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Aside from your cooking tools, pots and pans, there are other kitchen essentials you should buy. They are the ones overlooked by new homeowners but are actually essential for the efficiency of your kitchen. We’re talking about the following:
In This Guide
Liquid Hand Soap
The kitchen is where you do a lot of things like scale fish, cut fruits, wash meat, get rid of soil from your fresh produce and many more. After performing all these tasks, you need to make sure your hands are clean. You don’t want the dirt and bacteria from poultry or meat to get into that fresh salad you are making.
Our Recommendation: Puracy Natural Liquid Hand Soap
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If you must have just one liquid hand soap in your kitchen, let it be something as natural as this one from Puracy. It’s actually a hand soap that is a collaboration between doctors. Since it is made by experienced doctors, you can be assured that it’s made from only the safest ingredients such as Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and Sea Salt. These are all hydrating ingredients that can prevent your hands from drying out every time you wash.
It also has a mild vanilla and lavender scent that gets rid of the lingering scent of fish or garlic on your hands. It is devoid of harsh chemicals usually found in soaps such as sulfates and triclosan, so this should be gentle on your child’s skin.
This hand soap forms a rich lather, so a little bit of it goes a long way. One bottle can last you for a long time but don’t worry because a bottle isn’t too pricey, especially if you get it with other products from Puracy.
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Soap Dispenser
Many liquid soaps come with their own dispenser, but if you want the bottle to blend seamlessly with the design of your kitchen, you can get another soap dispenser. Also get one and buy your liquid soap in bulk It is more economical and you also get a cohesive look in your kitchen.
Our Recommendation: Cornucopia Brands Clear Glass Pump Bottles
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This set of 8 clear glass pump bottles has a classic look that will match the style of any kitchen. Whether you have a modern or a traditional kitchen, this should fit in seamlessly. Each bottle can accommodate up to 8 ounces of liquid. You can fill it with hand soap or dishwashing soap. It is also heat resistant and BPA-free, so this is ideal as well for storing shampoos, conditioners, essential oils, sanitizers and even cooking ingredients like oils. Liquid dispenses easily and doesn’t get clogged up, even when you are dispensing one with a thicker consistency.
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Water Cooler Dispenser
Why is this essential? It’s because we actually use up more energy when we open and close our refrigerator to get cold water. If you want cold water for cooking or just to freshen up on a hot summer day, you should have a water cooler dispenser in your kitchen.
Our Recommendation: HomeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser
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We recommend bottom loading water dispensers if you don’t like carrying heavy water bottles. If you live alone or you have a musculoskeletal issue that can prevent you from lifting heavy objects, this is your best choice.
This bottom loading water dispenser can easily accommodate 3-5 gallons of water. Once the gallon is empty, it gives off an alert to let you know it’s time to replace it.
It is more compact than other water dispensers out there. It takes up only a small footprint, so it’s an ideal choice even for small kitchens. The intuitive control panel comes with a night light for easier operations at night. It is also stylish. The black and silver color combination matches other modern fixtures and appliances.
Simply remove the drip tray for cleaning. If there are streaks or fingerprints, you can just wipe them clean.
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Instant Hot Water Dispenser
Use your hot water dispenser to make yourself a cup of coffee. Boiling water in a kettle can take some time and with a hot water dispenser, you can be assured that you will always have hot water at your disposal. You can use it to make hot beverages or sanitize and unclog your sink. It can be used for cooking and baking as well, so it is a good addition to your household. Many water dispensers out there already come with hot and cold water function but there are specific hot water dispenser systems you can get.
Our Recommendation: InSinkErator Instant Hot Water Dispenser System
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This is hot water dispenser system can store 2/3 gallon of hot water in its stainless-steel tank. It produces water that is close to boiling point but it comes with adjustable control, so you can decide how hot you want it to get.
It looks intimidating to install but it’s not. It doesn’t require any tool to connect it, so even if this is your first time hooking it up, it shouldn’t give you problems. It has a dry-start protection system as well, so your system doesn’t accidentally heat up even when there is no water in it.
Don’t worry about this sticking out like a sore thumb in your kitchen. Its chrome finish matches many modern plumbing systems and appliances.
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Dishwashing Soap
You need a good dishwashing soap to help you get rid of even the most stubborn grime on pots, pans and many other kitchenware. You can always grab a dishwashing soap at your local grocery but it helps to broaden your horizon. You could be missing out on dishwashing soaps that are easier to use and have much better benefits.
Our Recommendation: Dawn Platinum Erasing Dish Foam
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This value-for-your-money dish foam comes with a soap pump and a refill. It is a more economical choice as you can simply buy the refill when you run out. Compared to the popular Dawn Ultra Original, this one is actually more capable of getting rid of more grease. Just one pump of the liquid is enough to clean a lot of dishes. It suds up easily and forms a lot of bubbles.
It is powerful enough to work even on stains on clothes. Just spot-treat your stained clothes and leave it there for hours. Throw it in the washer and the stain will be gone.
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Cart
For those who don’t have a lot of storage or countertop, a kitchen cart is a must-have. You can use it to store your kitchen supplies like plates. It can also double as a pantry or as a caddy for your microwave.
Our Recommendation: Winsome Wood Single Drawer Kitchen Cabinet Storage Cart
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This mobile cart is made from solid beechwood. It has a warm aesthetic that fits many traditional style homes but can also be painted or stained to suit your aesthetic. The casters are lockable, so you can safely station it in one corner of your kitchen.
It’s a utilitarian cabinet cart that includes a utensil drawer and lots of shelving. There is also a side rail for your kitchen towel.
This cart is well-made for its price range, which is well below similar-sized kitchen carts. It’s not too big and bulky as well, so this should be a fitting choice for those with a smaller home but are in need of extra space.
It comes neatly and safely packed and it also has clear instructions for assembly. Even those who haven’t had much experience in the past assembling furniture pieces like this, it should be a good option.
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Kitchen Trash Can
Your kitchen is not complete without a trash can. Where else are you going to throw your food scraps and other kitchen garbage? You need to make sure that your trash can is sealed, so that the smell won’t permeate in your kitchen and pests like roaches and rodents won’t take up residence.
Our Recommendation: iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Automatic Trash Can
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If you haven’t experienced how convenient it is to have a touchless trash can, you definitely should get this one. Just hover or swipe your hands over it and it will automatically open. You don’t have to use your hands, so you can avoid contamination, especially in a place like the kitchen where you handle food.
The sensors are reliable. It reacts to the motion of your hands right away. It also has an odor-controlling filter. The replaceable carbon filter absorbs the odor from your trash, so even if you forgot to take it out at night, you won’t wake up in the morning with a smelly kitchen.
This trash can is battery-operated but the 4 D-size batteries used can last for a long time, about a year and a half with average use.
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Portable Dishwasher
Not all houses are equipped with a built-in dishwasher. If yours did not come with it and you need one to help you out with all the dishwashing, you can get a portable one instead. It doesn’t have to be built-in and it doesn’t take up too much space.
Our Recommendation: HomeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
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This dishwasher proves the old adage “small, but terrible”. It might be small but it is packed with features. You can choose from 6 different wash cycle options to cater to your needs. You don’t need to have tools to install this. It comes with fittings that are ready to be hooked up. No need to buy extra fittings.
It works just as well as a full-sized dishwasher. Plates and pots always come out streak-free. You can load it up with a lot of dishes, pots, pans and many other washables. Each cycle uses 3.1 gallons of water only, ideal for those who are conserving water at home.
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Dishwasher Detergent
If you don’t like to use a dishwasher liquid, get a dishwasher detergent instead. It can be used in your dishwasher instead and has a cleaning action that can be an all-around solution to everyday kitchen needs.
Our Recommendation: Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Detergent
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This dishwasher detergent is powerful enough to deal with burnt residues on your pots and pans. You don’t even need to soak it or pre-wash it until it softens. Directly apply this to the burnt food and it will lift it away from your pot without damaging the material of your cooking equipment.
It forms a lot of suds, so a little bit of this can go a long way. Whether you have hard or soft water, it still has the same effects. A lot of the dishwashing detergents out there don’t form enough suds if you use hard water, but you won’t have such a problem with this.
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Sink Strainer
What is the best way to deal with kitchen sink clogs? Prevent it from happening in the first place. To do that, you need a sink strainer. Sink strainers stop food scraps and grease from getting into the drain. You can lift up the strainer and get rid of the collected food scraps.
Our Recommendation: OXO Good Grips Silicone Sink Strainer
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Effectively trap food debris with this sink strainer that is deep enough to collect more food scraps. It is made from silicone, so it is easy to clean and doesn’t get rusty. It is also resistant to stains. It doesn’t become discolored overtime like many silicone strainers out there. Just flip the silicone material to get rid of collected food scraps or bang it against your trash can and you are good to go.
It’s an affordable kitchen sink strainer. You can buy more of this as a spare or for the other sinks in your home. It’s very durable as well. There have been those who have been using this for 4 years and this still functions like new.
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Conclusion
Don’t miss our latest reviews of kitchen faucets and more. Find the right kitchen tools that will help you run and use your kitchen efficiently.
