Anyone that has worked in a commercial kitchen knows that time is limited. Food prep can be one of the most time-consuming tasks in the kitchen. However, the right tools can save time and effort when preparing food. We understand how tedious these tasks can feel and that there isn’t enough space for every kind of tool in your kitchen – so we’re giving you our top 5 favorite multi-purpose small wares. These tools will save you time and effort during food prep and bring some more efficiency into your kitchen.
The Most Versatile Food Prep Utensils/Tools
If you’re short on space in your kitchen, you need food prep utensils and tools that can serve more than one purpose. Add efficiency and ease to your food preparation by adding the right tools to your lineup. We collected five of our favorite food prep small wares for their versatility.
Sheet Pans
These flat pans are a staple in any commercial kitchen. Usually made of aluminum or stainless steel, they are built for durability.
Uses:
- Baking and cooling in the same tray
- Assembling high quantities of foods for service (sandwiches, appetizers)
- Decorating or filling baked goods
Pastry Bags
Commonly used for frosting or piping baked goods, pastry bags are disposable and convenient. These bags aren’t just for desserts!
Uses:
- Pipe beautiful mashed potatoes
- Fill pastries
- Portion out batters for cooking
- Stuff pasta or appetizers
Tip: Pastry bags work best with pastry bag tips! Keep work clean and create less mess.
Dishers/Portioners
Portioners are a familiar favorite for many commercial kitchens and cafeterias. They aren’t just for serving food, though!
Uses:
- Divide batters for baking
- Portion control in school cafeterias
- Dish ingredients for recipes
- Dish ice cream or custard
Vegetable Choppers
These versatile tools are useful for more than just cutting up tomatoes! Adopt a vegetable chopper and watch your food prep time drop significantly. Different blade cartridges add even more flexibility to this tool.
Uses:
- Chop vegetables for cooking, salsa, and more
- Cut potatoes or onions for frying
- Dice fruit for salads, sides, or baking
Food Pourer Containers
Also known as FIFO Squeeze Bottles, these containers are ideal for dispensing a controlled amount of ingredients.
Uses:
- Dispense sauces or ingredients when cooking
- Control portions of batter (pancakes, muffins, cupcakes)
- Create professional garnishes on plates
Tip: Check out classic squeeze bottles for similar uses!
More Food Prep Tips
Looking to improve efficiency in food prep? Read articles about food prep, equipment buying, and more.
Kelsey Moriarty is a Content Specialist at Central Restaurant Products. Her focus at Central is in the Food Prep and Furniture areas. Kelsey’s background is in technology and marketing with particular experience in SEO and E-Commerce. She enjoys helping customers make better decisions as well as working on her copywriting skills!
