Top 10 Favourite Kitchen Items for Cruisers

A few things of note:

• We have a pretty large solar array with lithium batteries. This means we can run some electrical appliances that others may not be able to, depending on the setup.
• Our boat, a 15m catamaran, is roomier than some, which provides more space for storing bulkier appliances.
• We do not monetize our page and we do not earn any money from the links below. I included them merely for reference. Anything you see on our pages comes from us sharing our experiences only.

Now, without further ado...

Top 10 Favourite Kitchen Items for Cruisers

1. Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 11-in-1 Electric Multi-Cooker

   Man, oh man, I adore my Instant Pot. I could easily live on the boat without a stovetop or oven, but not my IP. I use it Every. Single. Day.
   I am such an IP evangelist that I am teaching all my boys to cook with one at uni. Their roommates probably think they are the weirdest people coming to school with an Instant Pot.
   This sucker can do almost everything - pressure cook, slow cook, saute, sous vide, air fry, dehydrate, bake, roast, and broil. The only thing missing is deep frying.
   Like any cooking appliance, it draws some power - up to 1500 watts. It is also a bulky appliance. This could be an issue on a smaller boat.
   If you have the power, you need to buy one. Now.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/iT4dolB
   
   

2. Nesting Mixing Bowl Set

   These bowls are perfect on a boat. The bottoms are covered by silicone to keep them from sliding around.
   In addition to the bowls nesting, their lids also nest.
   One word of caution: do not put the lid in the microwave or else it warps, making it useless. I learned the hard way.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/jl857u0
   
   

3. Spice Storage

   I've previously written about how I store spices on board. I have two long plastic bins for my spices which are stored in thick, small plastic bags. Each bag holds one full spice jar.
   They take up less space and keeping them alphabetized makes finding what I need easy.
   
   Link to My Bins: https://amzn.eu/3Ch4aTq
   Link to My Bags: https://amzn.eu/dVuNR9g

4. Magnetic Knife Holder

   An inexpensive gadget, but so useful. Be sure to get one with a strong magnet.
   In the past 3 years, I've had only one knife fall off in very rough seas, but that was probably due to not putting the knife on it securely.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/9UA1MmV

5. Tefal Ingenio Cookware

   This nesting pan set is perfect for boat storage and cheaper than Magma.
   The handles click on the pans and then off for seperate storage.
   The lids can lay flat against each other, but you could have to store them in a confined space to keep them flat. Otherwise, the handles pop up a bit.
   These can also be used with induction, which is what we have on the boat.
   At least in the UK, there are all kinds of set variants, so you can shop for pan sizes you know you use.
   One thing I would say - do NOT buy the pasta insert. While well made, it holds a small amount of pasta. Not worth it.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/5Jz2pHs

6. Cutting Board with Storage

   I picked up a cheap small cutting board with 2 storage trays in Croatia and it works perfectly for me.
   My husband thinks the bins are useless, but, then again, my husband doesn't cook, so...
   
   Link to One Like Mine: https://amzn.eu/iqSvlxu

7. Bread Maker

   I use a Panasonic SD-2511WXC that I've had for 7 years, long before moving on the boat. It is a champ.
   I don't make a lot of bread, but we love it when I do. It's another space hog though.
   Another bread maker that is popular among cruisers is the Zojirushi BreadMaker. I don't have any experience with that one, but it gets mentioned a lot when the cruising forums discuss breadmaking.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/gPGBSuj
   Link to Zojirushi: https://www.zojirushi.com/app/product/bbpdc

8. Pasta Pot

   I've had this pasta pot for a few years and I think it's worth the storage space on a boat. The lid can be questionable, but you quickly learn to hold tight when dumping out the water.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/2f63gLu

9. USB Pepper Mill

   A recent addition, but I am already in love. I think I will get another one for salt the next time I am in the UK. Time will tell how it holds up on a boat.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/7ZcAXLb

10. Roll Up Dish Rack

    This is perfect for turning your sink into an area for drying dishes. Also works great to make extra counter space for working.
    One thing I was careful of when looking for this is to get one that encloses all the rows in silicone. There are ones that use metal rows. I wanted to make sure I would have no rust issues.
    
    Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/aBQsIp5

Honourable Mentions:

1. Nesting Bakeware Set

   If you like to bake, then this set may be for you. Everything nests so that it takes up the least amount of space.
   I'm putting this in the honorable mention category because I don't find myself baking enough to make it a must have but you might.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/7Z06olG

2. Folding Wire Racks

   I don't use these folding wire racks that often, but they are great when I do. They fold fairly flat for storage. I wish I could find a set that does fold completely flat though.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/falOsCs

3. Knife Sharpener

   When you cook a lot, you need something to keep your knives sharp. I'm not a professional chef and I can't hone an edge like Gordon Ramsay.
   Instead, I rely on this Chef's Choice electric knife sharpener recommended by America's Test Kitchen.
   
   Link to Mine: https://amzn.eu/8IuofPt