Kitchen Hacks: The top kitchen tools to save you time in the kitchen

Looking for that miracle appliance or kitchen hack that will transform the way you cook? You're in luck! We've tried and tested every kitchen tool imaginable, and narrowed down our list of the best kitchen utensils no home chef should be without.

Our criteria? They must be multi-functional, they should inspire you to cook more (and enjoy it), and they should save you time and money.

How to find the best kitchen utensils

We all have kitchen utensils we regret buying. That appliance that turned out to be a one-trick pony that's now gathering dust somewhere in the back of the cupboard. The must-have gadget we never even took out of the packaging.

Here's our list of the best kitchen tools you'll actually use - and love.

Slow cooker

The ultimate set-and-forget appliance, a slow cooker keeps your food bubbling away at a steady heat for hours, producing tender, delicious meals with minimal effort. You simply can't go past it for melt-in-your-mouth meats, or flavoursome soups and stews.

And don't make the mistake of thinking slow cookers are just for casseroles and curries. Did you know you can make all kinds of wonderful creations, both sweet and savoury, in your slow cooker? From a roast chook to crunchy homemade muesli bars, the possibilities are endless. You can even use it for creamy porridge and rice pudding.

Air fryer

These days, air fryers have developed a cult following, and it's not hard to see why. A machine that cooks crispy "fried" food that's just as tasty as takeaway, with the teeniest hint of oil - what's not to love?! They also use less power than a conventional oven, cook your food faster, and you can take them with you on holidays. They really are a fantastic addition to any kitchen.

Kitchen hack: Look for an air fryer with enough capacity for your family, so you won't be standing around cooking several batches of hot chips on "fakeaway" nights.

Chopper

British food guru Delia Smith, the queen of making cooking fast and fun, famously said "cheats don't chop", and we think that's a pretty solid stance to take in our busy modern world. With electric and manual options available, there's really no need to be a slave to the chopping board. These machines can whip up a fresh salsa in seconds, or slice onions en masse for your next BBQ. They're also compact and easy to use, and often have dishwasher-safe components, making clean up a breeze.

Silicone spatula

While they may be simple, these bendy little utensils can get into every nook and cranny, thanks to their flexible silicone construction. They're the best for getting the last drops of cake mix out of a bowl, or rescuing the pesto that's stuck on the blades of your food processor. They'll save you time spent cleaning, and money too. Trust us, you'll be amazed at how something so simple will totally change your life!

Kitchen hack: Grab a couple of silicone spatulas in different colours, so you can use a different one for sweet and savoury dishes.

All-in-one multi-cooker

It chops! It whips! It cooks! Forget standing by the stove stirring risotto for hours on end, or throwing out another lumpy bechamel sauce. There's something that can take care of all of that for you - and no, we don't mean hiring yourself a sous chef.

You can do pretty much anything with a multi-cooker machine - make homemade jams and stocks, grind nuts and seeds for healthy baking, and even make your own yoghurt and ricotta cheese. It can also replace a number of other utensils and appliances, making it especially great if you have a small kitchen, or if you're going for a minimalist approach. Some versions even have built-in kitchen scales - so you won't need to make room for another in your cupboards.

Has this list inspired you to get cooking? Shop our great range of the best kitchen utensils online and instore now.