Small Kitchen Appliances: The Essentials

You know that feeling when you walk into a kitchen store and suddenly you NEED a bread maker, an electric egg boiler and a hot dog toaster because they are apparently going to change your life? All the shiny new appliances look so tempting. But in reality, those gadgets will probably end up as glorified dust collectors, shoved to the back of the pantry, never to be seen again.

Oh, I’ve been there! But as you know, I am now a big fan of keeping things simple, and of buying fewer but better items. It’s true what they say – less is more. Having more doesn’t automatically make cooking easier. If anything, too many gadgets just create clutter, making it harder to find the ones that actually help. The trick is keeping only the ones that genuinely serve a purpose – the ones that make everyday cooking smoother, not more complicated.

So let’s talk about the small kitchen appliances that actually work for me and those that have actually earned their place in my kitchen. These are my must-haves, the appliances that genuinely make cooking easier, faster and less stressful – without hogging precious counter space.

But, first, one important thing to note: everyone’s must-haves are different. A busy parent (like me) juggling meal-prep, school dropoffs, pickups and homework might rely on a slow-cooker, while someone who meal preps in bulk might swear by a food processor. If you cook rice daily, a rice cooker could be a game-changer. It all depends on what you cook, how you cook, what you can afford, how much space you have, and what appliances will actually makes your life easier, rather than just being flashy kitchen ornaments.

Below is a rundown of the small kitchen appliances that you’ll find in my kitchen to provide inspiration as to what might work for you, and guide you when making decisions about what should stay and go in your home. By sharing what has and hasn’t worked for me, I hope to help you make more intentional choices about the tools in your own kitchen.

There are a lot of appliances out there that claim to “make life easier” and, while I’m sure they do what they promise, no matter how many gadgets we stuff into your kitchen, they won’t magically cook dinner for us (sadly). So what we are looking for are the real game-changers, the tools we actually use – the ones that genuinely save time, effort and stress in the kitchen.

For me, a great appliance needs to do one (or more) of the following:

• Cut down on prep time – Efficiency is king.
• Make weeknight dinners easier – Because no one wants to hover over the stove for hours after a long day.
• Help with batch cooking and meal prep – Because Future Me always appreciates Past Me’s effort.
• Earn its place – If it’s taking up space, it had better be pulling its weight!
• Be easy to use – Simple and straightforward, without a steep learning curve.
• Be easy to clean – Minimal effort required, ideally with dishwasher-safe parts.

If I had to choose one kitchen appliance to save from a burning house, it might be this. (Assuming, of course, my family is already safe, and I have already grabbed my coffee machine.)

This thing does it all – shreds, slices, chops, blitzes and even kneads dough – which means I spend less time wielding a knife and it seriously speeds up the preparation process. An extra-large chute is a game-changer because I can shred a whole cabbage or slice potatoes without playing Tetris. If you love prepping in bulk, this is the MVP.

I have the Breville Kitchen Wizz Pro Food Processor, and it’s great because it has multiple functions: a powerful motor, extra-large chute, and it’s easy to clean – meaning I actually want to use it. It’s a true multitasker that streamlines meal prep.

• Coleslaw – No more hand-grating carrots and cabbage like it’s 1995.
• Pesto and dips – Forget the tiny food chopper, this does it all in one go.
• Pizza dough and pastry – It kneads for me while I sip my coffee.

This is the slow-cooker’s cooler, faster sibling. It does everything a slow-cooker does, but in a fraction of the time – which means no waiting 8 hours for tender meat. Bone broth in under two hours? Yes, please. If you’re someone who forgets to thaw meat but still wants a home-cooked meal, this will save you more times than you can count.

I use the Breville the Fast Slow Go Pressure Cooker, and it’s great because it has multiple cooking modes, a sauté function, and a foolproof safety lock (because no one wants an explosion situation).

In any of my slow-cooker recipes, but in half the time.

● Beef Stew – All the slow-cooked goodness, minus the wait.
● Slow-cooker Chicken Nachos – Fall-apart tender in half the time.
● Slow-cooked Massaman Beef Curry – Warming and indulgent, and ready fast.

Do you need both a slow-cooker and a pressure cooker?
It depends. If you love “set and forget” cooking and want dinner ready after a long day, a slow-cooker is gold. If you’re more of a “last-minute but still want a slow-cooked vibe” type, a pressure cooker is the hero. If you have the space and budget, owning both is handy – but if I had to choose just one, I’d go with the pressure cooker because it has a slow-cook setting as well (plus other functions). It’s incredibly versatile, replacing multiple appliances in my kitchen.

Morning smoothies? Check. Blitzing soups? Check. Turning frozen fruit into instant sorbet and pretending I have my life together? Double check. A good-quality jug blender is a must if you love making sauces, soups, smoothies, and the occasional cheeky cocktail. Mine gets used daily, so it earns its spot.

I use the Russel Hobbs Blender , and it’s great because it’s powerful enough to crush ice, has multiple speed settings, and (most importantly) is easy to clean – because no one wants to deal with post-margarita mop-up. It’s a daily-use appliance that earns its spot.

• Smoothies – The kids love smoothies for breakfast.
• Soups – Velvety, restaurant-level smooth.
• Pancake batter – Yes, you can blitz it in here and make it lump-free.
• Frozen cocktails and mocktails – Because sometimes, a homemade margarita is the answer.

This hand-held blender is perfect for blending soups directly in the pot, making quick sauces, or pretending I’m on a cooking show while emulsifying a vinaigrette or mayonnaise. If you love one-pot cooking, this is your best friend. No pouring hot soup into a blender, no extra dishes – just blend and go.

I use a much older version of the Braun Stick Blender, and it’s great because it has a strong motor, multiple attachments and fits neatly in a drawer – which means no countertop clutter! Its compact size makes it easy to store, ensuring it stays within reach when needed.

• Blitzing soups – No mess, no extra bowls.
• Homemade mayo and vinaigrettes – Fancy, but without the effort.
• Baby food – If you’ve got little ones, this makes life easier.

I’m sharing these, not because I think you shouldn’t own them, but because they’re examples of what I’ve learnt isn’t essential in my kitchen. And that’s the key – recognising that what’s “essential” is different for everyone.These aren’t bad appliances; they just didn’t fit my cooking style, or I own multipurpose products that already do the job of some of these (like my pressure cooker that also slow-cooks). Some I still own but wouldn’t buy again, and others have moved on to a better place.

The trick isn’t buying and keeping appliances around just because we feel like we should have them (because everyone says how great they are!) – it’s about keeping the ones we actually use. Just because an appliance is popular (or even genuinely useful) doesn’t mean it’s worth the space if it spends more time gathering dust than helping you with dinner.

So, before holding on to (or buying) an appliance, ask yourself:

• Do I actually use this, or do I just feel like I should as I might need it one day?
• Is this making cooking easier, or is it just taking up space?
• Would I buy this again today if I didn’t already own it?

Look around your kitchen – what do you actually reach for regularly? Which appliances would you truly miss if they were not there? What’s just sitting there, taking up room and making you feel guilty for not using it? If an appliance makes your life easier, great, keep it. But if it’s just another thing getting in your way, maybe it’s time to let it go.

Unpopular opinion, I know. I absolutely own one. It’s handy, but could I live without it? Yes. It’s great for quick meals (hello, homemade wedges in 15 minutes!), but because I batch cook, I find my oven more practical. If you love crispy food but don’t want to heat up the whole oven, it’s worth considering.

I know some people swear by them. I personally find that the stovetop method is just as quick and means one less appliance to store. But if you eat rice every day and like a “set and forget” approach, this may be an appliance you can’t live without.

I ditched mine because I found that a frying pan makes better, crispier, less squished sandwiches. Bonus: I don’t have to clean melted cheese out of hard-to-reach crevices!

I used to love it, but since my pressure cooker (see above) has a slow-cook function, I find myself using it a lot less. One appliance doing two jobs? That’s a win.

When it comes to kitchen appliances, here’s my rule: If I don’t use it regularly, it’s out. Less clutter = more space. And when I only keep what I actually use, I cook more efficiently. Things are easier to store, the kitchen is less cluttered and, as a result, it’s a more pleasant space to work in.

• Multi-functional appliances win – If it only does one thing and doesn’t get used daily, it’s probably not worth the space.
• If it hasn’t been used in six months, do you need it? – The chances of you suddenly needing it are low.
• Appliances that overlap – A good pan can do what a sandwich press/grill does. A pressure cooker often replaces a slow-cooker. If you have an oven, do you really need an air fryer?

The right appliances are the ones that make cooking easier, not more complicated. When every appliance in your kitchen has a purpose and earns its valuable space, meal prep becomes smoother, cooking feels effortless, and your kitchen stays organised. By being mindful of what we bring into our kitchens, we make better use of the tools we truly need while avoiding unnecessary clutter and we create a space that supports us and our cooking, instead of overwhelming us. It’s all about being mindful and intentional, curating and editing our kitchen tools and appliances, to keep things simple.

Nic x