Chefs Disclose Essential Kitchen Appliances: Air Fryer Rarely Mentioned
Cooking need not be a tedious or tiresome chore, yet it remains an unavoidable part of daily life. For novice home cooks, relying solely on basic equipment like microwaves and ovens often proves insufficient, turning meal preparation into an unnecessarily drawn-out affair. So, who is better placed to offer advice than professionals and chefs who spend their entire working days in the kitchen? They have revealed some of their indispensable kitchen gadgets that anyone can use at home to simplify cooking and make life considerably easier, with most highlighting one frequently overlooked piece of kit.
If you are keen to elevate your culinary skills and currently own only the bare essentials, here is what every kitchen should contain, according to the experts.
Millie Simpson: Compact Food Processor or Stand Mixer
Millie Simpson, kitchen manager at Sauce by The Langham in London, explained: "Beyond the obvious essentials—a good knife and a solid pan—my go-to appliances would be either a compact food processor or a stand mixer. A small food processor is incredibly versatile for everyday cooking: ideal for chopping, blending, and puréeing, especially when working with smaller quantities at home."
"A stand mixer, on the other hand, is indispensable if you do any baking at all. A quality machine like Kenwood's handles everything from pastry and doughs to fresh pasta with ease."
Mark Poynton: Oven Thermometer
Mark Poynton, Michelin-starred chef owner of Ancient Shepherds and Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall, shared: "My essential appliance is a small but very important one. An oven thermometer is so vital, from making and baking cakes and breads to slow cooking and roasting. There are not many actual home ovens that have exact temperature, so using a small and cheap thermometer is my tip to combat this."
Zach Dinicola: KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Zach Dinicola from Mr Mixer said: "A KitchenAid stand mixer is, in my view, the most transformative appliance a home cook can invest in. Unlike single-use gadgets, it's a true workhorse that evolves with the cook, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced home baker."
"At its core, it removes physical barriers from cooking. Kneading dough, whipping cream, mixing batters, shredding meats, or even making pasta become effortless and consistent. That reliability builds confidence, which is often what turns someone from an occasional cook into a regular one."
"What truly sets the KitchenAid apart is its longevity and versatility. With a single base machine and a range of attachments, it replaces multiple appliances, from food processors to pasta rollers, while lasting decades rather than years. Many mixers are passed down through families, making it both a practical and emotional investment."
"In a modern kitchen full of disposable tech, the KitchenAid remains relevant because it's simple, durable, repairable, and endlessly useful. It hasn't just changed how people cook. It's changed how often they cook."
Chef Sohan Bhandari: Digital Instant-Read Thermometer
Chef Sohan Bhandari, executive chef for Colonel Saab, explained: "If I had to choose one appliance every home cook should own and actually use, it would be a digital instant-read thermometer. It's affordable, easy to use, and quietly fixes one of the biggest problems in home cooking: guesswork."
"A thermometer takes the stress out of cooking and replaces it with confidence. Whether you're roasting a chicken, cooking steak, baking bread, or reheating leftovers safely, it tells you exactly when food is perfectly cooked. For beginners, it removes fear and uncertainty; for experienced cooks, it guarantees consistency every single time."
"It's not flashy or trendy, but it's transformational. Once you start cooking by temperature rather than intuition alone, your food becomes juicier, safer, and more reliable. It's one small tool that genuinely changes how you cook, and once you have one, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it."
Steven Carter Bailey: Air Fryer
Steven Carter Bailey, former Great British Bake Off contestant and ProCook's food expert, commented: "For smaller families of one to two people, it's great for heating and cooking smaller meals or side dishes. Heats up quickly and saves energy."
"Gives the benefits of oven-baked food without having to switch on the oven and use a lot of energy. Becomes a secondary oven if yours is full, and for a larger family, can act as a second oven. Is multifunctional—can do a lot with this one, from baking and grilling to air frying, steaming, and slow cooking."
"Easier to clean than a big oven. Also great for reheating without the need of the microwave. Can keep your food warm for you if you're not ready to tuck in."
