#Chefs 50 Favorite Kitchen Tools: Chefs: Food Network

Panini press but not for Panini—for game hens and more.

Alton Brown

2. Immersion Blender

It's great for emulsifying anything, like vinaigrettes, sauces and purees.

Kyle Bailey

3. Dehydrator

After overbuying at the farmers' market, I use a dehydrator to make amazing snacks: dried apples, pears, plums, mangoes, even turkey jerky for the dogs.

4. Spatula

My favorite is and will always be my grandmother’s spatula because holding her spatula is like holding her hand!

5. Salad Spinner

Buy whole-leaf lettuce: It's cheaper, yields more and tends to be better and fresher. Take a little extra time to wash it, and make drying it easy on yourself.

Michael Schwartz

6. Bamboo Steamer

It's an elegant tool for cooking fish and vegetables to perfection.

7. Knuckle Pounder

It makes smashing garlic and tenderizing meat so much fun—in an aggressive, beat-down kind of way.

Sometimes you just can't finish the bottle, and this will keep it fresh for the next day.