Chefs Want You to Stop Buying These 6 Kitchen Products — Here’s What To Grab Instead

It’s no secret that chefs tend to have strong opinions when it comes to the cookware, appliances, and tools they use in their kitchens. And sometimes, they can be just as passionate about the items they don’t recommend. In his bestselling memoir Kitchen Confidential, the late Anthony Bourdain famously criticized the garlic press, writing: “Please treat your garlic with respect. Smash it, with the flat of your knife blade if you like, but don’t put it through a press. I don’t know what that junk is that squeezes out the end of those things, but it ain’t garlic.”

The best product picks come from the pros, so we polled expert chefs from around the country for their opinions on the tools you should stop buying — and the items they recommend instead. Read on to shop their picks, starting at just $16.

Chef-Recommended Kitchen Tools

• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet with Hot Handle Holder, 12-Inch, $30
• OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer, $22
• Wüsthof 8-Inch Gourmet Chef’s Knife, $80, originally $100
• Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Dinner Spoons, Pack of 12, $16
• Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, $130
• OXO Good Grips Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, $49, originally $55

Don’t Buy: Nonstick Pans

Buy This Instead: Cast Iron Skillets

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet with Hot Handle Holder, 12-Inch

“I wish people would stop buying those flimsy nonstick pans. They wear out quickly, often peel, and can end up being more harmful than helpful in your kitchen,” said Jorge Mas, Corporate Chef for Kuba Cabana in Miami. Instead, he suggests snagging a quality cast iron skillet. “Cast iron is a workhorse. It can go from stovetop to oven, develops a natural nonstick surface over time, and lasts for generations if cared for properly,” he added. This Lodge skillet is both editor- and chef-approved, thanks to its versatility and impressive durability, and it’s just $30 at Amazon.

Don’t Buy: Vegetable Spiralizers

Buy This Instead: Mandolines

OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

“I think people often buy spiralizers or other niche gadgets that end up collecting dust in the kitchen,” said Richard Sandoval, founder and owner of Richard Sandoval Hospitality. Instead of a spiralizer, he recommends buying a high-quality mandoline slicer. “It’s incredibly versatile and allows you to create thin slices of vegetables for everything from ceviche toppings to perfect plantain chips,” he said. This OXO model lets you choose between three thicknesses. It also comes with a handle that doubles as a finger guard to protect your fingers from the razor-sharp blades. 

Don’t Buy: Herb Scissors

Don’t Buy: Garlic Press

Buy This Instead: a Chef’s Knife

Wüsthof 8-Inch Gourmet Chef’s Knife

“Herb scissors are a special kind of scissors with five blades,” said personal chef and food blogger Amy Casey. “The unique, single-use scissors make quick work of cutting herbs, but a sharp chef knife and a cutting board work just as well.” The same goes for garlic presses, which, according to Italian-American chef Tom Papia, “pulverizes the delicate garlic.” Both chefs recommend skipping the gadgets and brushing up on your knife skills instead: “Your dishes will thank you and reward you with wonderful flavor,” said Papia. If you don’t already have a great chef’s knife, Casey recommends this 8-inch model from Wüsthof. The blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel, so it’s sturdy enough to resist dulling and will stand the test of time.

Don’t Buy: Honey Dippers

Buy This Instead: Dinner Spoons

Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Dinner Spoons, Pack of 12

“Not only are honey dippers messy to use, many are difficult to clean,” noted Casey. “Many honey dippers are made of wood and shouldn’t be washed in a dishwasher, but it’s hard to wash the honey out of all of its nooks.” Instead of using a honey dipper, she suggested using an everyday kitchen spoon to drizzle it. This set from Amazon Basics comes with 12 stainless steel spoons, each with a well-balanced, rounded handle that feels comfortable in your hand.

Don’t Buy: Vegetable Choppers

Buy This Instead: a High-Quality Knife

Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

Despite their online popularity, some chefs say you can skip those trendy vegetable chopper gadgets. “Steer away from kitchen tools that are very fruit- and vegetable-specific, including avocado cutters, tomato corers, tomato slicers, and onion choppers,” advised Greg Garrison, Executive Chef at Repeal 33 in Savannah, Ga. “These tools can appear helpful but can often damage delicate produce.” He recommends investing in a quality knife instead. “If you want to invest in kitchen tools, focus on high-quality professional knives,” added Gigi Gaggero, former Academic Director at Le Cordon Bleu. She recommends the Shun.

Don’t Buy: Electric Spice Grinders

Buy This Instead: Salt and Pepper Shakers

OXO Good Grips Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

“I hate the battery-powered salt and pepper grinders. These things take forever!” said private chef Christopher Hensel. “Imagine if they weren’t charged or needed their batteries replaced. Imagine properly salting a pot of water or spicing a bunch of meat. It gets me angry just thinking about what that’d be like.” Instead, go back to the basics with a set of manual salt and pepper shakers like this one from OXO. The shakers feature five grind settings so you can control the coarseness of your spices. It’s easy to refill from the bottom, and best of all, it dispenses from the top, meaning you won’t have to worry about excess salt and pepper making a mess on your countertop.