7 Must-Have Small Appliances for a Well-Equipped Kitchen in 2023

A well-equipped kitchen is essential for anyone who loves to cook. Having the right tools can make all the difference when preparing meals, especially if you have limited space. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at seven must-have small appliances that can help you become a master chef in your own home.

Who Needs These Small Appliances?

Anyone who loves to cook or wants to improve their cooking skills should consider investing in these small appliances. They are perfect for people who have small kitchens or limited counter space but still want to cook like a pro.

What Are the 7 Must-Have Small Appliances?

1. Instant Pot
2. Air Fryer
3. Stand Mixer
4. Blender
5. Food Processor
6. Toaster Oven
7. Sous Vide Machine

When to Use Each Appliance

Each of these appliances has its own unique uses and benefits. Here’s a breakdown of when to use each one:

Instant Pot

• Cooking dried beans and legumes quickly
• Making soups and stews in a fraction of the time
• Cooking rice and other grains perfectly every time
• Making yogurt from scratch

Air Fryer

• Cooking crispy fried foods without the need for oil
• Reheating leftovers and making them crispy again
• Cooking frozen foods quickly and evenly

Stand Mixer

• Mixing and kneading dough for bread and pizza crusts
• Whipping cream and egg whites to perfection
• Making homemade pasta and sausage

Blender

• Making smoothies, shakes, and juices
• Pureeing soups and sauces
• Grinding nuts and seeds into nut butter

Food Processor

• Chopping vegetables and fruits quickly and evenly
• Shredding cheese and slicing meats
• Making homemade pesto, hummus, and mayonnaise

Toaster Oven

• Toasting bread, bagels, and English muffins
• Cooking small meals and snacks without heating up a large oven
• Reheating leftovers quickly and evenly

Sous Vide Machine

• Cooking meats and fish to the perfect temperature every time
• Infusing flavors into food through vacuum-sealed bags
• Cooking vegetables perfectly without overcooking them

How to Use Each Appliance

Each appliance has its own unique features and functions. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use each one:

Instant Pot

1. Choose your desired cooking mode (pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, etc.).
2. Add your ingredients and liquid.
3. Close the lid and set the timer.
4. Release pressure manually or let it release naturally.

Air Fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer.
2. Add your food to the air fryer basket.
3. Set the temperature and timer.
4. Shake the basket halfway through cooking.

Stand Mixer

1. Assemble the mixer with the appropriate attachment.
2. Add your ingredients to the mixing bowl.
3. Turn on the mixer and gradually increase the speed.
4. Stop the mixer when your mixture is fully mixed.

Blender

1. Add your ingredients to the blender jar.
2. Secure the lid and make sure it’s tight.
3. Select your desired blending speed and blend until smooth.
4. Pour your blended mixture into a glass or container.

Food Processor

1. Assemble the food processor with the appropriate blade or disc.
2. Add your ingredients to the food processor bowl.
3. Lock the lid in place and turn on the machine.
4. Stop the machine once your ingredients are chopped or sliced to your desired consistency.

Toaster Oven

1. Preheat the toaster oven.
2. Add your food to the toaster oven rack or tray.
3. Set the temperature and timer.
4. Remove your food once it’s done cooking.

Sous Vide Machine

1. Season and vacuum-seal your food in a bag.
2. Preheat your sous vide machine to the desired temperature.
3. Place your sealed bag in the water bath.
4. Cook your food for the desired amount of time.

Pros and Cons of Each Appliance

Each appliance has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a list of pros and cons for each one:

Instant Pot

Pros:

• Saves time and energy
• Can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more
• Creates tender and flavorful meals

Cons:

• Can be intimidating for beginners
• Not great for browning or crisping meat

Air Fryer

Pros:

• Healthier alternative to deep-frying
• Cooks frozen foods quickly and easily
• Easy to clean up

Cons:

• Can be noisy
• Limited capacity for larger items
• May not cook food as evenly as a traditional oven

Stand MixerPros:

• Saves time and energy compared to mixing by hand
• Can handle tough doughs and mixtures easily
• Comes with various attachments for different tasks

Cons:

• Can be bulky and take up counter space
• Expensive compared to other appliances
• May not be necessary if you don’t bake often

Blender

Pros:

• Creates smooth and consistent blends
• Can handle a variety of ingredients, including ice and nuts
• Easy to use and clean

Cons:

• Limited capacity for large batches
• May not be as powerful as a food processor for certain tasks
• Can be loud and noisy

Food Processor

Pros:

• Chops and slices quickly and evenly
• Can handle tough ingredients like nuts and seeds
• Comes with various blades and discs for different tasks

Cons:

• Can be bulky and take up counter space
• Not great for liquids or purees
• May not be necessary if you don’t cook often

Toaster Oven

Pros:

• Saves energy compared to a traditional oven
• Can cook small meals and snacks quickly
• Compact and easy to store

Cons:

• Limited capacity for larger items
• May not cook food as evenly as a traditional oven
• Doesn’t offer the same range of cooking options as other appliances

Sous Vide Machine

Pros:

• Cooks food to the perfect temperature every time
• Retains moisture and flavor in food
• Easy to use with precise temperature control

Cons:

• Requires special vacuum-sealed bags
• Takes longer to cook than other methods
• May not be necessary if you’re not a serious home cook

Alternatives to These Small Appliances

If these small appliances aren’t for you, there are some alternative tools that can help you achieve similar results:

• Rice Cooker: If you don’t need the multi-functionality of an Instant Pot, a simple rice cooker can cook rice perfectly every time.
• Convection Oven: A convection oven is a larger appliance that can handle many of the same tasks as a toaster oven, but with more capacity and cooking options.
• Hand Mixer: If you don’t want to invest in a stand mixer, a hand mixer can still help you mix doughs and batters quickly and easily.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Well-Equipped Kitchen

1. Start with the essentials:
   • Chef’s knife
   • Cutting board
   • Mixing bowls
   • Measuring cups/spoons
   • Pots and pans
2. Add small appliances:
   • Instant Pot
   • Air Fryer
   • Stand Mixer
   • Blender
   • Food Processor
   • Toaster Oven
   • Sous Vide Machine
3. Consider your personal needs and preferences:
   • Do you cook a lot of rice or other grains? Consider a rice cooker.
   • Do you bake often? Invest in a good quality oven.
   • Do you entertain often? Consider a larger capacity appliance for bigger batches.
4. Organize your kitchen:
   • Keep frequently used items within easy reach.
   • Store appliances based on how often you use them.
   • Declutter regularly to keep your kitchen functional and efficient.

Comparison of Small Appliances

Here’s a comparison chart of the seven must-have small appliances:

Appliance	Capacity	Cooking Functions	Price Range
Instant Pot	3-8 quarts	Pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, yogurt making, sautéing, steaming, warming	$50-$150
Air Fryer	2-6 quarts	Frying, grilling, baking, roasting, reheating	$50-$200
Stand Mixer	4-7 quarts	Mixing, kneading, whipping, pasta making, meat grinding	$100-$500
Blender	1-2 quarts	Blending, pureeing, grinding	$30-$300
Food Processor	7-14 cups	Chopping, slicing, shredding, mixing, pureeing	$50-$300
Toaster Oven	4-6 slices of bread or small meals	Toasting, baking, broiling, reheating	$50-$150
Sous Vide Machine	Varies by model	Cooking sous vide	$50-$400

Tips for Using Small Appliances

• Read the instructions carefully before using any appliance.
• Use the appropriate attachments or blades for each task.
• Don’t overload the appliance beyond its capacity.
• Clean the appliance thoroughly after each use.
• Store the appliance in a dry and accessible location.

The Best Small Appliance Overall

If you can only choose one small appliance to invest in, we recommend the Instant Pot. It’s versatile, affordable, and can replace multiple kitchen appliances, making it a great value. With its pressure cooking function, it can cook meals in a fraction of the time without sacrificing flavor or texture. Plus, it can also be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more.

FAQs

1. Is it worth investing in small appliances for a small kitchen?

Yes! Small appliances can help you save space and make cooking easier and more efficient, even if you have a small kitchen.

2. Can I use these small appliances for baking?

Yes, many of these small appliances, like the stand mixer and toaster oven, are great for baking. Just make sure to use the appropriate attachments and follow the instructions carefully.

3. Are these small appliances easy to clean?

Yes, most of these small appliances come with removable parts that are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

4. Do I need all seven of these small appliances?

No, you can pick and choose which ones work best for your needs and preferences. However, having a few key small appliances can make a big difference in your cooking experience.

5. Which appliance is best for meal prep?

The food processor is great for chopping vegetables and fruits quickly and evenly, making it perfect for meal prep.

Conclusion

Investing in small appliances can take your cooking game to the next level, even if you have limited space. The Instant Pot, air fryer, stand mixer, blender, food processor, toaster oven, and sous vide machine are all must-have appliances that can help you create delicious and healthy meals at home. By following our step-by-step guide and tips, you can build a well-equipped kitchen that makes cooking fun and easy.