Kitchen Gadgets, Cooking Utensils, Kitchen Accessories

What are Kitchen Gadgets?

Inclusive of a wide array of various tools, devices and products, kitchen gadgets are aids created specifically to help with preparing, cooking and serving food. While many kitchen gadgets are designed for use by the general population, most of the products in this section are more specifically designed for utilization by disabled and/or elderly users. They provide targeted assistance for individuals who may be one-handed, or who have hand and wrist weakness, instability and decreased range of motion. There are also numerous kitchen gadgets that highlight features especially helpful for low vision users.

Kitchen gadgets comprise any tool or product that makes food preparation easier and safer to perform. While any individual can accomplish more by using the right kitchen gadget for the job, people who have lost sight, strength and coordination due to disability, illness or aging absolutely require specially designed kitchen tools for safer and easier accessibility in the kitchen.

What Types of Kitchen Gadgets are Right for Me?

Recent innovations in kitchen aids design help to take the strain out of food preparation, cooking and baking and help you enjoy your time in the kitchen once more. From reaching, identifying and opening foods to cooking, and cleaning up, there are a wide variety of gadgets and devices to assist you every step of the way. No matter how severe the disability, specially designed kitchen aids will often help you regain your mealtime independence and security.

Kitchen gadgets and aids encompass products that help many different kinds of users to safely and independently prepare and cook food, along with helping to perform other kitchen duties such as serving food and washing dishes. The devices in this category encompass boards, mats and food workstations, knives and other cutting, slicing, chopping, grating, spreading, mashing and peeling tools, scissors, weights and measures, holders, openers, timers, talking products, saucepans and pots, serving utensils, dinnerware and specially designed gadgets for one-handed users.

Boards, Mats and Food Workstations
Smaller than traditional boards, assistive cutting, slicing and chopping boards often highlight non-slip bases or suction pads to keep the board firmly in place. Sometimes referred to as food workstation boards or food preparation boards, they may feature spikes, prongs or clamp systems to hold the food securely, while some models offer the ability to hold other kitchen equipment or bottles and cans. They are especially helpful for users with a reduced grip, tremors, or for one-handed users. Color contrasted boards are also used by individuals with low vision.

Boards that are identified for bread slicing are often referred to as spread boards because they also feature the capability to butter the bread with one hand. They generally highlight a clamp to securely hold the bread in place along with one or more knife guide slots to allow the user to cut the bread (or similar foods) evenly, with a choice of thicknesses. They are often constructed to anchor to a tabletop or work surface to stay firmly in place.

Some cutting boards include an attached pivoting knife for safer slicing, chopping and cutting activities. These are often helpful for most users, including those with low vision or coordination challenges.

Mats with a dual non-slip surface provide a firm, stay-in-place surface for attaching to a countertop or table along with keeping foods and items placed on the mat from slipping out of the user’s grip. They can be used for a range of food preparation activities along with keeping bowls, plates and cups firmly anchored while in use.

Knives, Slicers, Choppers and Other Tools with Angled Handles
Comprising carving knives, bread knives, carving forks, cheese slicers, graters and spatulas, kitchen tools that have angled handles, ergonomic shapes or that are weighted have been specifically designed to aid users with hand and wrist impairments or weaknesses. Angled handles minimize the wrist and finger movements required for cutting, and help keep your hand in a proper working position.

Left-handed tools are especially helpful for those with right-sided strength challenges. Used to prepare a wide range of foods including vegetables, breads, fruits and cheese, slicers and choppers make it easier for one-handed users as well. Food processors or automatic choppers that are designed with the blade enclosed are wonderful kitchen aids for any user, and make food preparation much safer for those with limited hand dexterity or vision impairments.

Rocker blade knives and knives with a T shaped handle make slicing, cutting and chopping simpler and more secure for one-handed users or those with hand weaknesses. Applying pressure directly above the food that needs to be cut allows for very little strength required on the part of the user.

Graters, Peelers and Mashers
Tabletop peelers attach firmly to a table or countertop allowing for one-handed usage, or may be powered for easier utilization by all users. Specially designed peelers often highlight a detachable bowl to catch the peels, making this a simpler process for individuals with reduced grip strength. Some peelers come with their own heavy, slide-resistant base along with a spike to hold the food being peeled. Other helpful peeler devices include a Y shape that features a blade perpendicular to the handle, or swivel action peelers that offer a blade at the handle’s end, similar to a knife.

Graters and zesters that are specifically designed for users with hand and wrist disabilities are often very similar in design to assistive peelers. They are also often constructed with their own slip-resistant base, clamps or spikes to hold the food, and have a bowl to catch the food gratings. Or, they may highlight a right-angled handle to facilitate easier holding and grating on a horizontal angle (rather than box graters that just offer grating in a downward, vertical direction), or may allow for grating in all directions.

While a good alternative way to mash foods like potatoes is to use a blender, there are also many specially formulated mashers intended for one-handed usage or for those with hand weaknesses and disabilities. Enhanced grips on these tools, or widened or padded handles enhance easier mashing functions for every user.

Kitchen Scissors
Available in an assortment of styles and configurations, kitchen scissors can perform a wide range of kitchen and food preparation duties. Users can choose from rounded styles that are safer, or pointed blades that are sharper. Most styles will offer safety catches or blade guards for added security. Left-handed scissors are perfect for those with just one (right) hand, or for those with right-sided weakness challenges, while ambidextrous scissors can be used in either hand. Offering enhanced comfort, soft touch or large handled scissors help to improve grip while they also feel better for users with sensitive fingers or skin.

Featuring a small slide-resistant stand and base, tabletop scissors are operated simply by pushing down on the handle making them well suited for use by individuals with tremors or fine motor difficulties. For users with a thumb injury or disability, extended or long loop scissors employ the strength of the fingers to guide and initiate the cutting action. Highlighting an inner spring, self-opening scissors automatically reopen the scissors when pressure is released, or after each cut.

Weights and Measures
As one of the most important aspects of creating wonderful meals, accurate measuring devices come in a plethora of varieties to help enable any chef, regardless of ability. These measuring aids have been specifically designed for kitchen assistance for all kinds of disabilities, including low vision, hand and wrist challenges and one-handed users.

For low vision users, tactile and braille measuring cups and spoons aid in accurate weights and measures, with raised labels in both regular numbering and braille. Talking scales and other products with speech output also greatly aid the sight-impaired user. Scales that employ weights (especially weights with raised markings or braille) are also popular with low vision users. Color coded or contrasted color measuring cups and spoons, along with large print on these kitchen aids can greatly assist the low vision chef.

Holders
Aside from the kitchen gadgets already mentioned that come with their own food holders, there are also food holders that can be purchased individually for a wider range of cooking tasks. Pot and pan holders hold them firmly and safely in place on a stovetop to enable secured stirring and cooking, preventing them from turning and causing spills, fires or injuries. Specially designed plates and bowls feature spikes or clamps to hold food firmly in place for a variety of food preparation requirements. Holders are helpful for one-handed users and those with reduced hand strength or tremors.

Openers
Often specifically designed for one-handed users, jar, bottle and can openers make food preparation and cooking so much easier and safer not just for those with one hand, but for everyone, regardless of ability. We have all experienced the frustration of this activity, so all users can certainly benefit and make kitchen life easier by employing specially constructed openers into our food preparation routine.

Timers
While mechanical timers only provide an audible ring for a short time and have limited hearing range, electronic timers offer better volume and continuous ring control for the disabled chef. Low vision users may prefer contrasted color along with large print/tactile digits or audible/talking capabilities, while hearing impaired users would benefit from flashing or vibrating alerts.

Talking Food Thermometers
Another wonderfully helpful kitchen tool for low vision chefs is the talking food thermometer. These thermometers offer speech output to announce the temperature of the food being cooked every step of the way, to ensure the perfect level of cooking, every time.

Pots and Pans
As one of the hardest aspects of food preparation, cooking and baking for users with hand and wrist disabilities, pots and pans can get very heavy to lift and maneuver. Thankfully, there are many kitchen gadgets especially made to help with safer cooking with pots and pans. These include enhanced grip handles, pan holders that stabilize the pan allowing it to be gripped with just one hand, and cooking baskets that offer the capability to transfer food from the pan without having to lift it. Specially designed pans may also include stay cool features that provide enhanced safety for all users.

Serving utensils
Offering a range of specially configured serving aids, many of these products highlight enhanced grips for easier manipulation by users with reduced hand strength. Right angled handles may be helpful for some users, while handles that help to more evenly distribute the weight of the food being served are more helpful for others. Some designs are also very specific for usage by those with low vision, with contrasted formulations.

Dinnerware
Non-slip dinnerware utilizes suction pads and other innovative designs to stay firmly in place on the table. Especially well suited for use by one-handed individuals, slide-resistant plates, bowls and cups allow any user to scoop food with one hand, making mealtime a more independent affair. Suction dinnerware is popular with all kinds of users including those with tremors, hand weakness, and other fine motor skill challenges.

Rehabmart is pleased to offer a wide range of innovative kitchen gadgets from esteemed vendors that include North Coast, LSS, Sammons Preston, Enabling Devices, Escali LLC, Maddak, MaxiAids, Harris Communications, Grip Solutions, Pivotal Health Solutions, Independence Medical and more.

Mike Price, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CTO