Kitchen gadgets and accessories to elevate your cooking while in quarantine

If you're like many of us, you're spending quite a bit of time in the kitchen these days. It's surprising how often breakfast, lunch, and dinner come around—and then they're here again. There's no more munching in the office breakroom, and all your meals and snacks are up to you. If you're realizing that you need to up your kitchen game, now's the time to do it. With these gadgets, nothing can stop you.

Breville Pizzaiolo Smart Countertop Pizza Oven on a Kitchentop

Your knives are dull, and your tomato sauce is splattering all over your backsplash. Sure, that’s what it’s there for, but it takes a lot of time to clean up. Quarantine is tough enough—you don’t need to pile more on your plate. Rather than getting frustrated while you’re cooking and baking, add some of these kitchen gadgets and accessories to your arsenal.

Thanks to the creativity of others, there are so many great cooking gadgets that we can benefit from. Mince garlic with ease or strain and serve with a single spoon. If you’re new to spending a lot of time in the kitchen, these unique cooking tools are probably ones you haven’t seen before. Whether you’re baking a cake for your birthday—we’re sorry you can’t see your friends and family—or venturing into grinding-your-own-spices territory, we have a list of the best kitchen tools for you.

Essential kitchen gadgets

Yes, we talk about cooking a lot. That’s because we love it, and we know a lot of you do, too. Last year, we told you about unique gadgets that will help you master recipes. And then we rounded up a list of the most useful kitchen gadgets from 2019.

When 2020 came around, we thought you might want to know about automating your cooking to make this year your most efficient yet. But, well, 2020 took a different turn than we expected, so we thought you might want to cook faster in quarantine. Because some people now have working from home and homeschooling and cleaning and more to manage all at once. Just a couple weeks ago, as we all started getting used to (or hating) being at home, we showed you some of the cool smart kitchen accessories that will change up your cooking.

But now we’re highlighting the little stuff. The fun cooking accessories that may not be total necessities but will definitely add joy and ease to your kitchen routine.

Necessary (and fun!) kitchen accessories

We’ve never highlighted these products on a blog before, and we think they’re ones you’re sure to love.

OTOTO BLADE Rhino Knife Sharpener

Everyone needs some fun kitchen gadgets, and the OTOTO BLADE Rhino Knife Sharpener is a useful one. With its non-slip base, this helpful tool is not only easy to use but also safe. If you have wet hands after prepping vegetables, you don’t have to worry about slicing your finger on accident. Available in Green and Charcoal color options, the BLADE knife sharpener is a cute little rhinoceros.

Frywall Splatter Cone

Thanks to the Frywall Splatter Cone, you won’t be burned by splashing oil ever again. And you can say goodbye to pasta stains on your favorite shirt while you cook. Available in eight-, 10-, and 12-inch sizes, this silicone splatter screen fits a variety of pots and pans. Plus, this splatter shield comes in red, black, green, and orange colors. When you’re warming up pasta sauce, this will protect you from the bubbles.

RIG TIG DROP Compact Colander

If you have a humble living space, the RIG TIG DROP Compact Colander might help you replace a few kitchen items. This multiuse colander is great for washing leafy greens or berries, and it also works as a strainer for pasta and other items. Furthermore, this kitchen colander might even take the place of your salad spinner. Turn on your faucet and stream water into the handle to wash your food. The water will drain through the colander—and, voilà! You’re ready to eat.

Dreamfarm Holey Spadle Dual Spoon Ladle

Cooking is great, but dirty dishes aren’t. By using the Dreamfarm Holey Spadle Dual Spoon Ladle, you will be able to keep most of your other kitchen utensils clean. This handy product acts as a slotted serving spoon that strains whatever you’re cooking. This kitchen spoon is ideal for dishing up noodles, grabbing loose vegetables, and more. Plus, this kitchen ladle even has a bend in the handle so you have a built-in spoon rest. Not only will you keep your other kitchen utensils clean, but you’ll also avoid dirtying up your counter.

Dreamfarm Levoons Scrape Level Measuring Spoons

Because they have a built-in scraper on top, the Dreamfarm Levoons Scrape Level Measuring Spoons make sure you get the exact right measurements. You just move the lever to scrape the excess off the top. On top of that, it’ll help you keep your hands clean. With all that flour, sugar, and oil, baking can be a messy process. Rather than scraping off the top with your hand, the Levoons do it for you. You still get all the fun and reward of baking without the unnecessary mess.

Dreamfarm Smood Potato Masher and Scraper

The Dreamfarm Smood Potato Masher and Scraper is a kitchen accessory that will make your life easier. This potato masher easily fits over a boiled potato, and then you simply push down to completely squish it. You’ll be able to make the smoothest mashed potatoes and delicious guacamole in seconds. Plus, it has a silicone scraper attached. This means you can scrape your bowl clean with the same utensil. Furthermore, if you like to make your child homemade baby food, this kitchen gadget will mash it up to perfection.

Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press Scrape Eject

Easily press garlic without getting your hands dirty with the Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press Scrape Eject. This kitchen accessory presses unpeeled garlic, scrapes itself clean, and ejects the peel. Eliminating stinky hands, this garlic press scrape is powerful and easy to use. In fact, the Garlic Press Scrape Eject can press multiple cloves of garlic at a time, without you peeling them first. Afterward, you can just push the peel eject button to get the garlic peel out.

A hand is using the Dreamfarm Garject Garlic Press Scrape Eject.

Lucky Mouse Rice Container and Scoop

You don’t normally want mice in the kitchen. But, in the case of the Lucky Mouse Rice Container and Scoop, you do. This adorable little mousy friend doubles as a scoop for rice. The smaller container holds 3.5 liters, and the larger size holds seven liters. A super convenient feature is that the Lucky Mouse scoop holds exactly a cup so you don’t have to dirty another kitchen gadget. Totally food safe, they stack easily for better storage in your kitchen or pantry.

JIA Inc. Rolling Wheel Mortar

Freshly ground spices add a certain je ne sais quoi to recipes. With the JIA Inc. Rolling Wheel Mortar, you can easily grind seeds, herbs, and spices in your home. This wood pestle has a unique circular design, giving you a better grip as you roll it across the fresh ingredients. And the porcelain base won’t retain different flavors once it’s washed so it’s ideal for use over and over again. Practice mindfulness as you roll the pestle back and forth, crushing your wonderfully smelling ingredients. Reminiscent of an ancient Chinese tea mill, this kitchen tool brings up nostalgia.

Do any of these cool kitchen accessories pique your interest? We love that little mouse scoop. Let us know which ones you want to add to your kitchen setup!