Whenever I cook with my mom, I always end up adding new kitchen gadgets to my shopping cart. That’s because she always has her kitchen stocked with the most useful and unexpected kitchen tools, all of which make cooking and baking a bit easier. From a $9 gadget that makes straining pasta much easier to a classic glass Pyrex dish, my mom is my go-to source for clever cooking hacks.
Want to hear the best part? Our mutual favorites all happen to be $30 or under at Amazon, and some are even up to 50% off right now. Read on for eight kitchen items that my mom convinced me to buy, and we recommend that you do, too.
8 Mom-Approved Kitchen Tools Under $30 at Amazon
- Pyrex Easy Grab 3-Quart Glass Baking Dish, $17
- OXO Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears, $22, originally $28
- Proctor Silex Durable Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor, $23
- Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener, $30, originally $40
- Auoon Clip-On Strainer, $10
- KitchenAid Citrus Juice Press Squeezer, $23, originally $25
- Kitchen Mama Silicone Jar & Can Spatula Set, $21
- Dania & Dean Silicone Baking Mat with Measurements, $10, originally $20
Pyrex Easy Grab 3-Quart Glass Baking Dish
Amazon
Almost all of my mom’s storage containers are from Pyrex, and after seeing how durable and convenient they were, I knew I had to try them out for myself. The nonstick glass surfaces are easy to clean, and the dishes are stackable for storage. They can also be used in the oven without a lid for baking or in the microwave to heat up leftovers. Amazon shoppers are also fans, with the best-selling baking dishes garnering over 11,800 five-star ratings.
OXO Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears
Amazon
I’ve always kept a pair of designated kitchen shears near me when I’m cooking, but it wasn’t until recently that I noticed my mom using these OXO Good Grips poultry shears when preparing chicken. The sharp blades can cut through meat, skin, and bone, and the curved blades are short and convenient for hard-to-reach spots. Plus, the shears come apart for easy, thorough cleaning in your dishwasher’s top rack or utensil caddy.
Proctor Silex Durable Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor
Amazon
This two-in-one vegetable chopper and mini food processor is a staple in my mom’s kitchen and now mine. Its chopper function not only makes dicing garlic, onions, herbs, and nuts a breeze, but it is also a time-saver since it chops ingredients in seconds. As if that weren’t enough, the appliance also functions as a food processor and emulsifier using the speed control option. Measuring roughly 4.7 inches long by 7.1 inches wide, the compact frame slips easily into a cabinet or a hidden corner of your kitchen counter.
Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener
Amazon
Knowing I struggle with handheld can openers, my mom told me I needed the Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener. After seeing it in action, I was quickly convinced. With the touch of a button, the hands-free can opener does all of the hard work, leaving me with a freshly opened can and a lid with smooth edges so it’s safe to throw away. Not to mention, the Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener happens to be Food & Wine’s favorite can opener thanks to its light and compact size.
Auoon Clip-On Strainer
Amazon
As a pasta lover, this clip-on strainer is one of my most used kitchen items, and I wouldn’t have discovered it without my mom. The design is straightforward: The strainer clips onto the side of pots and bowls, so all you have to do is tip the pot over the sink to instantly drain the water. This strainer doesn’t just work for pasta, though — my mom and I also use it to clean fruits and veggies. It also happens to be just $10.
KitchenAid Citrus Juice Press Squeezer
Amazon
I love to cook with lemons, but nothing irks me more than having to fish seeds out of the juice after squeezing them. Naturally, my mom has a solution to that problem: This handheld KitchenAid Citrus Juice Press Squeezer has a built-in strainer that catches unwanted seeds and pulp, so I can be sure I’m getting the maximum amount of juice from my lemons and limes.
Kitchen Mama Silicone Jar & Can Spatula Set
Amazon
Yet another genius item in my mom’s kitchen tool lineup is the Kitchen Mama Silicone Jar & Can Spatula Set. I would have never thought to purchase the silicone spatulas myself, but they’ve been a game-changer for scraping out the last bits out of cans, jars, and measuring cups. With the set, you get one 11.5-inch spatula and one 8.1-inch spatula, so there’s an option for any situation from small cans to large blenders.
Dania & Dean Silicone Baking Mat with Measurements
Amazon
My mom makes sugar cookies for almost every holiday from Valentine’s Day to Christmas, and I have slowly adopted the tradition. Recently, she purchased this reusable silicone baking mat, which makes rolling out even the stickiest dough easy. Plus, it’s nonstick and dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is quick. The mat comes in four different sizes for varying baking needs: My mom has the largest in her home kitchen, while I have the smallest for my apartment’s limited counter space. You can shop the durable baking mat for 50% off right now.
