This is a curated collection of the best cool tools for the Kitchen. It is not intended as a shopping list or checklist. Consider this a jumping-off point for thinking and re-thinking about what’s possible in your kitchen. Some kitchens can certainly operate with fewer and/or different tools; some might require more. But everything we’ve included here is well worth knowing about.

Since 2003, our Cool Tools website has posted more than 2,000 reviews of stuff that is tried and true. Broadly defined, a Cool Tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that has proven utility. The reviews here are not the kind of comparative reviews you’ll find in magazines and other websites, which give pros and cons for each item. Rather, our reviews are outright rave recommendations submitted by readers who swear by the items, telling you why you should use them as well. Think of this book as a very knowledgeable best friend recommending the coolest stuff in no uncertain terms.

For this ebook, we will introduce you to 81 of the best uncommon kitchen items you may not know about, but can depend on. Tell us if we have missed anything.