Can You Identify All Of These Kitchen Tools And Gadgets?

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Identify All Of These Kitchen Tools And Gadgets?
Image: Kaboompics.com / Pexels

About This Quiz

HOT stuff! Here is a mouthwatering quiz to satisfy the home chef in you!

When creating masterpieces in the kitchen, there is no shortage of tools and gadgets to help you get the job done. Like, who knew there were so many different types of knives? From shucking oysters to dicing herbs - there seems to be a knife for every culinary task. 

Take that crescent-shaped knife, for example. Do you know what that one is used for? Better yet, do you know what it is called? We put it in the quiz, so jump right in and take a swing at it!

There is nothing quite like digging into a soft-boiled egg - perhaps with some perfectly browned toast fingers (a.k.a. soldiers). Getting the top off the egg can be a challenge, however, unless you have one of those handy little gadgets specially designed for it. Can you tell what tool we are thinking of? Take the quiz, and let's see if you are right!

Do you think you have got the mad skills required to whip up just about anything in the kitchen? If you do, then you can probably identify every single one of these kitchen tools and gadgets. Take a crack at the quiz and see how you do!

Flat Whisk Black Handle
Anthony Myers via YouTube
Do you know what this mixing tool is called?
Egg scissors
Silicone baking mat
Colander
Flat whisk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first impression most people have of the flat whisk is that it looks just like the common balloon whisk – but flattened. The design of this whisk makes it the ideal tool for mixing pan sauces and for making roux. In fact, it is often referred to as the roux whisk.

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Ladle
stafichukanatoly / Pixabay
Can you identify this large serving spoon?
Stand mixer
Ladle
Salad spinner
Bamboo steamer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are basically two types of ladle: the small sauce ladle and the larger soup ladle. Regardless of size, the best ladles have a handle set at 90 degrees to a spherical bowl. One ladle variation is the slotted ladle, which is used for retrieving foods (like hard-boiled eggs) from the liquid they are cooked in or stored in.

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Potato Masher
WIki Commons by Donovan Govan
What is the name of the crushing tool in this image?
Potato masher
Dutch oven
Tongs
Knife sharpener
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The potato masher often gets blamed for leaving lumps in mashed potatoes, so many people prefer to reach for a potato ricer instead. Truth is, it’s all in the technique. By using a press-and-twist motion, together with ensuring you get to all corners of the bowl, you should see your potato masher producing heavenly clouds of fluffy potatoes every time!

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Citrus Press
Wiki Commons by Fritzs
Which gadget for squeezing limes and oranges is shown here?
Mezzaluna
Citrus press
Slow cooker
Cookie scoop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a recipe calls for more than a quarter cup of citrus juice, it is advisable for you to reach for a citrus press instead of squeezing the fruit by hand. The citrus press comes in handheld and countertop versions, as well as in various sizes, with the smallest ones specifically designed for limes.

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Wire Skimmer in Hands
FSW via YouTube
Can you name this cross between a spoon and a sieve?
Offset tweezers
Cast iron skillet
Cleaver
Wire skimmer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This combination spoon and sieve is the ideal tool for removing food from hot oil and boiling liquids. They vary in size but typically have a long handle made of either wood or metal, to keep the chef's hands away from the heat.

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Mortar and Pestle
LoubosHouska / Pixabay
Do you know what this tool for grinding and crushing ingredients is called?
Mortar and pestle
Microplane zester
Offset spatula
Mandoline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both pesto and hummus were traditionally made with a mortar and pestle. Most chefs will agree that this is still the best method for making the two dishes, as it produces superior taste and texture.

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Wok
rawpixel.com / Pexels
Which traditional Chinese cooking vessel is this?
Vegetable peeler
Melon baller
Wok
Grill pan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The wok is associated with the preparation of Chinese-style foods, such as stir-fries, but it is versatile enough to be used for a myriad of other dishes. For instance, the wok can be used for deep frying, making popcorn, steaming vegetables, mixing batters and keeping tortillas warm.

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Salad Spinner
Oxo via YouTube
Can you name this device used for washing and drying vegetables?
Salad spinner
Oyster knife
Flat whisk
Pepper mill
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The salad spinner is very handy for washing and removing excess water from all kinds of greens, as well as rinsing grit from vegetables such as broccoli and leeks. Many seasoned cooks know that it can serve the same functions for pasta, beans and berries, as well.

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Cake Turntable
Sunday Baking via YouTube
Which rotating pastry helper is in this photo?
Corkscrew
Turntable cake stand
Laser thermometer
Cake tester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A turntable (or rotating) cake stand is by no means a necessity in every kitchen. For those who enjoy baking and decorating cakes, however, the turntable cake stand can be a very convenient tool. The best ones are heavy and sturdy, preferably made of metal, and completely flat on top.

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Mandoline
ChefSteps via YouTube
Do you know the name of this razor-sharp slicer?
Cleaver
Tongs
Knife sharpener
Mandoline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mandoline is the trick chefs have up their sleeves when they prepare enviably thin, perfectly sliced vegetables. Its razor-sharp blade is adjustable so you can vary the thickness of the slices, but you can be sure of getting perfect, even slices every time.

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Egg Scissors
Bestseller4U via YouTube
What is the name of the cutter shown here?
Cast iron skillet
Egg scissors
Colander
Immersion blender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Slicing the top off a soft-boiled egg can be a messy job (and dangerous for your fingers). Egg scissors, however, do the job easily, quickly and cleanly. Other names and variations of this handy device include the egg cutter and the egg topper.

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Bamboo Steamer
Wiki Commons by sfllaw
What name is given to the cooker shown here?
Oyster knife
Grill pan
Bamboo steamer
Egg separator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bamboo steamers are typically stackable, allowing you to steam several foods at once while keeping them separate. It is advisable to line the steamer with parchment paper or with lettuce or cabbage leaves, to prevent food from sticking to the bamboo.

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Vegetable Peeler
fotoblend / Pixabay
What do you call this device for removing the skin from certain foods?
Corkscrew
Vegetable peeler
Mezzaluna
Potato masher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vegetable peelers make short work of peeling vegetables and fruits, without digging deep into and wasting the flesh underneath. Their designs include the straight peeler, the Y-peeler and the swivel peeler. Vegetable peelers are also good for shaving cheese and making thin slices of onion.

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Microplane Zester
Wiki Commons by Donovan Govan
Can you name this tool for grating the skin off of citrus fruits?
Dutch oven
Mortar and pestle
Microplane zester
Pastry blender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The microplane zester is a type of grater designed to efficiently remove the outer, flavorful skin of citrus fruits, called zest, without getting at the bitter pith underneath. Experienced chefs put the zester to other uses also, such as grating ginger and nutmeg.

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Stand Mixer
NikiPe / Pixabay
Which countertop device for blending ingredients is shown here?
Citrus press
Cookie scoop
Slow cooker
Stand mixer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many people who own a stand mixer only use it for preparing cake batter. Seasoned cooks know, however, that they can rely on the stand mixer for combining meatball ingredients, whipping up pizza dough and even whisking a batch of eggs.

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Cleaver
MILAIMAGES / Pixabay
What is the name of the broad knife shown here?
Cleaver
Wok
Pepper mill
Ladle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apart from chopping straight through the bones in meat, the cleaver can be used to smash garlic and tenderize meat before cooking. It is usually recognizable by its large, broad blade, but there is a version of the cleaver made with a much narrower blade.

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Japanese Fish Scaler Table
MTCKitchen via YouTube
Do you know what this handy device is called?
Japanese fish scaler
Cake leveler
Laser thermometer
Wire skimmer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This tool is also called a urokotori (Japanese for scale remover). It is raked over the fish from tail to head to remove scales. Most cooks prefer using the urokotori instead of a knife, since it is gentler on the skin and flesh of the fish.

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Silicone Baking Mat
Kitchen Spot via YouTube
Which non-stick liner is shown here?
Turntable cake stand
Melon baller
Flat whisk
Silicone baking mat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Silicone baking mats take on most of the jobs cooks would normally trust to parchment paper. They are reusable and work very well as cookie sheet liners when baking up batches of cookies.

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Laser Thermometer
Chris Lai via YouTube
Do you know the name of this device for reading food temperature?
Laser thermometer
Grill pan
Stand mixer
Mandoline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The laser or infrared thermometer is a type of noncontact thermometer. You simply point it at whatever you want to know the temperature of and pull the trigger. It is definitely less messy than other types of thermometers, and you run no risk of getting burned by a hot oven, food or pots.

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Slow Cooker
Wiki Commons by Fae
Can you identify the type of pot in this image?
Vegetable peeler
Immersion blender
Tongs
Slow cooker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The inner cooking pot of a slow cooker is usually made of porcelain or ceramic, while the outer container is generally made from metal. It is not uncommon, however, to see slow cookers with both vessels made from metal. Oval-shaped slow cookers are preferred over the round ones when cooking whole birds or large cuts of meat.

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Oyster Knife Glove
Wiki Commons by Steven Walling
Do you know what this specialized cutting tool is called?
Offset spatula
Oyster knife
Pepper mill
Bamboo steamer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The short, stout blade of the oyster knife makes it ideal for opening (shucking) oysters. The handle on most oyster knives is pear-shaped so that it fits better in your hand and makes shucking easier.

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Dutch Oven
America's Test Kitchen via YouTube
Which type of cooking vessel is shown in this picture?
Cake leveler
Pastry blender
Offset tweezers
Dutch oven
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Two of the first things you notice when handling a Dutch oven are that it is thick and it is heavy. Dutch ovens are ideal for long-interval cooking and are often used for making braises and stews.

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Mezzaluna
Wiki Commons by Assianir
Do you know what this curved slicer is called?
Salad spinner
Mezzaluna
Egg separator
Cast iron skillet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mezzaluna is traditionally used for chopping up herbs and garlic. Its large blade, half-moon shape and double handle can make it somewhat intimidating for first-time users. Mastering the technique of using the mezzaluna is not difficult, however, and most people are comfortable using it after just a few short tries.

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Melon Baller
©Alice Wiegand / CC-BY-SA-3.0 (via Wiki Commons)
What is the fruity name of this handy scoop?
Melon baller
Mandoline
Knife sharpener
Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apart from making perfectly shaped melon balls to add to a fruit salad, the melon baller can be put to work making balls of many other firm fruits. It can also make cheese balls and be used as a seed scraper to remove unwanted seeds from gourds, such as squashes.

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Cake Tester
Oxo via YouTube
Can you identify the simple and practical object shown here?
Cake tester
Egg scissors
Turntable cake stand
Mortar and pestle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A cake tester is one of the most basic cooking tools ever invented – a piece of stainless steel wire with a handle attached. Regardless of the “cake” in its name, this simple implement can also be used to test the doneness of all sorts of meats and vegetables.

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Cast Iron Skillet
RobynsWorld / Pixabay
Do you know what this type of cooking vessel is called?
Cake leveler
Microplane zester
Cast iron skillet
Citrus press
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Modern cast iron cookware typically comes pre-seasoned with a thin oil-like layer which helps it to behave more like a non-stick pan. This tough layer should not be washed away with soap. You can help to maintain the seasoning by using your cast irons pots regularly for searing, frying and baking.

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Cookie Scoop
WorldKitchenBrands via YouTube
What is the name of the spoon-like utensil shown here?
Cookie scoop
Slow cooker
Wok
Immersion blender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cookie scoops are essentially ice-cream scoops used for measuring and turning out cookie batter onto a baking sheet. They help to ensure that all your cookies are made with the right amount of batter.

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Offset Tweezers
tescomavideo EN via YouTube
Which special name is given to this bent tool?
Offset tweezers
Stand mixer
Wok
Japanese fish scaler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After preparing delicate morsels of food, having to pick them up and transfer them to a plate can be nerve-racking. That’s where a pair of offset tweezers comes in! The bent and pointed ends, along with the skilled hands of the chef, ensure that fanciful (and flavorful) creations remain intact when plating a meal.

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Pastry Blender
Wiki Commons by Evan-Amos
Can you name this mixing device?
Corkscrew
Dutch oven
Egg separator
Pastry blender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pastry blenders are traditionally made with a wooden handle and thick wires for cutting fat into flour and other dry ingredients. Modern versions have handles of wood, plastic or metal, and some replace the wires with metal blades.

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Grill Pan
Wiki Commons by Susan Slater
What is the name of the cooking vessel pictured here?
Mezzaluna
Grill pan
Ladle
Offset spatula
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Grill pans help you to get the taste and look of an outdoor barbecue from indoor cooking. The pans vary in size, with some designed for use on one burner, others made to fit over two. They also come in round, square and rectangular versions and can be made from a variety of materials, including cast iron, enameled cast iron, stainless steel and copper.

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Colander
malanbatmastar / Pixabay
Which multipurpose utensil is shown in this image?
Wire skimmer
Bamboo steamer
Offset tweezers
Colander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Good advice when buying a colander is to choose one with feet. These will keep the colander's base at least an inch above the sink and allow for better draining. Also, consider getting a metal one. There will be no danger of the metal one melting when used with hot liquids, such as when draining pasta.

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Tongs
Min An / Pexels
What are these handy food lifters called?
Potato masher
Japanese fish scaler
Tongs
Flat whisk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A really good pair of tongs should feel like an extension of your arm. They can help you to safely move food around in a pot or to grip, pick up and transfer food to another vessel. Some have a locking mechanism to reduce the risk of dropping food as you move with it.

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Corkscrew
jsnewtonian / Pixabay
Can you identify the bottle opener in this image?
Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer
Microplane zester
Turntable cake stand
Corkscrew
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Corkscrews perform a simple task – opening a bottle of wine. With the wrong corkscrew, however, that can quickly become a very frustrating task. To make the job stress free, look for a corkscrew which fits comfortably in your hand and requires the least amount of rotations to bore snugly into the cork. As a bonus, go for one which incorporates a foil cutter into its design.

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Knife Sharpener
moreharmony / Pixabay
Do you know the name of this honing tool?
Egg scissors
Knife sharpener
Cake tester
Pastry blender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you are ever in a situation where you are dealing with a dull knife and there happens to be no knife sharpener in sight, take a look around for a ceramic mug or plate. Flip it over and use the harder-than-metal unglazed edge to temporarily sharpen your knife.

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Immersion Blender
SeriousEats via YouTube
Which type of mixer is shown in this photo?
Cleaver
Citrus press
Mortar and pestle
Immersion blender
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The immersion blender goes by many names, including hand blender, stick blender and wand. It was originally called a “Bamix” by its Swiss inventor. Of all the immersion blender brands which are currently on the market, the Bamix brand is still very popular in commercial kitchens.

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Pepper Mill
Wiki Commons by Lewis Ronald
What is this grinder called?
Pepper mill
Melon baller
Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer
Vegetable peeler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chefs will attest to the fact that freshly ground pepper is far superior in flavor to the pre-ground type. A good pepper mill will produce consistent results, whether you need fine or coarse ground pepper. It will also fit comfortably in your grasp and not require too much cranking to get the volume and texture of grinds you need.

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Knuckle Pounder Meat Tenderizer
Viktor Viktor via YouTube
Do you know the name of the scary-looking tool in this image?
Wire skimmer
Laser thermometer
Knuckle pounder meat tenderizer
Colander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The knuckle pounder meat tenderizer is made to look very much like brass knuckles. This small tool can be used to beat, pound and pierce meat all over so that it will cook quickly and evenly.

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Cake Leveler
Jovina Bakes via YouTube
Can you name the handy baker’s tool shown here?
Cake leveler
Potato masher
Salad spinner
Oyster knife
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The cake leveler is one of many cake-sculpting tools used by cake makers. It helps you to get a nice flat top on a cake so that layers will rest securely, one on top of the other. Even if you are not creating a layered cake, a flat top is much easier to decorate and more presentable than a domed one.

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Egg Separator
Wiki Commons by Lionel Allorge
Which convenient kitchen tool is this?
Ladle
Cookie scoop
Egg separator
Silicone baking mat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are a couple of methods you can try if don’t have an egg separator and must separate an egg (yolk from white). One is the egg shell technique, which requires some degree of skill, or you can just roll up your sleeve, loosely cradle the yolk in your hand, and let the white drain through your fingers.

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Kaboompics.com / Pexels