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    Home » Guides

    Kitchen Essentials that will make your life easier

    Published: May 27, 2024 · Modified: Jul 9, 2024 by Carmen Spillette · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    I get questions every day on what products I use. Here it is. Kitchen essentials I swear by.

    9 kitchen essential products

    It helps me with my content and my recipe development but most importantly, it helps me be organized to feed my family healthy, nutritious snacks and meals. 

    This post is all about kitchen essentials. Comment if you have any questions.

    our place dream cooker
    hexclad wok
    beast blender
    air fryer
    milo kana
    bakeware kana
    our place 2.0 pan
    carote
    fullstar viral chopper

    Cookware

    Here's the list of my favorite cookware items in my kitchen.

    shrimp fried rice recipe
    hexclad wok
    BUY THE WOK NOW!

    HexClad Wok

    Founded by Gordon Ramsey. This is my favorite wok ever! I use this daily for making stir fries, fried rice, shallow frying and so much more. Owning a wok is a game changer in the kitchen, if you don’t have one, you need one. 

    I love this product. It is my number one used cookware at home. 100% recommend. 

    PROS:

    • Light AF. Most woks are incredibly heavy. They are usually made with cast iron or carbon steel. All of them hurt my wrists except for this wok.
    • No need to season. Most woks require seasoning otherwise food will stick. I could never get my seasoning done right so this was life-changing. Open the package and cook. So easy! 
    • Induction safe! 
    • Tough As Nails. This wok is surprisingly tough and almost indestructible. I use metal tongs and they do not scratch, flake, or peel. 
    • Dishwasher safe but I still handwash it to keep it nonstick and avoid warping it in the dishwasher. 

    CONS: 

    • Very expensive. Because of the quality, it is costly. I am a 100% believer in “you get what you pay for”.
    adobo chicken with our place pan
    our place 2.0 pan
    BUY THE EVERYTHING PAN NOW!

    Our Place Everything Pan 2.0

    I adore this brand. They create the most aesthetically and most functional cookware out there. 

    Everything Pan 2.0 - this pan is gorgeous and can go in the oven which their predecessor couldn’t achieve. I recommend this product because I love non-toxic cookware in my house. It’s gorgeous, it's functional and it does the job. 

    PROS:

    • Functional. I love that you can shallow fry, deep fry, braise, boil, and steam all in one pan. This is my go-to for everyday easy cooking like eggs, pasta dishes, and my favorite steaming dumplings. 
    • OVEN SAFE up to 425 degrees. 
    • Induction safe! 
    • Toxic Free. This pan is free of Teflon, PFAS, and other cancer-causing toxic materials. 
    • Stylish. This is so beautiful, that I leave it out on my stove as part of my decor. 
    • Dishwasher safe but I recommend hand washing to keep the enamel ceramic coating nonstick longer. 
    • Woman-owned, AAPI Business. 

    CONS:

    • Expensive. 
    • The nonstick ceramic coating doesn't last long. Hence the reason I don’t put it in the dishwasher. 
    • Not suitable for high heat or searing. 
    • The inside doesn’t stain but the outside stains from the heat. 
    milo pan curry
    milo kana
    BUY MILO SET NOW!

    Milo by KANA

    This brand is one of the best and so underrated. They are a sustainability-driven company from Canada. They create toxic-free and durable products that are made to last. 

    Having a dutch oven set is essential. The cast iron pan is my go-to when I want to sear a steak, fish, or chicken. The dutch oven is for making stews, baking bread and so much more. 

    PROS:

    • Made from 40% recycled iron! 
    • Enameled so you do not have to season it. Naturally non-stick. 
    • Versatile. Induction safe. From stove to oven to table. 
    • Durable. With proper care, this can last generations. 
    • Stylish. They have so many beautiful colors to choose from. 
    • Reasonably priced if you buy the 5-piece set. 

    CONS:

    • The white enamel lining sometimes stains. You have to do some major scrubbing if you want to keep it white.
    • Like most cast iron pans, they are very heavy.
    carote pan
    carote
    BUY CAROTE SET NOW!

    Carote 

    This is the most used pans in my house for making sauces, boiling water for pasta, and frying my eggs in the morning. I use these pans every day and they are good and toxic-free. 

    PROS:

    • They are affordable and stylish!
    • Truly nonstick. I make an omelette everyday and they have never given me any issues. 
    • They are free from PFOS and PFOA, which is safer and healthier for you. 
    • Induction safe. You can use them in all stoves. 

    CONS:

    • Not dishwasher safe. However, it is very easy to clean. 
    • Not oven-safe. 

    Appliances

    air fryer lamb
    air fryer
    BUY THE AIR FRYER NOW!

    Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer 

    This is by far my favorite appliance in my kitchen. I use it daily. I have over 100 air fryer recipes. If you don’t have one yet, BUY 1 now! 

    PROS:

    • Love the window so you can see what you’re cooking. 
    • Both the basket and plate are dishwasher-safe
    • It roasts vegetables in 8 minutes! 
    • Fast, efficient, and keeps the food crispy on the outside and moist inside. 

    CONS:

    • It needs the air filters replaced. 
    • The air filter needs to be replaced every month depending on usage. 
    • Takes up a lot of counterspace and dishwasher space. 
    pulled pork dream cooker
    our place dream cooker
    BUY THE DREAM COOKER NOW!

    Our Place Dream Cooker (Pressure Cooker) 

    This is such a game-changer appliance in my kitchen. I love using it for meal prep. Using it for my stews or roasts.

    The advantages of cooking with a pressure cooker are endless. 

    • Quicker than traditional methods. Saves time. 
    • Retains nutrients more.
    • Easy clean up. 
    • Safe to use. 

    PROS:

    • You can saute, slow cook, pressure cook, and warm your food. 
    • Advanced built-in safety features
    • Automatic hands free steam release 
    • Touch screen controls 
    • Stylish design 

    CONS:

    • The nonstick coating was not hot enough to sear the meat before braising. 
    • The nonstick coating would be a problem long term. 
    maui beef
    beast blender
    BUY THE BLENDER NOW!

    Beast Blender 

    This blender is 10/10. It is a high-quality blender that looks amazing on your countertop compared to other high-end blenders like the Vitamix, Ninja, or Nutribullet. 

    PROS: 

    • Beautiful design with 3 other colors to match any aesthetic. 
    • Comes with many accessories. Extra blending containers in different sizes. I love the on-the-go smoothie and straw attachments and many lids for storage. 
    • Makes the best smoothies, sauces, and marinades.
    • Dishwasher safe.

    CONS:

    • Only has one blended button and program
    • Cannot do big batches. 
    • Blade can be tricky to clean. 

    Miscellaneous 

    fullstar viral chopper
    BUY THE CHOPPER NOW!

    Viral Vegetable Chopper 

    This is the most used gadget in my kitchen. Trust me on this one. With over 32,000 reviews on Amazon, this is a must-have in the kitchen. 

    PROS:

    • Functional. Mandoline, slicer, food chopper, and cheese grater. 
    • Over 32,400 5-star reviews on Amazon. 
    • Very sharp. Be very careful when cleaning. 

    CONS:

    • Can be annoying to clean. 
    • Super sharp so hard to clean when food gets stuck
    kana bakeware
    bakeware kana
    BUY THE BAKEWARE SET NOW!

    Stainless Steel Bakeware Set by KANA

    I am in love with this stainless steel set. It is the highest quality I have ever used. I use it not only for baking or roasting but as a griddle for the BBQ or stove. 

    PROS: 

    • Made with tri-ply clad 304 stainless steel. Best in class.
    • Heat resistant up to 538 degrees celsius.
    • Nontoxic. 
    • Gorgeous. You go from BBQ, stove, or oven straight to the table. It is functional and aesthetically pleasing. 
    • Can use it as a griddle or a flat cooker.
    • Easy to clean. Dishwasher safe. 
    • Zero plastic in packaging.

    CONS: 

    • Very new product, not many reviews online. I am reviewing it now. Go buy it! They’re amazing. 

    Recipes you need to try!

    Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice - I used the wok for this recipe.

    Korean Fried Chicken Air Fryer - I used the air fryer.

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    More Guides

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    9 kitchen essentials