Handy kitchen accessories: how to choose what you will actually use

Everyone knows that one drawer in the kitchen: full of gadgets that once seemed handy, but that you never reach for again. At the same time, you still cut your vegetables with a blunt knife and would rather drink your cappuccino in a coffee shop, because at home it never quite works out. The good news: you do not need much. A few accessories you actually use make cooking and making coffee a lot more enjoyable. In this guide you will read how to choose.

Start with your own kitchen moments

First look at what you do every day, not at what looks nice in the shop. An accessory only earns its place on the worktop if you use it often.

• You like coffee with milk: with a milk frother you make a cappuccino, latte or frappé at home.
• You often cook fresh: a good set of knives in a block makes cutting faster and more pleasant, and your knives are not lying loose in a drawer.
• Your knives have gone blunt: a knife sharpener makes them sharp again, so you do not need a new set straight away.

Which accessory suits you?

Step 1: choosing a milk frother

A milk frother is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your daily coffee. When choosing, pay attention to three things: which types of foam you want, how much milk it holds and how easy it is to clean.

The OMNIEXA Kalliope milk frother has 4 functions in one appliance: cold foam, hot milk, light warm foam and thick foam. That way you make both a hot cappuccino and a cold frappé. You can heat 300 ml of milk in it or froth 150 ml. Thanks to the Strix controller, it switches itself off as soon as the right temperature is reached, and with the keep-warm function your milk or foam stays at temperature for up to 30 minutes. The inside has a non-stick coating, so rinsing is quick.

The Kalliope is available in black, white and grey. Choose the colour that matches your coffee machine or your kitchen cupboards.

Step 2: choosing a knife set

With a few good knives you can do almost anything in the kitchen. With a set, look mainly at which knives are included. Do you really need a bread knife? Do you cut a lot of vegetables? Then a santoku knife is nice.

The OMNIEXA Melyra knife set contains 6 pieces: a knife block, an 8-inch chef's knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 7-inch santoku knife, a 5-inch utility knife and kitchen scissors. That gives you a knife for bread, vegetables, meat and small cutting jobs. The blade has a 3D diamond pattern, so potato and cheese, for example, stick to the knife less. The handles have a wood look with a soft-touch finish and the block is 11 cm wide and 23.3 cm high.

• Melyra black: a matt black, ribbed block with handles in a dark wood look. The kitchen scissors have a nutcracker and opener.
• Melyra wood look: a cream block with a light wood look. Looks beautiful in a Japandi or Scandinavian kitchen.

Step 3: keeping your knives sharp

Even the best knife goes blunt over time. A blunt knife slips more easily and makes cutting hard work. With a knife sharpener you keep your knives in top shape for longer.

The OMNIEXA electric diamond knife sharpener works with a 3-stage sharpening system and an electric motor, so you do not need a whetstone. With the vacuum suction cup with twist lock, you secure it to your worktop with one twist, so it does not move while sharpening. It is rechargeable via USB-C and the cable is included.

What else to look for

• Cleaning: the Melyra knives are not dishwasher safe. Wash them by hand and dry them immediately, so the coating and handles stay looking good.
• Space on your worktop: only put out what you use daily. A knife block and a milk frother are often kept within reach, the sharpener you put away after use.
• Style: choose colours that go together. Black and grey look sleek, white and cream with a wood look give a light, calm look.
• Instructions for use: read the manual carefully before using an appliance for the first time.

Tips for a pleasant kitchen

• Create a coffee corner: put your coffee machine, milk frother and cups together. That way you have everything to hand in one move.
• Sharpen in time: if you notice a tomato is harder to cut, it is time to sharpen your knife.
• Need more space? A kitchen trolley gives you extra work and storage space. Read how to choose in Choosing a kitchen trolley or serving cart or view the kitchen trolleys and serving carts.
• A gift: a milk frother or knife set also makes a lovely gift for a coffee lover or home cook.

Looking for more for your kitchen? Also take a look at the kitchen collection.

Read also

• Choosing a kitchen trolley or serving cart: more space in your kitchen
• Holiday gift guide: gifts for every budget

View all kitchen accessories. Ordered on a working day before 15:00, shipped today, shipping is free and you get free 30-day returns.