15 Essential Small Appliances for a Stylish and Functional Home

The humble small appliance – often overlooked, yet oh-so-essential to our daily lives. From whipping up a quick breakfast to brewing a perfect cup of coffee, these unsung heroes of the kitchen work tirelessly behind the scenes to make our lives easier, more convenient, and delicious. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones for your needs.

That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive list of the top small appliances every home cook should know about – from standouts for space-saving design to game-changers for performance and versatility. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a cooking newbie, this list is sure to inspire your next cooking adventure.

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Air Fryer

An air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food evenly and quickly. It offers a healthier alternative to traditional frying by significantly reducing the amount of oil needed. Many models come with preset cooking functions for various foods, making meal prep straightforward and hassle-free.

Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that combines several kitchen appliances into one, including a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and steamer. It dramatically reduces cooking times while retaining flavors and nutrients, making it ideal for busy families. With programmable settings, it allows for precise cooking based on the type of dish being prepared.

Blender

A blender is a powerful appliance designed for mixing ingredients together. It can effortlessly puree soups, smoothies, and sauces, ensuring a silky texture. Premium models feature multiple speed settings and specialized blades that can crush ice and blend tougher ingredients with ease.

Toaster Oven

The toaster oven is a compact cooking appliance ideal for small kitchens or quick meals. It can toast bread and also functions as a mini oven for baking, broiling, and reheating food. Many models now come with additional features like convection cooking for more even heating and temperature control settings.

Coffee Maker

A coffee maker is essential for brewing fresh coffee at home. Modern drip coffee makers offer programmable settings, allowing you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee. Some have built-in grinders for freshly ground beans, and many come with a thermal carafe to keep coffee hot without a hot plate.

Food Processor

A food processor is a kitchen essential that saves time on food prep by quickly chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. With various interchangeable blades and discs, it can handle a wide range of tasks, from making dough to preparing salads. This appliance helps streamline the cooking process, making it perfect for busy cooks.

Electric Kettle

An electric kettle is designed for quickly boiling water for tea, coffee, and instant meals. Many models feature temperature control settings, allowing you to brew specific types of tea at optimal temperatures. This appliance typically has a sleek design and can boil water much faster than a stovetop kettle.

Rice Cooker

A rice cooker automates the process of cooking rice, ensuring perfect results every time without the risk of burning. Many models come with additional settings for cooking other grains and steaming vegetables, making it a multifunctional appliance. The keep-warm feature allows rice to stay hot and fresh for serving later.

Slow Cooker

A slow cooker allows you to prepare meals with minimal effort, cooking food at low temperatures over an extended period. It’s perfect for creating flavorful stews, soups, and casseroles, as the slow cooking process helps enhance flavors. Many slow cookers come with programmable timers and settings for various cooking times.

Juicer

A juicer is an appliance designed to extract juice from fruits and vegetables, promoting healthier living by increasing your intake of vitamins. Centrifugal juicers quickly process ingredients, while masticating juicers retain more nutrients and produce a richer flavor. Some models even allow for juicing leafy greens and herbs, expanding your juice options.

Stand Mixer

A stand mixer is a powerful kitchen appliance used for mixing ingredients, kneading dough, or whipping cream. With various attachments available, it can also be used for tasks like pasta making and food shredding. Its stable base and powerful motor make it ideal for heavy batters, ensuring thorough mixing without the need for manual effort.

Deep Fryer

An electric deep fryer is designed for frying food quickly and evenly with a large amount of hot oil. Many models come with adjustable temperature controls and timers, ensuring that fried foods are cooked to the desired crispiness. A cooling basket allows greaseless awkward flash frying, while safety features prevent overheating.

Waffle Maker

A waffle maker is a specialized appliance for making delicious, crispy waffles at home. With non-stick plates and easy temperature control, it can produce perfectly cooked waffles in just a few minutes. Some designs also allow for different shapes, from traditional squares to fun novelty forms.

Electric Griddle

An electric griddle provides a large, flat cooking surface perfect for making breakfast favorites like pancakes, omelets, and bacon. With temperature control features, it allows for even cooking across the entire surface. Many models have non-stick coatings for easy cleanup and foldable designs for convenient storage.

Sous Vide Precision Cooker

A sous vide precision cooker is designed for sous vide cooking, allowing you to cook food to perfect doneness by immersing it in a water bath at a controlled temperature. This method locks in flavors and moisture while eliminating the risk of overcooking. Model options often include Wi-Fi connectivity for remote cooking control via an app.