What small appliances should a kitchen have?

The small appliances a kitchen should have largely depend on the cooking and dietary preferences of the household, as well as the available space and budget (I'm marking my favorites below). However, some basic small appliances that many people find useful include:

  1. Toaster/Toaster Oven: For toasting bread, bagels, and sometimes for reheating small portions of food or baking small items without firing up the large oven.  ***My Favorite***

  2. Microwave Oven: Useful for quickly reheating leftovers, defrosting foods, or making quick meals.  ***My Favorite***

  3. Electric Kettle: For quickly boiling water for tea, coffee, or cooking purposes.

  4. Blender: For making smoothies, pureeing soups, or blending ingredients.  ***My Favorite***

  5. Coffee Maker: Whether it's a drip coffee machine, a French press, or an espresso machine, many households consider this essential.

  6. Food Processor: For chopping, slicing, and shredding ingredients. Some also come with attachments for dough kneading.

  7. Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For baking needs, whipping cream, or kneading dough.  ***My Favorite***

  8. Slow Cooker/Crock Pot: For making stews, soups, and other slow-cooked dishes.  ***My Favorite***

  9. Electric Grill or Sandwich Press: Useful for making grilled sandwiches, paninis, and sometimes for grilling vegetables or meats.

  10. Rice Cooker: For perfectly cooked rice every time. Some advanced models can also steam vegetables and cook other grains.

  11. Electric Steamer: For steaming vegetables, fish, and poultry.

  12. Immersion Blender/Hand Blender: Useful for blending soups directly in the pot or making single-serve smoothies.

  13. Electric Can Opener: Makes opening canned goods much easier.

  14. Electric Spice Grinder: Useful for grinding whole spices or coffee beans.

  15. Ice Cream Maker: For those who love homemade ice cream.

  16. Juicer: For making fresh fruit and vegetable juices.

  17. Soda Maker: For making carbonated beverages at home.

  18. Air Fryer: Allows for a crispy finish on foods using minimal oil.

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When considering which appliances to purchase for your kitchen, it's essential to assess your personal cooking habits, preferences, and the space available. If you seldom bake, for example, a stand mixer may not be a high priority. Similarly, if you don't drink coffee, a coffee maker might be unnecessary.

Moreover, many modern appliances come with multi-functional capabilities, allowing you to save space and money. For example, some blenders can also work as food processors, and some microwave ovens come with a convection feature that allows for baking.