Even if you’re not exactly a candidate for “Iron Chef,” you probably spend a lot of time in your kitchen, especially if cooking at home is one of your goals this year. You need durable tools and gadgets to make your culinary magic happen — or at least feed yourself every day — but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money to do it.
Fortunately, you can find surprisingly practical kitchen gadgets at Dollar Tree. While these items are already incredibly affordable, their real value comes from how often you’ll actually use them. Best of all, most of these items cost just $1.25.
1. Royal Norfolk Stainless Steel Knife
You don’t need to be Nigella Lawson to know that good knives are essential in the kitchen. These stainless steel knives from Dollar Tree — available in three different styles — feature sturdy handles and sharp edges that make slicing, dicing and everyday food prep more efficient and safer than dull alternatives. Whether you’re starting your first cookware set or upgrading your current stash, this is an item you’ll likely use every day.
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2. McCormick Vegetable Peeler
If you’re trying to eat more fresh vegetables this year, a good peeler is a must. This model is designed to improve grip and control, helping reduce the risk of slips while making one of the more time-consuming kitchen tasks — peeling veggies — faster and easier.
3. Cooking Concepts Soft Touch Cheese Grater
Whether you’re prepping for pizza night or layering cheddar into a casserole, cheese is probably a regular part of your cooking routine. That makes a cheese grater a must-have. This soft-touch model features a comfortable, non-slip handle that’s easy on your hands and wrists, while its stainless steel surface delivers consistent grating for more efficient meal prep. It’s an everyday tool that punches well above its price.
4. Cooking Concepts Paper Towel Holder
When your hands are wet or greasy, the last thing you want is to fumble for a paper towel. A stable paper towel holder is essential for any kitchen counter. This metal model from Cooking Concepts has a weighted base to help keep it in place, along with a surprisingly sleek design that blends easily with most kitchen decor.
5. McCormick Multi-Functional Kitchen Scissors
If kitchen gadgets had personality types, kitchen scissors would be the jack of all trades. From opening packages to cutting herbs or trimming fat from meat, they handle a wide range of everyday tasks. These multi-functional kitchen scissors from McCormick go a step further with a built-in bottle opener.
6. McCormick Top-Rack Dishwasher-Safe Kitchen Colander
Colanders aren’t the most glamorous kitchen tools, but they’re hard to live without. This McCormick model adds a bit of flair with two bright color options that still feel at home in a modern kitchen. Made from durable plastic, it’s top-rack dishwasher safe, making it easy to use every day for straining pasta or rinsing fruits and vegetables.
7. Essentials White Wire Dish Drying Rack
Unless you’re using paper plates every day, you’ll eventually need a place to dry your dishes. This white wire dish drying rack complements any kitchen aesthetic while helping you tackle a necessary — if not especially fun — task. It’s not a gadget worth splurging on, and this highly affordable Dollar Tree option for just $1.50 gets the job done.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Dollar Tree Kitchen Gadgets You’ll Use Every Day
