8 Kitchen Tools from IKEA That Our Editors Can’t Stop Raving About (2024)

published Sep 6, 2021

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Most people we know head to IKEA to look at the sofas and wander the never-ending maze. We like those things, too, but when Kitchn editors go to IKEA, we go almost exclusively for the kitchen section. (You can keep your inexpensive textiles! As long as we get our cork trivets!) What are our favorite finds? I polled my coworkers and these are the eight kitchen products from IKEA that Kitchn editors use every day in their own home kitchens — and can’t recommend enough.

1. Idealisk Strainer

“I have two of these strainers in my kitchen and can’t live without them. Because I eat a ton of quinoa! And they’re lightweight enough that I can hold one in one hand while I strain a pot of grains or pasta with another (it can handle 12-ounce boxes of pasta pretty well, but is more ideal for 8-ounce boxes). They’re also perfect for cleaning berries and rinsing a can of beans quickly.” — Lauren Kodiak, Copy Chief

2. Tornviken Kitchen Island

I too love an IKEA strainer!But I recently bought this and I love it and I get tons of compliments on it! It creates a nice divide between my dining and kitchen area, adds tons of storage, and has enough room to fit counter stools for an eating area. And it’s added so much more counter space.” — Amelia Rampe, Studio Food Editor

3. Fulländad Whisk

“They don’t carry the flat whisk I have anymore, but I love this nonstick sauce whisk of theirs, too. It’s hard to find a great nonstick sauce whisk! (It’s also available on Amazon at a slightly higher price!)” — Faith Durand, Editor-in-Chief

4. Sortera Recycling Bin with Lid

“We have to take our glass recycling to a separate location, so I love this for collecting all of the glasses, jars, and bottles I use in the kitchen until I can make the trip.And I use these trays (and their narrow counterparts) to corral pantry items!”— Patty Catalano, Contributor

5. 365+ Food Container with Lid

“We havethese containersin all shapes and sizes! They’re made out of glass and very durable (I know because I’ve definitely dropped one), but my absolute favorite part is how easy it is to remove and wash the rubber gasket so you don’t have a mold situation.” — Patty Lee, Executive Editor

6. 365+ Dry Food Jar with Lid

“I use these for cereal and snacks! Their lids half open and are super easy to pour from. The smaller one holds about one standard box of cookies or snacks, so it holds the right amount. I love that I don’t have to use bag clips or rubber bands to close things up, and because the containers are transparent, I can see at a glance if we’re running low on something! The large one holds a regular box of cereal or is good for long pasta.”— Christine Gallary, Food Editor-at-Large

7. 365+ Chopping Board

“I bought this set of mini cutting boards over the summer and I’ve probably used them each a million times already! And I’m just learning that they’re meant to go with IKEA’s containers as makeshift lids! Brilliant. Guess I need to back soon to get said containers.” — Lisa Freedman, Lifestyle Director

8. Ordning Utensil Holder

“We store all our spatulas, spoons, tongs, and utensils in this! I’ve had it for 10-plus years now and my mother also has one (it’s how I discovered it).” — Mara Weinraub, Groceries Editor

Do you have a favorite kitchen item from IKEA? Let us know in the comments!

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