15 Kitchen Appliances That Save Time and Money

I’ve put together my favorite 15 kitchen appliances that save time and money for all of us. The more we stay out of restaurants and drive-throughs for meals the more money we will save in our grocery budget. There is also something about preparing meals together as a family. I always had “jobs” for each member of the family, do people still do that? I sure hope so. It teaches everyone to work together as a team. Do you assign family members to set the table, clear the table, and put out the napkins? I can’t eat without a napkin in my hand, I was raised that way.

I’ve said this before, I sure wish they taught Home Economics classes for young girls and boys. Anyone can drive to a restaurant or fast food place for meals, but it doesn’t teach skills to our youth. If our kids and grandkids see us cooking or baking they will learn the joy of cooking from scratch. Where you live, do families eat out a lot or cook meals at home?

I’m starting with these 15 kitchen appliances. Please tell me the ones you can’t live without, or at least the ones you love to use every day.

Kitchen Appliances

1. Bosch Bread Maker/Wheat Grinder

If you make bread you can make it in a large bowl or in a bread mixer. I grew up with my mother making bread in this humongous 18-inch stainless steel bowl. She would cover that fabulous bread dough with a wet towel to let it rise. I have fond memories of making bread, dinner rolls, and cinnamon rolls with her.

So when I got married I carried on the tradition of making bread for my family. My daughters now make bread for their families. A few daughters make it more often than their siblings. If you have fresh ingredients, you can make bread. Here is my post on “How To Make My No-Fail Bread”

Here is the stainless steel bowl I used to use before I bought my Bosch Bread Mixer. Stainless Steel Bowl

You can buy a Bosch Bread Mixer at your local Bosch store, or possibly a large box store. My wheat grinder is from Pleasant Hill Grain

2. Good Knives

If you bake bread you must have a really good serrated knife, I mean a really good one. I have a few, but my new one from Costco is called a Cutco bread knife. I usually get my serrated knives sharpened every year in Southern Utah, but the two kitchen stores I used to shop at have closed. Cutco Bread Knife

If you have really good knives that can be sharpened you can prep food, chop food, and slice bread a whole lot easier. I use a smaller serrated knife for my fresh tomatoes. The nice thing about Cutco knives is that they have lifetime sharpening available. You may want to check your local Costco for their roadshows when Cutco sells their knives a little cheaper than online purchases.

3. Kitchen Shears

Do you sometimes need a pair of kitchen scissors or shears? You know so we need a clean pair ready to cut fresh Cilantro, spinach, and other thin vegetables. They usually come dishwasher safe as well. Kitchen Shears. You can pick up a pair at your local shopping centers.

4. Good Cutting Board

Here’s the deal on breadboards, I recommend buying right the first time. You will have it for years if you keep it oiled and clean. I use regular mineral oil to oil my boards. I bought this large oversize board because I love to chop lots of vegetables and slice lots of bread. Large John Boos Cutting Board

5. Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

If you check the sales around Christmas or Mother’s Day sometimes the big box stores have the large 6-quart mixer on sale. I bought the 6-quart because I make large batches of cookies, I never use it for bread. it’s not powerful enough for me. You could make 2 loaves but not much more. Kitchen Aid 6-Quart Stand Mixer.

6. Cast Iron Pans

Cast iron pans are so versatile. You make bread in a cast-iron Dutch oven and biscuits in a cast-iron frying pan. If you like to fry eggs in the morning, that smaller cast iron pan is perfect for the task. I’m starting to think about bacon, what about you? Here is a set that is reasonably priced. Please check a thrift store or garage sales. Lodge Cast Iron Pans They are easy to clean and season.

7. A High Powdered Blender

I have a smoothie every morning so my blender gets a workout. I have had both the Vitamix and the Blendtec, and the Vitamix is my favorite. If you go to Sam’s Club or Costco, ask about their “roadshows”. Here’s the deal, if they have a roadshow or an in-house demonstration, you can typically find the items a whole lot cheaper.

8. Instant Pot/Savor Electric Pressure Cooker

You can fry meat, saute vegetables, steam vegetables, and cook vegetables so quickly. You can use this machine like a slow cooker as well. It’s really a practical kitchen appliance because it can replace your slow cooker, rice cooker and so much more. My favorite pressure cookers are the Savor but the Instant Pot is the rage on social media. I say buy what works for you!

9. Dutch Oven/Soup Pot

Do you love using a Dutch oven? I know I sure do. Do you make bread in yours? Do you make peach cobbler? Oh my gosh, is your mouth watering right now? If you have a Dutch oven, you can cook inside and outside your home. Please buy and store charcoal briquettes without the lighter fuel. It will last indefinitely if stored in airtight containers or buckets.

If you have a soup pot, of course, you can make soup and boil a large pot of pasta. I prefer this size pot for boiling spaghetti. 8-Quart Soup Pot Be sure and check thrift stores to buy them at a discounted price. Garage sales work as well.

10. Can Opener

I almost feel like cheating here. I purchased an electric can opener about a year ago. YES, I still have a dozen hand crank can openers for emergency power outages. Whew, I’m prepared. BUT, my hands need a break, so I bought an electric can opener.

It’s like the one Mark and I got for a wedding present almost 52 years ago. Are they back in style, or as a prepper I just used a hand one??? I bought the Hamilton Beach Electric one. These are my favorite hand can openers, Regular Size Can Opener, and also the one I recommend for #10 cans is a Larger Stronger One.

11. Jar Opener

This is the best kitchen item ever!!! My hands just don’t work like they used to. Mark can open jars for me if he’s around, but that isn’t always the case. If you need to open a jar, here it is: Jar Opener

12. Stainless Steel Strainers

I have my stainless steel strainers hanging on my pot hanger, I use them almost every day. Stainless Steel Strainers. I use them for fruits, vegetables, and boiled eggs, to name a few items.

13. A Good Griddle

I love grilled cheese sandwiches and pancakes cooked on a griddle. I have three griddles, but my favorite one has to be this one: Cast Iron Griddle Please keep an eye open for one at thrift stores.

14. Sink Scrubber/Vegetable Scrubber

I use a scrubber every day, and when I start the dishwasher I throw them in to keep them clean. I use them for pans and vegetables. Sink Scrubber and Vegetable Scrubber

15. Measuring Cups/Measuring Spoons

My favorite ones nestle inside of each other in my kitchen drawer. I have two sets. Yes, I am OCD. I have to have two sets. Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons

Final Word

Thanks for teaching your family to cook from scratch. We need to keep our ancestor’s skills going forward. I really appreciate your thoughts and comments. Tell me about the kitchen appliances you love to use. May God Bless this world, Linda

Copyright pictures:

Kitchen Mixer: AdobeStock_213443889 by Arinaahabich