Before our 9 to 5's, we have our 5 to 9's. Some spend these unwinding or catching up with friends. But most of the time, we find ourselves whipping up a quick dinner or prepping for the following work day.
Although cooking can be enjoyable, the process in-between and the clean up afterward can be a dud, especially when our hours in the morning and evening are limited. But no matter if you need to get to that messy microwave, or find an easier and more time-efficient way to make and pack your lunch, there's a nifty product to help make the project easier.
In fact, TODAY contributor Ally Love recently shared with TODAY some of her favorite kitchen gadgets that have helped simplify her meal prep. Below, you'll find some high-tech devices, all the way to quirky utensils that should help simplify your cooking.
As seen on TODAY | More kitchen gadgets and tools | How we chose
Best kitchen gadgets and tools seen on TODAY
Revolution Touch Toaster
According to the brand, they created the world's first ever digital/touch screen toaster. Once you tap the screen, you unlock a whirlwind of settings to customize your food to your liking, and toast your bagel or waffle to perfection. "The Revolution Toaster was created with smart heating and a touchscreen so the tech adjusts to whatever you are heating, something knobs and dials just can’t do," explains Love. "The toaster sears instead of dehydrates and makes crispy on the outside yet soft and tender on the inside." You can also purchase accessories to toast paninis and grilled cheeses.
The Beast Mini Blender
“The Beast is your kitchen swiss army knife!,” says Love. “It is a versatile blender that can be used for shakes, dips, dressings, desserts, to blend veggies, crush ice [and] grind coffee — its uses are endless.” And unlike most blenders on the market, there is only one button to activate it. But the best part is that the blender cup can be removed to turn your smoothie or shake into a to-go cup. The blender is available as a mini or a full-size, which we've featured below.
Even better? You can get 10% off of the blender when you use code TODAY on the brand’s website.
The Beast Health Blender
Hexclad 2QT Hybrid Saucepan with Lid
"HexClad is the only true hybrid (stainless steel & non-stick) cookware instantly recognizable by their signature, chic hexagon pattern design," Love notes. That includes their saucepan, which claims to be a "kitchen staple" by the brand because it can make sauces, cooking grains and a variety of other items. The hybrid technology also makes for a swift clean up, creates a durable finish and allows you to heat your food evenly.
Hexclad 8” Hybrid Fry Pan
If you don't know where to start in your Hexclad journey, this is the pan to go with. For instance, this multi-functional frying pan also has the brand’s famous hybrid technology, but is ideal for servings of eggs, veggies and anything else. While this eight inch is one of the smaller version, it also comes in a few bigger sizes, including a 12 and 14 inch (with a lid or no lid).
Hexclad Hybrid Pizza Steel
Taking a peek at its description tells us that looks can be deceiving. While it might look like any other pizza pan, trust us when we say this one is quite impressive. You'll first notice the handle bars, which make it easy to maneuver the pan in and out of the oven with ease. But what we are most amazed by is some of its other high-tech features. This includes an aluminum core for faster cooking, an oven-safe (up to 900°F!) design, lightweight size and non-stick technology so your pizza always comes out perfectly crisp.
Ninja NeverClog Cold Press Juicer
Some veggies and fruits are more difficult to juice than others. But this juicer from Ninja claims to tackle all with ease. It is engineered to powerfully juice with little mess and stress — and only two buttons are needed to program. You can customize to have less pulp or more pulp, depending on your preference, and pop it in the dishwasher after use.
Crock-Pot On-The-Go Personal Food Warmer
Consider Crock-Pot's portable food warmer an electric lunch box. Since it has a 20 oz capacity, it is a decent size for one person to carry and heat up meals for the office, on a road-trip and more. It also makes for the perfect opportunity to bring leftovers, soups and oatmeal that might be difficult to transport to and from home, as it has a tight-closing lid to reduce spills. All in all, this device makes for heating, carrying, storing and cleaning your lunches easier.
More kitchen gadgets and tools
TODAY contributor Chassie Post previously stopped by Hoda and Jenna to share her favorite quirky and practical kitchen gadgets and cleaning tools to shop now.
SameTech Pineapple Peeler Corer Slicer Cutter
"I never bought pineapples because they were such a pain to cut and I wasted half the fruit," said Post. She discovered this unique gadget that makes the process easier and less wasteful.
Within seconds, you can peel, core, slice and cut your pineapple into edible chunks. Simply insert the stainless steel core into the top of your fruit and turn to spiralize the pineapple. With one swift push of the eight-section blade, you'll have an evenly chopped snack.
iGenietti Watermelon Corer And Slicer
If you've almost sliced your own finger trying to cut a watermelon, this product is for you. This utensil combines the handiness of tongs with the functionality of a knife so you can cut and serve with ease.
Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer
"One thing that drives me crazy is how much space colanders take up in my drawer and cupboard," said Post. She loves that this clip-on colander is compact and that it fits most pots and bowls.
Uncommon Goods Kabob Grilling Baskets
Ditch the skewers for these easy-to-use grilling baskets, which deliver char-broiled taste without the hassle. The steel wire baskets hold up against the heat and the rosewood handle makes for a comfortable cooking experience.
Uncommon Goods Bristle Free Grill Brush
Don't shy away from a meal that requires grilling because of the difficult clean-up. This nifty grill brush uses continuous springs instead of bristles to remove grease and food build-up. It's safe to use and is designed to last longer than a traditional brush.
Hiware Window Blind Duster Brush
Dusting blinds seems like a never-ending process. Cut down on your cleaning time with this multi-pronged duster that works a lot like a pair of tongs. It grips individual blinds and brushes them clean in one sweep.
Hoover Professional Series FloorMate Deluxe
Post calls this vacuum a game-changer because it completely replaced her household mop. It cleans with both water and suction, and is designed to gently wash and scrub wood, vinyl, tile and grout.
Simplehuman Rechargeable Sensor Pump
This touchless soap dispenser from Simplehuman is a smart sanitation device that dispenses the right amount of soap every time with zero contact. It has a stainless steel exterior and a clog-proof pump to ensure a consistent flow of soap.
Though this one works with liquid soap, you can also opt for the foam soap model.
HoMedics Phone Sanitizer
The HoMedics Phone Sanitizer is designed to sanitize your phone, keys, eyeglasses and more. The brand says this device quickly kills up to 99.9% of bacteria with the use of UV light and works in just one minute.
HoMedics Portable Sanitizer Bag
This sanitizer bag takes disinfecting to a whole new level. Similar to the brand's phone sanitizer, it's designed to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. However, it can fit larger items or more items at once.
Hoover OnePwr Evolve Pet Vacuum
The Hoover OnePwr Evolve vacuum offers the power of an upright vacuum with a lightweight design that's just nine pounds. Thanks to the brush roll and odor filter, it's a good option for anyone who has pets at home.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team spoke with experts and TODAY contributors Ally Love and Chassie Post to gain insight into choosing the best kitchen gadgets and tools available, as well as tips for proper usage for every day use.
We then scoured the internet and chose shopper-loved items that met the guidelines provided by the experts. We also shared a few of our personal favorites.
