20 Kitchen Products You Should Buy at Ikea — and 3 You Shouldn't

It's hard to beat the price of this three-piece kitchen utensil set ($4), which includes a spatula, ladle, and spoon that are sensitive to nonstick cookware.

Stainless steel bowls are the only ones you need for mixing and baking, so pick up the Blanda Blank stainless steel bowls ($2) from Ikea.

Buying plates and bowls separately can add up, so opt for a whole set like this 18-piece dinnerware set ($35), because each piece comes to less than $2.

Garlic pressers can cost $20 or more, and Ikea's garlic presser ($4) gets the job done.

This chic bamboo serving bowl ($13) looks a lot more expensive than it is, and it holds up to hand-washing without losing its smooth texture.

A whisk ($5) is an essential in any kitchen, and this Ikea stainless steel whisk is plenty sufficient for all your needs.

It's incredibly tempting to buy all the adorable mugs from places like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, but let's face it: they're not the cheapest. Ikea has plenty of mugs like the Finstilt patterned mug ($3) that are not only cute but also budget friendly.

As someone who has this white Ikea colander ($10) (and drains a lot of pasta), I can attest to its quality and ability to last.

Rubber spatulas are crucial for cooking things like scrambled eggs, and the Ikea rubber spatulas ($1) are some of the most affordable you'll find.

As someone who has used Ikea's muffin tin ($10) for everything from cheesy egg muffins to cupcakes, I can vouch for its quality.

If all you really need are a few extra bowls to stock in your cabinet, opt for the reasonably priced Sanning bowl ($2) that's great for an individual purchase.

It's smart to keep different sizes of cutting boards on hand, and Ikea's cutting boards (set of two) ($4) allow you to stock up on a few without making a dent in your wallet.

Ikea's three-quart pot with a lid ($20) is a solid tool that can accommodate just about anything you're cooking.

Grab Ikea's microplane ($5) for all your lemon-zesting and cheese-grating needs.

Ikea's set of three saucepans ($13) is perfect for all things cooked on the stovetop.

There's no need to spend a fortune on a baking/serving dish when you could stick with Ikea's Lyckad dish ($5).

I like to keep my drawers stocked with as many wooden spoons as possible, and I've bought several of Ikea's wooden spoons ($2).

If you're a guacamole or spice-blend connoisseur, it's worth picking up a mortar and pestle ($15) to make your life easier.

This bamboo cutting board ($15) picks up any juices and prevents them from spilling on the counter.

You can use this convenient pasta insert ($10) to drain pasta straight from the pot or to wash fruits and vegetables in the sink.

One kitchen product that's worth investing in is a high-quality, nonstick skillet (I swear by Sur La Table's Anodized Nonstick skillets, which start at $50). While Ikea's pans ($25) are appealing because of their low prices, they won't last as long, can warp easily, and don't have the best nonstick abilities.

Investing in a high-quality chef's knife is one of the most important things you could do as a cook (for both efficiency and safety reasons). While Ikea's chef's knife ($17) is a total steal, it's worth investing in a more expensive knife if you plan to do lots of slicing and dicing in the kitchen.

Ikea's kitchen section is full of fun products that you swear you'll use frequently, like these ice pop molds ($2), but the truth is you should avoid wasting money on unitaskers that will likely end up gathering dust in your cabinets.