Editor-Loved Solutions to Frustrating Kitchen Problems

Working for Food & Wine, our editors cook more than most. Whether we’re testing the next best stainless steel skillet for work or hosting a dinner party for friends and family, our kitchens fall prey to crumbs and clutter in the extreme. Luckily, we found affordable solutions to these frustrating kitchen problems. From cordless vacuums to magnetic knife racks, we rounded up eight clever tools that will whip your kitchens into shape in no time. Pro tip: Several of these picks are discounted during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale.

Editor-Loved Solutions to Frustrating Kitchen Problems

• YouCopia StoreMore Adjustable Bakeware Rack, $20 
• Progressive International ProKeeper 9-Piece Container Set, $70
• Shark Cordless Wandvac, $70, originally $130  
• Hereof Magnetic Knife Holder, $9, originally $15 
• OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Palm Brush, $9
• KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Mixer, $100, originally $130
• GripStic Bag Clips, $19, originally $24
• Cisily Sponge Holder, $17, originally $25

YouCopia StoreMore Adjustable Bakeware Rack

Update writer Dillon Evans has used the warming shelf at the bottom of his oven as a bakeware depot for years. It’s small, shallow, and, frankly, less than ideal. He has his eye on the YouCopia StoreMore Adjustable Bakeware Rack as an affordable and easy means of remedying his storage woes. With seven dividers and a non-slip base, he’ll be able to fit everything from cookie sheets to cutting boards without issue.    

Progressive International ProKeeper 9-Piece Container Set

A tried and true favorite of VP Taysha Murtaugh’s, Progressive International’s ProKeeper containers ensure her baking ingredients stay fresh for months at a time. There are nine pieces in the set, each designed to accommodate a standard-sized bag of all-purpose flour, baking soda, and more. The collection also includes handy accessories like magnetic levelers and duster spoons. In addition to staving off spoilage, Murtaugh appreciates that she never has to worry about bugs finding their way into her ingredients.  

Shark Cordless Wandvac

Writer An Uong swears that keeping her counters clean has become “so much easier” since she got Shark’s cordless hand vacuum, the Wandvac. “It has powerful suction for picking up stray crumbs and is able to maneuver into every nook and cranny,” says Uong. More than 13,300 Amazon shoppers echo her praise, citing the vacuum’s size, power, and price as major selling points. Even better, it’s 46% off during Amazon’s spring sale. 

Hereof Magnetic Knife Holder

“I cook every day and own a ton of knives, so a magnetic knife rack is essential,” says writer Adam Rothbarth. “If you have more than, like, three knives, you should own one, too.” This simple strip takes your razor-sharp blades out of drawers (which is a big safety hazard) and onto walls for optimal access. For just $9, your fingers will be nick-free and your kitchen will look infinitely more professional. Talk about a win-win.    

OXO Good Grips Soap Dispensing Palm Brush

Senior editor Phoebe Sklansky is a self-described hater of hand-washing dishes. Unfortunately, it’s unavoidable when there are pots, pans, and wooden utensils that aren’t supposed to go in a dishwasher. To streamline the process, she got OXO’s soap-dispensing palm brush. She still doesn’t love washing dishes, but at least now she doesn’t have to touch a bottle of dish soap that inevitably coats her hands in a layer of sticky suds. 

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Mixer

Editor Katie Brown is tired of dealing with corded kitchen tools: They get in the way, knock over bags of flour, and keep her tied to her counters. Her solution is KitchenAid’s Go Cordless Hand Mixer, which will give her “free reign” to roam around while cooking. Brown also appreciates that all of the line’s appliances are powered by one universal rechargeable battery, so the hand mixer will be easy to integrate into her existing collection. 

GripStic Bag Clips 

Director Katie Macdonald is done with bulky chip clips that take up space in her drawers and let air inside her snack bags. Instead, she recommends GripStics, which occupy virtually no space when in storage and “actually seal” her open bags. Thousands of shoppers agree with Macdonald, with one even coining the phrase “freshness locked, crumbs blocked.” 

Cisily Sponge Holder

A small kitchen doesn’t stop senior editor Joe Morales from cooking, but it does mean that he has to keep his counters clear to stop the space from feeling cluttered. In an effort to ensure things are as organized as possible (including his sink area), he bought Cisily’s shopper-loved sponge holder. With a built-in water tray to help with draining and multiple compartments to wrangle his sponges, hand soap, and cast iron brushes, he can rest assured knowing that his tools are “neat, tidy, and right where they should be.”