Help make my kitchen cuter
October 8, 2024 8:46 AM Subscribe
Mrs. Tomorrowful loves cute stuff, and we both cook a lot. I'd like to find more cute stuff for our kitchen - but also make sure it's highly functional.
Some things we already have:
* A vampire garlic crusher ("Gracula")
* A Loch Ness Monster ladle
* Various animal-themed potholders
I'd like to emphasize that all of this should be fully functional and reasonably high-quality, not flimsy or "only good because it's cute." The idea is not to have something that sits on a shelf resembling a real kitchen tool but is really something we could use regularly, even daily, that is also Extremely Cute. Ideas or specific recommendations both welcome! (One note, we've already decided to just have extremely classic/functional salt/pepper grinders instead of cute ones. But just about any other category of Kitchen Thing is an option.)
Some things we already have:
* A vampire garlic crusher ("Gracula")
* A Loch Ness Monster ladle
* Various animal-themed potholders
I'd like to emphasize that all of this should be fully functional and reasonably high-quality, not flimsy or "only good because it's cute." The idea is not to have something that sits on a shelf resembling a real kitchen tool but is really something we could use regularly, even daily, that is also Extremely Cute. Ideas or specific recommendations both welcome! (One note, we've already decided to just have extremely classic/functional salt/pepper grinders instead of cute ones. But just about any other category of Kitchen Thing is an option.)
Someone got us one of those egg separators that look like a face (where the egg comes out the nose) from a local pottery shop.
posted by abeja bicicleta at 8:56 AM on October 8
posted by abeja bicicleta at 8:56 AM on October 8
Best answer: A friend gave me a Flying Spaghetti Monster colander, and it's both charming and functional. I see it's sold out at present, but I would trust their whole range... which I see includes both a Nessie ladle and a vampire garlic crusher, so perhaps you also already have reason to trust them!
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 9:06 AM on October 8 [6 favorites]
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 9:06 AM on October 8 [6 favorites]
Best answer: I think you want this sponge holder. (I know I do.)
posted by demi-octopus at 9:12 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
posted by demi-octopus at 9:12 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The caterpeeler is not just adorable, it's the best peeler we have owned. Does a great job!
The Talisman Designs Bacon Bin is a safe silicone receptacle you can pour bacon grease into, then flip it inside out into the trash once it has solidified.
Our Instant Pot used to shoot hot fumes onto our upper cabinets while it released steam, but now that we have added this dragon head that redirects the steam forward, our cabinets are safe.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:13 AM on October 8 [4 favorites]
The Talisman Designs Bacon Bin is a safe silicone receptacle you can pour bacon grease into, then flip it inside out into the trash once it has solidified.
Our Instant Pot used to shoot hot fumes onto our upper cabinets while it released steam, but now that we have added this dragon head that redirects the steam forward, our cabinets are safe.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:13 AM on October 8 [4 favorites]
No personal experience with them yet, but I covet these bag ties!
posted by Eyelash at 9:32 AM on October 8
posted by Eyelash at 9:32 AM on October 8
Best answer: I have an egg whisk shaped like an egg that's pretty cute and functional. I think I got mine at Aldi much cheaper though. Also there was an cute egg-shape egg slicer, which is not nearly so functional.
I also have this silicone pig lid that is useful for microwaving and cute
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:36 AM on October 8
I also have this silicone pig lid that is useful for microwaving and cute
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:36 AM on October 8
I was given this cute egg separator chicken for Christmas; works pretty well and delighted the godkid by being a puking chick.
posted by felix grundy at 9:36 AM on October 8
posted by felix grundy at 9:36 AM on October 8
Best answer: Anything from pylones which is French and Dreamfarm, which I think is Australian. The quirky parts are functional. The dreamfarm juicer is fucking amazing. Gets all the juice, easy to squeeze, even if arthritic. A+.
posted by atomicstone at 9:37 AM on October 8 [4 favorites]
posted by atomicstone at 9:37 AM on October 8 [4 favorites]
Best answer: I have these measuring cups. and this butter dish. I have a couple of these I got as a gift som years back and love them but they can be hard to find these days. I am absolutely obsessed with this kettle but I cannot justify the price.
I'm a soft boiled egg girl, so I have a three or four of these egg cups, but they may not be useful to you.
posted by thivaia at 9:45 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
I'm a soft boiled egg girl, so I have a three or four of these egg cups, but they may not be useful to you.
posted by thivaia at 9:45 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
There are various Star Wars related bottle openers depending whether you like millennium falcon or lightsaber.
Also Star Trek pizza cutter (the hull of the enterprise)
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:46 AM on October 8
Also Star Trek pizza cutter (the hull of the enterprise)
posted by St. Peepsburg at 9:46 AM on October 8
Best answer: My favorite thing in my kitchen, which also acts as a nightlight, is this cute toast clock.
I also have this cute mushroom timer.
(I would not call these "high quality" but they work perfectly well!)
posted by Glinn at 9:54 AM on October 8
I also have this cute mushroom timer.
(I would not call these "high quality" but they work perfectly well!)
posted by Glinn at 9:54 AM on October 8
These sloth sponges are super cute, and they last so long before getting dingy and worn out (months and months, if your standards are as low as mine).
posted by ambulanceambiance at 9:57 AM on October 8 [2 favorites]
posted by ambulanceambiance at 9:57 AM on October 8 [2 favorites]
I have a tea infuser that's a hippo that holds onto the rim of the cup, like this one or this one. I imagine they also make them in other animals.
posted by madcaptenor at 9:59 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
posted by madcaptenor at 9:59 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
The Russian doll measuring cups look workable, but whatever you do, don't fall for the adorable chicken measuring cups. They're arguably the cuter of the two options, but the impractical profiles on the chicken heads mean you can't set the cup down on anything and have to hold it the entire time. And then you can't get rid of the set because awwwwwww...
NO.
posted by Don Pepino at 10:04 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
NO.
posted by Don Pepino at 10:04 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
MoMa has some cute stuff, though sadly this little gentleman is no longer available. Do not get the bunny salt and pepper mills. Adorable, but it takes about 45 minutes to grind enough to season anything bigger than a single lima bean.
Not MoMa: If you find this walrus anywhere, please let me know. I love him.
posted by Don Pepino at 10:27 AM on October 8
Not MoMa: If you find this walrus anywhere, please let me know. I love him.
posted by Don Pepino at 10:27 AM on October 8
Best answer: I like Kikkerland stuff. Bag clips, luchador bottle opener, retro timer.
posted by vunder at 10:29 AM on October 8 [4 favorites]
posted by vunder at 10:29 AM on October 8 [4 favorites]
I would anti-recommend the Russian doll measuring cups because a. I find it annoying to have to stick your hand in whatever you're measuring if it isn't a liquid and b. they don't seem to get fully clean even after going through the dishwasher.
posted by brilliantine at 11:07 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
posted by brilliantine at 11:07 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]
Best answer: These tongs are adorable. They don't look meant for everyday cooking, but more for serving light items at the table.
posted by hydra77 at 2:14 PM on October 8
posted by hydra77 at 2:14 PM on October 8
Flower measuring spoons in a pot--cactus available also
I love these cat measuring spoons.
If you'd rather have metal cats.
Less pricy.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:25 PM on October 8
I love these cat measuring spoons.
If you'd rather have metal cats.
Less pricy.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:25 PM on October 8
I love Nordicware mini-bundt pans. They are gorgeous to look at and they make tiny adorable cakes. If you don't regularly bake cakes, they also make somewhat large yet adorable muffins. Be sure to spray thoroughly with baking spray.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:20 AM on October 9
posted by jacquilynne at 10:20 AM on October 9
Best answer: I have the Fred Gnome and Llama sponges. Adorable.
I also have my dutch oven and my GIR cooking utensils in pink
posted by magnetsphere at 3:47 PM on October 9
I also have my dutch oven and my GIR cooking utensils in pink
posted by magnetsphere at 3:47 PM on October 9
These handmade Japanese knives that look like various whales are beautiful and functional--we have the fin whale version and love it. They will rust if you don't care for them properly, so they are a bit fussy.
posted by ialwayscryatendings at 10:44 AM on October 14
posted by ialwayscryatendings at 10:44 AM on October 14
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And I have this elephant thingy in the bathroom for my dental care stuff, but it's intended for the kitchen. Cutlery drainer sure, but it'd also do great for a sponge holder.
That site actually has a bunch of cute kitchen stuff, definitely poke around.
posted by phunniemee at 8:52 AM on October 8 [3 favorites]