Hi everyone! Today I thought I’d talk about small kitchen appliances. Not just any small appliances, but those that are suitable for smaller households or kitchens.
Most of my appliances are still from my college years, when I mainly cooked for just myself. Well, most of those appliances are still in my kitchen today, and I still mostly cook for just myself. Since not much has changed yet, I’m still not in the market for larger or more elaborate kitchen appliances. When it comes to shopping for them, I choose ones that help maximize my cabinet space but that perform to the high level I need.
For those of you that cook for just yourself, for two, or for a smaller household, here are my top small kitchen appliances to fit well with your lifestyle. I’m definitely no expert, so if you have any additional recommendations I would love to hear!
1. Crock-Pot 6-Quart Countdown Programmable Oval Slow Cooker
This was the first real kitchen appliance I bought while I was in college, and I was so happy I did! I’ve had it for about 5-6 years now and it’s still my absolute favorite. Regardless of how small or large your household is, investing in a larger size slow cooker is definitely worth it. Not only can you cook single serving meals in it, but my favorite is to cook a large batch of something and portion it out for weekday dinners.
The best highlight: you can make dinner before you leave for somewhere, and it’s ready right when you get home. Not too shabby.
I’m a huge fan of the digital component to this 6 quart Crock Pot! You can cook anything from 30 minutes up to 20 hours, and the digital clock will count down and visually show you how much time is left. Once the time has run down, it will automatically switch to “keep warm.” That means no more worrying about leaving your slow cooker on for too long or rushing home to turn it off!
2. Cuisinart Pro Classic 7-Cup Food Processor
I received this food processor as a gift one year, and assumed I would only use it to grate carrots or potatoes (when I just started out cooking). Oh goodness, was I wrong! This is one of my essentials in my kitchen and I use it for almost everything. From chopping large batches of veggies, to making homemade pesto or protein bars, and even grinding my own oat flour, this little guy can do it all.
Don’t be fooled by its smaller size, because this 7 cup food processor is pretty mighty. It’s powerful enough to kneed dough, easy to clean, and the parts are BPA-free and dishwasher safe. I’ve also had this one for several years now and it’s still going strong! The best part is that it doesn’t take up as much space in my cupboard, and is also a little easier to carry than the larger ones.
3. NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
I do have to say, I love my mom’s Vitamix. However, a big machine like this is a big investment and takes up some extra space. If you aren’t quite ready yet for a full-sized blender, check out the NutriBullet instead! Weighing less than 4 pounds, it’s small and compact design will fit seamlessly with your kitchen or in a cabinet. This model is 600 watts, and it’s powerful enough to burst open seats and shred through skins.
I’ve used it to make sauces, smoothies, and even grind my own flour! Not only does it bread down even the toughest ingredients, it’s even easy for kids to use and the perfect size for single servings. I especially love how it comes with a few different sized cups, and that you can make a smoothie right in the cup you drink out of!
4. Aroma Simply Stainless 3-Cup Rice Cooker
Sometimes, cooking rice on the stove can be time consuming or it can be a sticky mess. Many rice cookers are huge, take up a lot of space, and make more rice than I can eat in a week. This small 3-cup rice cooker is the perfect size for your kitchen cabinet! Small enough to cook for one or two people, yet easy to clean and use. When the rice is cooked, it automatically switches to a warming mode so you can eat when you’re ready.
If you don’t make much rice, I still think it’s worth it. Rice goes with so many different dishes, and this little rice cooker can be waiting in your cupboard for the times you want to be adventurous. If you do cook a lot of rice, but only cook for one, it’s the perfect addition to your appliance collection.
5. Hamilton Beach Hand Mixer with Snap-On Case
I can’t wait for the day when I have the space for a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. I mean, it’s easily the star of the kitchen and can do so many things! Until that day comes, hand beaters are the perfect addition to a smaller kitchen or household. I received this Hamilton Beach one as a holiday gift, assuming I would just use it to make cookies, but I’ve used it for so much more! No-bake cheesecake, sauces, and whipped cream can be made with ease and the clean-up is as minimal as putting the attachments into the dishwasher. I’ve even used it when testing batches of pumpkin bread.
Oh, and a snap-on carrying case? Yes please! Not only do the beaters and whisk attachments fit in the case, but so does the cord. It also has 6 speeds, a quick burst button, and even a bowl rest feature. Genius.
6. Instant Pot 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
Last, but definitely not least, one of the most convenient small kitchen appliances you will find today! The instant pot is a wonder machine that can prepare your dishes up to 70% faster in order to support a busy lifestyle. With easy touch controls, adjustable temperature settings, and dual pressure settings, this appliance can replace 7 common kitchen appliances.
I still go with the 6 quart for myself, the same as the slow cooker… and I have to say, I LOVE MY INSTANT POT! It’s perfect for the smaller household, especially since you can make some small but quick meals in it. However, there is an even smaller 3 quart option if that suits your lifestyle and home better! And yes, you could definitely replace your slow cooker with this! I choose to have them both, since I can make food in my slow cooker before I leave for work and have it ready by the time I get home. But what happens at 5pm when you realize you have company coming, or you forgot to prep your meals for the week? That’s where this Instant Pot comes in.
Want to cook beef stew in 30 minutes? Is that even a question?! Of course you do! You can cook so many things in it, and it such a short amount of time. I’ve even made chili with dried beans in 40 minutes! Feeling technically challenged a bit? It comes with several featured smart programs such as soup, meat/stew, and steam (and more!) so that you can just click and go. Highly recommended!
Any recommendations? I would love to hear!
Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. All of these are products I have used myself, truly love, and recommend. I receive a small commission from any purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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