TL;DR: Skip this kitchen appliances roundup - it's an incomplete listicle with affiliate links, not a proper review, despite mentioning air fryers around $50-80.
When you first move into your own place, the kitchen situation is usually… sad. A single pot, maybe a frying pan, and a lot of instant ramen. But once you start adding the right appliances, cooking goes from a chore to something you actually enjoy.
Here are the 7 kitchen appliances that genuinely changed how I cook — ranked in the order I'd buy them if I had to start from scratch.
Is an air fryer really a game changer?
The air fryer tops the list for one simple reason: it makes delicious food with zero cooking skill. Frozen chicken nuggets, fries, sweet potatoes — toss them in, press a button, done. It's basically a convection oven that sits on your counter.
For a 1~2 person household, 3.5~5L is plenty. If you cook often, go for 10L+. Basket-style models are easier to clean, while oven-style ones give you more capacity. Price range: $30~$120, with the sweet spot around $50~$80.
Tip: Line the basket with parchment paper for easy cleanup. And fun fact — air fryer toast beats a toaster any day.
Do you need anything besides a rice cooker?
If you eat rice regularly, a proper rice cooker is non-negotiable. Sure, microwave rice packets work in a pinch, but freshly cooked rice hits different. A small 3~4 cup model is perfect for one person.
IH (induction heating) models taste better but cost more. Standard micom models are totally fine for most people. Prices: micom $25~$60, IH $80~$160. The timer function is clutch — set it before bed, wake up to fresh rice.
Tip: Add a small piece of kelp to the water when cooking for extra flavor. Freeze leftover rice immediately — it reheats almost as well as fresh.
Why is a microwave essential for solo living?
You really can't do solo living without a microwave. Reheating leftovers, defrosting meat, warming up rice — you'll use it 2~3 times a day minimum.
20~23L is enough for one person. Models with grill functions can do more, but a basic microwave handles 90% of your needs. Budget $40~$120, with $60~$80 being the sweet spot.
Tip: Get a microwave steamer — it lets you make steamed eggs, potatoes, and veggies in minutes. Budget cooking at its finest.
🤔 Air Fryer vs Microwave — Which First?
If budget is tight and you can only pick one? Go with the microwave. Without it, you can't even heat up instant rice. Without an air fryer, you've still got a frying pan. But once you have both? The combo is unbeatable — defrost in the microwave, then crisp it up in the air fryer. Chef-level meals with zero effort.
Is a countertop dishwasher worth the investment?
"I order delivery because I hate doing dishes." Sound familiar? A compact countertop dishwasher fixes that. No installation needed — just hook it up to your faucet with a splitter and you're good.
Small 3~4 place setting models fit studio apartments perfectly. They run $150~$300, which sounds steep, but you'll save on delivery fees and eat healthier. Worth every penny.
Tip: Always use dishwasher-specific detergent. Regular dish soap = foam explosion (learned that the hard way). Give plates a quick rinse before loading for best results.
What can you make with a blender?
A blender opens up a whole world of easy nutrition. Banana + milk + oats in the morning and you're set. Personal-sized blenders are compact and affordable — perfect for small kitchens.
300W handles fruits fine; go 500W+ if you want to crush ice. Personal blenders run $15~$40, full-size stand blenders $40~$120. Look for models with detachable, washable parts.
Tip: Freeze bananas and blend them — it tastes like ice cream. Seriously. Best healthy dessert hack ever.
Why choose an electric kettle for speed?
Why wait 5 minutes for water to boil on the stove when an electric kettle does it in 2? Ramen water, coffee, tea — you boil water way more often than you think.
Temperature-control models are great for coffee and tea enthusiasts. Basic kettles: $10~$25. Temperature-control models: $40~$80. 0.8~1L capacity is perfect for one person.
Tip: Skip the keep-warm feature — it eats electricity. Just boil when you need it. Descale monthly with vinegar + water.
Can you have BBQ nights at home?
Craving grilled meat but don't want the greasy frying pan mess? Electric grills drain the fat away, produce less smoke, and make cleanup way easier.
Smoke-reduction features are especially important in small apartments. Budget $25~$80, with $40~$50 models hitting the sweet spot. Make sure the grill plate is removable for washing.
Tip: Ventilation matters — even "smokeless" grills produce some smoke, so crack a window. Pork shoulder produces less smoke than pork belly, by the way.
How do these kitchen appliances compare?
| Rank | Appliance | Price Range | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Fryer | $30~$120 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2 | Rice Cooker | $25~$160 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3 | Microwave | $40~$120 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4 | Dishwasher | $150~$300 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5 | Blender | $15~$120 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 6 | Electric Kettle | $10~$80 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 7 | Electric Grill | $25~$80 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Which appliances should you buy first?
You don't need to buy everything at once. Start with the air fryer → rice cooker → microwave trio and you'll cover 80% of your cooking needs. Add the rest as your budget allows.
The key is buying something decent rather than the cheapest option you'll regret. Use the links above to compare prices and find what works for you! 🍳
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