You can make cooking easier, faster and more enjoyable by choosing the right cooking tools. The small investments you make in ergonomics, sharpening and prep can pay off in better-tasting meals, less time at the sink and reduced strain on your hands. Whether you want smoother mashed potatoes, sharper knives, quicker veg prep or easier jar opening, the right gadget will help you cook more confidently and consistently.
This guide highlights affordable, practical picks that improve everyday tasks and accessibility in the kitchen. Each selection focuses on real usability so you get tangible benefits: less effort, cleaner results and more time to experiment with recipes.
How We Chose These Cooking Tools
We prioritised tools that deliver clear, repeatable benefits in routine cooking tasks. Ease of use and ergonomics were key so that you spend less energy on fiddly operations and more on flavour.
We also considered performance and build quality to ensure items last and produce reliable results, plus how easy they are to clean and store so they fit into your kitchen routine. Customer ratings and real-world feedback were used to check consistency, and value for money helped us balance features with price so you can choose tools that make a noticeable difference without overspending.
Otstar Jar Opener
This little tool is one of those cooking tools you’ll reach for more than you expect. It sits comfortably in your hand and uses a grippy rubber surface to get a better hold on stubborn lids, bottle tops and ring pulls.
For everyday cooking it’s great when you need to open a jar of sauce or a bottle of dressing without wrestling with the lid, and for special occasions it keeps you part of the action when you’re prepping large batches or serving guests. It’s lightweight, easy to store and straightforward to use, so if you want a no‑fuss way to avoid sore wrists and keep cooking more enjoyable, this is worth trying.
Use Cases
|
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
|
Stiff jam or sauce jars |
You get extra leverage and a non‑slip surface so lids turn with less wrist torque and less twisting effort. |
|
Limited hand strength or arthritis |
The rubber grip spreads the force and reduces painful pinching, letting you open containers more independently. |
|
Busy prep for guests |
When you’re opening multiple jars during batch cooking, it speeds the job and keeps your hands fresher for longer. |
|
Slippery or wet hands |
The textured material holds onto lids better than bare fingers, so you don’t need to dry hands or towel off constantly. |
Ease Of Use
|
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
|
Grip and hold |
Easy |
|
Adapting to different lid sizes |
Easy |
|
Initial stiffness on new item |
Moderate |
|
Cleaning and storage |
Easy |
Practicality
Compact and fuss‑free, this opener is a practical addition to your set of cooking tools. It handles a range of lids, is durable enough for regular use and takes up little space, making it handy for everyday cooking and occasional heavy prep.
Key Benefits
- Improves grip on jars, bottles and ring‑pulls
- Designed for weak or arthritic hands to reduce strain
- Lightweight and easy to store in a drawer
- No power or batteries required
Rating: 4.4 (total: 14,339+)
Pietuley Rolling Sharpener
If you want sharper knives without wrestling with stones or guessing angles, this is one of those cooking tools that makes upkeep simple. You attach the blade to the angled magnetic guide and roll the sharpening stone across each side, which helps you re‑edge knives quickly and consistently.
It works well for everyday chef’s knives and smaller utility blades, making meal prep smoother and safer. For a big dinner you can freshen up several knives in a short time, and for daily use it keeps your blades cutting cleanly so you chop with less effort. It has a pleasant wood finish that sits neatly on the counter and feels reassuringly solid in use, though very curved or heavily damaged edges may still need professional attention.
Use Cases
|
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
|
Dull chef’s knife slowing prep |
You can quickly sharpen both sides to restore slicing performance so chopping and dicing feel effortless again. |
|
Preparing for a dinner party |
A few passes on each blade bring knives back to near‑ready condition, letting you work faster when you have lots to prepare. |
|
Avoiding costly professional sharpening |
You get a reliable at‑home option that maintains edges between professional sessions, stretching the life and usefulness of your knives. |
|
Beginner wanting safe tools |
The magnetic guide removes the guesswork on angles, so you spend less time worrying about damaging blades and more time using them. |
Ease Of Use
|
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
|
Setting the blade in the guide |
Easy |
|
Rolling the sharpening stone |
Easy |
|
Working curved or irregular blades |
Moderate |
|
Cleaning residue from sharpening |
Moderate |
Practicality
This sharpener is a useful addition to your cooking tools for routine maintenance. It saves time, takes up little space and is suitable for most household knives, though it’s best used for upkeep rather than restoring badly nicked blades.
Key Benefits
- Makes sharpening approachable with a guided angle
- Restores cutting performance for everyday kitchen knives
- Rolling action is quick for maintaining multiple blades
- Compact design that stores easily on a counter or drawer
Rating: 4.3 (total: 1,152+)
fullstar Vegetable Chopper
This is one of those cooking tools that makes veg prep feel less like a chore. It handles onions, peppers and carrots quickly, and the container catches everything so you can measure or transfer straight to a pan. For everyday use it speeds up salads, stir‑fries and batch cooking, and for weekend dinners or gatherings it keeps you efficient when you need lots of even cuts. You will find the main chopping blades most useful while some accessories see less frequent use.
It’s a handy way to cut prep time, provided you don’t overload the blades and take a little care when cleaning the sharper parts.
Use Cases
|
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
|
Preparing weekday meals quickly |
You can chop several vegetables in a few presses, reducing time at the counter so dinner comes together faster. |
|
Batch cooking for freezes or meal plans |
Consistent cuts speed up cooking times and portioning, making bulk recipes less fiddly. |
|
Limited knife confidence |
The chopper gives even results without needing advanced knife technique, so you get neat, uniform pieces safely. |
|
Entertaining with lots of prep |
You’ll spend less time chopping and more time arranging dishes, because large quantities are handled more efficiently. |
Ease Of Use
|
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
|
Swapping blades |
Moderate |
|
Chopping and dicing |
Easy |
|
Using the spiralizer |
Moderate |
|
Cleaning blades and crevices |
Moderate |
Practicality
A practical everyday tool among your cooking tools, especially if you prep vegetables often; it saves time and keeps results consistent, though some parts need a little extra care when cleaning.
Key Benefits
- Speeds up chopping, dicing and slicing for regular meal prep
- Interchangeable blades give versatile cut options
- Container keeps work area tidier and makes portioning easy
- Dishwasher‑safe parts simplify cleanup
Rating: 4.4 (total: 119,943+)
Debble 12 Inch Pizza Peel
If you make pizzas at home, this peel quickly becomes one of the cooking tools you rely on. The smooth surface helps the dough glide from your worktop to the stone without stretching or tearing, which is especially useful for softer, high hydration doughs.
It’s lightweight enough to handle easily yet long enough to keep your hands away from heat, so you can dress and transfer pizzas with more confidence. It’s also handy for moving flatbreads, pastries or loosening baked goods in the oven, making it a versatile kitchen helper for everyday use and occasional pizza nights.
Use Cases
|
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
|
Stretching and dressing fresh dough |
You can assemble toppings on the peel and slide the pizza onto the stone without overworking the base, preserving the rise and texture. |
|
High hydration dough that sticks easily |
The nonstick surface reduces friction so the dough releases more predictably, lowering the chance of a torn crust. |
|
Serving at a casual gathering |
You can move pizzas straight from oven to table or board, keeping service smooth and reducing juggling between pans. |
|
Baking other items like flatbreads or pastries |
The peel works as a general transfer tool, letting you slide delicate items in and out of the oven without a spatula or multiple hands. |
Ease Of Use
|
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
|
Sliding performance |
Easy |
|
Handling and reach |
Easy |
|
Stability under toppings |
Moderate |
|
Cleaning and maintenance |
Moderate |
Practicality
A simple, purpose‑driven addition to your collection of cooking tools. It saves you the faff of moving pizzas with improvised boards and is compact enough to store or hang, though treating the wood well will keep it performing for longer.
Key Benefits
- Smooth surface helps launch pizzas without sticking
- Wood handles provide comfortable grip and reach
- Lightweight design makes manoeuvring easier
- Useful for breads and other oven transfers, not just pizza
Rating: 4.6 (total: 33+)
VonShef Potato Ricer
If you care about texture, this ricer is one of those cooking tools that quickly earns a regular spot in your drawer. Pop fluffy boiled potatoes into the chamber, press the handles together and you get fine, consistent strands that mash into silky results without overworking the starch.
It’s great for everyday mash, baby food, hummus or even light purées for sauces, and the silicone handle makes squeezing more comfortable when you’re doing a few batches. The design cleans up easily in the dishwasher, and because it’s sturdy stainless steel it stands up to repeated use.
Use Cases
|
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
|
Weeknight dinners where you want nice mash fast |
You get a consistent, fluffy texture without spending extra time or effort mashing by hand, so sides are done while the main cooks. |
|
Making baby food or fine purées |
The ricer turns cooked vegetables and fruit into smooth, even purées that are ideal for small mouths and easy portioning. |
|
Preparing sides for a family gathering |
It speeds up bulk mashing and keeps results uniform across multiple batches, so everyone gets the same texture on the plate. |
|
Wanting to avoid overworked, gluey mash |
Because it forces potato through perforations rather than crushing, you preserve a light, fluffy structure without breaking down starches. |
Ease Of Use
|
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
|
Loading potatoes into the chamber |
Easy |
|
Squeezing handles for press |
Easy |
|
Handling larger potato pieces |
Moderate |
|
Cleaning and dishwasher use |
Easy |
Practicality
A reliable, low‑fuss addition to your cooking tools collection that delivers restaurant‑style texture without complicated technique. It’s versatile beyond potatoes and saves time when you want consistently smooth results.
Key Benefits
- Produces smooth, lump‑free mashed potatoes
- Sturdy stainless steel construction for durability
- Silicone handle offers a comfortable grip
- Dishwasher safe for straightforward cleanup
Rating: 4.5 (total: 3,955+)
FAQ
How Do I Choose The Right Gadget?
Start by matching the tool to the task you do most often so your new cooking tools actually save time. Look for good ergonomics if you use a gadget frequently, check materials for durability, and prefer designs with removable parts that are easy to clean.
Read user feedback to spot consistent strengths or weaknesses, and favour single‑purpose items when they solve a specific pain point rather than buying a multi‑tool you rarely use.
Are These Tools Easy To Clean And Store?
Many modern gadgets are designed with cleaning in mind, but it varies by material and complexity. Stainless steel and silicone parts tend to be dishwasher safe and low maintenance, while wooden peels and some interchangeable‑blade choppers need hand washing and occasional oiling to stay in good condition.
Store sharp items safely and keep smaller accessories together so you don’t lose bits, and if a product has fiddly crevices expect a little extra time for a thorough clean.
Will These Gadgets Help If You Have Weak Hands Or Limited Knife Skills?
Yes, several of the picks are specifically aimed at reducing effort or removing the need for advanced technique; choose items with non‑slip grips, good leverage and guided actions to reduce strain. For limited strength look for tools that transfer force over a larger surface or use mechanical advantage, and for limited knife confidence pick choppers or guided sharpeners that deliver consistent results. Try a tool on an easy task first to build familiarity and always follow basic safety steps like securing the item and working on a steady surface.
Preferred Cooking Tools
When choosing between these cooking tools you typically prioritise how much they reduce effort and how reliably they perform the job. You look for ergonomic grip and low‑force operation in jar openers, a guided, beginner‑friendly action and consistent edge for sharpeners, and durability plus easy cleaning and fast throughput for choppers.
Wrapping Up
These picks are focused on reducing friction in common tasks so you can enjoy cooking more. The Otstar Jar Opener (£5.99) is an inexpensive, grippy solution that helps people with weak or arthritic hands open jars and ring‑pulls with less strain; most users find it effective though a few mention it can be stiff at first.
The Pietuley Rolling Knife Sharpener (£29.79) brings a guided, rolling action that makes sharpening approachable and restores good cutting performance for many home knives, while a small number of users note limits on very curved blades. The fullstar Vegetable Chopper (£29.99) is a time‑saving prep tool that dices and slices quickly, making batch cooking easier, though blades and some accessories can take more effort to clean and build quality varies between versions.
The Debble 12 Inch Pizza Peel (£17.99) simplifies launching and retrieving pizzas so you avoid torn bases and messy transfers, with minor concerns about wood quality from some users. The VonShef Potato Ricer (£17.99) reliably produces smooth, lump‑free mash and is easy to clean, making it a worthwhile upgrade if you value texture.
If you want to upgrade your kitchen, start with the problem you encounter most often and pick the gadget that addresses it directly. Choosing well‑made, ergonomically designed tools will save you time and reduce effort, letting you focus on technique and flavour rather than struggling with fiddly tasks.
These selections cover sharpening, prep, handling and accessibility so you can transform routine cooking into more satisfying results.
| Product Name | Image | Rating | Material | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otstar Jar Opener |
|
4.4/5 (14,339 reviews) | Rubber | 9.45 x 9.45 x 22.78 cm | 127 g |
| Rolling Knife Sharpener |
|
4.3/5 (1,152 reviews) | Stainless Steel | 15 x 14 x 3.9 cm | 570 g |
| Fullstar Vegetable Chopper |
|
4.4/5 (119,943 reviews) | Stainless Steel | 27 x 11.38 x 11.99 cm | 907 g |
| Debble Pizza Peel |
|
4.6/5 (33 reviews) | Wood | 32 x 1.5 x 52.5 cm | 630 g |
| VonShef Potato Ricer Masher |
|
4.5/5 (3,955 reviews) | Stainless Steel | 10.41 x 13.21 x 32 cm | 662 g |
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