22 Cool Kitchen Gadgets You Will Actually Use

There’s an archetype depiction of chefs in TV or movies that’s more idealist than realistic. They’re often slightly disheveled, and like to show up unannounced to a tense dinner table to serve their what seems like spontaneously made, yet amazingly tasty stir-fry. The table quarrel stops, and the topic instantly changes to “How did you manage to make this so crunchy?” or “What did you use to cook this?” The chef smiles, and happily answers with a list of kitchen gadgets that made it all easier.

This type of chef knows exactly what they’re doing. They know they can make everyone happy with their craft, but they can’t do it without the help of the best kitchen gadgets. That’s why they stock up on smart must haves—air fryer, sous vide, cast iron skillet, or just a seriously good Japanese knife—to give their meals substance, make them a better cook, and oh, to always have the perfect conversation starter.

As for who is the chef, they could be a wise abuela, a white-haired Michelin star holder, a young social media personality, or even you in real life. And if you’re the chef of your home who can’t live without constant cooking access, then you’ll also be needing the best kitchen gadgets and tools just like the chef you see on screen. Ahead, we’ve got 22 of the coolest kitchen gadgets below—from splurge-worthy appliances to easy accessories—that’ll make every meal you cook worthy of a “how did you do it?” conversation.