By Joy Essien, Contributing Editor, Lagos Metropolitan.
You know that feeling when you’re halfway through cooking and you realize the onions aren’t yet chopped, the sauce is burning, and the pasta’s overcooked?
It’s not just bad timing – it’s a sign your kitchen tools may not be working with you. If your meals often turn to a rush or cleanup takes forever, your tools may be slowing you down more than you think. Let’s talk about how a few smart gadgets – nothing too fancy – can transform your kitchen from chaotic to efficient.
1. Sharp Chef’s Tool: Your Speed Anchor.
It might sound basic, but a truly sharp well-balanced chef’s tool is one of the most underrated time-savers in the kitchen. If you’re constantly wrestling with dull blades, you’re not just moving slower – you’re also increasing your risk of injury.
Why it matters:
* A good tool cuts cleaner, faster and with less effort.
* It handles everything from slicing herbs to chopping meat substitutes.
* You’ll cut more evenly, which leads to more consistent cooking times.
Pro tip: invest in a sharpening stone or a quality honing rod. Even a great tool gets dull without care.
2. Food Processor: The Multitasking Workhorse.
If you dread chopping, slicing, shredding and kneading – this tool is for you. A food processor cuts your prep time by half, sometimes more.
Uses that save time:
- Chopping onions without tears in seconds.
- Making dough for pizza or flatbreads.
- Blending nuts into spreads or sauces.
- Grating carrots , zucchini or even cauliflower rice.
Bonus: You’re more likely to make from-scratch meals when you don’t have to prep everything by hand.
3. Silicone Baking Mats: Fast Prep, Faster Clean-Up.
Baking sheets often need foil or parchment paper. But silicone baking mats offer a reusable, eco-friendly and super practical alternative.
Why you’ll love them:
* No sticking – veggies roast evenly without oil.
* No scrubbing – just rinse and roll.
* Great for batch-prepping snacks or sheet-pan meals.
Try this time-saver: Toss veggies in seasoning, spread on a silicone – lined tray, roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. Dinner= mostly done.
4. Immersion Blender: Less Mess, More Control.
Unlike traditional blenders, immersion blenders go directly into your soup cooker, sauce pan or smoothie jar – no pouring, no mess, no extra cleaning.
Where it shines:
- Pureeing soups directly in the cooker.
- Making creamy dressings or sauces in seconds.
- Whipping up banana based smoothies without transferring.
Many models come with whisk or mini food processor attachments, making them a compact powerhouse for small kitchens.
5. Magnetic Measuring Spoons: Little Tool, Big Time Saver.
Ever fumbled around looking for the right cooking spoon? Magnetic spoons stick together and fit into spice jars – no digging required.
They help by:
- Keeping your drawer organised and quick to navigate.
- Saves you time when you need multiple measures.
- Avoiding the mess of switching back and forth between wet and dry ingredients.
Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Bonus Hack: One Bowl, One Pan, One Cooker.
No matter what gadgets you use, the biggest time drain in cooking is often the clean up. One cooker meals and one pan recipes help minimise this while also encouraging better organisation and ingredient layering. For example:
* Sheet-pan dinners = protein + veggie + seasoning, all in one.
* Stir-fry bowls = grain + sautéed veggies + sauce, done in 15 mins.
* Blended Soups = no side dishes, just add crusty bread or crackers.
Pair these meals with the tools above and you’ll shave 30 minutes or more from your total kitchen time each week.
Final Stir: Tools Are Not Just Toys.
The right tools don’t just make your kitchen more fun – they make it faster, calmer and more efficient. You’ll waste less food, clean up less, and maybe even start enjoying weekday cooking instead of dreading it.
What’s the one tool that changed the way you cook? Or is there a task in the kitchen that always slows you down? Tell me what’s working – or not working – for you, and let’s find a fix.
