When it comes to kitchen appliances, there are some that are great to have for all kinds of cooking, and others that are more or less situational. A Panini grill, for example, is great for people who like Panini sandwiches, but for people who crave a Panini just once in a while, it doesn’t make much sense to spend money on a Panini grill. However, other items like hot plates, a cast iron griddle, and rice cookers are useful for a wide range of dishes and can be used for several meals.

Hot plates are great for keeping food warm when it’s fresh out of the oven, and can also be used to cook on the side when the stove top is occupied. Griddles are ideal for all kinds of breakfast foods, and can also be used to cook hamburgers, pork chops, and even stir fry. While a rice cooker might seem like it has a singular purpose, most rice cookers can also function well as steamers for cooking fresh vegetables and even freezer vegetables. In addition, there are so many dishes that require rice, a rice cooker is overall great to have around the kitchen.