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7 DIY Kitchen Tools You Can Make with Household Items
If you love cooking, then you know that having the right kitchen tools can make all the difference in the world. However, if you’re on a budget, buying every kitchen gadget out there can be difficult. The good news is that you can make some pretty useful kitchen tools with items you probably already have at home. Here are seven DIY kitchen tools you can make with household items.
- Oil Sprayer: All you need is a clean spray bottle, vegetable oil, and water. Fill the bottle halfway with oil, then fill the other half with water. Shake it well to mix, and you have an oil sprayer that will evenly distribute oil over your dishes.
- Vegetable Peeler Sharpener: You can sharpen a dull vegetable peeler with a simple nail file. Run the dull side of the peeler against the textured part of the nail file a few times, and your peeler will be as good as new.
- Herb Stripper: If you need to remove herbs from their stems, a simple wide-tooth comb will do the trick. Hold the stem of the herb in one hand, and use the comb (teeth facing away from you) to strip the leaves in a downward motion.
- Homemade Strainer: You can use a clean stocking or pantyhose to strain your liquids. Just stretch the stocking over a large bowl or pot and pour your liquid through it. The stocking will catch all the solids, leaving you with a clear liquid.
- Spoon Rest: If you don’t have a spoon rest, a simple clothespin can do the trick. Just clip it onto the edge of the pot, and rest your spoon on it.
- Paper Towel Holder: If you’re out of paper towel holders, you can use a coat hanger. Straighten out the hanger, and bend it into a U shape. Then, slip the paper towels over the hanger and hang it up.
- Fruit Fly Trap: If you have an issue with fruit flies in the kitchen, you can make a trap with apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Pour some vinegar into a small jar or bowl, add a few drops of dish soap, and mix. The vinegar will attract the flies, and the soap will prevent them from flying away.
As you can see, making your own kitchen tools is not only easy but fun too. Plus, it’s a great way to save money and repurpose household items. So next time you’re in need of a new kitchen tool, take a look around your home and see what you can come up with.
1. Citrus Juicer
If you need fresh lemon or lime juice for a recipe but don’t have a citrus juicer, grab a pair of tongs and a bowl. Cut the fruit in half and place it between the two arms of the tongs with the cut side facing down. Squeeze the tongs together over the bowl to extract the juice, catching any seeds with your hands or a strainer.
2. Spoon Rest
If you’re making a recipe that requires multiple utensils and you don’t have a spoon rest, grab a clothespin. Clamp the clothespin onto the side of your pot or pan, and rest the handle of your spoon on the clothespin.
3. Spice Grinder
If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can use a coffee grinder or blender to grind spices. Simply pulse the spices until they reach the desired consistency. Clean the appliance well before and after use to remove any remaining residue.
4. Egg Separator
If you need to separate egg yolks from egg whites and don’t have a specialized tool, grab an empty plastic bottle. Crack the egg into a bowl, then squeeze the empty bottle to create suction. Hold the bottle over the egg yolk, and release the suction to suck up the yolk.
5. Cutting Board
If you don’t have a cutting board, you can use a clean, smooth surface such as a plate or the bottom of a skillet. Just make sure to clean the surface well before and after use to prevent contamination.
6. Pastry Bag
If you need to pipe frosting or other fillings and don’t have a pastry bag, use a zip-top plastic bag instead. Fill the bag with your desired filling, then snip off a small corner of the bag with scissors. Use the bag to pipe the filling onto your dessert or pastry.
7. Splatter Guard
If you’re cooking something that tends to splatter, such as bacon or fried chicken, and don’t have a splatter guard, use a wire cooling rack instead. Place the rack over the top of the pan to prevent splatters from landing on the stovetop or counter.
Conclusion
Don’t let a lack of specialized tools keep you from cooking your favorite recipes. With these household items, you can create DIY kitchen tools that work just as well as their store-bought counterparts.
Further Reading
For more tips and tricks for cooking and baking, check out Cooking Light, Bon Appétit, and Food Network.

What You Can Do with a Lemon in Your Kitchen
If you thought a lemon was only good for making lemonade, think again! Here are some amazing kitchen hacks and tricks that you can do with a lemon:
Clean Your Cutting Boards with Lemon Juice
Simply cut a lemon in half and rub its juicy side onto your cutting board. The acids in the lemon help break down germs and smells, leaving your cutting board fresh and clean.
Keep Fruits and Vegetables from Browning
When you cut fruits or vegetables, they tend to brown due to oxidation. To prevent this, squeeze some lemon juice over them before storing them in the fridge. The acid in the lemon slows down the oxidation process, keeping your fruits and veggies fresh for longer.
Use Lemon Juice to Replace Vinegar in Recipes
If you run out of vinegar, you can use lemon juice as a replacement. It has a similar acidic taste that works well in many recipes, and can add a fresh, citrusy flavor to your dishes.
These are just a few examples of how versatile a lemon can be in your kitchen. Try them out and see for yourself!
For more information on lemons and their uses, check out this page on Wikipedia.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What are DIY kitchen tools?
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) kitchen tools are kitchen tools that you make yourself using household items.
2. What are some examples of household items that can be used to make kitchen tools?
Some examples of household items that can be used to make kitchen tools are old cans, cardboard boxes, paper clips, wine corks, and wooden spoons.
3. Can I really make functional kitchen tools with household items?
Yes! With a little creativity and some basic DIY skills, you can make a variety of functional kitchen tools using household items.
4. What are some examples of DIY kitchen tools that can be made with household items?
Some examples of DIY kitchen tools that can be made with household items are a can opener, a colander, a knife sharpener, a pot holder, a utensil holder, a spoon rest, and a cutting board.
5. Are these DIY kitchen tools safe to use?
DIY kitchen tools can be safe to use as long as they are made properly and with the appropriate materials. Always use caution when using any kitchen tool, including DIY tools.
6. Do I need any special skills to make these DIY kitchen tools?
Some DIY kitchen tools may require basic skills such as cutting, gluing, and measuring, but most can be made with simple household tools like scissors and tape.
7. How can I find instructions for making DIY kitchen tools?
You can find instructions for making DIY kitchen tools online through a simple web search or by visiting websites that specialize in DIY projects and crafts.

1. Citrus Juicer
- Use a fork to prick into the flesh of the fruit and twist it a few times to loosen the juice
- Cut a lemon or lime in half and squeeze the juice out through a sieve
2. Vegetable Peeler
- Use a sharp knife to make thin strips around the vegetable in a spiraling motion
- Use a regular peeler to shave off thin layers of skin
3. Rolling Pin
- Wrap a wine bottle or glass with parchment paper or plastic wrap
- Use a sturdy glass bottle to roll out dough
4. Boiled Egg Molder
- Use a small plastic bottle to make an egg molder
- Cut off the bottom of the bottle and cut a slit in the side
5. Colander
- Use a clean pillowcase or kitchen towel to strain pasta or vegetables
- Use a wire strainer to strain liquids
6. Cheese Grater
- Use a sharp knife to cut cheese into small pieces
- Use a vegetable peeler to shave off thin slices of cheese
7. Garlic Press
- Mince garlic on a cutting board with a knife
- Use the back of a metal spatula to squish the garlic into a paste


























