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If You Love To Cook, Here Are 27 Products *Professional* Cooks Swear By

“Yes, chef.”

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by Jonathan Mazzei BuzzFeed Contributor

1. A mini knife sharpener — now you can stop struggling to get your ancient dull blades to be the faithful collaborators they once were. This'll bring 'em back to life so you can stop struggling to slice through your ingredients.

Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

Promising review: "I am a retired chef, and have used many items to sharpen knives with. I came across this recently and was very surprised at how well it worked... It works, and it works well..." —Steven Lewis

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors and multipacks).

Read one BuzzFeeder's full review of the mini knife sharpener to learn more.

2. A handheld immersion blender for anyone who wants to blend, pureé, or mix to perfection without having to take the time to transfer their ingredients into a clunky countertop device. Plus, this thing is super powerful in speeding up the process!

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "As a restaurant chef, I’ve used a lot of stick blenders. This one is as good as any 'professional' one I’ve used. It has all the power you need, and the adjustable speeds are nice for not over-processing things." —Megan Kruse-Ingledue

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (also available with accessories).

3. A steel odor-absorber capable of removing those strong odors like garlic and fish from your hands when a regular ol' bar of soap doesn't quite cut it. No need for fancy scented soaps! Just rub the bar between your hands like you normally would (with *or* without water) and it'll send those smells on their way in no time.

Amazon

Promising review: "My wife got me this since I am a chef and always have a scent of items like garlic, onions, etc… I was skeptical, but this is a great product that I think did help remove the smell off my hands." —Heath

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes and multipacks).

4. A pair of cut-resistant gloves because even if you like your steak a little bloody, I'm sure you'd rather it not be your blood. These gloves will offer some protection that makes it harder to accidentally cut yourself when chopping up ingredients in the kitchen. If you're a somewhat clumsy chef, these are here to help! 

Amazon

Promising review: "I'm a seasoned chef of 25 years and nobody is perfect. I recently picked up a Benriner Almond wide mandolin and was slicing frozen steak for an Asian dish I was prepping when my thumb slipped right into the brand new blade slicing the tip off. Now we all know that our hands are our main tools so I decided to pick these up due to the fact that in a kitchen we sometimes are multitasking and our minds are going a million miles. These gloves are perfect. I tested them out slicing frozen steak and purposely slipped and thank God, My thumb was saved. No more stitches. Thanks for a great product." —Automatic No Static

Get them from Amazon for $9.47+ (available in five sizes and two styles).

5. Some Maldon sea salt flakes so you can be your own personal salt bae and give any dish a luxurious finishing touch that'll add extra flavor and crunch.

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "Excellent flavor and perfectly sized flakes for the final touches on culinary masterpieces! I am a highly experienced personal chef. I use these flake salts as a final mild condiment while plating foods that require just a hint more salt. The flakes add the slightest crunch to the eating experience and explode the food being eaten with a flavorful enhancement. Maldon has made an EXCELLENT flaked salt, and I will continue to use the brand, having had a great experience with their product. My guests have also very positively commented on the flavoring. This is a clear 5-star rating for me and an honest and very hearty recommendation. Take your cooking presentation to the next level! Bon Appétit!"—Frank E. Trinkle

Get it from Amazon for $7.99.

6. An Oxo peeler that'll make peeling potatoes, apples, and other tough-skinned fruits and veggies *much* less of a hassle thanks to its swiveling double-blade design. Now, you won't have to waste time struggling to get all the skin off of your ingredients — this thing will help make the process way faster and safer! 

Amazon

Plus, it's dishwasher-safe!

Promising review: "This is simply the best peeler I've ever used... and I was an executive chef, with more than twenty years spent in the kitchen. The blade glides effortlessly, as precise as a scalpel. Even better, the peelings seem to fall aside instead of clogging the tool. Highly, highly recommended!" —DWH

Get it from Amazon for $12.46.

7. A clip-on silicone colander for taking the ~strain~ out of straining noodles. It's flexible, cleans up easily, and can be attached to cookware of almost any size!

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "This is a real convenient time saver. Not only do I have one less thing to wash after dinner (a strainer), but the convenience of being able to simply snap this onto any pot is great! The mounting clips are robust and hold like crazy. The product works exactly as described and has made my pasta nights a breeze. I am a chef, so I use this almost every day, and I highly recommend this attachment. Great invention!" —Captain HC

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in five colors). 

8. A pre-seasoned cast-iron skillet because it'll add an extra depth of flavor that you've never been able to coax out of your plain ol' pan and make the perfect sear within reach. This thing makes a serious difference when cooking everything from eggs and veggies to steak and fish and much much more — IYKYK.

Amazon

Promising review: "It's not light; it's cast-iron. If you clean it properly, you can give it to your kids. My wife and I are professional chefs and use this every day. To clean, put it on the stove with salt. Then scratch with a ball of aluminum foil. Or, if fire alarms aren't an issue, spin upside down and burn out before scratching with foil. Lightly season with salt and you are set. We use this for roasted vegetables, steaks, and any non-sauce–based reheats. Get it, love it, look after it, and give it to your kids when you don't use it anymore." —Brendan Lee

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in two sizes).

9. An anti-fatigue kitchen mat that makes it a whole lot more comfortable to be on your feet for long periods of time, thanks to the high-density memory foam designed to help reduce pain in your legs, knees, and back.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

P.S. Reviewers also say this mat is great for anyone working from home with a standing desk!

Promising review: "I’m a personal chef, standing all day in kitchens, and this past year I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis and sore, painful feet. I bought this mat and another mat from another brand. This one is a godsend!!!! My feet sigh a breath of relief when I stand on the mat. Also, it’s soft enough that I can feel my ankles and feet working to balance, ever so slightly....which is good conditioning for them as well. These mats, along with physical therapy, are enabling me to heal and be pain-free again." —Shelley A. Rahim

Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in 13 colors).

10. A digital food thermometer so you can stop wasting time hemming and hawing over whether or not your chicken is cooked enough and quit losing precious juice from your steaks every time you cut them open to check on the middle. Just stick this lil' guy in and get an instant temperature reading!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is an outstanding product. It's compact, the probe is hidden until needed, and a quick push of a button reveals it. I have tested it against other, more expensive and hopefully reliable thermometers, and it is dead on. I was a chef for 26 years and wish I had this product at that time. This will up your culinary game and minimize under- or over-cooked products. Highly recommended." —Chief

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors).

11. A rice cooker and warmer for anyone who can never seem to get rice to come out right on the stove. This cooker has different settings for white and brown rice, and gives you consistent results every time without the guesswork!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This rice cooker is the bomb! It cooks each type of rice perfectly, and I am thrilled! It replaced an older dependable Zojirushi. As a personal chef, perfect rice is vital." —beachgal

Get it from Amazon for $164.11 (available in two sizes). 

12. An Instant Pot to make your friends and family think you're a brilliant cook when really you just followed a few simple directions and let this useful device do the rest. You won't believe how quick and simple it is to make dishes that actually taste incredible using this appliance that's a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté-r, yogurt maker, and warmer all in one!

www.amazon.com

It can prepare food up to 70% faster than other methods. It can keep food warm automatically for up to 10 hours, and there are three temperatures for sautéing and slow cooking. The inner cooking pot, lid, and steam rack are dishwasher safe! Check out our Instant Pot review for more deets!

Promising review: "I'm a classically trained chef. I didn't think this thing could live up to the hype. I was wrong! Perfect risotto with no stirring! One-pot pasta dishes! Hard-boiled eggs that practically jump out of their shells! Tender meats, perfect stocks... It's freaking magical. My family is tired of me talking about it, I was obsessed there for a few months. I've been using it for months now, and I make dinner for my family in it most nights. Pretty sure it's a gift made by unicorns and fairies to make my life easier." —Clarice Armstrong

Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in three sizes).

13. A highly accurate and easy-to-use food scale perfect for nailing recipes. This one is loved by reviewers for 1) being compact and easy to store, 2) handling measurement conversions and subtracting the weight of containers, and 3) being super easy to clean!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I need a scale in my kitchen at all times because I'm a personal chef. I weigh things all the time, and this scale is amazing and accurate. It has the tare option to eliminate the weight of my bowl and will only weigh the contents I put in it. I would buy again to have more than one in the kitchen." —Lando.sukie

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 10 colors/styles).

14. A Cuisinart food processor — it chops, minces, dices, shreds, purees, and kneads all on its own, saving you from what is arguably the most time-consuming part of prepping a home cooked meal. Say hello to your new sous-chef who never takes a smoke break!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Still a great machine! Just the original Cuisinart. No bells and whistles, which always tend to break. I've used these for years as a professional chef and love them. They are total workhorses." —ChefShelleyJaffe

Get it from Amazon for $153.06+ (available in three sizes and nine colors).

15. A rotary cheese grater capable of making the job a whole lot faster and easier. It suctions to the countertop for extra stability, and the crank requires way less effort than a classic cheese grater. Three blades are included so you can choose whether you wanna slice, shred, or grind. And it's not just for cheese! Use it for nuts, veggies, hash browns, and more.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I am a formally trained executive chef, and I absolutely love this product. It is so easy to set up, use, and clean, and it does an amazing job. I would be a spokesperson for this company if I could, and I highly recommend it to everyone. It’s fun to use and makes shredding and slicing so easy." —j.o.

Get it from Amazon for $23.98+ (available in four sizes and 10 colors).

16. A 3-in-1 burger press for anyone who loves stuffed burgers. It'll help you create the perfect little space for delicious fillings before sealing the patty up nicely to avoid the ingredients oozing out and burning during the cooking process. You'll end up with perfectly sized patties full of juicy and delicious flavor in every bite!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I'm a professional chef, and I use mine all the time!! Works great, makes stuffing burgers sooo easy!! BUY ONE!!!" —culinguru

Get it from Amazon for $16.36.

17. A nonstick, food-safe baking mat because cooking in the oven is even faster and easier if you can avoid spending time scraping a baking pan clean after.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Though I am a chef, I don't do too much baking unless it's for a special event. I've always wanted one of these mats after using them in culinary school, and these were perfect! They fit in my sheet trays perfectly, and they stick well in the smaller trays. Seems pretty thick yet flexible. Will most likely get more when I wear these out!" —Teresa Winters

Get a set of two from Amazon for $10.49+ (available in two styles and larger packs).

18. A versatile chop, slice, and dice unit here to simplify your meal prepping! Forget chopping your veggies one by one and having to clean a cutting board when you can just toss 'em in this device! And when you're done, just pop out the interchangeable blades and throw 'em in the dishwasher!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I'm a chef, and I love to cook. And while slicing and dicing come with cooking, this made chopping onions, celery, almost anything as easy as one push. Highly recommend!" —Jerry Avenaim

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in four colors).

19. A jar of Sabatino truffle seasoning that'll add a pure, yet delicate truffle flavor to any dish. Check out the review below to hear from a chef who claims it's the "closest thing I have found to an actual truffle."

Amazon

Promising review: "Absolutely obsessed with this product. The zest is the closest thing I have found to an actual truffle. If you love truffle anything, buy this! From a used-to-be chef (now home cook), I highly recommend this zest. Love, love, love. You will not be disappointed." —EagerEyes

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four flavors).

20. An electric potato peeler if you're sick of how long it takes to peel taters, as well as other fruits and veggies, by hand. Now you can let this thing take over the hard work while you focus on other tasks.

www.youtube.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great price. Easy to use and clean! I loveee this peeler... I am a chef, and it peels a big box of potatoes in 30 minutes! It used to take at least an hour by hand... one of the best investments." —Iris

Get it from Amazon for $29.19.

21. A cast-iron scrubber for anyone who's ever spent way too long trying to scrape stubborn bits of food off of their skillet and thought to themselves — there must be a better way. This chainmail scrubber easily pulls off the grit without stripping off the seasoning or scratching your pan. And when you're done, just throw it in the dishwasher!

www.amazon.com

Just don't use it on any nonstick pans, of course — metal scratches 'em!

Promising review: "As an owner of over 20 cast-iron pieces and a professional chef, I am always excited to try new cleaning/cooking items. It worked beautifully on both my grill pan and my flat cast-iron skillet. Its size makes for easy cleaning of cast-iron muffin pans as well. After many years of heavy use, my cast iron has never looked better. I even installed a new little hook in my kitchen to hang it up, and have been bragging about its greatness to my fellow chefs. I only wish I had discovered this gem earlier. But I have now, and no looking back. Happy cooking." —Barry D. Raymond II

Get it on Amazon for $17.99. And if you do get it, I recommend reading this review — I know it's long, but they offer some excellent advice on how to make the most of it.

22. An acrylic block and set of black knives so you can fashionably display them while saving drawer space! This set contains 13 professional chef knives, kitchen scissors, a peeler, and a premium quality 2-stage knife sharpener to ensure that you have all the tools you need in the kitchen to slice, dice, and beyond!

Amazon

The clear acrylic block comes with 13 knives of different sizes and shapes, kitchen scissors, peeler, and a two-stage knife sharpener.

Promising review: "I love these knives. They are durable and definitely are worth the cost. I'm a chef, and I appreciate a good knife. I originally was only getting them for decoration in my kitchen, (which they look great there) but instead, I've also been using them." —Carter

Get a 17-piece set from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in four sizes).

23. A vacuum sealer — it's indispensable if you want to keep things fresh for a long, long time. Having one of these is great if you love cooking or buying in bulk, but hate ending up with moldy or freezer-burned leftovers. Plus, it's easy as heck to use! Consider your food signed, sealed, and delivered!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is now the second one I am ordering. I'm a chef and have bought this for home use. I was very impressed with how easy it was to use. The suction works very well at taking out all the air. It's fast as well. It's lightweight and easy to store. I now bought a second for the restaurant I'm the head chef at." —Joe

Get it from Amazon for $49.49+ (available in four colors).

24. A garlic press that turns prepping garlic into a one-step task, so you can spend less time chopping and more time enjoying a delicious, garlicky meal. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I am a personal chef, and therefore, I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I was looking for a garlic press that could handle a lot of work. This press is very heavy-duty and made of very sturdy material. It is also super easy to clean, which is a huge blessing and makes my life much easier. I am so happy to finally have a garlic press that will last!" —Brittany R.

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in six colors).

25. A KitchenAid stand mixer, because it handles the constant stirring for you so you can focus on other tasks and speed up the process of getting dinner and dessert on the table.

Amazon

Promising reviews: "I am a chef. I use products like this one every day. I purchased this mixer because it is the most reliable mixer I have ever used that was not an industrial mixer." —J. Garland

"I'm a chef, and I use this mixer at home. It's great for home use, super durable, and will be sure to last a long time. I would recommend this to the serious home cooking enthusiast or amateur chef." —Carl "The Fireman"

Get it from Amazon for $399.99 (available in a variety of colors).

26. An AeroGarden for anyone without a green thumb who wants to grow their own fresh ingredients to use in home-cooked meals. It tells you when to water and feed your plants, automatically turns its lights on and off, and uses its ingenious design to quickly grow herbs and veggies so they'll be fresh for you year-round.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "As a chef, I love having fresh herbs in my kitchen to cook with. I also love that it makes enough ambient light in the evening, that you don’t need additional lights on." —Corey Wilsey

Get it from Amazon for $71.79+ (available in five colors).

27. And finally, a Bluetooth Anova sous vide that'll make over- or under- cooked meals a thing of the past. It takes the guesswork out of preparing dinner by maintaining the precise temperature to perfectly cook your meals so you get flawless results without much effort or monitoring from you at all!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising Review: "I'm a catering chef of eight years, and I should have bought this earlier. When scheduled properly, this makes meals at home or events up to 20 quite easy. I fused vodka while cooking tenderloin. I just made cookies with the sous vide. But the winner is the meat. It changes my cast iron and broiler procedure, and you can make a perfect steak every time now. Hands down, I've used it every day for the last month. I also recommend a small cooler to sous vide in because of the thermal insulating properties, but that's just me. BUY ONE." —monica mcmasters

Get it from Amazon for $68.28.

Want even more kitchen upgrade inspiration? We're here to help:

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The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.