Check out some of these ingenious appliances that can help you recover some of your kitchen space.
1. Magic Bullet
In case you haven’t seen the infomercials, the Magic Bullet is the ultimate mini blender and food processor. It has numerous uses and takes up about the same amount of counter space as a mason jar.
The base is half the size of a standard blender, and the blade can be paired with a single-serve cup or a standard-sized blender pitcher.
2. Hand mixer
Although it may not have quite as many uses as a standard mixer, it’s the next best thing when you don’t have space to spare. A hand mixer is more affordable and easier to clean – and most can fit in a drawer. There are plenty of models to choose from, so you’re bound to find one no matter your budget.
3. Instant Pot
Based on the actual size of it, you may question whether this saves you any space. But consider this – the Instant Pot replaces a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice maker, yogurt maker, steamer and sauté pan, all of which take up room in your cabinets and countertops. On top of that, it cooks food in a fraction of the time.
4. Single-serve coffee maker
If you drink coffee every morning, this is perhaps one of the most useful appliances you can get. It takes up less space than a traditional coffee maker, and most models will dispense directly into a cup.
There’s no wasted coffee and you can have your cup of joe quicker than ordering your fancy drink of choice at a coffee shop. A definite win in the morning!
5. 3-in-1 SuperPot
If you aren’t interested in the Instant Pot, you can substitute it for SuperPot. It doesn’t have all the same features and functions as the Instant Pot, but it’s a third of the size and can be used to slow cook, steam and even grill.
6. 5-in-1 Griddler
This unique countertop griddle is great for use as a grill, panini press, griddle and half grill-half griddle. Because the grill and griddle plates are interchangeable, it’s easy to use and easy to clean – some models even have dishwasher-safe plates to save you a bit of scrubbing.
7. Convection microwave
If a regular microwave and a convection oven had a small, energy-efficient baby, this would be it. A convection microwave really does encompass the best of both appliances, especially if you’re only cooking for one or two people. It uses less energy than a traditional oven while delivering the same results in less time.
8. Induction cooktop
Another energy-efficient replacement, an induction cooktop is perfect if you have limited counter space, as it can be purchased as a single burner. It uses electromagnetic energy to heat the pan, which cooks your food faster. It’s also a lot safer because the energy heats up the pan itself and not the actual cooktop, leaving less risk of being burned once the pan is removed.
9. Immersion blender
If you don’t want a countertop blender – even a small one like the Magic Bullet – an immersion blender is a great alternative. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a hand-held blender used to mix ingredients in a separate container. It’s easy to use and clean, and like the Magic Bullet, has many uses.
10. George Foreman Grill
If you live for grilled anything, this portable grill will serve you well. It comes in different sizes, all of which are easy to move and store. It also claims to make your food healthier – the grill is on a slight slant, draining the excess grease as you go.
Like many of the products above, this grill is easy to clean, and some models come with dishwasher-safe parts to save you even more time.
Just because you have limited space in your kitchen doesn’t mean you’re limited to only a few appliances. You can still have all the same functionality of a larger kitchen, you just need to find the right appliances to fit your needs – and your space.
Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash
