Kitchen gadgets

We've all got one – a kitchen drawer stuffed full of gadgets, that is. The contents looked attractive enough in the shop: shiny, seemingly indispensable and apparently easy to use. The catch being, they take up space. Every time you reach for the can opener, the drawer refuses to open because that stainless steel egg slicer you got from Auntie Mags is lurking at the back and wedging it shut.

Which begs the question, which tools are worth the drawer space?

Potato ricer

Chefs are forever extolling the virtues of this humble tool. Instead of pounding and sweating over your tatties with a masher, all you need do is spoon cooked potatoes into the ricer and give it a squeeze. Add some milk and butter, and the mash will be fluffy, light and, more importantly, completely lump-free. Look for a good quality one with interchangeable plates.

Pouring spout

Inexpensive and sold virtually everywhere, a pouring spout which attaches to a bottle of olive oil will make life that little bit easier. Instead of storing your oil in a cupboard, keep it out on the work surface and within seconds you can add a splash of oil to any dish, with no scrabbling around on the floor when the lid to the bottle goes flying.

Corkscrew

Arguably it is a very personal choice about which bottle opener to go for. Some like the simple, screw pull model, while others prefer those with arms at the sides, which lever the cork out of the bottle. There is no right answer – use what works best for you. But if you aren't that confident, go for the ones with arms, which require less precision and will remove the most stubborn corks time and time again. There's no need to spend a lot of money on a fancy corkscrew – one from a supermarket will do fine.

Cheese slicer

Great for sandwiches ortoasties, these hand held devices are invaluable for the cheese freaksamongst us. They will slice your cheese into thin strips, thus making a block last longer and producing less waste. Gone are the days of cheese crumbling and breaking into tiny pieces. Inexpensive and durable, their use is not just limited to cheese. The ones designed for Parmesan cheese also make great vegetable peelers, and are handy for shaving chocolate for desserts.

Drum rotary grater

These are also great for cheese, and infinitely better than plane graters, which can be awkward to use. A rotary grater will also make use of the pieces too small to slice – simply pop them into the drum and turn the handle. Also good if large quantities of cheese are needed. Alternatively, use a rotary grater for grating chocolate and nuts with no mess (don't forget to use a bowl to catch the grated bits!).

Wooden spoons

There is little to say about wooden spoons. Any will do, and make sure you have a few. The small ones are particularly good for heating baked beans or soup.

Pepper and salt mill

Using peppercorns in a mill for your cooking makes all the difference and is preferential to using the dusty; sneeze - inducing white pepper of yesteryear. Likewise, cooking with good quality sea salt is a must. Seasoning your food can make or break a meal, so having a mill on hand is important. Keep on the work surface, always taste your dishes and season accordingly. A mill that holds both salt and pepper is best as it saves space.

Tongs

The uses are endless. Buy some now!

Pestle and mortar

This one is optional, depending on your culinary skill. If you like to make dishes like curry from scratch, a pestle and mortar will grind all those spices in no time. There is no doubt that a home - made garam masala mix tastes miles better than the shop bought variety, but if time is of the essence, you can probably do without this.

Wooden chopping board

Spend some money on a large, chunky board that you can wipe clean and reuse day after day. Take care not though not to cross contaminate raw and cooked foods – it is probably better to have one board for meat and one for vegetables, which are colour coded or different in size.

Colander and sieve

A big colander will strain vegetables and pasta or wash salad with ease. A relatively cheap plastic or metal one is fine. A sieve is great for baking.

Scales

The latest digital scales can cost the earth, but you really won't notice the difference in your cooking if you use a £5 set from the High Street.

Food processor

If you are not a serious cook, you can just about get along without a food processor. But once you feel the inclination to make some delicious home made soup, you will be yearning for one. Look for one made by a reputable manufacturer. Makes bread making, baking, batters and soups ten times easier and much less messy.

Slotted spoon

You will use this every night without fail. Useless for sauces, but great for serving spaghetti bolognese; lasagne; shepherd's pie; vegetables; pies and puddings.

Ladle

Use for gravy; sauce; soup and other liquids.

Measuring jug

Don't bother with...

Melon baller; garlic press (half the clove will invariably get stuck inside. Just squash with a knife or chop finely); teabag tongs (use a spoon); pasta maker (more hassle than it's worth); microwave eggpoacher/potato baker/crisp maker etc; battery operated milk frother (if cappuccinos are your thing, invest in a good machine); cheap knives.