cooking for the rest of your family, here are some must-have utensils and appliances that will help make your kitchen safer and more convenient.
Kitchen Safety & Other Essential Tools
From fatal home fires to knives and cut-related accidents, cooking can quickly become dangerous if you don’t take the necessary safety precautions, or have the essential equipment in place. Here are some things you need to get when you’re furnishing a kitchen for the first time to ensure that you and those around you are protected from some of the most common hazards:
- Proper lighting-Kitchens should be shadow and glare-free zones. Confirm that all food prep and cooking surfaces are evenly illuminated with task lighting. A good strategy is to install LED strip lights under cabinets, or track systems over kitchen islands.
- Fire extinguisher-Make sure it’s accessible and stored away from cooktops and ranges.
- Cut-resistant gloves-Provide an extra layer of protection when you’re slicing, grating, peeling, and dicing food items.
- Thermometers-Consuming undercooked meat is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness. Using a thermometer is the best way to determine when meat is safe to eat.
- Slip-resistant flooring-Safety experts suggest wood or laminate, textured vinyl or a soft-glazed ceramic tile for kitchen applications.
Some other standard kitchen tools include colanders, chef’s knives, kitchen tongs, and roasting sheets.
Smart Kitchen Gadgets
A growing number of homeowners across the U.S. are seeking smart kitchen designs for added safety and convenience. Here are some high-tech kitchen gadgets and their benefits:
- Touchless garbage cans-Opens with voice commands.
- Smart scales-Bluetooth enabled and comes with an app and recipes.
- Smart fridges w/ touchscreens and built-in cameras-View what you’re low on and update your shopping lists away from home.
- Smart coffee makers-Allows you to brew coffee at your preferred temperature and amount.
