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Fine Cooking had a tip for slip-proof tongs:  wind a wide rubber band around the gripping end of each of the two tong ends (twice around or so, until tight).  This creates a non-slip holder which functions way more "confidently" than the plain metal tong ends. 

My luck in finding pepper grinders has not been the best, but after two grinders that didn't work at all, I found a grinder that does its job - it grinds peppercorns onto food - and is such a delight to use that I'm tempted to overpepper my food. I have three of them - one for black pepper, one for white, and one for some pepper I might get in the future. I got them at Home Basics - they don't seem available on Amazon. They look like what you'll find if you search this on Amazon:

Chef'n Mini Magnetic PepperBall and SaltBall Set (Black)

but they're not as flimsy as the grinder that Amazon sells, the magnet is stronger, and the "rabbit ears" come in either red or black. They live on the side of my refrigerator.

If I were to review the grinder I have, I would give it four stars - the subtraction of a star is because I've never figured out how to adjust the coarseness.

I have a few tools I really love that I don't see in many friends' kitchens:  offset spatulas in a couple sizes, pastry blender, stainless steel magic whisk, 

Someone else I know loves her two handled mezzaluna, but I am indifferent to mine.

Because I live alone, I often want to minimize the amount of cleanup - something the campfire foil packet approach (or en papillote) can do. So I love my Lekue silicone steamer which allows me to apply the same principle but a bit upscale - fish, wine, vegies is a favorite. And occasionally I can even resort to a microwave with quite decent results.

Originally Posted by: Ed

Speaking of Kuhn Rikon, I love their "corn zipper" to easily remove whole kernels from the cob.  Use this instead of a knife, with the mess and uneven cuts that would result.  I use the original stainless steel design, which gets more uniform kernels then their new plastic handle one (even though it takes a few more strokes).

I second you, ed. I love it for stripping kernels from corn. (It's the one with the cute smiley face in front of the powerful cutting part.) If I can't find my corn tool, I think, "Oh shucks, I'm going to have to use a knife."

I don't think anyone has mentioned this but I really love my  digital temperature probe for checking that I have achieved a 'kill step' when making custards with raw egg, or for checking temperature of roast poultry, or more precisely testing the internal temperature of reheated food.  Was introduced to them on an icecream making course and can't live without mine now!

Also, if you are chopping onions, try holding a piece of bread in your mouth while you are doing it.  Somehow this stops your eyes watering - it seems to divert the moisture into your mouth!

Now I have a reason for buying a tiny USB fan.

Yildiz100 - I bought a small fan after PennyG's post a couple of years ago and it has been one of the best things I have ever bought for the kitchen. It comes out every time I chop or slice onions and I never have tears any more. You just have to be aware of where it is blowing - my daughter pointed out I was blowing the fumes straight towards her.

Here are EYB affiliate links for some of these items. You may also go the home page and click - the Amazon link so that EYB can benefit. Amazon general affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2YnAxmK

Jar lifter: https://amzn.to/2VWVOWY

Googles:  https://amzn.to/2VmlNT3

Mezzaluna: https://amzn.to/2YnA4ku

4th burner pot: https://amzn.to/2YmhysH

Corn zipper: https://amzn.to/2Heap8e

Small desk fan: https://amzn.to/2HfzUWM

Strawberry huller: https://amzn.to/2He1mUK

Tuna drainer:https://amzn.to/2Jwo1xb

Oxo medium cookie scoop: https://amzn.to/2JBRWDV

If you would like any affiliate links - please email [email protected] (or again go to the home page) - your support means that we can index more books etc.

A pot drainer - a flat thing with a handle at one end and a lot of small holes in its "working" part. I use it to drain off the liquid from oatmeal that I've cooked in a saucepan.

I have two, and the bigger one is Progresso blue.

It's best to have the oatmeal perfectly cooked and all the water absorbed, but if I miscalculate, I'd rather have some unabsorbed liquid that I can drain off, rather than burnt oatmeal that sticks to the pot.

Originally Posted by: hillsboroks

As I was quickly cleaning and packing some blueberries for the freezer this morning before work I realized I would not have attempted to do it without my handy measuring colander from Chef's Planet that I picked up at a discount store several years ago.  It looks like a 3-cup plastic measuring cup with holes on the sides and allows me to measure, clean and drain berries in one step.  I really love it for raspberries and other tender berries.

My other indispensable tool is the pair of onion goggles my children bought me for Christmas many years ago.  I cannot chop onions without profuse tears flowing and as a result have cut myself numerous times.  I remember an article years ago in Cooks Illustrated talking about all the methods they tried to prevent or reduce tears from chopping onions.  I think I tried them all - the burning candle next to the cutting board, trying to chop or cut under water (what a mess!) and whatever else they suggested as useful.  But I still remember their comment about the best technique was to wear swim goggles and how the only drawback is that they make you look like a kitchen terrorist!  Well, a few years later someone else must have read the same article and came out with the onion goggles.  They look like a combination of sunglasses and swimgoggles and they absolutely make you look like a kitchen terrorist or a googly-eyed alien but boy do they work!  Luckily I can still see well enough without my regular glasses to cut onions wearing them with no problem.  I cannot imagine doing onions or shallots without wearing them anymore and have purchased many pairs as gifts for friends and relatives.

I took a photo of these two gadgets this morning but cannot get it to post here so you will have use your imagination as to what these things look like.  What odd little gadgets have other EYB cooks found that the rest of us need to check out?

Sadly, onion goggles have become au courant- I just ordered 2 more pairs so we could safely grocery shop during Covid-19. Not having the luxury of WFH I 'suit up' for work on the front lines every day. Looking forward to food shopping on my weekend off. Next week, when numbers climb, I may even start wearing them to the hospital.