These 10 Chef-Recommended Tools Start at $7 and Will Help You ‘Work Smarter, Not Harder’

Let’s be honest, after The Bear came out, we all had a bit of fun pretending we were line cooks in our own kitchens. While we can’t all achieve commercial kitchen status at home, there are certainly small upgrades that can have a huge impact on your cooking workflow. We spoke to professional chefs to see what tools, cookware, and gadgets they can’t live without so you can take your culinary adventures to the next level at home. 

From a Japanese mandoline to super sharp pair of kitchen scissors, these kitchen products recommended by seasoned experts start at just $7, and are waiting in the wings, ready to add some finesse to your shaved salads and roasted chicken dinners.

Chef-Recommended Amazon Kitchen Products:

• Lavatools Javelin Digital Instant Read Thermometer, $27
• Shan Zu Petty Knife, $46 with coupon (originally $70)
• OXO Good Grips Mini Whisk, $9
• Ateco 8-Inch Straight Spatula, $7
• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, $20 (originally $34)
• Benriner Japanese Mandoline, $38
• Misuzu Silky All-Purpose Scissors, $18
• Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife, $47 (originally $116)
• Krups One-Touch Coffee and Spice Grinder, $19 (originally $24)
• Mordimy Cotton Waffle Weave Kitchen Towels, $10 (originally $19)

Lavatools Javelin Digital Instant Read Thermometer

“I love my Lavatools Javelin thermometer,” says Kelcey Rusch, co-chef at Spoke in Somerville, Massachusetts. “It’s super affordable, has fast reads, and is easy to hold from various angles (a must for temping while avoiding hot steam). It's essential for certain pastry and candy endeavors, but also for temping baked bread loaves, and of course cooking fish and meat is easier when you can get a quick read on how it's cooking.” This model offers a 3- to 4-second readout with an accuracy of ±0.5°F. At only $27, it’ll make cooking fun and safe.

Shan Zu Petty Knife

“Often a large knife is just overkill for a task and will slow you down, but a paring knife is not enough. A petty knife is perfect for small-scale jobs,” says Rusch, who appreciates the versatility of a petty knife. The Shan Zu petty knife, made from Damascus Japanese stainless steel, also has an ergonomic handle to reduce hand fatigue. Get it for 35% off with an on-site coupon.

OXO Good Grips Mini Whisk

Sometimes the best solutions come in small sizes. The OXO Good Grips mini whisk is a great example, as it’s capable of whisking into the nooks and crannies that larger whisks might not be able to access. As Rusch says: “It changes everything.” At just $9, the mini whisk is handy for emulsifying dressings or getting a sauce together, and can easily get into the corners of pots, pans, and other vessels.

Ateco 8-Inch Straight Spatula

Carlo Lamagna, chef and owner of Magna Kusina in Portland, Oregon, loves his straight spatula. “It’s great for cooking meats on the grill or in a pan,” Lamagna shares, adding “It’s so versatile in handling meats and fish as opposed to the traditional fish spatula.” The Ateco straight spatula is only $7, a small investment for an upgrade to your flipping skills.

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge cast iron skillets have long been a tested favorite of ours. They last a lifetime, and once you get used to one, it yields high rewards in the kitchen. “It’s something that I don’t bring into every kitchen,” says Akino West, executive chef and owner of Rosie’s in Miami, FL. “But when there is one, I intend to use it! From creating a solid sear with flavor to using it as a mallet, it’s a dynamic tool that changes the way I cook when I have it.” There’s no denying that a cast iron skillet is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware. It can be used on a grill, on the stovetop, in the oven, and even over a campfire, to make pillowy Dutch babies or a tater tot casserole. Right now, you can get one for 42% off.

Benriner Japanese Mandoline

Prep work can be daunting if you have a pile of vegetables in front of you, waiting to be sliced or julienned. Make it quick work instead with a Japanese mandoline. Edgar Rico, chef and owner at Nixta in Austin, TX, shares, “I love Japanese mandolines because they make prepping a breeze and provide a ton of consistency in whatever you’re preparing. They make your workflow a lot smoother, and this tool ensures you’re working smarter, not harder, which is something I emphasize to all of our team at Nixta.” The Benriner Japanese Mandoline, currently $38 on Amazon, comes with four additional blades so you can easily slice potatoes for cacio e pepe chips or julienne cabbage for a slaw.

Misuzu Silky All-Purpose Scissors

A true essential in any commercial or home kitchen, a sharp pair of shears may in fact be more powerful than the sword. Alex Barkley, executive chef at Botanica in Los Angeles, CA, is partial to the Misuzu Silky All-Purpose Scissors, which, as Barkley puts it, “feel sturdy in my hands and don’t loosen with time, and they are easy to wash.” Barkley adds that they’re “Not too big to feel clunky, but can still cut through fish bones and smaller poultry bones.” A good note for lefties: They’re ambidextrous, so no need to worry about comfort there. For $18, they’ll be a tool you reach for in the years to come.

Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife

“A chef's knife is the ultimate culinary companion,” says Starr Montout, head chef and owner of The Tastery, a personal chef and catering service serving the greater Washington, D.C. area. “The versatility is unmatched. You can slice, chop, dice, and mince ingredients quickly and precisely. I love tools with multiple uses and limited clean up.” The Henckels Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife is on steep discount at a whopping 60% off, so if there was ever a time to upgrade your slicing and dicing game, it would be now.

Krups One-Touch Coffee and Spice Grinder

While there’s nothing wrong with packaged herbs and spices, being able to get freshly ground cinnamon for cinnamon rolls or rosemary for roast chicken is a must. The Krups One-Touch Coffee and Spice Grinder is the preferred grinder for Rusch from Spoke, who says, “No spice grinder has made an improvement on this, and it's invaluable not just for grinding whole spices, but also brilliant for making flavored sugars for baking — blitzing tea leaves, zest, rose petals, dried herbs, whatever your whim. You can incorporate so many things that are too small a quantity to go in a blender.”

Mordimy Cotton Waffle Weave Kitchen Towels 

There comes a time when mittens don’t provide the necessary agility and precision in a fast-moving kitchen environment. If you’re a multitasker at home, Rusch recommends getting a set of cotton towels that will become an instant win in your kitchen. “Ditch the collection of potholders,” Rush says. “Learn to fold your towels over a few times so you can grab hot pots and pans. They offer better protection and more dynamic range of motion and grip than potholders, and they're so much more useful.” At just over $2 apiece, they’re also extremely absorbent for when the inevitable spill happens.