8 Common Kitchen Tools That Professional Kitchens Never Use

Ever wondered what separates your home kitchen from a Michelin-star restaurant? It’s not just the ingredients (though those definitely play a part!).

It’s also the tools. Professional chefs prioritize efficiency and versatility, often eschewing gadgets that clutter countertops and slow down the cooking process.

Here are eight common kitchen tools you might find in your pantry, but almost certainly won’t find in a professional kitchen.

Prepare to be surprised – and maybe even a little relieved to declutter your own kitchen!

Cake Testers

Cake Testers: While often used by home bakers, professional chefs find them inadequate for testing cake doneness. They may be useful for checking the tenderness of vegetables, but they don’t provide reliable information about cakes’ internal texture.

Rice Cookers

Rice Cookers: Although convenient, rice cookers are not essential in professional kitchens, where chefs typically prefer to cook rice on the stove to save space and avoid unnecessary equipment.

Stand Mixers

Stand Mixers: Stand mixers are primarily used for baking, making them less relevant in professional settings where cooking tasks vary widely. Many chefs prefer hand mixers or other tools that are more versatile.

Salad Spinners

Salad Spinners: These tools may seem useful for drying greens, but many chefs opt for simpler methods like using a clean kitchen towel or letting the greens drain in a colander.

Specialty Gadgets

Specialty Gadgets: Items like garlic presses and avocado slicers are often seen as unnecessary in professional kitchens, where chefs rely on knives and basic tools for efficiency and versatility.

Decorative Plates and Utensils

Decorative Plates and Utensils: Professional kitchens focus on functionality rather than aesthetics, so fancy plates and utensils are typically avoided in favor of practical, utilitarian options.

Single-Purpose Appliances

Single-Purpose Appliances: Tools that serve only one function, such as electric can openers or hot dog cookers, are generally not used by professionals who prefer multi-functional equipment.

Wooden Cutting Boards

Wooden Cutting Boards: While they may look appealing, wooden boards can harbor bacteria and are often considered cumbersome to clean compared to plastic alternatives, which are favored in commercial kitchens.