15 Problem-Solving Kitchen Gadgets That Pretty Much Pay for Themselves

Whether you’re the occasional baker when the mood strikes or your very own home chef who loves to host, we bet you’ve faced plenty of problems in the kitchen, from time-consuming food prep to ineffectively coring spicy peppers. It’s not always about your culinary skills so much as it is about the tools at your disposal, and investing in quality kitchen gadgets can make all the difference in the way you prep, cook, and even clean.

On that note, we pored over Amazon’s expansive kitchen department to find 15 clever gadgets to help you maximize your time and maybe even help you look forward to cooking more. From essential herb scissors to freezer trays that will change your leftover game, here are some genius tools worth a spot in your kitchen drawers and pantries.

15 Problem-Solving Kitchen Gadgets to Shop Now

• Quellance Adjustable Rolling Pin, $17 with coupon (was $20)
• Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot & Pasta Strainer, from $15 (was $30)
• Cave Tools Pepper Corer and Deseeder, $8 (was $13)
• Yidada Watermelon Slicer, $10
• Oxo Good Grips Prep Julienne Y-Peeler, $10
• Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Tray, $20
• Fullstar Vegetable Chopper, $24 (was $40)
• Ytuomzi Egg Separator, $6 (was $10)
• StoveShelf 30-Inch Black Magnetic Shelf, $38 (was $40)
• Novart Herb Keeper, $35 (was $40)
• Mountain Grillers Meat Claws, $12 with coupon (was $15)
• Tovolo Collapsible Microwave Cover, from $9 (was $12)
• Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Mat, $17
• Poromi Herb Scissors Set, $11 with coupon (was $16)
• NutriChef Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System, $54 (was $100)

Quellance Adjustable Rolling Pin

Few of us have room for more than one rolling pin, but this set ensures you can make everything from noodles and cookies to pie crusts and pizza dough with the exact thickness you’re looking for. All you have to do is adjust the removable rings on the aluminum roller to control the thickness of your dough. It even includes a baking mat to keep your next tortellini, pizza dough, or pie crust from sticking to your counter.

Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot & Pasta Strainer

The customer-loved Gizmo Snap N Strain has been trending and topping the best-seller chart at Amazon for good reason. The universal design allows you to clamp the device on different-sized pots, bowls, and pans to easily strain the liquid from your dishes, while also saving your noodles from dropping down the garbage disposal and even saving you space. Crafted from food-grade silicone, the one strainer to rule them all, is heat-resistant up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can toss it in the dishwasher when you’re done.

Cave Tools Pepper Corer and Deseeder

Properly coring your peppers can be more crucial than you think, as the ribs and seeds can affect the texture, taste, and heat level of your dish. Unfortunately, coring can be tedious and often becomes a task that is often overlooked. Not anymore: This ribbed easy-to-use tool features serrated edges, so you can swiftly slice through peppers and remove the core with a simple twist of your hand.

Yidada Watermelon Slicer

Thanks to watermelon’s substantial size and waxy rind, it can prove difficult to get a good enough grip to cut perfect squares. Luckily, this windmill-style cutter can do the trick in a fraction of the time. Just cut your melon in quarters, push this slicer through the exposed end, and watch as it creates perfectly lined squares of ready-to-eat cubes of watermelon.

Oxo Good Grips Prep Julienne Y-Peeler

If you’ve ever tried to use a cheese grater to dice up your carrots, bell peppers, or onions for a salad, then you know how difficult clean-up can be. Even worse, the strips are usually thin and soggy. You should be using a julienne peeler for even, neat strips of your favorite vegetables and cheeses in a simple stroke. This Oxo peeler is designed with a Y-shape Japanese stainless steel blade, which means you can cover more surface area in less time.

Souper Cubes Silicone Freezer Tray

Freezing single portions of your leftovers has never been easier, thanks to the Souper Cubes. The silicone base is split into six rectangular compartments, which feature fill lines so you can level the exact amount you need. The tray is microwave- and dishwasher-safe and also oven-safe up to 415 degrees Fahrenheit. From storing stews to pastas to sauces, you’ll be surprised by how often you reach for this container.

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper

Whether dicing onions, cutting spirals of zucchini, or cubing potatoes, cut your food prep time with the best-selling Fullstar vegetable chopper. This kit comes with four blades (two square sizes for dicing, one spiral blade, and ribbon blade for thin and wide slices) to help you achieve the perfect cut. It also includes a cleaning brush, two cleaning scrapers, and a finger guard.

Ytuomzi Egg Separator

If you’ve ever worked with a recipe that called for only egg whites or yolks, you’ve experienced the agony of the impossible task of separating them. Now you can achieve the impossible with the Ytuomzi Egg Separator that will do the hard work for you. To use, rest the stainless steel spoon on a bowl, crack the egg over it, and watch as it effortlessly separates the yolk from the egg white.

StoveShelf 30-Inch Black Magnetic Shelf

We could all use extra space in the kitchen, especially when you’re in the midst of whipping up a lengthy recipe. The StoveShelf lets you add the space you need to store your go-to spices and oils right where you need them. Since it uses magnets to attach onto a surface, it’s extremely renter-friendly, too. Shop it in black, white, and stainless steel and three different sizes.

Novart Herb Keeper

The big herb dilemma is that fresh herbs taste so much better, but if you don’t have a green thumb, it can be hard to keep your herbs in good condition for more than a few days. This herb-saving container uses a bit of water to keep your parsley, cilantro, and other fresh herbs alive for up to three weeks. It’s convenient to use, too. The sleek inner cup can be pulled out by the lid’s handle, making it easy for you to grab your herbs while you’re cooking.

Mountain Grillers Meat Claws

Get ready for delicious pulled pork sandwiches and shredded chicken tacos on the fly. These claws seamlessly rip through your meats in just a few motions. Yup, that means you can put away your tired forks—they deserve better. When you’re through, just place them in your dishwasher.

Tovolo Collapsible Microwave Cover

Microwaving leftovers and frozen meals is the simplest method for a nice hot meal, but if you’re planning to dig into some spaghetti or any other sauce-related dish, it’s going to be messy. This multifunctional microwave cover sits over your plate to protect your microwave from major splatters. It also doubles as a strainer. Plus, it folds down flat for easy storage when you’re not using it.

Amazon Basics Silicone Baking Mat

Forget going through roll after roll of tin foil and ferociously scrubbing your baking trays. These reusable silicone mats eliminate the need for grease or oil, thanks to its non-stick qualities that also make clean-up a snap. They’re oven-safe up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can grab them in a two-, three-, or four-pack.

Poromi Herb Scissors Set

Evenly chopping your herbs can take time and concentration and might even strain your hands. Cut down on your time and energy by using herb scissors, which utilize multiple blades to finely chop everything from cilantro to green onions. This rust-resistant design also comes with a scraping brush and a blade cover to protect the shears while in the dishwasher or when they’re not in use.

NutriChef Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System

The key to having  groceries last longer is by storing them in vacuum-sealed bags.. Whether you’re freezing meats, resealing a bag of chips, or honing your sous vide technique, a vacuum sealer can extend the life of your foods. The starter kit includes an air suction hose, a wine stopper cork, five medium vacuum bags, and a large vacuum bag roll to create a variety of custom-sized bags yourself.