When we were shopping for our house, my one requirement (okay, let’s be real… one of my top requirements) was that I needed to have a nice kitchen. My husband doesn’t really cook, so I tend to spend a lot more time in the kitchen than him- his version of helping is pouring the wine and controlling the music. I don’t really mind, however, because I actually love to cook. My version of decompressing after a long day at work, a nice quiet Saturday night in, or when I’m just feeling introverted (we all have those days) is coming home and experimenting in the kitchen with good music. With that said, like any activity, cooking is always even better with the right tools to make it happen. Here are some of the gadgets and goodies that I use everyday, and would feel lost without.

1)  Evo Non-Aerosol Oil Sprayer

If you’re like me and you use olive oil to cook just about everything, then this sprayer is for you!  Its trigger spray design and unique fan-shaped stream make cooking so much easier than ever before.  Need to grease the pan before cooking or to add some more extra virgin olive oil to that salad?  Just pull the trigger and get a stream of goodness spread evenly across your leafy greens!  To make it even better, the sprayer is easy to refill with your favorite oil or liquid substance (everything from olive oil and avocado oil, to lime juice and balsamic dressing), and comes with interchangeable labels for the most popular oils.  Also, if you’re on a strict diet that requires you to account for every ounce of food that you consume (i.e. keto), you can rest easy knowing that the evo sprayer is designed to release the same amount of oil with each squeeze of the trigger.

How much and where to buy: this product usually ranges in size, but starts around $14.99 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

2)  Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Shakers

Not only are these grinders sleek and stylish for any modern kitchen, but they make cooking so much easier.  Whether you’re adding salt to the pot as you stir, or just adding fresh pepper to your dish, simply invert the grinders and enjoy instant seasoning.  Easily twist the knob at the top to adjust for as fine or as coarse as you’d like.

How much and where to buy: usually $45.99, this shaker set is on clearance right now for only $16.99 at Walmart.

3)  Copper Chef Cookware

These pans take “non-stick” to an entirely different level!  You can easily cook your vegetables, meats, sauces, and everything else in these, and they’ll never stick.  No need to ever use added oils unless you want to, which is perfect for strict diets.  These are extra easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and high-heat resistent, meaning that they can go straight from the stove to the oven.  My favorite thing to cook in these is a delicious salmon filet- always gets the skin and the seasoned topside nice and crispy, while cooking through evenly and never sticking to the pan.  I also highly recommend the medium side casserole dish with frying basket- great for making fried chicken, handcut french fries, or deep fried okra!

How much and where to buy: most of the cookware ranges between $20 and $60 per pot/pan at the Copper Chef website.

4) One Egg Wonder

There are few things that I love more than a good, fried egg!  On a burger, on a salad, or just on plain toast- if there’s an egg involved, I want it fried and running all over my food.  This tiny skillet was truly created for people like me.  It’s the perfect size for one fried egg, and so easy to use that you can just flip the egg in the air with the skillet (queue GIF from Ratatouille).  I especially love this skillet because it’s virtually fool-proof, and you come out with perfect fried eggs every time.

How much and where to buy: this pan’s a steal at less than $6 at Walmart.

5) Electric milk frother/drink mixer

Whether it’s to froth the milk in your coffee in the mornings, or to mix your cocktails, this item is a must!  I got mine from Ikea as an impulse purchase years ago, and still use it on a daily basis.

How much and where to buy: for a basic frotehr, you can expect to pay anywhere from $6 at Target up to around $35 at Williams Sonoma.

6) Electric Wine Opener

Because when it’s girls night and you’re a few glasses in, sometimes you need a little help opening the red wine.  These come in many different designs, but they’re always a cool conversation starter at parties and just a nice way to add a little more flare to your kitchen.

How much and where to buy: electric wine openers can be found most anywhere, and usually start around $20.  I’ve had this one from QVC for a few years now, and really like it!

7) Echo Show

This is one gadget that I never realized I needed until after I got it.  My mother-in-law got it for me and my husband, and our initial thought was “we already have an Echo, so this can’t be much different.”  We were so wrong!   Alexa’s basically become my personal sous chef when I’m cooking.  No more cooking with my phone or laptop out for directions.  Just say something like “Alexa, show me how to make buttercream icing” and she magically pulls up youtube videos with instructions.  Want to watch a movie while cooking, just stream it on the Show.  You can even make video calls on it.  And, of course, you can always use it for the classic Echo commands- playing music, asking the weather, of just asking Alexa to tell you a joke.  Seriously, the echo show is like the gift that keeps on giving.

How much and where to buy: While a new Echo Show will run you about $230, if you’re willing to settle for a first generation Show (I have this one and totally LOVE it!) you can score one for around $90 on Amazon.

8) Cocktail Recipe Shaker

A cocktail shaker that has recipes on it for all of the most popular drinks.  Enough said.

How much and where to buy: if you’re feeling fancy, get it for $35 at Things Remembered and you can get it engraved.

9) Instant Pot 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker

It’s getting cold out, which means it’s slow cooker season- time for pot roasts, chili (I don’t eat chili, but I hear lots of people actually enjoy it), and whatever fun one-pot concoctions you can find on Pinterest.  This particular slow-cooker also happens to moonlight as six other kitchen must-haves- rice cooker, pressure cooker (speed up your slow cooker recipes!), saute, steamer, yogurt maker, and and warmer- which is perfect if you’re looking to declutter your kitchen (I found this super helpful when I lived in NYC and had an extra small kitchen space).  Possibly my favorite thing about the Instant Pot is that it’s programmable so you can have it cook your food just in time for you to get home from work or running errands.  For me, there aren’t many things that top coming come to a fresh, delicious roast.

How much and where to buy: starting around $90 at multiple retailers, including Macy’s.