The Small Kitchen Appliances You Actually Need

Which Small Kitchen Appliances Should We Keep?

When you’re cleaning out your kitchen, the goal is keep what you actually use weekly and let go of anything that’s:

• single-purpose

• duplicated

• rarely used

Experts consistently recommend focusing on multi-use, everyday appliances and eliminating the rest .

✔️ Keep (The Essentials)

Small Kitchen Appliances

These cover 90% of everyday cooking:

• Coffee maker or electric kettle (if you use daily)

• Toaster or toaster oven (pick one, not both)

• Blender OR food processor (you don’t need both unless you cook a lot)

• Microwave (for reheating and convenience)

• Hand mixer (or stand mixer if you bake often)

• One “multi-use” appliance (choose one):

  • Air fryer

  • Slow cooker

  • Instant Pot

👉 The key idea: choose appliances that do multiple things, not just one task.

🤔 Optional (Depends on Your Lifestyle)

For those that love coffee rituals.

Only keep these if you truly use them:

• Rice cooker (if you eat rice weekly)

• Espresso machine (if you love coffee rituals)

• Stand mixer (if you bake often)

• Air fryer (if you actually use it—not just a trend buy)

  
  

❌ What Most People Can Let Go Of

These are the biggest clutter culprits:

• Duplicate appliances (2 blenders, 2 mixers, etc.)

• Single-use gadgets:

  • Panini press

  • Quesadilla maker

  • Avocado slicer

  • Cake pop maker

• Bulky “party” appliances (margarita machines, etc.)

• Anything you haven’t used in a year

👉 Organizers say most kitchens only need one of each type, not multiples.

🧠 The Golden Rule (This Changes Everything)

Ask yourself:

👉 “Did I use this in the last 2–3 weeks?”

If the answer is no:

• Store it (if seasonal)

• Or donate it

Also:

• Keep daily-use items on the counter

• Store or remove the rest to reduce visual clutter

  
  

🏡 A Simple “Minimalist Kitchen” Setup

A Clean Uncluttered Kitchen

If you want a clean, uncluttered kitchen, you really only need:

• Coffee maker

• Toaster/toaster oven

• Blender

• One multi-use appliance (air fryer OR slow cooker)

• Microwave

That’s it. Everything else is optional.

💡 Final Thought

For a lifestyle that’s easier and more enjoyable—especially as we get older—the goal isn’t having more tools, it’s having the right ones that make cooking simple and pleasant.