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Winter Kitchen Essentials: The small appliances that make cold weather cooking easier
Published Jul 21, 2026 • Updated Jul 27, 2026 - 3 min read
Why does everything taste better in winter? As the weather cools, we naturally reach for hot, hearty meals - and the right kitchen appliances make cooking them a lot easier. This guide covers six small kitchen appliances worth having on the bench this winter, along with a few options to shop from each category.
Key takeaways from this article
Winter cooking is about warmth and comfort - hardier vegetables come into season and hot, hearty meals help your body generate heat
The right appliance saves time - air fryers, slow cookers and pressure cookers all take effort out of everyday winter meals
Slow cookers and pressure cookers solve different problems - one works while you're out, the other works fast when you're not
Rice cookers, sandwich presses, breadmakers and pie makers - round out a well-equipped winter kitchen for everyday meals and weekend baking
With the temperature dropping outside, we’re spending more time inside and especially getting into some winter cooking. When it comes to winter and food, it’s all about comfort and feeling cosy and nourished. What better time to discover your inner ‘Masterchef’ and impress your friends and family with something hearty and delicious!
What makes winter cooking so different?
Winter cooking is all about warmth, comfort and produce that's in season. As the weather cools, hardier root vegetables, think pumpkin, potato and turnip, come into season and take over from the berries and leafy greens of summer. At the same time, your body naturally looks for ways to generate heat, and eating hot food is one of the easiest ways to do that. It's why porridge on a frosty morning, a Thai green curry for lunch or a simple vegetable stew for dinner feel so nourishing on a grey winter day.
What kitchen basics do you need before winter cooking starts?
A few reliable tools make every winter recipe easier: a set of measuring cups and spoons for accuracy, good quality utensils, wooden spoons, a sharp knife, whisks and spatulas, and a decent sized chopping board. If you're new to home cooking, or easing back into it after a few months of takeaway, these basics are worth sorting before the real cooking begins.
“To whip up a roast, simmer a stew or cook up a curry, your kitchen essentials might be in need of a winter makeover”
6 Essential Kitchen Appliances to make winter cooking easier
Here are six appliances worth having on hand this winter, along with a few options to shop from the range.
1. Why is an Air Fryer worth it in winter?
An air fryer gives you a crisp, golden result without needing to add oil. It works by circulating hot air around food at speed, so the outside turns crisp while the inside stays tender. For winter cooking, that means quick, warming meals. Chips, roasted vegetables or crumbed proteins, ready in a fraction of the time an oven takes to preheat and cook.
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2. Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker: What's the difference?
Slow cookers and pressure cookers both take the effort out of winter cooking, just in opposite ways. A slow cooker works at a low temperature over several hours, so you can add your ingredients in the morning and come home to dinner ready to go. A pressure cooker is sealed and uses steam pressure to cook food quickly, making it a good option when you're short on time but still want a slow-cooked result.
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3. What makes a Rice Cooker or Steamer a winter essential?
Rice is one of the easiest accompaniments to a winter stew or curry, but it's also one of the easiest things to get wrong on the stovetop. A rice cooker takes the guesswork out of it. Measure your rice and water, set the timer, and it's ready without any watching over. Many models double as steamers, so vegetables or dumplings can cook alongside.
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4. Why are Sandwich Presses a winter favourite?
A toasted sandwich is one of the quickest, most warming lunches you can make, and a good sandwich press turns a basic sanga into something worth looking forward to. Beyond toasties, most sandwich presses double as a flat grill, so paninis, steak or burger patties can go on the same appliance.
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5. What can a Breadmaker do for your winter kitchen?
There's little that beats the smell of fresh bread on a cold day, but baking from scratch takes time and plenty of kneading. A breadmaker handles the hard work for you, from mixing through to baking, and many models include a dough-only setting so you can shape your own pizza bases or pastries by hand.
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6. Why is a Pie Maker worth having this winter?
The meat pie is a true winter classic, and a pie maker makes it easy to whip up a batch at home. Fillings can be as simple or as creative as you like - pumpkin, apple, corn or a family mince recipe all work well. A pie maker is especially handy in smaller kitchens, since it takes up little space and cooks a batch in minutes.
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Quick Winter Kitchen FAQs
Should I buy a slow cooker or a pressure cooker?
If you're often out during the day, a slow cooker lets you prepare a meal in the morning and come home to it ready. A pressure cooker suits weeknights when you want a slow-cooked result in a shorter amount of time.
What's the easiest appliance for winter meal prep?
A slow cooker is hard to beat for hands-off winter meal prep, since you can add your ingredients once and leave it to cook through the day.
Can I use an air fryer instead of an oven in winter?
For smaller meals, yes - an air fryer heats up faster than an oven and works well for chips, roasted vegetables and crumbed proteins. For larger roasts or bakes, your oven is still the better option.
Whether you're making a batch of pumpkin soup on a rainy Sunday or prepping meals for the week ahead, The Good Guys has a huge range of small kitchen appliances to help. Shop online or pop into your nearest store to explore the full range.
Looking for winter kitchen essentials, you'll find it at The Good Guys.
