Kristin’s Favorites: Kitchen Items
Over the years, I think I’ve embraced the good ole saying “work smarter, not harder”. When it comes to life in the kitchen, thanks to ever-changing innovativeness, we’ve been able to embrace the simpler and cleaner, as we seek to make the most of our time in this oh so beloved place. All of these items have “improved” our life in some way or another. I recognize that these are complete convenience and first-world blessings, making life in the kitchen that much easier.
I’d love to hear what your favorite modern conveniences are? What items do you have that you’re like “Wow, I can’t imagine not having this!” Please comment below!
Regular Mouth Canning Jar Lids
I LOVE to preserve homemade strawberry jam. Do you ever have it though, when the metal lid and seal get all full of sticky jam and you can’t get the lid off anymore? Insert plastic canning jar lids! They are a life SAVER! You will not regret this purchase:
Air Fryer Paper Liners
Oh the air fryer! A fairly new invention, but one that took me a bit to jump on the bandwagon of. Now having one for the past couple of years, can’t imagine making some meals without it! First of all, what are your go-to air fryer recipes? Always looking for new ideas. Second, did you know they make air fryer liners? Yep, game changer. Sometimes I don’t even have to clean out the basket because these liners keep in all the mess. All you have to do is remove and throw away and voila, clean up is complete. With these liners below, you can choose the number and size that fits your air fryer:
Spice Rack Organizer
For 15 years I have used umpteen ways to try and organize our spices. Living in 3 different homes has made me find creative ways to reorganize them each time, but I have FINALLY settled into an organizing method and won’t ever go back! This spice organizer comes with all spice labels you would EVER need, along with jars and lids! They seal securely and create organizational bliss in your cupboard! I bought the 36 spice organizer and it fits perfectly into our cupboard!
Slow Cooker Liners
Do you find yourself soaking and scrubbing your crockpot for what seems like forever after a meal? The name “Slow Cooker” just shows how slowly food is caked and baked onto the sides of the cooker. Imagine serving your meal and for cleanup, all you have to do is remove the bag when you’re done, rinse it out, and then put it away? I have LOVED using these liners for meat, pasta, and queso recipes, and have also used them for soups as well! It’s a game changer:
Grocery Plastic Bag Holder
Anyone else grow up using plastic grocery bags as garbage bags? It might be more of a Dutch thing, but it is an inexpensive way of reusing something you stock up on quickly after groceries. Before I would use one of the plastic grocery bags to store all of my plastic bags in, until I find this holder below! I have it setting inside the cupboard below our sink, didn’t attach it to the wall because it fits snuggly in there (though attachment is available), and now I store all of our plastic bags in there! You can just shove each bag in on top of another, and pull out as needed. Very much a space saver!
Melamine Mini Bowls
A few years ago, I was looking for some smaller bowls to use for snacks, ice cream, cereal, etc. We have our regular sized bowls that came in our dish set from our wedding, but I really wanted something smaller. This has been years in coming, but I FINALLY found a set that I would buy again. These melamine bowls are the perfect size, offer portion control, and have lasted me years already. They come as a 6-piece set, are BPA free, and are dishwasher safe. We haven’t used them in the microwave for more than 30 seconds, just so that they don’t warp. But these 4″ bowls come in fun colors and have been a go-to every single day!
What are your go-to kitchen items that you can’t live without! Again, please comment below!