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.

• Massive time-saver – Speeds up chopping, slicing, shredding and dough-making.
• Extra-large chute – Fits whole potatoes, chunks of cabbage and other bulky veggies without pre-cutting.
• Versatile – Comes with multiple attachments to blitz dips, knead dough and grate cheese.
• Easy to clean – The parts rinse off easily or go in the dishwasher.
• Great for batch prep – Makes light work of big jobs like coleslaw, soup bases or lasagne fillings.

• Takes up space – It’s not small, so you’ll need a decent-sized cupboard or bench spot.
• Lots of parts – Blades, discs, attachments ... it’s not a “quick pull out and use” kind of thing.
• Not ideal for tiny jobs – If you’re just chopping one onion, it’s probably faster with a knife.
• Steeper price tag – A good food processor is an investment, but for me it’s been worth every cent.

• 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. Bone broth in under 2 hours? Yes, please. Tender beef stew that tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but is actually ready in less than one? Absolutely.

But let’s keep it real: pressure cookers can feel a bit intimidating if you haven’t used one before. The whole “release the pressure” part sounds dramatic – but modern models (like the one I use) make it super straightforward. No scary hissing, no need to stand back with oven mitts on. Just press a button and the steam releases in a safe, controlled way. I promise it’s less intense than it sounds.

I use the Breville the Fast Slow Go Pressure Cooker, which has multiple cooking modes, a saute function and a foolproof safety lock. It’s versatile, compact and it’s replaced quite a few other single-use appliances in my kitchen.

• Faster than a slow-cooker – Get that “been-cooking-all-day” flavour in a fraction of the time.
• Stainless steel inner bowl – Durable, non-toxic, dishwasher-safe and won’t flake like non-stick can.
• Multi-functional – You can saute, pressure cook, slow-cook, steam and more with just the one appliance.
• Great for “I forgot to thaw the meat” situations – You can cook straight from frozen (with a little extra time).
• Compact – Replaces your slow-cooker and rice cooker in one tidy unit.

• Takes time to preheat – Usually 10–15 minutes before it starts counting down the cook time.
• Takes time to release pressure – Another 10–15 minutes at the end, depending on the recipe.
• Saute function isn’t super hot – It works, but you’ll notice it loses heat quickly, so browning can be slower than in a pan.
• There’s a learning curve at first – The first time using one can feel overwhelming, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a total game-changer.

I use it in place of my slow-cooker for almost everything – it just gets dinner done faster.

• 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.

Suggesting that an air fryer isn’t essential might be an unpopular opinion, I know. I do own one (I’ve got the Ninja Foodi Max XXXL Dual Zone Air Fryer), and yes 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.

• Capacity – Bigger isn’t always better, but if you’re cooking for more than two people, aim for at least a 5 litre (quart) basket or a dual-drawer model so you’re not cooking in batches all night.
• Dual zones or drawers – These let you cook two things at once at different temperatures and times (e.g. chicken in one, fries in the other – dinner done).
• Ease of cleaning – Check if the basket and trays are dishwasher-safe or easy to rinse – otherwise you’ll be scrubbing oil splatters out of mesh grids and cursing life.
• Bench space – These things are bulky. Make sure you’ve got somewhere to store it if you’re not leaving it out all the time.

If you mostly cook for one or two people, or want something fast, crispy and lower-effort than oven roasting, an air fryer is genuinely useful. But if you batch cook like I do, or already have a solid oven routine, it’s not necessarily life-changing.

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. (I’ve currently got the Russell Hobbs Slow Cooker and Sous Vide.) One appliance doing two jobs? That’s a win.

But if you’re in the market for a slow-cooker, here are a few things that are important to have:

• Size matters – A 6 litre (quart) capacity is a great all-rounder for family meals and batch cooking. I personally wouldn’t go any smaller than this.
• Removable ceramic bowl – Much easier to clean (and ideally dishwasher-safe).
• Glass lid – So you can peek without lifting and letting all the heat escape.
• Warm setting – Essential if you want to set and forget but keep dinner ready and hot for later.

If you love the idea of throwing ingredients in before work and coming home to dinner done, it might be worth holding on to or investing in one. But if you already have a pressure cooker with a slow-cook function? You might not need both.

I had one years ago during what I call my “making baby food era” – and back then it was brilliant. I could steam the veggies and blitz them all in one unit, which made feeding a hungry baby with one hand, while holding them with the other, slightly more manageable.

But outside of that phase, I didn’t love it. I found it a bit hit-and-miss for chopping – things were either too chunky or completely pureed, and I could never quite get the “just right” middle ground. And when it came to cooking, I found that it stewed and sweated ingredients rather than caramelising or browning anything properly. It’s not going to give you that beautiful sear or golden crust like the stovetop or oven does.

For me, it ended up being an expensive blender – so I sold it and never looked back.
That said, they’ve evolved a lot, and I know plenty of people who absolutely love theirs. It just depends on how you like to cook. If you’re someone who prefers everything in one machine and loves the automation, it might be a perfect fit. But if you enjoy hands-on cooking with a bit of browning, stirring and tasting as you go, it might not be your dream appliance.

I don’t actually own one – and for now, I don’t feel like I’m missing out. Don’t get me wrong, they’re beautiful (who hasn’t admired a shiny KitchenAid on someone’s bench?), but for the way I cook and bake, I just haven’t found it essential.

If you’re a keen baker who’s regularly whipping egg whites, kneading bread dough or making batches of cookies every other day, then yes, a stand mixer can be an absolute game-changer. But if you’re only baking occasionally, a good handheld mixer or even the dough function on a food processor can usually do the trick.

• I don’t bake enough to justify the bench or storage space.
• My food processor kneads dough when I need it to.
• A hand mixer covers the occasional cake or whipped cream moment.
• They’re expensive – and for me, not essential.

However, if baking is your thing and you love the idea of hands-free mixing, it might be totally worth it for you. Like everything else on this list, it just depends on how you cook (and how often you want to make meringue).

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