Whenever I’m at Target, I can’t resist taking a stroll through the kitchen section. I love checking out all the cool kitchen gadgets! From a tool specifically for pitting and slicing avocado to a tapping system for fresh coconuts, I’m enthralled by them all! But there’s a pretty big problem with my enthusiasm for kitchen gadgets: I know I don’t need any of them! I already have issues with my limited kitchen storage space. Adding unnecessary gadgets to the mix would only make things worse!
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So while I love to look at the fancy kitchen gadgets at the store, I rarely bring them home with me. Instead, I try to make do with the kitchen tools I already have. And the more I do it, the more I realize that it’s all a matter of creativity! If you’re willing to think outside the box, you can find dozens of useful ways to use almost any of the cooking tools you already own. In fact, a few years ago I wrote a whole post on this very topic (which you can read at this link!) I’ve decided that it’s high time I wrote a follow-up to that post. So I’ve put together this post of even more alternatives to fancy kitchen gadgets. :-) Enjoy!
Related: Cheap Alternatives To Fancy Kitchen Gadgets
9 (More) Cheap Alternatives To Fancy Kitchen Tools
1. Use A Bottle As A Rolling Pin
If you don’t have a rolling pin (or yours is out of commission), use a glass bottle! They’re both heavy and smooth enough to make short work of any baking project.
2. Use A Glass As A Cookie Cutter
Can’t find your cookie cutter? Just use a drinking glass (or a mason jar!) Turn it upside down, dip the rim in a bit of flour, and use. A glass is about the same size as a cookie cutter, and it works well for biscuits too.
3. Use Canned Beans As A Meat Tenderizer
You don’t need a fancy mallet to tenderize meat. You can use a can of beans instead! Wrap some plastic wrap around the bottom of the can first, then pound away. The weight of the beans in the can will help break down the tough muscle fibers in the meat. You’ll have deliciously tender and juicy meat in no time!
4. Use A Funnel As A Cherry Pitter
Even the most avid eaters of cherries don’t need a special cherry pitting tool. A small funnel will do the job just fine! Place the funnel upside-down, put a cherry on the small opening, and push. The pit will stay in place, and you can enjoy your cherries pit-free.
5. Use A Waffle Iron As A Quesadilla Maker
Even though waffle makers seems like a “uni-tasker” kitchen tool, they’re actually really versatile! You can use a waffle iron to make delicious quesadillas, paninis, and more. (Check out the post below for even more things you can make in a waffle maker!)
Related: 15 Surprising Foods You Can Make In Your Waffle Maker
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6. Use A Slotted Spoon As An Egg Separator
A device that separates egg whites from egg yolks? That’s about as specific as kitchen tools get. But you can actually do the same thing with a slotted spoon. Just place a slotted spoon over a bowl and crack the egg into the spoon. The whites will slide through the slots leaving the yolk behind.
7. Use Tongs As A Citrus Reamer
Use your kitchen tongs to juice lemons and limes! Just cut the fruit in half, clamp it in your tongs, and squeeze over a bowl. The added pressure from the tongs will help get more juice out than squeezing by hand. Just make sure to strain out any pulp or seeds!
8. Use Cookie Cutters As Napkin Rings
Want to impress your dinner guests? Use small cookie cutters as fancy napkin rings! They’ll elevate the look of your table, and they won’t cost you a thing.
9. Use A Pizza Cutter As Herb Shears
You know those herb shears that look like scissors with too many blades? I actually bought them a while back and never had any success with them. (I still don’t know if it was user error, or if they just didn’t work at all.) But you know what does work to cut herbs? A pizza cutter! Just set your herbs on a cutting board and roll your pizza cutter over them.
What’s your favorite “alternative” way to use your kitchen tools?
To separate eggs just use the shell. Break the shell in two then gently “pour” the egg back and forth between the two pieces over a bowl. The white will drip into the bowl and the yolk stays in the shell piece.
For a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter cut the other end out of an empty can and use it. Best dipped in a litter flour so dough won’t stick
You can use a plastic bottle as an egg separater, you just squeeze the bottle, put the open end gently over the yolk and then let the air and the yolk into the bottle…I only found this trick out after I’d bought a gadget that uses the same principle
Hi Jillee. I really love your post. I’m a new follower. When I read your article, I want to follow more your others. Regarding to this post, it’s a great ideas for kitchen tools with less money. So, I only buy main kitchen tools, it can make me save a lot of money. Recently, I have just bought some Ceramic Knives as shown here https://www.eathealthyandthrive.com/best-ceramic-knives/. By the way, I’ll follow your post. Thank you for sharing a great idea.
I think ceramic knives are the best!
I love all your fabulous tips, and these are noting short of wonderful. Never thought about using a waffle iron to make paninis etc. I will be using most of these tips. Thanks for sharing. The one or two I will not be using, only because I do not have the items in my home
My 16 yr. old son (he was 14 at the time), found that using the indoor grill makes great grilled cheese and other hot sandwiches. He hates cheese though lol.
I’ve used wooden clothes pins as bag clips for several years. More recently, I’ve been keeping a roll of 3/4” masking tape beside the refrigerator for quick labeling on containers of left overs. The tape works well for resealing bags of chips & crackers, etc. Fold the end of tape roll to make dispensing easy every time.
When my children were smaller, I used my kitchen shears whenever we had spaghetti to cut it up into tiny bites for them. It was fast and efficient.
Great idea Tracey!
Jillee……I just love you!! I am 77 yrs. old.. and I so enjoy all the things you suggest. I have tried several of them and am so happy I have you on my radar. You are the best!!
Thanks for being you and making life a lot easier for us……keep doing what you do.
Thank you so much for the kind comment, Margo! :-)
Good suggestions, thanks!