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Cooking shouldn't be a bore or a chore, but it's something we all have to do. Even if you're a beginner home cook, sometimes the essential home appliances like microwaves and ovens just won't cut it - and can make cooking an unnecessarily long process.

So who better to ask than experts and chefs who are in the kitchen all day, every day? They've shared some of their must-have essential appliances, that anyone can use in their kitchen to make cooking and life just that little bit easier, with the majority naming an overlooked appliance. If you're looking to upgrade your cooking game and you only have the basics, this is what everyone should have on hand in their kitchen.

Millie Simpson, Kitchen manager at Sauce by The Langham in London - food processor or stand mixer

Millie said: "Beyond the obvious essentials - a good knife and a solid pan - my go-to appliances would be either a compact food processor or a stand mixer. A small food processor is incredibly versatile for everyday cooking: ideal for chopping, blending and puréeing, especially when working with smaller quantities at home.

"A stand mixer, on the other hand, is indispensable if you do any baking at all. A quality machine like Kenwood's handles everything from pastry and doughs to fresh pasta with ease."

Mark Poynton, Michelin-starred chef and owner of Ancient Shepherds Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall and - a thermometer

On an appliance he can't live without, Mark said: "My essential appliance is a small but very important one. An oven thermometer is so so vital, from making and baking cakes and breads, to slow cooking and roasting. There are not many actual home ovens that have exact temperature, so using a small and cheap thermometer is my tip to combat this."

Zach Dinicola, from Mr Mixer - a stand mixer

Mr Mixer himself said: "A KitchenAid stand mixer is, in my view, the most transformative appliance a home cook can invest in. Unlike single-use gadgets, it's a true workhorse that evolves with the cook, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced home baker.

"At its core, it removes physical barriers from cooking. Kneading dough, whipping cream, mixing batters, shredding meats, or even making pasta become effortless and consistent. That reliability builds confidence, which is often what turns someone from an occasional cook into a regular one.

"What truly sets the KitchenAid apart is its longevity and versatility. With a single base machine and a range of attachments, it replaces multiple appliances, from food processors to pasta rollers, while lasting decades rather than years. Many mixers are passed down through families, making it both a practical and emotional investment.

"In a modern kitchen full of disposable tech, the KitchenAid remains relevant because it's simple, durable, repairable, and endlessly useful. It hasn't just changed how people cook. It's changed how often they cook."

Chef Sohan Bhandari, Executive Chef for Colonel Saab - a digital instant-read thermometer

Sohan said: "If I had to choose one appliance every home cook should own and actually use, it would be a digital instant-read thermometer. It's affordable, easy to use, and quietly fixes one of the biggest problems in home cooking: guesswork.

"A thermometer takes the stress out of cooking and replaces it with confidence. Whether you're roasting a chicken, cooking steak, baking bread, or reheating leftovers safely, it tells you exactly when food is perfectly cooked. For beginners, it removes fear and uncertainty; for experienced cooks, it guarantees consistency every single time.

"It's not flashy or trendy, but it's transformational. Once you start cooking by temperature rather than intuition alone, your food becomes juicier, safer, and more reliable. It's one small tool that genuinely changes how you cook and once you have one, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it."

Steven Carter Bailey, former Great British Bake Off contestant and ProCook's food expert - an air fryer health grill

Steven said: "For smaller families of one to two people, it's great for heating and cooking smaller meals or side dishes. Heats up quickly and saves energy.

"Gives the benefits of oven-baked food without having to switch on the oven and use a lot of energy. Becomes a secondary oven if yours is full and for a larger family, can act as a second oven Is multifunctional - can do a lot with this one from baking and grilling to air frying, steaming and slow cooking.

"Easier to clean than a big oven. Also great for reheating without the need of the microwave. Can keep your food warm for you if you're not ready to tuck in."