Cooking Tools That Professional Cooks Use at Home: A Guide to Chef-Approved Essentials
That trendy avocado slicer might look fun, but professional chefs skip the gimmicks and reach for a few simple, high-quality tools—and you should too.
You’ve seen the videos. Chefs make it look so easy. They chop with effortless speed, flip food with precision, and create dishes that look like art. You wonder: what tools are they using? The answer might surprise you. Professional chefs don’t use fancy gadgets. They rely on a small collection of versatile, durable tools that do the job right, every time. This guide will show you exactly which cooking tools professional cooks use at home—so you can cook like a pro too.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
- Chefs Use Simple Tools: Professional cooks favor versatile basics over single-use gadgets .
- Must-Have #1: A high-quality chef’s knife (8-inch) is the most recommended tool by chefs .
- Must-Have #2: An instant-read thermometer removes the guesswork from cooking meat, fish, and baked goods .
- Underrated Tools: Fish spatulas, Microplane graters, and bench scrapers are chef favorites that most home cooks overlook .
- Invest in Quality: Chefs recommend spending money on a few excellent pieces rather than buying complete sets or trendy gadgets .
Key Takeaways
- Forget the Fancy Gadgets: Chefs avoid single-use tools like garlic presses, avocado slicers, and spiralizers. A sharp knife can do almost everything .
- The 8-Inch Chef’s Knife Rules: This is the one tool every chef agrees every home cook needs. Test it in person before buying to make sure it fits your hand .
- Temperature is Everything: An instant-read thermometer takes the stress out of cooking and guarantees perfectly cooked food every time .
- Underrated Heroes: Fish spatulas, Microplane graters, and bench scrapers are chef secrets that make cooking easier .
- Less is More: Chefs keep their home kitchens simple—a few excellent knives, a couple of good pans, and basic tools .
The Essentials: What Chefs Actually Reach For
I asked professional chefs to share their must-have kitchen tools. Here’s what they said.
Tool 1: Chef’s Knife (The Non-Negotiable)
Every single chef interviewed agreed on this one: an 8-inch chef’s knife is the most important tool in any kitchen .
Why It’s a Must-Have: It’s versatile enough for almost any job, from chopping vegetables to portioning meat. According to chefs, it’s “worth spending good money from a good brand as it will last you a lifetime” .
What to Look For: Test knives in person if you can. The ideal chef’s knife has a 6-8 inch blade, a slight curve for rocking motion, and a comfortable handle that fits your hand .
Pro Tip: A sharp knife is much safer than a blunt one. Invest in a knife sharpener or whetstone and never put your knife in the dishwasher .
Tool 2: Instant-Read Thermometer (The Confidence Builder)
“Temperature is precision,” says Tony Reed, executive director of culinary innovation at Spiceology . Chefs love thermometers because they take the guesswork out of cooking .
Why It’s a Must-Have: Whether you’re roasting a chicken, grilling steaks, or baking bread, an instant-read thermometer tells you exactly when your food is perfectly cooked. It removes fear and uncertainty, especially for beginners .
What to Look For: A digital thermometer that reads quickly and accurately. The ThermoWorks Thermapen One is a chef favorite . An oven thermometer is also a smart, cheap upgrade since most home ovens don’t actually hit the temperature they claim .
Tool 3: Fish Spatula (Don’t Let the Name Fool You)
A fish spatula is one of the most underrated tools in the kitchen, according to chefs .
Why It’s a Must-Have: It’s thin, flexible, and precise enough to flip delicate fish fillets, eggs, seared steaks, and even roasted vegetables . The slotted design allows grease to drain away and steam to escape. Chef Tyler Fenton calls it “cheap but dependable” .
Pro Tip: Use the stainless steel edge to scrape up browned bits (fond) from the bottom of your pan to make a delicious sauce .
Tool 4: Microplane Grater (The Flavor Booster)
A Microplane grater is a chef’s secret weapon for adding flavor fast .
Why It’s a Must-Have: It zests citrus without adding bitter pith, grates hard cheese into a “snowy shower,” and creates a light, airy garlic texture that melts beautifully into sauces .
How Chefs Use It: Chef Brother Luck calls it a “must-have for adding bright citrus zest, shaved cheeses, or finely grated spices.” Chef Natalia Lepore Hagan uses hers for lemons, oranges, and especially garlic .
Tool 5: Bench Scraper (The Underrated Hero)
A bench scraper is a simple, inexpensive tool that chefs use constantly .
Why It’s a Must-Have: It’s not just for portioning dough. Chefs sweep their bench scraper across their station to keep their workspace tidy and use it to transfer prepped ingredients from cutting board to pan .
Bonus: Using a bench scraper protects your knife. Moving vegetables with the sharp edge of your knife can dull the blade .
Tool 6: Silicone Spatula (The Versatile Workhorse)
“One of the tools I reach for most often is a high-quality silicone spatula,” says chef Charles Vogt .
Why It’s a Must-Have: It’s heat-resistant, won’t scratch your pans, and scrapes bowls and pans completely clean. Chefs love the smaller spatulas and spoonulas from GIR .
Tool 7: Potato Ricer (The Mash Perfector)
For light, fluffy, silky mashed potatoes, a potato ricer is “non-negotiable,” says chef and recipe developer Stu Garner .
Why It’s a Must-Have: A ricer presses potato cleanly without overworking the starch. This gives a consistently light texture without the “gluey” feeling you get from over-mashing .
Pro Tip: “It’s one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to your cooking kit, and once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back” .
Tool 8: Kunz Spoon (The Plating Pro)
Designed by internationally renowned chef Gray Kunz, this stainless steel spoon is a favorite in professional kitchens .
Why It’s a Must-Have: Its unique dimensions make it perfect for drizzling sauces, basting steaks, and plating with precision. The slightly pointed tip helps guide runny sauces exactly where you want them .
Versatility: Use it as a tasting spoon, measuring spoon, plating spoon, small ladle, and even a mini spatula .
Tool 9: Immersion Blender (The Time-Saver)
Chefs love immersion blenders for their speed and easy cleanup .
Why It’s a Must-Have: “It’s perfect for blending soups directly in the pot, making silky smooth purées, or whipping up quick sauces and dressings,” says executive chef Jovana Urriola . The best part? Cleanup takes about 15 seconds.
Tool 10: The Surprise Appliance: Air Fryer
While some chefs are skeptical, others have embraced the air fryer for home cooking—especially for quick, healthy meals .
Why It’s Recommended: Executive chef Jovana Urriola calls it “a total game-changer for quick and healthy meals,” using it for everything from crispy Brussels sprouts to salmon fillets and reheating leftovers . Former Great British Bake Off star Steven Carter-Bailey says it’s “great for heating and cooking smaller meals or side dishes” and “easier to clean than a big oven” .
Comparison Table: Chefs’ Favorite Tools vs. Gadgets to Skip
| Chef’s Choice | What It Replaces | Why It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| 8-inch Chef’s Knife | Avocado slicers, spiralizers, herb scissors. | One tool does dozens of jobs . |
| Instant-Read Thermometer | Guesswork. | Guarantees perfect results every time . |
| Fish Spatula | Standard spatulas. | Thin and flexible for flipping anything . |
| Microplane Grater | Box graters. | More control, no bitter pith from citrus . |
| Bench Scraper | Using your knife to move food. | Protects your blade and keeps counters clean . |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most essential kitchen tool according to chefs?
The 8-inch chef’s knife. Every chef interviewed agreed this is the one tool everyone should own .
Do chefs use single-use gadgets at home?
No. Chefs generally avoid single-use tools like garlic presses, avocado slicers, and specialty slicers. They prefer versatile basics .
What’s an underrated tool chefs love?
The fish spatula is frequently mentioned as an underrated hero . Other favorites are the Microplane grater and the bench scraper .
Is an air fryer worth buying?
Some chefs recommend air fryers for quick, healthy meals, especially for smaller households. It’s a convenient alternative to turning on a full oven .
How many knives do chefs actually own at home?
Surprisingly few. Most chefs keep only 3-5 essential knives at home: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a serrated bread knife, and sometimes a boning knife .
Should I buy a complete knife set?
Chefs recommend against it. You’ll only use two or three knives regularly. Spend your money on a few excellent individual knives instead .
References
Expert Advice on Chef-Approved Kitchen Tools and Appliances
- Wales Online: Professional Chefs Share Essential Kitchen Utensils
- Food & Wine: Chef-Approved Kitchen Tool Upgrades for Home Cooks
- Food & Wine: 11 Chef-Approved Tools That Punch Above Their Price Tag
- Yahoo: Chefs Share the Home Cooking Tools They Couldn’t Live Without
- The New York Times: Kitchen Tools That Make Wirecutter Staffers More Confident Cooks
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