The Raven's Den
Things I actually use. Honest thoughts, no fluff — just the kitchen finds that have genuinely earned a place in my home.
— Melissa
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Kitchen Essentials
The everyday tools that earn their place on the counter.
Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker
This is by far the best waffle maker I have used. It makes perfectly golden, crispy waffles every single time — fluffy on the inside, beautifully caramelized on the outside. If you're going to make waffles at home, this is the one to get.
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Handheld Can Opener
My go-to for everyday use — the handle is comfortable and it opens cans quickly without any fuss. Exactly what a can opener should be.
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Electric Can Opener
When I'm making a big batch of chilli or pasta sauce and opening can after can, this is the one I reach for. Easy on the wrists and completely hands-free — a genuine relief for large batch cooking.
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Citrus Juicer
Everyone needs one of these — seriously. Barely any pressure on the wrists, easy to clean, and so much better than squeezing by hand when you need more than a single lemon or lime. Fresh orange juice is just a bonus.
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Oil Dispenser
You'll probably spot this in the background of some of my photos. Used almost daily — I still don't know how the little stopper stays in place, but it does. My favourite oil dispenser by far.
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Salt & Pepper Shakers (Electric)
My favourite set — rarely need charging, far more convenient than battery-operated ones, easy to clean and refill, and they have a light that hovers over your food. That last part is more useful than you'd think.
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Tortilla Warmer
I got tired of trying to find tortillas made with decent ingredients, so I started making my own — and was genuinely surprised at how easy it is. I went with the colourful rainbow pattern because it looked authentic. At least, that's what I tell myself.
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Overnight Oat Jars
These have become a real staple in my home. Great for meal prep — perfect for overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, or anything you want to grab and go. I keep a set ready in the fridge all week.
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Lightweight Kitchen Scale
I use this for so many things — measuring pasta, flour, portioning ingredients. I've had a couple of different scales and this one is my favourite. Lightweight, accurate, and easy to store.
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Glass Storage Jars
By far the best glass jars I've used — the seal is exceptional. Cookies, muffins, dried foods all stay fresh so much longer. I liked them so much I came back to order a second set.
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Mixing Bowl Set
The best mixing bowls I've found. I was so impressed with the first set that I ordered a second. Sturdy, the right sizes for everything, and they've held up beautifully.
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Cutting Boards
I had to give these a try — after some time, cutting boards do need to be replaced. So far this one has held up to a lot of chopping and dicing without any knife marks, and it's so easy to clean. Dishwasher safe too. Overall a great addition to the kitchen.
Shop on AmazonBakeware & Tools
What's actually in my oven and on my baking shelf.
Parchment Paper Rounds
These work great for baking and I really appreciate the convenience. Rather than manually cutting circle rounds out of parchment paper every time, these are ready to go. I reach for them for most of my baking now — highly recommend!
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KitchenAid Stand Mixer (Large)
I have two of these — this is the larger one, which handles heavier jobs like bread kneading beautifully. It has held up remarkably well over the years. A little more of an investment, but one you won't regret.
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Hand Mixer
My favourite for small-batch mixing — whipped cream and honestly the best tool I've found for mashed potatoes. Quick, easy, and does exactly what it needs to.
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Pastry Blender
Gone are the days of using a fork to cut butter into scone or pie dough. This is a genuine time-saver and I use it constantly. I honestly wonder what took me so long to buy one.
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Double Muffin Pan
A real time-saver in the kitchen — twice the muffins in one go. If you do any amount of baking, this pan earns its space in the cupboard quickly.
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Parchment Muffin Liners
These come off so cleanly — no sticking, no tearing, no leaving half the muffin behind. A small thing that makes a noticeable difference.
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Donut Pan
The pan I use for a healthier baked donut option. Nothing sticks, bakes evenly, and it's been the best one I've tried. Raven's Den approved.
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Food Processor
Easy to use, not heavy, and works beautifully. The perfect size for most recipes — one of my favourite go-to kitchen tools.
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Mini Food Processor
This gets used more than any other processor in my home. Perfect for when you need one onion diced, nuts, or even large amounts of garlic and ginger — it works perfectly. Reach for this one first.
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Disposable Food Safe Gloves
An absolute must-have in my kitchen. I use these for handling raw meat, working with dough, and anything else where I want to keep things clean and hygienic. Once you start using them you'll wonder how you managed without them.
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Ice Cream Scoop
This isn't just for ice cream — this makes perfect muffins every time. My favourite scoop, and one of those tools you don't realize you needed until you have it.
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Cookie Scoop Set
I use these constantly — they make perfectly uniform cookies every single time. The large scoop is exactly what I reach for with the double chocolate cookies, and they're just as handy for shaping meatballs too. One of those tools that quietly earns its place in every baking session.
Shop on AmazonBread & Artisan Baking
For anyone who has discovered the quiet joy of homemade bread.
Bread Dutch Oven
A genuine game-changer for home bread baking. It traps steam beautifully and helps achieve that perfect crust and shape. If you've been frustrated with flat or uneven loaves, this is the answer.
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Bread Slicer
I originally bought this as a gift — and after hearing nothing but praise about it, I bought one for myself. If you've ever tried slicing homemade bread with a serrated knife, you'll immediately feel the difference. This is professional-level slicing at home.
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Popover Pan
This pan deserves serious credit for my Yorkshires — I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it without it. In fact, when I went to post the link I ordered myself another one, as it had been sold out for a while. This is a must-have for the perfect Yorkshire pudding.
Shop on AmazonCountertop Appliances
The appliances that actually get used.
Air Fryer
I did a lot of research before buying one, and this has been excellent. A fantastic alternative to fried foods — we use ours for chicken wings, fries, potatoes, chicken skewers, pork cutlets. Anytime I want great results without the effort, this does the work.
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Toaster
I've spent an embarrassing amount of money on high-end toasters over the years. This one from Amazon has been my favourite of all of them. Sometimes the best find is the unexpected one.
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Grill Press / Sandwich Griddle
According to my son, this makes the best grilled cheese he's ever had — and I think the grill lines have everything to do with it. We eat with our eyes first, after all. Also excellent for paninis and sandwiches. A Raven's Den recommend.
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Hamilton Beach 10 Quart Slow Cooker
The 10 qt size is the reason I love this one — you can fit larger meals in it, which makes it perfect for easy meal prep. Whether it's a big batch of stew, a whole roast, or feeding a crowd, this slow cooker handles it all without breaking a sweat.
Shop on AmazonEntertaining & Serveware
The pieces that make a table feel intentional.
Cozy Ceramic Coffee Mugs
These mugs are everything — chunky, warm, and beautifully textured with that earthy cream and terracotta finish that just makes your morning feel more intentional. They're non-toxic, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe, so they're as practical as they are pretty. The kind of mug you wrap both hands around on a slow Sunday morning. A lovely gift too — for someone else or honestly, for yourself.
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Tea Set
My absolute favourite — and I've owned a lot of sets. I get compliments on this one every time I serve tea. The cups are sturdy, beautifully designed, and most importantly, they keep tea hot. Perfect for high tea with friends and family.
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Coupe / Cocktail Glass Set
Perfect for entertaining through all seasons! Most enjoy a good cocktail or mocktail these days — these glasses make every drink feel like an occasion.
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Sectioned Appetizer Serving Tray
Such a great little serving tray — perfect for entertaining and not too big, which is exactly what you want. The individual sections keep everything tidy and the handles make it easy to carry to the table. It comes in handy for all occasions, from casual get-togethers to holiday spreads. One of those pieces you'll reach for again and again.
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Divided Snack Box Containers
One of my most-used kitchen finds — these divided snack containers make meal prep during the week so much easier. I use them for pre-washed fruits and vegetables so healthy snacks are always ready to grab from the fridge. They're especially great for kids and back-to-school routines, but honestly perfect for anyone who wants to stay on top of snacking without the fuss. The sections keep everything separate and the lid snaps on securely. A genuinely useful purchase.
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Bamboo Charcuterie & Snack Board with Lid
This is a genuinely great purchase for anyone who loves to entertain. The clear lid sits high enough to accommodate little jam jars, olives, and all the extras — so you can prep your board ahead of time, pop the lid on, and store it right in the refrigerator. It's also ideal for bringing an appetizer to someone's house — everything stays perfectly in place. A beautiful, practical board that makes party prep so much easier.
Shop on AmazonHave a question about something you spotted in one of my recipes or photos? I'd love to help — reach out anytime.