How to Choose Food Prep Tools
Start with your available space, intended use, cleaning requirements and the manufacturer's specifications. These products are examples to compare, not a claim that we tested or ranked them by sales.
Want the full comparison? Read our complete food prep tools buying guide.
Products and practical buying considerations
Peels, cores, and slices an apple with a few turns of the crank, which makes short work of a bag of apples for pie or applesauce. The suction base holds it steady on the counter, and it handles potatoes as well.
Who it may suit: For anyone with a bag of apples to get through for pie or applesauce. A few turns of the crank peel, core and slice. It handles potatoes too.
What to check: Suction bases generally grip best on smooth, flat counters, so check that yours qualifies. It is a hand-crank tool, so it takes a little effort per apple.
Dices an onion or pepper with one press and drops the pieces straight into the attached container, which takes most of the knife work out of soup and chili prep. Eight swappable blades also slice, julienne, and grate, and the whole thing comes apart for the dishwasher.
Who it may suit: For anyone who spends a lot of time dicing onions and peppers for soup and chili. One press dices, and the pieces fall into the attached container.
What to check: Eight swappable blades means more pieces to store, so plan a drawer or cabinet spot. The sharp blades call for care, and the whole thing comes apart for the dishwasher.
A few twists of the lid shreds cooked chicken evenly, replacing the slow two-fork routine. The clear lid lets you see how fine the shred is, the non-slip base keeps it planted on the counter, and it also handles cooked pork and beef.
Who it may suit: For anyone who cooks chicken for tacos, sandwiches or salads and is tired of using two forks. A few twists shreds it evenly.
What to check: The listing says it handles cooked pork and beef as well as chicken. Check the size of the bowl against your usual portions.
A one-handed pump spins washed greens and herbs dry, and a brake button stops the basket instantly. The 6.22-quart bowl doubles as a strainer, a serving bowl, or a lettuce keeper in the fridge, and the lid comes apart for cleaning.
Who it may suit: For anyone who washes lettuce and herbs often. A one-handed pump spins them dry and a brake button stops the basket.
What to check: At 6.22 quarts the bowl is large, so check your cabinet and fridge space. The bowl also works as a strainer, serving bowl or lettuce keeper, and the lid comes apart for cleaning.
A knife and cutting board is a lot of setup for snipping herbs, trimming twine or opening a stubborn package. These stainless steel shears have micro-serrated edges that grip food, a soft-grip handle, and a sheath so they can live safely in a drawer.
Who it may suit: For anyone who snips herbs, trims parchment or opens packaging often and wants a dedicated pair of kitchen scissors.
What to check: Hand washing is recommended to keep the blades sharp, even though they are dishwasher safe, and the blades don't come apart for cleaning.
Cutting pizza with a knife tends to drag the cheese and toppings off the crust. This 9-inch rolling cutter has a stainless steel wheel and a built-in finger guard, and it also handles waffles, pie and flatbread.
Who it may suit: For homemade or frozen pizza nights, and for slicing flatbread, quesadillas or waffles.
What to check: It's a 9-inch tool, so make sure it fits your utensil drawer, and use it on a board or pizza peel rather than a nonstick pan.
Before you buy
Measure the installation or storage area, check compatibility and dimensions on the current product listing, and read recent customer feedback. Product specifications and availability can change.
Explore more kitchen buying guides