In these present times, when our ability to do normal things like going shopping, visiting restaurants or taking outings has been severely curtailed.  It’s made many of us think about our diets and nutrition.  Especially as we face being indoors and far less active than we normally would be.  But if the very task of preparing and cooking food presents a problem, as it does for many people, what kitchen aids are there to make these tasks a little easier and to encourage us to get a little more adventurous in the kitchen?

Jar and Bottle Grip Opener

Although for the majority of people, cooking or preparation of meals isn’t something that demands a great deal of thought.  For many, the simple tasks like opening a jar or bottle can be seriously off-putting. Even with a fairly decent grip it can be like trying to wrestle an alligator down.  Whilst leaving the hands feeling like they’ve been mauled by one!

There’s a number of good options that come to the rescue here.  Plus the good news is, most of them are pretty cheap!  Plus they do the job really well, making your foray into the kitchen much more rewarding.

First off, the Jar and Bottle Grip Opener gives your hands a much higher level of grip on awkward jar and bottle tops.  Effectively moulding across the contours and so providing you with a much stronger leverage.

This device comes into its own for any users with a weakened grip or decreased sensation in their hands.  Particularly for those stubborn bottles and jars!  Where for some reason only known to them, the manufacturer has decided to attach with a vice-like grip. It’s as if they want to protect the precious contents from any human intervention!

At just over £3, (inclusive of VAT), this product will be your go-to for any stuck bottle or jar tops.  But there’s more it can also be very versatile for allowing you to open doors or turn any taps around the home.

Kitchen Workstation

Sometimes when trying to cut, slice and dice, as with bread or fresh fruit and vegetable, holding that pesky thing down can nigh-on impossible, causing you to dump the whole thing and order Uber Eats.

Again, technology and innovation have come up with solutions for people just like you. Although a little more pricey at just over £40 with VAT, the Kitchen Workstation can revolutionise many of those tricky kitchen tasks, making food-prep fun and enjoyable again.  As you are effectively given an extra pair of hands to handle, grip and control your ingredients.

Although originally conceived and designed for use by the elderly, the disabled or those with arthritis or similar conditions, the Kitchen Workstation has become a kitchen staple in many homes of perfectly able bodied users, as the functions are actually so handy and can reduce food prep time by half or less!

Finally, for the toast lover, the workstations raised corner lip makes spreading spreads onto a slice of bread an almost effortless task, keeping the bread securely in one place during the entire process.

Kettle

Dealing with hot liquids in the kitchen, and using the kettle, can be challenging for some, either through grip weakness, arthritis and other conditions, or simply because due to recovering from a sports injury to the arm, hand or wrist.

One of the most innovative gadgets to come on to the market in recent years has been the Combination Kettle with Tipper. it features an effortless power-steering pour action that almost eliminates any risk brought about by pouring from a heavy kettle.

The technology is known as PowerPour.  A non-weight bearing tilt and pour action from the ergonomic handle helping to direct hot water into the cup without the need for removing the kettle from its cradle. Again, a little pricier than some kitchen aids, the Ucello kettle comes in at around £55 including VAT.  However given it’s long term robust build and the reassurance it provides, we think it’s well worth the investment.

Ring Pull Opener

Although ring pull can openers have made opening cans much less of a hassle.  Many people still struggle with opening them.  Get it wrong (or due to how some of them are badly attached) and the thing can snap off completely, leaving you having to do all manner of risky manoeuvres with substitute tools to gain entry! The Ring Pull Can Opener is a godsend if you struggle. This handy little tool allows you to get straight under the ring pull.  Then you can leverage the lid off with only a fraction of the effort and without straining your hands or fingers.

So there you go.  It may not make you into the next Gordon Ramsay.  But these helpful devices and gadgets may prevent some of your own ‘kitchen nightmares’.  It’s probably more important than ever to try to eat healthy nutritious foods.  Therefore even if there’s something to give you a little help, its worth taking a look at what’s out there.

For a number of other good ideas to make food prep and cooking easier in the kitchen, you can take a look at a larger range of products here. Enjoy cooking or baking and I hope you find these suggestions of value.

Phil Ashforth is a staff writer for Mobility Smart.  An online retailer of health, wellbeing and mobility equipment to help you recover from injury and recuperation, or just helping solve your mobility issues in normal daily life, you’ll find their website here