Every kitchen has that drawer or cupboard of gadgets that seemed like a good idea at the time but haven’t been touched in months. I’ve bought more kitchen gadgets than I care to admit, and I’ve learned to distinguish between the ones that genuinely improve cooking and the ones that are marketing masquerading as utility. Here’s my honest take.

Worth Buying

Digital Kitchen Scale ($15-$40)

A kitchen scale is the most underrated kitchen tool. Baking by weight instead of volume produces dramatically more consistent results, and it makes following recipes from other countries straightforward. I use mine daily for everything from coffee to bread baking. The Etekcity digital scale (around $20 on Amazon AU) is accurate, compact, and runs for months on a single battery.

Instant-Read Thermometer ($20-$60)

If you cook meat, a good instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness. No more cutting into a chicken breast to check if it’s cooked through. The Thermapen ONE (around $139) is the gold standard used by professional chefs, but the ThermoPro TP19 (around $25) is accurate enough for home cooking at a fraction of the price.

Microplane Grater ($25-$35)

A Microplane zester/grater transforms garlic, citrus zest, ginger, parmesan, and nutmeg into fine, flavourful additions to dishes. It does something that no other tool does as well, and it takes up almost no space. I use mine several times a week.

Good Quality Tongs ($15-$25)

OXO Good Grips 12-inch tongs are an extension of your hand in the kitchen. Flipping meat, tossing salads, serving pasta, pulling things out of the oven. A good pair of locking tongs with silicone tips is one of the most frequently used tools in my kitchen.

Stand Mixer ($300-$700)

If you bake regularly, a stand mixer is transformative. Kneading bread dough, whipping cream, making meringue, mixing cake batter. The KitchenAid Artisan (around $599) is the standard, and it genuinely lasts decades with proper care. Watch for sales at The Good Guys and Harvey Norman, where it regularly drops to $399-$449.

Not Worth It

Avocado-Specific Tools

Avocado slicers, avocado savers, avocado corers. A sharp knife and a spoon do everything these gadgets do, faster and more effectively. The avocado saver in particular doesn’t actually prevent browning any better than cling wrap and lemon juice.

Electric Can Openers

Unless you have limited hand mobility, a manual can opener works just fine and doesn’t take up bench space or need a power outlet. The $5 manual can opener from Coles has been going strong in my kitchen for years.

Banana Slicers and Egg Slicers

These solve problems that don’t exist. A knife slices bananas and eggs perfectly well. These end up in the back of a drawer within a week of purchase.

Herb Scissors (Multiple Blades)

The five-blade herb scissors that claim to cut herbs quickly are awkward to use and nearly impossible to clean properly. A sharp knife and a cutting board are faster and easier.

Quesadilla Makers and Single-Purpose Cookers

Any appliance designed to make only one thing is almost always a waste. Quesadilla makers, pancake makers, egg cookers. Your stovetop handles all of these tasks and doesn’t take up permanent bench or cupboard space.

Depends on Your Cooking Style

Mandoline Slicer ($30-$80)

If you make a lot of salads, gratins, or dishes requiring uniformly thin slices, a mandoline is genuinely useful. If you don’t, it’s a bulky item that sits unused. The Benriner Japanese mandoline (around $40) is the one most chefs recommend. Use the guard, because mandoline injuries are no joke.

Immersion Blender ($40-$120)

For soups, sauces, and smoothies, an immersion blender (stick blender) is incredibly handy. If you regularly make pureed soups or sauces, it’s worth the $40-$60 for a basic Kambrook or Russell Hobbs model. If you don’t, a regular blender handles the same tasks.

Sous Vide Circulator ($100-$200)

Sous vide cooking produces incredible results for steaks, chicken, and eggs, but it requires patience and planning. If you enjoy the process of cooking and want restaurant-quality results, it’s worth it. If you want quick weeknight meals, it’ll gather dust.

Where to Buy Kitchen Gadgets in Australia

For basics, Kmart and IKEA offer functional options at the lowest prices. For mid-range quality, Kitchen Warehouse, House, and Williams Sonoma (online) have good selections. JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys carry kitchen appliances. For specialty items like Microplanes and Benriner mandolines, Chef’s Hat and Kitchen Warehouse are good sources.

The Bottom Line

Before buying any kitchen gadget, ask yourself two questions: Can I do this task with a tool I already own? And will I use this at least once a week? If the answer to the first question is yes or the answer to the second is no, save your money. The best kitchen gadgets are the ones that earn their space by getting used regularly.