4 essential kitchen gadgets for under $50

Life revolves around the kitchen. It’s a place where love is measured in dollops of cream, where a sprig of parsley becomes a work of art, and a splash of wine finishes a hearty stew.

Aside from quality ingredients, there’s very little you need to cook great food, but there are plenty of kitchen gadgets that can help out. Most are time-savers, while others let you explore food in new and exciting ways.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on kitchen accessories, either. While the big brands carry big price tags, there’s plenty of affordable gadgets to make cooking fun. To prove it, here’s a list of four essential gadgets you can buy for under $50 each.

1. Oster My Blend

If you’re on a diet, or just fancy jazzing up your protein shake post-workout, this mini blender from Oster is the perfect companion. Its 250W motor will blend ice, fruit, and other healthy ingredients into a delicious smoothie you can enjoy on-the-move.

The BPA-free bottle is the perfect size for a meal-replacement shake, and makes cleaning the My Blend super easy – just pop it in the dishwasher when you’re done. With an overheating prevention mechanism, the only burn you need to worry about is the one cramping up your thighs at BodyPump.

The price and performance of the Oster My Blend make healthy eating a piece of cake (well, not literally).

From: Amazon

2. Presto EverSharp

The Samurai knew the importance of a sharp edge, and would insult their foes by cursing them with blunt, brittle blades. In the kitchen, a keen edge is just as important – without it, you’re just bashing veg into a pulpy mess.

This electric knife sharpener updates the whetstone for the modern era. No longer do you need to “whet” your blade manually, just pop your knife in the slots and Sapphirite sharpening wheels will have your blade as keen as a razor in seconds.

From: Amazon

3. Krups Spice and Coffee Grinder

Coffee beans stay fresh for much longer than ground coffee, retaining that wonderful aroma and flavourful body you love. Oxidation and moisture start degrading coffee the moment you grind, so if you’re going to store coffee, store the beans in an airtight container and only grind when you need to.

This Krups Coffee Grinder is an excellent way to ensure you have a full flavor every time you brew. It’ll even grind seeds like chia or flax, which you can add to your Oster My Blend for an even healthier shake.

From: Amazon

4. Crock-Pot Slow Cooker

The Crock-Pot was one of the first slow cooker brands to hit the market, and boy does it show. This feature-packed device cooks food over a long period of time so you retain more nutrients and flavor.

Slow cooking is absurdly easy and the results are incredible. Throw chicken breasts in with salsa and a diced onion and a few spices and you’ll have mouth-watering, tender chicken tacos in four hours. The magic of a slow cooker is that you don’t have to stir or mix or even touch anything once you throw it in. This Crock-Pot will slowly combine all those flavors into the juiciest, most mind-blowing food you can imagine. It doesn’t heat up your kitchen in the summer and it delivers a reliable comfort food assortment in the dead of winter. Get one and learn how easy incredible cooking can be.

From: Amazon

There are plenty of affordable accessories for your kitchen, from hand blenders to electric whisks, so you’re bound to find something to aid your cooking style. Good luck with your next dish – and don’t forget to taste as you go.

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