Kitchen hacks: 10 double-duty gadgets you already own

Vegetable peeler

Doubles as a: Cheese shaver.

The go-to tool for peeling carrots and potatoes is also able to peel thin, beautiful curls of hard cheese for homemade pastas, salads and pizzas. The next time that cheese knife just isn't cutting it (literally), let the vegetable peeler take on the task.

Read: 5 more things the peeler can do for you in the kitchen.

Salad spinner

Doubles as: Pasta drainer.


Sure, it washes the leafy greens quickly and easily — but it also drains excess water from freshly cooked pasta, a must for summery pasta salads. (Sauces stick best to dry noodles.)



Read: 5 more ways to use a salad spinner.

Wooden spoon

Doubles as: Pomegranate seeder.


One of the most basic tools found in kitchen drawers, the spoon needs no extra uses to be considered important, but this technique for seeding pomegranates shouldn't be missed. Just a few sharp smacks of the spoon to each half of the pomegeanate releases its juicy red gems for use.

Ice cream scoop

Doubles for: Measured batter portioning.


Not only is it easier than scooping with a spoon, it allows the batter to be portioned out the equally every time, allowing for completely uniform muffins and cupcakes.

Waffle maker

Doubles as: Cake-maker.


Seriously. Our quick hack for birthday cake batter makes cake waffles which you can stack up between layers of whipped cream for an easy and incredibly fun dessert.

Cheese grater

Doubles as: Vegetable grater.


No food prcessor? No problem. A little elbow grease shreds vegetables perfectly (think carrots, zucchini or potatoes for delicious fritters and latkes).

Melon baller

Doubles as: Strawberry huller.


The small end easily tackles stem removal. So if your huller is MIA during jam season, look no further than this underused scoop.



Read: Five more ways to use a melon-baller.

Ice cube tray

Doubles as: Iced coffee cube-maker.



Making iced coffees at home? Whether you're making your own cold brew or icing down the fresh stuff — don't let it get watery before you have time to enjoy it. Freeze some of that java the night before so you can chill down your morning cup with an extra dose of caffeine.



Read: 5 more ways to use an ice cube tray.

Blender

Doubles as: Wine decanter.


If you don't have a decanter, or should have opened the bottle an hour ago, a blender set to high for one minute (with time allowed for the bubbles to settle) will aerate or hyper-decant it. 

Food processor

Doubles as: Ice cream maker.


It may not be traditional, but flavourful fruit sorbets and gelatos are all the rage this summer, and our recipes are ready in five minutes or less with this kitchen hack. (Hot tip: a blender works too!)

More:
Kitchen hacks: 4 iced coffee tips that will save you money
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