The Mini Utensil You Never Thought You Needed

There are certain items you might own that can be labeled as a small luxury. For some, it may be a collection of different coffee mugs, and for others, a range of expensive bath salts. For those who love to cook, having a slew of multi-purpose kitchen utensils may not only be considered one of life's simple pleasures but also a necessity. While it may pay to have a second bowl for your stand mixer, every kitchen should have a baseline of useful utensils. Better Homes & Gardens outlines the essentials for any home kitchen, including a chef's knife, proper mixing bowls, and a reliable skillet. However, these items surely haven't been around since the dawn of cooking. When did the expanse of kitchen gadgets and appliances take precedence within the modern American kitchen?

According to ThoughtCo. the first dishwasher was patented in 1850 but the majority of the everyday appliances and utensils we now can't live without didn't come into fruition until the late 19th century. Kitchen Infinity outlines the many uses for having an array of utensils at your disposal nowadays. Apart from streamlining your cooking process by cutting, kneading, and pureeing, utensils also provide a much-welcomed level of convenience in their everyday use. Aside from the necessary appliances and gadgets, there is one mini utensil you may actually need when preparing your next dinner party.

Among the many kitchen gadgets used daily, a whisk is one we can agree is on at least a weekly rotation. BBC goodfood describes a whisk to be essential in mixing one or many ingredients together. They are also used to add air in certain recipes or add shape to particular ingredients like egg whites. Did you know there are over six different types of whisks you can choose from depending on their intended use?

While the WebstaurantStoreblog outlines the exact use for a French whisk (or dough whisk) which is used to mix the ingredients of your favorite brownies or scones, you may be missing out if you don't have a miniature whisk in your daily repertoire of handy utensils. According to New York Times food writer, Melissa Clark, among the kitchen utensils she can't live without, a miniature whisk sits at the top of the list (via Rachael Ray Show). She loves them since they're easy to manipulate and you can "whisk really quickly, which is nice." 

Even The Pioneer Woman editors swear by the mini whisk and recommend using one to blend your everyday favorites like salad dressing and scrambled eggs. You may even add this small utensil to your growing list of essential kitchen tools after trying one yourself. Beyond a mini whisk, what are some other highly regarded kitchen tools chefs and/or food writers can't live without?

There's certainly more to consider besides the useful miniature whisk when adding to your long line of kitchen tools. If you're looking to stretch beyond the mini version of this kitchen staple and really get specific with your cooking, The Pioneer Woman recommends a flat whisk to take care of all those rich gravies and pan sauces. 

However, if you're trying to only add kitchen tools that exist on the smaller end of the spectrum, apart from recommending a mini food whisk, food writer Melissa Clark also swears by a mini mandolin for precise slicing (per Rachael Ray Show). If you're looking to save space, TIME suggests a mini food chopper to cut vegetables in a flash–there's even one KitchenAid model that doesn't require an electrical outlet so it can be used anywhere in your home.

The kitchen utensils Ina Garten can't live without aren't necessarily miniature but they are small, so they'll fit into your cozy kitchen space with minimal effort. According to TODAY, among the four kitchen tools Garten recommends more than others, a proper kitchen timer and oven thermometer are essential. If you're looking to add depth to your standard array of kitchen tools, you may want to try incorporating one of these easy gadgets into your assortment — they just might make a real difference in your cooking experience.