Having tools that work as hard as you do is very important in a homesteader's life. Because there is always more to do than we have hours in a day and if we can have a wee bit of help with that in our modern-day kitchen and homes, then we should take full advantage.
As I get further along in my homesteading journey I feel like I get more in touch with my pioneer roots! Making most of my family's meals from scratch means I spend quite a bit of time in the kitchen. Because of this, I know the advantage and need of having tools that help get the job done easier and/or in less time.
And because good friends share their helpful knowledge, I'm sharing my favorites, which I would absolutely replace in a heartbeat if they broke.
The video above is actually an update to a podcast I recorded a few years ago. I have definitely found some new and very helpful kitchen items, so I'm amending my previous list of six helpful items I shared in the Pioneering Today Podcast (episode #122) which you can listen to at the top of this post.
My Top 17 Must-Have Kitchen Tools
I'll give you my list at-a-glance here, then you can scroll down through the post to see the actual tool, plus hear my reasons why they make my must-have list! In no particular order:
- Pyrex liquid measuring cups
- Digital scale
- Bench knife
- Dough scraper
- Cast iron handle cover
- Danish dough whisk
- Cookie scoop ice cream scooper
- Metal biscuit dough cutter (or this donut/biscuit cutter)
- Kitchen cupboard organizer
- Instant Pot
- BlendTec Blender
- Whisk Wand
- Dish Drying Rack (Lehmans)
- Pressure Canner
- Home Grain Mill
- Cold Coffee Toddy Maker
- Cast Iron Loaf Pan
Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cups
I love my Pyrex measuring bowls, especially my large 8 cup bowl. My favorite things about them are that they're glass, plus they have a large handle and a pour spout.
I also really love my one-cup liquid measuring cup and use it the most (in fact, if you can get a couple of each, I highly recommend it as mine are constantly in use!).
I frequently mix together homemade brownie batter, no-knead bread dough, scrambled eggs, and so many more food items in these bowls.
Digital Scale
I've had my digital scale for six or seven years and use it all the time! I'm not sure how I managed baking sourdough bread before I had it.
I also love using it for making homemade salves or homemade soaps.
It's extremely helpful when making homemade pie crusts and dividing them by four equal parts so all your crusts are the same size.
Bench Knife
I can't believe I waited so long to get myself a bench knife. I'd seen other bakers using their bench knife for forming homemade artisan bread but didn't truly know how great they were for so many other tasks until I had one.
I use it to cut my pie crusts, dividing any type of dough, and even for transferring cut-up veggies into a bowl or to a pan on the stove.
It also is a great tool for cleaning up countertops after rolling out dough. It scrapes up all the little bits of dough that stick to the counter (no matter how much flour I sprinkle there's always a few little clumps), making cleanup a breeze.
This wooden bench knife fits so much better into my hands than some of the other metal bench knives I've had. If you'd like, you can get on the waitlist to get your own hand-crafted bench knife right here!
Dough Scraper
My wooden dough or bowl scraper is also my new favorite (and has replaced all my plastic dough scrapers). It works phenomenally for scraping dough out of bowls and it's fantastic for cleaning cast iron pans!
Cast Iron Handle Cover
Yes, cast iron is one of my favorite things, but I think I've shared my love of cast iron plenty in this post on seasoning cast iron, this post on cleaning cast iron, and this post on my favorite 25+ cast iron (and Dutch oven) recipes!
But what DOES make this list is my new cast iron handle cover! The one photographed above was actually knitted by one of my readers and I couldn't be more in love with them! These handle covers are a lifesaver. If you're not a knitter or crocheter, these silicone handle covers are the next best thing!
A handle cover is essential because the entire cast iron pan will heat up, making the handles a bit of a hazard for small children (or when you mindlessly forget and grab the handle yourself!).
Danish Dough Whisk
I can't recommend this tool enough. It's great for thicker doughs or batters (especially sourdough or no-knead bread) and I can't believe how easy it makes mixing up these thick doughs.
Cookie Scoop (Ice Cream Scooper)
Yes, technically this is an ice cream scooper, but we rarely use it for that! My favorite use for this tool is to create uniform-sized cookies!
This scoop makes the cookie-making process so much faster and easier, especially when baking because all cookies will bake at the same time since they're the same size, super important for homemade sugar cookies!
Metal Biscuit Cutter
If you ever bake biscuits, having a metal biscuit cutter is a MUST! If you use something like a mason jar, you will actually end up pinching your biscuit closed and you won't get those mile-high biscuits with all those flaky layers!
If you're so inclined, you can also pick up this biscuit cutter/donut cutter combo! I have an antique donut cutter that I absolutely adore!
Kitchen Cupboard Organizer
Not as much of a tool, but still one of my favorite kitchen items! I actually have two of these kitchen cupboard organizers and they keep my cupboards so neat and tidy. Especially because my kids know exactly where to put my kitchen pans and cutting boards.
Instant Pot
On Thanksgiving day we had an unexpected flood. As in, all access roads were flooded and the planned trip to my in-laws was a no-go. It also meant I did not have a thawed out turkey ready to go, but I did have 3 homemade pies so that counts, right?
I threw a whole frozen chicken into the Instant Pot (chickens raised right here on our homestead and chickens we butchered ourselves as well). Within 60 minutes my bird was done. Like fall-off-the-bone, juicy, finger-licking-good done.
The pureed pumpkin in the pumpkin pie? I cooked the pumpkin whole in the Instant Pot.
I'm not kidding when I say I almost took it with us camping this summer… and when I saw another camper with theirs, I told my husband, “See, I should have brought it!”
Do you have an Instant Pot yet? Some homesteaders are against using an electric pressure cooker, but once I got mine I was a believer!
I was actually able to get rid of my slow-cooker, my rice cooker, and my steamer really clearing up space in my cupboards, which made me love it even more!
BlendTec High-Speed Blender
BlendTec actually sent me by high-speed blender almost eight years ago to test it out. I've now used it 1,158 times! (I've actually used it more than that, but if you only blend something for a few seconds it doesn't record the use.)
I use my blender the most in the summertime when I'm blending my tomatoes for canning tomato sauce or making homemade jam or homemade fruit leather.
If anything happened to my blender I would replace it in a minute!
Whisk Wand
I shared this tool in my Homesteader's Gift Giving Guide, but it's worth mentioning again here. This whisk wand/frother is great for blending coffee with cream and collagen in the morning, hot cocoa for the kids, my favorite chai tea latte in the wintertime, etc., etc.
Dish Drying Rack
Unlike many households, we actually don't have a dishwasher. In my family we all take turns washing dishes and we usually just wash our own dishes as they're used throughout the day.
Because of this, I wanted a dish rack that was large enough and sturdy enough to hold my larger pots and pans, plus something that I didn't mind staring at all day since it rarely gets put away.
I found this giant wooden dish rack from Lehmans (have you guys checked out all their amazing products yet?) and I couldn't be happier with it.
Pressure Canner
Not just any pressure canner, an All American Canner. My husband listened to a podcast many years ago now and bought me this beautiful 21.5-quart pressure canner. I'd had my old pressure canner for over fifteen years, and it did get the job done (about 400 jars a year), but this upgrade has been amazing and I can more food in less time because of it.
I can do 19 pints of home-canned beans at once! That's a big deal when you grow and can all of your green beans for a year. The same amount of electricity, the same amount of water, but 19 jars in one run instead of 7.
That is a time and energy savings this homesteading mama adores. Plus, it actually reaches and maintains pressure more efficiently than other models I've tried and used.
This All American Pressure Canner goes down as one of the best kitchen gifts ever.
Mockmill Home Grainmill
There's nothing like grinding your own flour, spices, and even dried veggies up into fresh flour. I've been grinding my own flour for nearly a decade now and I still get that wow factor every single time.
Here's my Grinding Flour and Beyond – the Homesteader's Guide to Home Milling article which has much more info than I'll share here.
While I love the health benefits and versatility of milling my own flour, this homestead cook is not sacrificing melt-in-your-mouth pie crust and light and fluffy cake, so when I saw how fine of a grind I can get with the Mockmill, I promptly retired my old grain mill.
It's not just for whole wheat flour, but gluten-free blends, spices, and even dried vegetables. If you don't have one yet, check out the great offers Mockmill has here. (This link gets you 5% off and FREE shipping! No coupon needed, the discount is applied when you click checkout.)
Cold Coffee Toddy Maker
Why on earth would I want to make cold coffee? So glad you asked, cold brew coffee is different than traditional coffee brewed with hot water. The obvious, use it in homemade cold coffee drinks, but I use cold brew coffee all year round for one simple reason…
Cold brew coffee has 67% less acid than hot brew coffee. For those with stomach acid issues, this is an amazing breakthrough. It was for me.
Plus, no electricity required, you simply place the filter in the container, fill it with your cold water and grounds, let it sit for up to 12 hours, drain and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
You can heat it up if you want a hot cup or drink it cold. Because you've brewed it cold, once the beans are removed, you can heat it up without the worry of the acid. I've had this cold brew system for over 8 years and it's still going strong.
Cast Iron Loaf Pan
Cast iron makes my kitchen go round. I use my cast iron skillets for everything, baking pies, quiches, biscuits, brownies and even my favorite chocolate-caramel cinnamon rolls.
But having a cast iron loaf pan is the best for homemade sourdough sandwich bread. It's my favorite bread pan and I've actually purchased more than one so I could make my two-loaf recipe.
You can grab a two-pack of cast iron loaf pans here (one for me and one for you?!) or pick single or multiple sets of cast iron loaf pans here.
While we're on the subject of made-from-scratch cooking, having tried and true recipes are a must and I share all of mine in both my books, The Made-from- Scratch Life and Hand Made: the Modern Guide to Made-from-Scratch Living (psst, this one has over 100+ recipes!).
More Tips on Cooking and Baking from Scratch:
- How to Meal Plan – 8 Easy Steps for Easy From-Scratch Meals
- 7 Time Saving Tips When Cooking from Scratch
- Batch & Freezer Cooking – 12 Time Saving Tips for Homemade Meals
- Baking Hacks and Tips for Busy Nights
- Traditional Cooking Tips to Get Homemade Food on Your Table Every Day
- 12 Baking Substitutions Every Homesteader Needs to Know
- From Scratch Christmas Dinner Menu – From the Garden
I love your site. I have most of your kitchen must haves. Don’t have the cast iron loaf pans, it do have a set of cast iron cookware. I also just bought a set of enamel tableware. I love it. Mine is blue, but amazon has red. I just ordered a set for my friend. I love the country look.
Hi Deborah, thank you! And I adore the enamel ware too, I have one red and white baking pan and would like to add more. Country girls rock!
Thanks , and here’s some important issues:
1) The manufacturer of those glass Pyrex ‘bowls” did go out of business some yrs ago … so ‘flea markets’ might be the only source these days ..
2) the ‘Canning cooker’ you show uses a pressure guage, and that is a very dangerous thing! … UNLESS the gauge is tested for accuracy EVERY YEAR before canning !!!! (Eg, call your local ‘Extension service’ for free testing of the gauge! The ONLY pressure-regulating device that always works properly is that ‘weighted jiggling’ type of ‘valve’ .. doesn’t need testing … (source: Carolyn , at homesteadingfamly.com .. search youtube.com , too, for their great site ! Carolyn and her hubby Josh …
And thank you for interesting ideas!!
I actually have all of these, except the cold coffee maker. I canned in the past, but haven’t done much for years, but I have a new canner. I just bought the Instant Pot a few months ago, and LOVE IT! Everything you have heard is true, it makes meals so quickly, especially if, like me, you tend to sometimes forget to take something out of the freezer! Cooked an 11# Turkey in one in less than 2 hours including prep, building pressure, cooking and steam release!
I purchased my grain mill, THE best at the time, decades ago. I still love it. And I recently added a cast iron loaf pan to my already large cast iron collection. (I think I now have over 30 pieces), and I have two of the cast iron skillet handles…I agree with everything on your list!
Sounds like you have a fabulous cast iron collection! And I’m glad to hear I’m not the only Instant Pot fan, it is amazing. Blessings
Do you ever bake gluten free bread? I have recently been diagnosed with being allergic to wheat, rye and barley and I really miss my homade wholewheat bread. Nancy
Upon reading this podcast, I was very proud that I have the American Pressure Canner, the Instant Pot, the Mockmill and both of your books. I will wait on the cast iron bred pans, but I am ordering th silicone handle covers for my cast iron skillets. Thanks for a very fun countdown of groovy gadgets!
I agree with you So many things have changed over the past few months. There are many advantages to save time and money in a homestead kitchen. Thanks for sharing these useful tools for saving money and time..!!
Wow! Just realized that I have all of these except the coffee maker (I don’t drink coffee, so that’s to be expected). I feel like I’m well equipped. Just made almond milk, and dried the leftover meal in the dehydrator. Now to grind it in the Mockmill for almond flour for crackers. You have really helped me change my eating and cooking habits, Melissa. And made it fun along the way. Thank you.
Nice work Stephanie! Love hearing that and look at you getting double use out of those almonds.
I just bought 2 of the cold coffee maker. Less acid? I’m willing to try it! And I have a friend who has had to back off of coffee too. I can’t wait to try it! I put the canner on my wish list. The garden is expanding so I’ll need it this summer. Thanks for putting so much into your site and podcasts.
Holly, I hope the cold coffee is a game changer for you guys like it was for me! And in the summer, ahh, nothing like an iced coffee. 🙂 Exciting news on your growing garden and the canner!
Thanks Mellisa for giving information on these tools. They really looks promising for kitchen works.
You asked for comments concerning whether your readers thought you left something out of the must have kitchen tools list… I feel there are a few missing items.
1. Mortar & Pestle: every homesteader needs a Mortar & Pestle! I would even say that you should have at least two sizes, small & large. I would go with a Mexican Molcajete for the large one because it’s made from volcanic rock & is great for grinding & mixing ingredients. You can even serve your guacamole or salsa right in the molcajete after making it!
2. A manual/mechanical kitchen timer. The old windup types are the best. Who needs a digital timer that requires batteries? I found an old one that looks like a hen sitting on a nest at a thrift store. I set it & timed it with a digital timer & it was absolutely accurate.
3. Protective safety gloves. There are woven metal gloves that are used for cutting tasks & there are thick leather gloves to use around fires like a barbecue grill. Both types are a great addition to your kitchen gear.
4. A cast iron griddle. The round Mexican ones are called a Comal. They’re perfect for cooking tortillas, crepes, pancakes, etc. But any size or shape cast iron griddle will do. Sometimes only a griddle will do the job. Just sayin’…
4. A wooden muddler. It’s used to pound cabbage when you make sauerkraut, mix herbs in cocktails, etc. A very versatile kitchen tool.
5. A plastic citrus fruit peeler. Remember the citrus peelers that the Tupperware lady would give away free at Tupperware parties? I love those tools! They make a messy job neat & easy.
Anyway, that’s my contribution to the topic. I hope that you’ll find that the items I mentioned are useful & make cooking from scratch so much easier.
Love love all your gadgets and advice so much valuable info! Wish we were neighbors so I could learn more about everything you do! Thanks for doing what you do!
My husband got me 2 sizes of the Danish dough whisks for Christmas (my request after hearing you talk about them). I LOVE them! I can’t believe how well made and sturdy they are! Thank you for sharing about them!
Melissa, I just recently found you and have been watching your videos. I love them. I am not sure where the “list” is to sign up for your bowl scraper and the other wood item your husband is making but I would love to have them if still available. Thanks and God bless you.
I just added you to it (you’ll see info with more info about them go out this Friday and then the link to purchase Monday morning). Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your list! I recently added the cast iron loaf pan (at your recommendation) and pie pan to my collection at Christmas and just love them both! Just on Easter weekend I found the Lodge Cast Iron Baking Pan at the Lodge Factory Store and want to share how much I love this cast iron piece as well. Not only is it great for cookies, etc., but it is the BEST at making “sheet pan” dinners. Pre-heating a cast iron pan in a 400 degree oven then adding garden veggies and a protein for roasting provided the best results ever! I’m from Tennessee so picked my piece up in the store, but they have a free shipping promo for the next few days online, so check it out at https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/seasoned-cast-iron-baking-pan?sku=BW15BP
I’m thinking next up, the 9×13 inch cast iron Casserole 🙂
Oh, those sound like excellent pieces to add!!
I looked into a couple of the items that you had recommended and was very disappointed to see that they were made in China.
Especially since there are well made, American-made options available here! It would be nice if you promote American-made products
May I suggests looking at your local camping store for the handle covers.
I found my silicon handle covers in the camping equipment section in our local store of all places and they weren’t expensive.I NEED to get those CI loaf pans. I “haunt” estate sales and garage sales for the older Pyrex bowls and pieces in my(retired) pattern.The newer ones I feel aren’t as good as the older ones but that’s me.
Are the dough scrapper and bench knife still being made? I am interested in both.
Yes, we have a small amount going up for sale this coming Monday! I can add you to the email list to be notified and get the link.
Sadly, Pyrex brand products are no longer made of borosilicate glass. If you want the hot/cold protective property of borosilicate glass, other products exist. They are more expensive than regular glass.
Curious what the advantages of borosilicate glass are, and what Pyrex is being made out of now instead of it?
I have the same, but older, antique biscuit/donut cutter. From the picture yours looks like its made from aluminum, we didn’t have aluminum when mine was made, mine’s tin I believe, with a wooden red ‘handle’. We used ‘tin foil’ in those days and I called it that till I was probably 30 and realized I needed to update my vocabulary. I had to get mine out and noticed the screws are on the top of you’re cutter and they’re on the underside/inside of mine and I never knew I could take out the center piece and make it do biscuits too! I always thought those screws were just there to hold that center ‘hole cutter’ in place, THX for the tip. And, now I’d like to return the favor.
Something I use in my kitchen All The Time is something you may already have, I just repurpose it, in addition to it’s original use. It’s a grapefruit spoon.
I’m sure you know what a grapefruit knife is, well the spoon has the serrated tip of the spoon and extends down sometimes to half way to the handle on both sides, on others it’s just the tip. I use this to get seeds out of pumpkins & all kinds of winter squash. I use the serrated spoon to get a part of the seeds loose than use my hand to get a good grip and pull them out and then ‘clean up’ the cavity of strings and the odd seed or 6. It’s also good on removing melon & cuke seeds or tomatoes or getting an avocado out w/out cutting it into quarters & peeling it, if you’re going to just mash it up. It’s also great for pear & peach centers and I love it for getting mango off the 2 large pieces I slice off and then scrape the seed with it. It’s amazing how often I use that grapefruit spoon for more than it was designed.
THX for sharing, love reading your emails with all the good tid bits.