Kitchens are for cooking, it’s as simple as that. This is the room within a house that can be filled with pleasant scents or the stink of burned foods. While many people will hope they can accomplish the former, it is tough to do if you are without some of the best cooking appliances and accessories. After all, the right tools can definitely up your cooking game.
If you want to create a kitchen where cooking is an easy task, and the results are just as delicious, then you might benefit from learning the three additional appliances you should purchase. These three products will make cooking simple and efficient – and they might also make it a little more fun, too.
Knife Sharpener
A knife sharpener, or a sharpening stone if preferred, can be considered an essential kitchen appliance if you regularly require sharp knives for food preparation. Maybe you like to chop fresh vegetables for a salad or slice premium cuts of beef – whatever you enjoy cooking; an effective knife is a must.
The importance of a sharp knife goes further than providing perfect slices; it will also ensure you are safe as you cut. It is well-known than a blunt knife requires more pressure to cut through foods, which can result in sloppy cuts and injuries. Although utility knives were the most associated with injuries, cooking and kitchen knives were the second more at 36%, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Thankfully, knife sharpeners can be used to maintain sharp blades, which will provide consistent cutting performance and allow the user to control the knife safely. This will also save you money in the long-run as your knives will be functional for longer than unkept, dull knives.
Cooking Thermometer
Another cooking accessory you would benefit from having is a cooking thermometer. This will ensure food is cooked properly and to the right temperature, which can prevent food poisoning from the bacteria growth in undercooked foods. A cooking thermometer will also help you avoid overcooking meals and delicacies that need absolute precision in timing and temperature, such as caramel.
Using a cooking thermometer is relatively easy, depending on the brand and type of thermometer you’ve selected. For the most part, you should insert the probe into the thickest part of the food and leave it there for a minimum of 15 seconds to allow a stable reading. The temperature provided will help to determine the food’s doneness, and it can be repeated if you want to double-check before serving.
Pressure Cooker
If you often find yourself with less time to cook, then a pressure cooker will be a solid addition to your kitchen. You might have children to deal with, or a demanding job, or maybe cooking isn’t something you enjoy at all, but this device can make it easier to prepare dinner. This appliance works by trapping steam within, allowing the pressure to double that of the normal atmosphere, and the temperature of the liquid insider will increase higher than water’s boiling point.
Not only does it save time, but it also saves energy. In fact, FastCooking.ca found that some pressure cookers could reduce cooking’s energy consumption by roughly 70%. This makes pressure cookers simple to use and cost-effective.
And there you have it! Three additional appliances that should be deemed “must-have” if you want to create the perfect kitchen space for easy and safe cooking.