If you cook Indian food daily, you know the struggle is real. Between the chopping, the grinding, and the endless tempering (tadka), it sometimes feels like you live in the kitchen.
I’ve spent the last few months upgrading my setup with some “Amazon Finds” that claim to make life easier. I wasn’t looking for fancy gadgets I’d never use—I wanted practical tools for Roti, Dosa, and Sabzi.
Here are the 7 items that actually stayed on my counter (and why I think they are worth the money).
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1.The “Tear-Free” Onion Chopper
Product: Amazon Basics Mini Electric Chopper (250ml)
Let’s be honest, nobody likes crying over onions at 7 AM while packing lunch boxes. I used to use those manual string choppers, but the strings eventually get stuck or snap. This electric one is a massive upgrade.
It’s cordless (USB rechargeable), which is great because my kitchen outlets are always occupied. It has a 30W motor, which sounds small, but it minces garlic, ginger, and onions in literally 10 seconds.
Real Life Use: I use this for making instant ginger-garlic paste for curries or finely chopping nuts for kheer. One charge lasts me weeks.
2.The Dosa Master
Product: SOLARA Cast Iron Tawa (12 Inch)
If you are trying to move away from non-stick Teflon pans but are scared that Cast Iron is high maintenance, get this one. It comes pre-seasoned, meaning you don’t have to spend three days scrubbing and oiling it before the first use.
It is 12 inches wide, which is the perfect size for a hotel-style crispy Dosa. Because it’s heavy cast iron, it retains heat beautifully, giving you that even browning on Rotis that lightweight pans just can’t achieve.
Real Life Use: I use this for Dosa, Uthappam, and Chapati. The flat surface works on my gas stove and my induction cooktop.
3.The Heavy Lifter (That Kneads Atta!)
Product: Preethi Zodiac MG-218 Mixer Grinder (750 Watt)
This is the most expensive item on the list, but hear me out: It kneads Atta in 1 minute.
We all know Preethi is a beast when it comes to grinding Idli batter, but the “Master Chef” jar included with this model is the real MVP. It chops veggies and kneads dough effortlessly. The 750W Vega W5 motor is loud (80 dB), but that’s the sound of power—it crushes turmeric chunks in 2 minutes flat.
Real Life Use: On busy mornings, I throw flour and water into the Master Chef jar, run it for a minute, and my chapati dough is ready while I get the coffee started.
4.Aesthetic & Clean Oil Storage
Product: Crystalware Glass Oil Dispenser (1000ml, Pack of 2)
I was tired of sticky oil rings on my kitchen counter from using those big plastic jerry cans. These glass dispensers look incredibly premium—almost like something you’d see in a cooking show.
They hold a full liter each, so you aren’t refilling them constantly. The best part is the stainless steel spout with the black rubber cork; it doesn’t drip.
Real Life Use: I use one bottle for my regular Sunflower/Groundnut oil and the second one for Deep Frying oil or Gingelly oil. They look neat sitting right next to the stove.
5.The Safest Tadka Pan
Product: Hawkins Futura Hard Anodized Tadka Pan
We’ve all had that scary moment where a cheap, lightweight tadka pan almost tips over on the gas burner because the handle is too heavy.
The Hawkins Futura is hard anodized, so it doesn’t pit or corrode even with acidic ingredients like tamarind or tomato. But the main selling point is the balance. It sits flat and stable on the burner, and the stainless steel handle actually stays cool to the touch.
Real Life Use: Perfect for blooming mustard seeds and curry leaves without burning your fingers or making a mess on the stove.
6.The “No-Installation” Coconut Scraper
Product: MDT Polished Mahogany Wooden Table Top Scraper
Fresh coconut is essential for a good chutney or Avial, but traditional scrapers are a pain—you either need to screw them into a table or sit on the floor with a blade.
This one is brilliant because it’s a tabletop version. You place it on your counter and lean your body weight on the wooden base to keep it steady while you scrape. The mahogany wood looks elegant, and the stainless steel blade is super sharp.
Real Life Use: I keep this in the cabinet and pull it out only when I need it. No permanent holes in my countertop!
7.The Modern Masala Dabba
Product: Sumeet Stainless Steel Belly Shape Masala Box
You can’t have an Indian kitchen without a Masala Dabba. I swapped my old steel-lid box for this one from Sumeet because of the see-through glass lid.
It saves me from opening the box just to check if I’m running low on Jeera or Mustard seeds. The “belly” shape gives it a bit more volume than the standard flat boxes, and it comes with the 7 necessary cups and a tiny spoon.
Real Life Use: It holds my daily 7: Mustard, Jeera, Turmeric, Red Chili, Coriander powder, Garam Masala, and Cumin powder. It’s rust-proof and goes right into the dishwasher.
The Flip Side: A Traditionalist’s Point of View
Look, I love these Amazon finds, but my grandmother would probably laugh at a few of them. To keep this review 100% honest, let’s look at the other side of the coin.
- The Electric Chopper: It’s great for speed, but does it give you the same texture as hand-cutting? Not exactly. If you over-pulse, your onions turn into mush/paste. For a perfect Biryani, I still use a knife.
- Cast Iron vs. Non-Stick: The Solara Tawa is heavy. If you have wrist issues or are used to flipping pancakes in the air, this 3kg beast might feel like a workout. It requires care—you can’t just leave it in the sink with water, or it will rust.
- The Glass Dispensers: They look beautiful, but they are glass. If you have clumsy hands (like me on a Monday morning) or tile floors, one slip is a disaster. The traditional steel oil cans are definitely more “drop-proof.”
My Verdict: If you value convenience over 100% tradition, buy the gadgets. If you want things that will last 50 years without maintenance, stick to the old-school steel knife and heavy brass vessels.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q: Is the Solara Cast Iron Tawa induction friendly? A: Yes! That’s actually why I picked this specific one. It has a flat base that sits perfectly on induction cooktops, unlike the traditional curved iron tawas that wobble. Just remember to heat it slowly on induction to avoid warping.
Q: Can the Mini Electric Chopper grind dry spices like pepper or cumin? A: No, please don’t try this! The blades are designed for “soft” solids like onions, garlic, and veggies. It’s not a grinder. If you try to crush hard spices, you might damage the blades. Use your mixie for that.
Q: How do I clean the wooden coconut scraper? A: Since the base is Mahogany wood, do not soak it in water or put it in the dishwasher. Wipe the wooden part with a damp cloth. You can carefully wash the stainless steel blade tip with soap and water, but dry it immediately to keep the wood in good condition.
Q: Does the Preethi Zodiac mixer make a lot of noise? A: Let’s be real—yes. It operates at around 80 dB. It’s a 750-watt heavy-duty motor, so it sounds like a lawnmower in your kitchen for about 2 minutes. But considering it grinds batter in record time, the noise is a fair trade-off.
Q: Are the glass oil dispensers dishwasher safe? A: The glass bottle part is usually dishwasher safe, but I recommend hand-washing the stopper/spout. The high heat of a dishwasher can sometimes warp the rubber seal, making it leaky over time.
Which of these would you add to your kitchen? Let me know in the comments!