Top 10 Most Useful Kitchen Appliances in India (2023)

Looking for some must-haves or most useful kitchen appliances for your kitchen? If yes then make sure you read this article until the end, you won’t miss anything important.

When it comes to essential kitchen supplies there are a lot of items that you need to have for an Indian kitchen such as a cooker, stove, and utensils. Undoubtedly, these items are mandatory for any kitchen and one can easily think of them.

However, In this article, I am featuring some other kitchen appliances that I consider most useful for an Indian kitchen but many people overlook them. Hence, I will also tell you what’s the importance of having them.

Are you ready?

Let’s dive straight into it…

1. Chimney/Exhaust Fan

A kitchen chimney is often missed by most people when setting up a new kitchen perhaps it’s one of the most useful kitchen appliances, especially for Indian kitchens that use lots of Masalas and oils, producing enough smoke and gases.

We all are well familiar with the coughing fits we’ve had while frying chilies and it is not only a pleasant experience but also causes respiratory issues and other harmful diseases.

An Exhaust Fan or a kitchen chimney becomes necessary in a kitchen if you also produce lots of smoke, gases, and odors while cooking. In addition to this, both appliances keep your kitchen clean, improve indoor air quality, and reduce heat and fire.

Both are designed to exhaust the pollutants outside the kitchen, helping to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

Now, I am using exhaust fans and chimneys together because they both do the same job but also differ in some ways. Chimneys are considered more efficient in removing smoke and odors but they may cost higher than exhaust fans.

I recommend reading our Chimney Vs Exhaust Fan article for a better guide on which one to choose for your kitchen. You may also read our chimney buying guide if you want to choose a chimney over an exhaust fan.

Read more: 7 Best Filterless Chimneys in India

2. Fridge

A refrigerator also called a fridge is an essential kitchen appliance and very useful for every house. The main purpose of a refrigerator is to keep foods safe for a longer time. Let me tell you how refrigerators help keep food safe…

As we all know knows bacterias are everywhere and so in foods we have and we eat. These bacterias are probiotics until they are alive. Once they died they make the food unhealthy.

Generally, at room temperature, these bacterias present in foods die in a few hours. To slow down the activity and growth of bacteria we need to provide them with a cold temperature. Therefore a refrigerator becomes necessary for a kitchen to keep food safe.

It plays a vital role in maintaining the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of food items, making it an indispensable asset in every Indian household.

Now a lot of you may know this already and have a refrigerator in the kitchen but many people in India don’t take it seriously.

A refrigerator provides ample storage space to accommodate a variety of food items, including cooked dishes, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, raw ingredients, beverages, and condiments.

If you also find a refrigerator as one of the most useful kitchen appliances and want to buy one for your kitchen, I highly recommend reading this refrigerator buying guide article before anything.

3. Water Purifier (filter):

In India, a very small percentage of people have water purifiers available at home despite the fact in many areas safe drinking water is not available.

In my opinion, you must have a water purifier or filter if you don’t have clean water available. If you’re using direct tap water for drinking, there is a high risk that you may get affected by various waterborne diseases.

A water purifier is highly beneficial to filter your water, remove contaminants that are responsible for waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and others, and make your water drinkable.

Most people get confused about a water purifier with RO but they both have different meanings. An RO is a type of water purifier that extremely filters the water. An RO is suitable for a home that has water TDS above 500 ppm to under 1000 ppm.

If your home water shows TDS less than 500ppm then you may go with a different water purifier UF, NF, UV, and MF depending on the TDS of the home’s water level. I highly recommend reading this detailed comparison article on water purifiers and which one should you go with.

4. Induction Cooktop:

An induction cooktop is undoubtedly one of the most beneficial kitchen appliances, especially in the context of Indian cooking. It has gained significant popularity due to its efficiency, safety, speed, and versatility.

First and foremost, an induction cooktop offers remarkable energy efficiency. It utilizes electromagnetic fields to directly heat the cookware, without wasting heat energy in the surroundings. In a country like India, where energy conservation is crucial, this feature proves to be advantageous in reducing electricity consumption and lowering utility bills.

In terms of safety, an induction cooktop excels compared to traditional gas stoves. It eliminates the need for an open flame, reducing the risk of accidental fires or gas leaks.

As we all know, Indian cooking involves a variety of dishes with different temperature requirements. An induction cooktop offers precise temperature control, allowing users to adjust the heat levels accurately.

Along with these benefits, an Induction cooktop also has an advantage in cleaning, accommodation, and more. Its compact and sleek design makes it an ideal choice for modern Indian kitchens, which often face space constraints. Its flat surface allows for easy integration into countertops and provides a seamless look in the kitchen.

I highly recommend getting an induction cooktop if you are looking for essential kitchen appliances.

5. Sandwich Maker:

I remember when I was a child my mom always made a delay in making breakfast and I got delayed in going to my early morning school. Thankfully my dad purchased a sandwich maker and we both would get breakfast early together and have fun.

Believe it or not but a Sandwich maker or toaster can come in handy if you as a homemaker don’t want to wake up early and prepare lunch for everybody. In just a few minutes your sandwich or toaster can make your sandwich and make you free from early morning breakfast.

A Sandwich maker or toaster is not just limited to making sandwiches, it can be also used to prepare other popular Indian snacks like grilled sandwiches, open-faced toasts, or even crispy bread rolls.

All in all, It offers the flexibility to experiment with different combinations and flavors, enabling you to cater to individual taste preferences. This versatility makes it an invaluable asset in an Indian kitchen, where snacking is an integral part of the culinary culture.

You may find lots of guides on choosing the best Sandwich maker. However, my intention was just to tell you how it could be an essential kitchen appliance and I hope you have understood that.

6. Mixer Grinder

A mixer grinder is an indispensable kitchen appliance in an Indian kitchen due to its versatile functionality and the crucial role it plays in preparing a wide range of traditional Indian dishes.

It combines the functionalities of a mixer and a grinder, making it a highly efficient and time-saving tool. With its powerful motor and various attachments, a mixer grinder offers numerous benefits that are essential for Indian cooking.

Firstly, a mixer grinder enables efficient mixing and blending of ingredients. Whether it’s making batter for dosas and idlis, grinding spices, or preparing homemade sauces and chutneys, the mixer grinder’s high-speed motor ensures a smooth and uniform consistency.

This feature is particularly important in Indian cuisine, which relies heavily on finely ground spices and pastes to create rich and distinct flavors in curries, gravies, and other dishes.

Additionally, the mixer grinder’s ability to blend fruits and vegetables into smoothies and juices encourages the consumption of fresh produce, contributing to a healthy diet.

Overall, Its ability to mix, blend, and grind ingredients efficiently makes it an essential tool for preparing a wide range of Indian dishes, contributing to the joy of cooking and the satisfaction of enjoying delicious homemade meals.

7. Kitchen Small Geyser:

I know many of you may overlook this but I must tell you it’s one of the useful kitchen appliances due to several reasons. Let me tell you how…

First, it provides a convenient and efficient way to heat water, which is a fundamental requirement in Indian cooking. Whether it’s for making tea, or coffee, or preparing traditional dishes that involve boiling or steaming, having hot water readily available is crucial.

Moreover, many households prefer to use warm water for various kitchen tasks like washing utensils, rinsing fruits and vegetables, or even for personal hygiene purposes. A small geyser ensures a constant supply of warm water, eliminating the need to heat water on the stove or use alternative methods.

In Indian cuisine, the preparation of certain foods often involves soaking ingredients like lentils, rice, or spices in hot water to soften or enhance their flavors. I know you may use your all-time gas stove to boil water but I must tell you a small geyser makes this process quicker and more efficient as it can provide a consistent supply of hot water whenever required, saving both time and effort.

And the best part is it eliminates the risk of accidents or burns that can occur when handling boiling water in a busy kitchen.

8. Electric Kettle:

You may say if I install a small geyser what’s the need to install an electric kettle now? Well, it again has its own importance.

A kitchen geyser can be useful for heating water for preparing meals, washing dishes, and more which uses your tank water while an electric kettle can be helpful in boiling drinkable water, making tea, coffee, instant noodles, soups, and other hot beverages.

It can rapidly heat up water to boiling point, saving time and effort compared to traditional stovetop methods.

For a moment, you may avoid a kitchen geyser but an electric kettle is a must-have kitchen appliance due to its numerous benefits and convenience it provides. It has become increasingly popular and widely used in Indian households.

Additionally, the electric kettle offers convenience and versatility. It is portable, allowing users to move it around the kitchen or even carry it to different locations within the house. This flexibility is advantageous for Indian kitchens where space might be limited, as the kettle can be easily stored when not in use.

9. Dishwasher

If you belong to a joint family, I understand the number of utensils and dishes you have to wash every day can be overwhelming. It’s not only a complex task but also time-consuming.

That’s where a dishwasher becomes a necessity for your kitchen. While it may not be widely used in India, in the US, most people consider it an essential kitchen appliance.

However, I believe for Indian kitchens it should be also a must-have appliance. As Indian cuisine often involves using a variety of pots, pans, plates, and utensils, leading to a substantial amount of dishwashing. The dishwasher’s ability to handle large loads efficiently and effectively saves valuable time and effort for Indian households.

In addition to this, the dishwasher promotes hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen. In Indian cooking, a wide range of spices and ingredients are used, which can leave stubborn stains and odors on dishes.

Dishwashers are equipped with powerful jets of water, high temperatures, and specialized cleaning agents, ensuring that utensils are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, removing any lingering food particles or germs. Overall, it enhances convenience and multitasking capabilities in the kitchen.

This modern appliance adds a level of efficiency to the overall kitchen workflow, making it an indispensable asset for busy Indian households.

10. Microwave Oven:

Again, the microwave oven is a useful kitchen appliance for an Indian kitchen due to its versatility, convenience, and time-saving capabilities. It revolutionizes cooking methods and offers numerous benefits that make it a must-have in Indian households.

First and foremost, the microwave oven allows for quick and efficient cooking. In Indian cuisine, which often involves intricate recipes and multiple steps, the microwave oven can significantly reduce cooking time.

It excels at reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food, and preparing ready-to-eat meals in a matter of minutes. This is particularly beneficial for busy individuals or families who desire a hot and delicious meal but are short on time.

Furthermore, the microwave oven preserves the nutritional value of food. Traditional Indian cooking methods sometimes involve extended cooking times, which can lead to nutrient loss.

The microwave oven, on the other hand, cooks food quickly and with minimal water usage, thereby preserving the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in the ingredients. It is especially advantageous when steaming vegetables, as it helps retain their natural colors, flavors, and nutrients.

Lastly, it accommodates the diverse dietary preferences and restrictions prevalent in Indian households. It allows for customization and individual portion control, making it easier to cater to different tastes and dietary requirements. From reheating vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries to cooking special meals for those with dietary restrictions, the microwave oven offers flexibility and convenience for all members of the household.

Overall, the microwave oven’s versatility, time-saving capabilities, nutritional benefits, and compatibility with Indian cooking techniques make it an essential and practical appliance in an Indian kitchen.

Now It’s Your Turn:

So, there you have it! In this article, we have shared the 10 most useful kitchen appliances. Additionally, we have also discussed the importance of these kitchen appliances and why it is essential to have them.

We hope you enjoyed the article and found it helpful. Now, we would love to hear from you:

Which kitchen appliances do you already have installed in your kitchen, and which ones are you planning to buy?

Is there any other essential kitchen appliance that we may have missed and that you would like us to add? Let us know your thoughts.