My top Black Friday kitchen essentials — the appliances that survive my yearly declutter and actually earn their space. Small-kitchen friendly picks!
If I’m being completely honest, Black Friday is usually the one time of year where I don’t shop. While everyone is adding things to cart, I’m usually doing the opposite… decluttering. Clearing out old gadgets and things I don’t actually use always makes my space feel lighter, my mind clearer, and my anxiety levels way, way lower.
But here’s the thing: once the clutter is out of the way, it becomes SO obvious which tools actually deserve a spot in my tiny kitchen.
And these few appliances have survived every round of decluttering because I use them constantly — for weeknight cooking, recipe testing, and even the laziest “I need food now” moments.
If you’re looking to invest in pieces that truly earn their keep, these are the ones I reach for every week.
1. Rice Cooker (Zojirushi NS-ZAQ10)
My rice cooker is the MVP of my entire kitchen. I SUPPOSE any rice cooker is worth having… but if you eat rice as often as I do, the Zojirushi really does hit differently. It’s reliable, consistent, and gives you perfect rice every single time without you thinking too hard about it. Also Zoji’s jingles are super cute.
- Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Cooker
- Zojirushi NS-ZAQ10 Micom Fuzzy Logic (the exact one I purchased – this is the same as the model above; it’s labelled differently in Singapore/Southeast Asia. This is a ‘Made in Japan’ model.)
Note: The two models are the same, the names differ based on where they’re sold.
A rice cooker is a must-have in my home — especially because it’s way more versatile than people give it credit for. I use it for rice (obviously), but also porridge, steamed veggies, one-pot meals, reheating leftovers… the list goes on.
If you’re curious, you can check out all my rice cooker recipes here — it’ll show you how far this little machine can go for you.
2. Cast Iron Pot (Le Creuset)
This is the kind of kitchen workhorse that lasts forever. I use it for stews, curries, braises, noodles, and anything that needs steady heat.
It goes from stovetop to oven, holds heat well, and makes even simple meals feel cozy. I can’t explain the feeling, but my heart does a little flutter whenever I’m cooking with my Le Creuset.
This one’s an investment, but I use mine almost every single day. I also love that it looks beautiful; the array of pretty colours is enough to send me into a tizzy! I mean, just LOOK.
Stove-to-table serving is a big yes for me, especially when guests come over. Less dishes, more happiness.
I have the 20cm, which is perfect for 2-3 servings. I recommend getting the 24cm for larger families. There seems to be a regional difference in sizing, or at least in the case of what I found on Amazon. In any case, here’s the breakdown for your reference:
My Latest Obsession: Le Creuset Cocotte Japanoise
And if you happen to be in Japan (or passing through), try to hunt down the Le Creuset Cocotte Japonaise. I got one on my last trip and it has even better mileage than the classic Dutch oven. It’s wide and shallow — but not too shallow — which makes it extremely versatile. I use it for soups, stews, simmering sauces…
…but especially (and very much not what it’s intended for) stir-frying. The wide base holds more ingredients, and the shallow walls mean you can toss and stir comfortably without bits flying everywhere. It’s basically my secret hybrid pot-wok situation.
I have the 24cm size, perfect with plenty of room for mess-free stir frying!
Alternatively, the Staub Chistera is a similar, equally fabulous option! I was definitely eyeing this until the much prettier (sorry!) Le Creuset Cocotte Japonaise crossed my path.
3. Instant Pot
After I got my Instant Pot, I genuinely wondered how I survived without it. We’re a soup-loving household, and this thing is a lifesaver. What used to take four hours on the stovetop suddenly takes… 30 minutes.
With more depth of flavour. Less mess. Less babysitting.
Every single time, I get the best broth ever. I dare say even better than if I invest the 4 hours over the stovetop. I’m dead serious.
I use the Instant Pot Rio, and I preferred it to the other pressure cookers solely based on aesthetics. I like the all-black, slim exterior that matches my current kitchen. I can’t vouch for other models but they should all work the same way.
This is a more popular Instant Pot variation:
I use it especially for big batches of chicken stock, so I always have a freezer stash on hand for anything that calls for stock (which, let’s be real is MOST recipes). And collagen bone broth? 2 hours, no babysitting, pure liquid gold.
It’s handy for other things too. When I had a big group of guests over all at once for Eid (aren’t surprise guests super fun), I used it to cook a giant batch of rice in a pinch — and it worked its magic. In just 15 minutes, everyone had freshly cooked rice, and I got so many compliments about how delicious it was (and how GOOD the house smelled).
4. Baking Dish (Le Creuset)
I’ve had baking dishes I liked in the past, but they were always slightly too big for everyday cooking. Great for guests and marinating, not so great for smaller weekday meals.
So I picked up the Le Creuset baking dish at a fantastic price at Le Creuset’s factory outlet, and it was perfect for my needs:
There’s a larger dish, but the above fits 2–4 servings comfortably. It cooks evenly, and so far non-stick even though that’s not any of its claims. Most importantly, it looks good enough to go straight on the table. Easy, fuss-free, and just the right size for my day-to-day cooking.
Le Creuset has a version with a lid already, but it’s a protruding cover. It looks divine, sure, but a nightmare to store… not stackable!
However while trawling Amazon, I found THIS baking dish with a lid… that doubles up as a gorgeous serving tray??? EEPS. Genius idea, and I would definitely recommend this version:
Debut Cookbook: Effortless Asian Cooking
A Cheeky Little Cookbook Plug
And of course… I’m just going to slip this in real quick: if you want easy, flavour-packed dinners without the stress, grab my cookbook Effortless Asian Cooking.
It’s packed with 30-minute recipes that genuinely make weeknights smoother, faster, and way more delicious! A little prep, a lot of flavour — your future self will thank you.
Still Eyeing — Maybe, If the Right One Comes Along
I’m also on the lookout for a couple of kitchen helpers. So far nothing has felt quite right enough to make the cut. Since my kitchen space is precious and I’m not trying to fill it with clutter (nor waste anymore money), I’m waiting until I find gadgets that are compact, reliable, and genuinely useful.
Food Choppers
You know what barely survives my yearly declutter? Food choppers, processors, and blenders. Every couple of years I end up tossing one because something breaks, or it’s so clunky and complicated that I never, ever reach for it. Some come with a million useless attachments no one asked for. Some are unnecessarily heavy and a fuss to use.
And the biggest offender: the ones that are unbelievably annoying to clean — and KEEP clean. The number of times I’ve found mould hiding in a tiny crevice… shudders.
And yet, I keep buying new ones because I actually do use them: bulk-chopping veggies, onions, garlic, even meat. I just wish there was a food chopper that’s simple to use (and store), powerful, and a breeze to wash.
Air Fryer
Same with my air fryer. I haven’t thrown mine out (she’s hanging on), but I’m definitely due for an upgrade.
I’ve been reading more about the issues with certain non-stick interiors – is nothing safe to use anymore???
Ideally I want a version with a stainless-steel or glass basket (or otherwise “safe” materials), easy cleaning, and still compact enough not to hog space.
