One tool, many tasks

For all the kitchen gadgets that exist in the world, when it comes right down to it, the most useful one is the one you happen to have in your hand. (Besides your actual hands, of course.) Whatever you may be holding, be it a spatula, a fork, a knife or a spoon, chances are good that whatever the task may be, the first option is to consider if the tool not necessarily built for the job can somehow handle the job. The result is cutting things with the side of forks or flipping foods with a butter knife, resulting in the odd combination of efficiency and laziness both at the same time. However, while not ferreting out the proper tool may save time in the kitchen, there is usually a trade-off in the quality of the end result.

The best way to avoid utensil-related mishaps in the kitchen is to use a utensil built for multiple purposes. The Joseph Joseph 5-In-1 Uni-tool is a multitasker's dream. Built to do the duty of a spatula, a slotted spoon, a cutting tool, a turner and a solid spoon, this one tool handles many common cooking tasks. Best of all, the simple nylon utensil makes it easy to find the right tool for the job, because most likely, it will already be in your hand.