23 Of The Most Useful Kitchen Gadgets It's Worth Having Two Of

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Sometimes, having just one kitchen gadget on hand isn't enough, especially if you want to equip your kitchen with useful items to help you prep, cook, and plate your culinary creations with ease. Both experienced home chefs and new cooks will be better prepared for any recipe with the right tools. Having extra kitchen gadgets can help you transition from baking for your family one day to hosting a dinner party the next. Or maybe you just have a habit of juggling multiple recipes at once. In moments like these, having a trusty backup (or two) of the most useful gadgets in your kitchen is more than just convenient; it could bring the joy back into cooking. From preventing cross-contamination to saving you valuable dishwashing time in the midst of managing busy recipes, having the right tool ready when you need it can reduce stress in the kitchen. 

Unlike the many 'handy' kitchen gadgets that are just a waste of money, some are well worth the added expense. From everyday basics to gadgets that provide specific, yet essential functions that upgrade your cooking, it's worth doubling down on useful kitchen gadgets. Of course, things like cutting boards, chef's knives, mesh strainers, bottle openers, whisks, and tongs are familiar to most home cooks, so there's no surprise they might be useful enough to keep duplicates on hand. But there are also some indispensable items that some cooks may not even be aware of, much less have a spare. For example, bench scrapers, thermometers, and basting brushes can simplify the cooking process, and each one has a reason to invest in (at least) two.

Basting brushes are the perfect kitchen gadget to simplify glazing and basting for a variety of cooking styles and recipes. They are commonly used to add sauces to meats or add the perfect finish to pastries. While you can use the same brush for both techniques, it is a good idea to keep these tasks separate and prevent cross-contamination by buying a second basting brush. In some cases, you may want to invest in different types of basting brushes for different tasks. Silicon basting brushes are easy to clean and good for sticky sauces, while natural-bristle basting brushes are more gentle.

Bench scrapers aren't the most well-known kitchen gadgets, but they are incredibly useful, especially if you bake. Generally, used for cutting dough, scraping surfaces, or measuring, having two is a good idea when you are working with different types of dough at the same time, or if you have sticky dough and you'd rather not get your hands dirty. The second scraper can also help you move dough from one surface to another. You may also want to have two different materials for different jobs, such as stainless steel for cutting and plastic for scraping without scratching delicate surfaces.

You never know when you will need a bottle opener. While some people have enough extras to try creative ways to repurpose bottle openers around the house, you should still keep two in your kitchen. Whether it's for common drinks you regularly have on hand, a rare drink purchase that you forgot isn't a twist-off, or that specialty ingredient, bottle openers always come in handy. These small tools can also easily get left around the house or lost in the back of drawers, so keeping an extra one is always a good idea.

No matter how fancy your can opener is, there's still a chance it could break, which is why you should always have a spare. While there are electric openers and pocket knife openers (which can be great to keep with your food storage), most kitchens are equipped with manual can openers that feature a round blade and a hand crank. They generally aren't considered expensive kitchen gadgets, so it's affordable to keep an extra one around. If one gets dull, you can easily sharpen your can opener with a nifty kitchen staple by rubbing aluminum foil along the blade. 

A chef's knife is a specific kind of kitchen knife that is used for almost any cutting task. It is one of the most common knives for cooks to have in the kitchen because it is great for cutting meat, chopping veggies, or mincing herbs. If you are using a mix of ingredients, you may benefit from a second knife to prevent cross-contamination. A second, smaller chef's knife is good for boning and mincing garlic. Plus, both knives will stay sharp longer, and give you a chance to alternate maintenance on each, so they both stay pristine.

Another kitchen gadget that is worth having two of is a colander — a type of standing strainer. You can use a colander to rinse rice, veggies, fruits, and other ingredients, but it is also good for straining cooked foods like pasta. It's a good idea to keep different sizes in your cabinets for different recipes. This also allows you to use them simultaneously for complex recipes. In addition, matching the size of each colander to the size of the pans you use most often for straining can streamline the process and reduce mess. 

There are several types of cooking spoons, and you'll want to have at least two of each if you are planning on enhancing your cooking skills. Whether you are entertaining or mixing up different dishes for a balanced meal, each spoon has a job to do. Slotted spoons are good for separating solid foods from sauces, while serving spoons and ladles are good for serving liquids. Then there's wood, silicon, and metal to consider. Having multiple spoons and types allows you to manage several recipes at once without cross-contamination.

Just like with bottle or can openers, having an extra cork screw can save you a headache when your main one breaks. Not to mention, there is a wide variety of corkscrew styles. For multi-person households, having multiple styles allows each person to choose their favorite. And, a spare is always good for emergencies. For extensive wine collections, you may want to have specialized corkscrews on hand for older vintages. Depending on the year, the cork may be more or less fragile, which means you may want different tools for the job. 

Cutting boards are an essential part of almost any style of cooking — if you want to keep your counters protected from scratches, that is. While wood cutting boards, such as bamboo, walnut, or butcher block, are stylish and functional, many home cooks suggest keeping a few plastic cutting boards around. Having multiple cutting boards makes it easier to prevent cross-contamination when you have several different ingredients to chop for the same meal or recipe. Plastic cutting boards offer convenience by allowing you to sanitize them in the dishwasher.

Ice cream scoops are perfect for creating form for all types of foods, not just ice cream. You can use them to portion cookie dough, meatballs, mashed potatoes, or even scoop batter into muffin tins. If you have two ice cream scoops, you can portion different mixtures or courses without rinsing in between, which is especially helpful at a potluck or when entertaining buffet-style. Different sizes are also great for different moods or different jobs. This handy kitchen tool even makes cleaning out a pumpkin a breeze!

Kitchen shears are more than just a kitchen gadget; they are a kitchen essential. There are kitchen shears designed to cut herbs, while some are great for parchment paper, and others for breaking down poultry. It is important to keep these tasks separate, so you want to have at least two pairs to prevent cross-contamination. Shears can dull over time. Even though sharpening your kitchen shears is easier than you may have thought, having a second pair helps ensure you have reliable cutting utensils when you need them.

Depending on the recipe (or the meal) that you are putting together, you may end up working with various types of liquids. In some recipes, you can't afford to mix the wrong liquids in the middle of the recipe. Having two liquid measuring cups lets you measure and stage ingredients without the need to wash difficult liquids out in the middle of the cooking process. Just like with many other gadgets, different sizes are valuable for different recipes. A small cup might be good for baking, but a large cup is perfect for stocks and soups.

A mesh strainer can handle a range of tasks from rinsing grains to sifting flour or straining sauces. When cooking with multiple components, especially for the holidays, having two can save a lot of time. The tiny mesh isn't the easiest to clean in a pinch. Sizes range from small strainers for straining tea leaves over mugs to large strainers that fit over mixing bowls. There are also fine- and coarse-mesh options used for different cooking techniques. Having a few options in your kitchen helps you move seamlessly between prep and plating.

It is common to see silicon tongs in kitchens, but metal tongs are one kitchen gadget that you should definitely have two of. Metal tongs can handle direct contact with flames, so they are great for grilling. But they are also more sturdy than silicon, so it is easier to get a good grip on slippery foods like fish, or when you are frying. Having multiple makes it easy to manage cooking more than one dish and helps avoid cross-contamination, especially when working with raw meat. In addition, you can separate your cooking tongs from your serving tongs.

Dry measuring cups are essential for baking and precise cooking. They are generally used for ingredients like flour and sugar that can be filled to the top and scraped off for exact measuring. When a recipe calls for the same measurements of different ingredients, having two sets is a must. Not only will you not have to wash the cups between uses, but you can measure out all the ingredients ahead of time, so your workspace stays less cluttered. This is especially helpful when alternating between dry and sticky ingredients.

Paring knives are smaller than chef's knives and are designed for peeling, trimming, and detail work. They are often used for meal prep. Just like with chef's knives, having two paring knives can prevent cross-contamination during prep and make maintenance and sharpening easier. A paring knife is perfect for slicing almost anything that will fit in your hand. Having two is helpful when working with both wet and dry ingredients, like a fruit pie. Use the first one to slice the fruit and the second to score the dough, without wasting time or making a sticky mess. 

Silicon jar openers provide grip when stubborn lids refuse to budge. They are small, so they don't take up much space, but they can easily get misplaced in drawers. Keeping two ensures one is always within reach. They can also be helpful in different areas of the kitchen, especially if you cook with sauces or preserved ingredients. They are affordable, and since they don't take up a lot of space, having a spare adds convenience without adding clutter.

Silicon spatulas are commonly used in baking for scraping bowls, folding batter, and stirring sauces without scratching cookware. They are heat-resistant and dishwasher safe, so you can use them for almost any recipe. Having two means that you can always have a clean one ready when you are working with different ingredients, saving time and preventing flavors from mixing. They also come in different sizes, which is helpful when scooping batter from large mixing bowls compared to scraping the last remnants out of small jars.

Whether flipping pancakes or searing burgers, spatulas are another kitchen gadget you'll want to have duplicates of. They are essential for a wide range of recipes for every meal, so keeping a second one allows you to have a clean one when your dishwasher is running. There are metal, plastic, and silicon spatulas that each work best on different cooking surfaces. You should pair metal spatulas with grills or metal cookware that does not have a non-stick surface. Silicon or plastic works best for non-stick or ceramic-coated pans. When hosting or cooking multiple dishes, having separate spatulas keeps everything organized and hygienic.

Thermometers remove the guesswork when it comes to deciding when your delicate recipes are done or when your oil is ready to fry. You can monitor different dishes at the same time if you have two without risking contamination, especially during busy holiday meals. You may also want to have two different types, such as an instant-read thermometer and an oven-safe probe. There are thermometers that are specifically designed for specialty cooking, such as meats or candy. Plus, if one runs out of battery or needs recalibration, having a backup keeps your cooking safe and precise.

Vegetable peelers are a relatively safe way to quickly peel the skin off potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables with little waste. When prepping multiple ingredients, a second peeler lets someone else help or allows you to move between tasks quickly. Different styles, such as straight or Y-shaped peelers, work for different tasks and provide different advantages. Keeping a second one as a backup ensures you're always ready to tackle your vegetable prep without interruption, no matter the task.

Whisks blend batters, emulsify dressings, and whip cream. While you can accomplish some of these tasks with electric mixers, other recipes are just better done the old-fashioned way. By having more than one, you can mix any ingredients the right way or blend separate components without constant rinsing. Different whisk shapes suit different tasks. For example, a balloon whisk might be good for blending dry ingredients, while a flat whisk is better suited for sauce, roux, or custard that is whisked directly in the pan. Plus, with a backup ready, you can move from sauce to dessert seamlessly.

While many people think wire cooling racks are just for cookies and muffins, they have plenty of uses beyond baked goods. They allow air to circulate around a wide range of foods, from cookies and cakes to roasted meats. Having two helps separate these tasks, but it can also keep things moving along when running multiple batches. A second cooling rack keeps everything cooling evenly instead of having to stack items prematurely. In addition, you can use your second rack for glazing or frosting pastries, or for draining fried foods, without compromising on cooling space or time.

Zesting citrus peels adds bright flavor to both sweet and savory dishes, and you can use the same tool to finely grate foods like chocolate or hard cheese. It helps to have an extra zester ready for softer ingredients — so you don't dull a new blade — or for complex recipes. If you frequently cook desserts while simmering sauces or other savory dishes, dedicating one to each dish ensures flavors never mingle. A spare zester also comes in handy when one becomes dull, so you don't have to make an emergency run to the store to keep your garnishes effortless.