There's a category of kitchen tool that's too cheap to think twice about, but too useful to live without. These are the $6 to $11 problem solvers — the ones you buy on a whim, then wonder how you ever cooked without them.
We found four in the WorthIt Goods catalog that genuinely earn their place in a kitchen drawer. Not gimmicks, not gadgets that look cool and sit unused. These are tools that solve actual, specific problems that anyone who cooks recognizes.
Quick Take
All four are worth buying — they're each under $11, so the whole set costs $39.52. But if you're picking one: start with the Splatypus Jar Spatula ($10.95). It solves the most universal problem (getting the last bit out of jars) and works with the most products (Nutella, jam, peanut butter, mayo, you name it).
🦆 Splatypus Jar Spatula — $10.95
Best for: Getting every last bit out of jars, bottles, and containers.
This is the kitchen tool you didn't know you needed until you use it. The Splatypus is a silicone spatula shaped like a platypus with a long, thin bill that reaches into the bottom corners of jars that regular spatulas can't touch. It's flexible enough to scrape the sides of a peanut butter jar, sturdy enough to spread cream cheese on a bagel, and heat-resistant enough for cooking.
What makes it different from other jar spatulas is the shape — the narrow head slides into narrow jars (olive jars, small jam jars) that wider spatulas can't reach. The silicone is one-piece, so there's no seam where food can get trapped. And it's dishwasher safe.
Works with: Nutella jars, jam jars, peanut butter, mayo, mustard, honey, any jar with curved sides or narrow openings.
Buy Splatypus — $10.95 →
🥄 Magnetic Measuring Spoons — $6.88
Best for: Measuring without losing spoons in your drawer.
Measuring spoons are one of those things that seem simple until you use a bad set. The magnetic ones solve three specific problems: (1) they stick together so you don't lose the ¼ teaspoon in the back of a drawer, (2) the double-ended design gives you both oval and round heads for different jar openings, and (3) the built-in leveler means you don't have to use a knife to level off a scoop.
The set includes 7 spoons: 1 tbsp, ½ tbsp, 1 tsp, ½ tsp, ⅓ tsp, ¼ tsp, and ⅛ tsp. The magnetic strip keeps them stacked in order. The stainless steel won't rust or stain. And at $6.88, it's one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to your kitchen.
Why it beats regular spoons: They stay together, measure accurately, and the leveler saves you from dirtying a second utensil.
Buy Measuring Spoons — $6.88 →
🧀 Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater — $10.72
Best for: Zesting, grating hard cheese, and replacing a bulky box grater.
This is a razor-sharp stainless steel rasp grater that does the job of a box grater in a fraction of the space. The fine teeth make quick work of zest, parmesan, ginger, garlic, nutmeg, and chocolate. The handle is comfortable to grip, and the blade is sharp enough to make grating feel effortless.
The real advantage over a box grater is cleanup. Box graters have those awkward nooks where cheese gets stuck and hardens. This is a flat rasp — you rinse it off and it's clean in seconds. It also takes up a fraction of the drawer space. The lifetime warranty is a nice bonus at this price point.
What it's actually good for: Fresh parmesan on pasta, lemon zest for baking, ginger for stir-fries, nutmeg for eggnog, garlic for anything.
Buy Zester Grater — $10.72 →
🦀 Red the Crab Silicone Utensil Rest — $10.97
Best for: Holding your spoon or spatula without making a mess on your counter.
This is one of those products that sounds silly until you've used it. Red the Crab is a silicone spoon rest shaped like a crab. The claws hold your utensil at an angle so the drips run back into the pot instead of pooling on your counter. The body doubles as a steam releaser — you can rest a lid on it to let steam escape while cooking.
What makes it better than a normal spoon rest is the angled claw design. Most spoon rests are flat, so the spoon handle sits in a puddle of its own drips. The Crab holds the spoon up, so drips fall back into the pot. The silicone is BPA-free, heat-resistant, and dishwasher safe. And it genuinely looks cute sitting on your stovetop.
Why it's better than a regular spoon rest: The angled claws keep the spoon tip out of the drips, the steam releaser is a bonus feature, and it doesn't look like a hospital supply.
Buy Red the Crab — $10.97 →Which One Should You Buy First?
If you're only getting one, here's a simple way to decide:
You waste food because you can't get the last of a jar out → Splatypus. This is the most universal problem-solver. It works with almost every jar in your fridge and saves you actual money by getting every last bit.
You're annoyed by losing measuring spoons → Magnetic Set. The magnetic stacking is a small thing that makes a big difference. And the leveler genuinely improves accuracy.
You still use pre-shredded cheese → Zester Grater. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in starch to prevent clumping, which means it doesn't melt as well. Freshly grated parmesan alone is worth the $10.72.
You cook messy things and hate cleaning your counter → Red the Crab. If you're the kind of cook who has a spoon rest, this is a direct upgrade. If you don't use a spoon rest, you probably should — and this one won't make your kitchen look like a cafeteria.
The Value Proposition
All four together cost $39.52. That's less than a single meal delivery kit for two people. And unlike a meal kit, these tools will still be in your kitchen working for you years from now.
Individually, they're all under $11 — which is the "why not" price point. At that price, you don't need to research, compare, or overthink it. If the problem it solves sounds familiar, just buy it. You'll use it.
The Bottom Line
Our Take
These are the kind of kitchen purchases that don't feel like purchases — they feel like fixes. You buy the Splatypus because you're tired of wasting Nutella. You buy the measuring spoons because you're tired of fishing for the ¼ teaspoon. You buy the zester because you want real parmesan. You buy the Crab because you're tired of wiping your counter.
None of them are life-changing. But they're all quietly life-improving — and that's exactly what a $10 kitchen tool should be.