Struggling to open a tightly sealed jar isn’t just frustrating — it can also be painful, especially for those with limited hand strength or conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel. Whether it’s a stubborn pasta sauce lid or a slippery soda bottle cap, twisting it open shouldn’t feel like a full-body workout.That’s where the Otstar jar opener comes in. This kitchen tool takes the strain out of everyday tasks and is quickly becoming a must-have for anyone who needs a little extra leverage. Forget those clunky openers that only work on containers of a specific size — this 6-in-1 jar opener is the multitasking kitchen hero you didn’t know you needed. With eight different grip sizes, it can handle everything from tiny pill bottles to those stubborn pickle jars that usually require a pep talk. And for bigger lids, there’s a built-in hook to break the seal, so you’re not fighting a vacuum every time you want a snack. What really makes it a game-changer is the smart, ergonomic design. The long handle gives you extra leverage, while the rubber lining grabs onto lids without slipping. It’s even textured to keep your hand from sliding, so you can twist with confidence — not panic. Sure, you’ll still need to apply a little pressure, but this tool does the hard part for you, making it perfect for folks with arthritis or anyone who’s just over struggling with jars.AmazonAccording to the National Library of Medicine, arthritis in the hands can lead to stiffness, pain, and a weak grip — which makes something as simple as opening a jar feel like a full-body workout. That’s where the Otstar jar opener comes in. With its easy-grip design and extra leverage, it can take the pressure off your joints and actually makes opening lids doable again. If arthritis has made kitchen tasks frustrating, this little tool might just be your new favorite helper.Hundreds of shoppers have given this jar opener five-star ratings. One reviewer with rheumatoid arthritis raved that it’s “a lifesaver” and said they “no longer struggle to open bottles.” Another customer noted that they can “slip this gadget over the jar, squeeze and twist, and it will open with ease.” A final shopper shared that the opener “works so great from the smallest top to the largest.”Slim and easy to store, this product will fits neatly into any kitchen drawer or hangs on a hook for quick access. This affordable tool is an everyday lifesaver — and a thoughtful gift for loved ones who could use a helping hand.We asked chefs to recommend their essential kitchen tools, and they came up with 11 utensils and gadgets that everyone can use. Take a look and get cooking!AmazonA julienne peelerNew York-based chef Courtnee Futch named the julienne peeler as one of her most-loved kitchen tools. The handheld device has serrated teeth and is designed to create consistently shaped ribbons and thin strips out of vegetables. "When I'm looking for a way to garnish a dish or quickly prepare some gorgeous thinly sliced veggies for even cooking, I turn to the julienne peeler in a hurry. Because I clean as I go, I may have already washed my cutting board when I remember I'd like to add some shredded scallion, or carrots. It's easy to use and a great tool for knife skill beginners," she said.AmazonThis Starfrit Rotato electric potato peelerAre you in charge of making the potato salad or mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving this year? If so, you'll find great use in this easy-to-use electric potato peeler that peels away skin without wasting the parts you want to use. But it's not just for potatoes — you can use it to peel tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, eggplant, onions and more. "This little gadget is my favorite unconventional kitchen gadget. I use it for everything, to zest citrus in bulk, peel a bunch of potatoes of course, spiralizing semi-soft veggies, and it makes fruit peeling a breeze!" Futch said.Check out our full Rotato review to learn more and prepare to be amazed.AmazonA thick wood cutting boardEvery home cook needs a quality cutting board and this one comes at the recommendation of Gabriel Kreuther, executive chef and owner of Gabriel Kreuther in New York City. "Wood is much friendlier to knifes than plastic is, so I use a wooden cutting board to keep my knives sharp," he said. This maple wood board comes in multiple sizes, from 18 by 12 inches to 30 by 23 inches. Each one is 2.25 inches thick. There are also integrated hand grips on each side for easy transport and cleaning.AmazonKuhn Rikon Colori paring knifeAccording to Maya Ferrante, former at chef Pecking House in New York, this paring knife is as great for its vibrant color as it is functionality. "This is a super sharp paring knife that holds edge and is perfect for everyday use. I'm a sucker for fun vibrant colors (also why I love GIR products) so again, added bonus for this knife. I have a bunch of them, straight and serrated, and they're so handy for everyday peeling fruit, slicing bread and cheese and chopping vegetables. They are really lightweight and the handles are super comfy," she said. The all-purpose knife features a stainless steel blade with nonstick coating and it even comes with a matching sheath to protect it while not in use. It comes in 14 colors, including green, purple, red, dark gray and blue.AmazonGIR silicone spoonulaA mashup between a spoon and a spatula is GIR's spoonula, a multi-purpose tool you'll definitely want in your kitchen, according Ferrante."I love how sturdy this spatula is and its curved bowl design is great for scooping and can really hold up to heavier mixtures, sweet or savory. It's a go-to for batters, flipping, scooping, scraping, stirring sweet or savory dishes. An added bonus is it comes in so many beautiful colors!" she said. This 11-inch spoonula comes in multiple vibrant colors.AmazonA meat chopperCelebrity vegan chef Adjoa Courtney says this chopping tool is one of her favorite kitchen gadgets that she loves and has put her social media followers on to. "It’s a handheld stick that easily mashes things like potatoes and chickpeas, and it breaks apart meat. I’m vegan so I use vegan meat and it helps shred jackfruit and more. It’s heat-resistant so it works well while cooking at the same time," Courtney said. AmazonCuisinart SmartStick hand blender with chopper attachmentKreuther said he can't live without this handy kitchen tool, which is great for making toppings, sauces, smoothies and more. "It does a great job of chopping smaller quantities of veggies, onions, garlic and is also able to process smaller amounts of any kind of meat and fish. It's very handy for a home cooked meal, very efficient and easy to clean," he said. This powerful hand blender runs on 300 watts and has speed controls from low to high. AmazonMicroplane classic zesterWhether you're practicing recipes for the holidays or just looking to make grating easier, this zester Ferrante uses is exactly what you need. "This is our go-to in the house for grating parmesan. It's also super handy for grating fresh nutmeg and easily zesting citrus. When I really don't feel like taking out chopping board and knife, using this tool instead is a quick way to grate garlic and ginger into recipes," she said. The blade on the zester is designed to specifically take the flavor from fruit rinds without bringing the bitterness with it. It comes in an array of colors like black, yellow, light blue, orange, red and purple.AmazonTempPro E16 digital meat thermometerCarla Henriques, executive pastry chef at Hawksmoor in New York City, considers this simple tool an essential for any kitchen. "A thermometer is key regardless of if you’re grilling meat, preparing something savory or whipping up dessert to make sure everything is at the appropriate temperature – from chocolate to caramel to ice cream bases," she said. This digital thermometer has a 4.72-inch stainless steel probe and has a wide temperature range of -58 to 572 degrees.AmazonAteco offset spatulaWant perfectly scrumptious baked goods? This offset spatula will make all of your cake-related tasks easier. "It is a very essential kitchen tool for pastries. We use it for moving or placing cakes, plating cakes on the plates, and spreading pastry cream," said Eunji Lee, founder and pastry chef at Lysée in New York City. The knife has a flat design ideal for cake decorating and applying frosting. It comes in three blade sizes: 4.5 inches, 7.63 inches and 9.75 inches.AmazonBreville control grip immersion blenderIf you're looking for an alternative to a fancy (often pricey) traditional blender, let this immersion blender do the trick. Recommended by JJ Johnson, chef and owner of Fieldtrip in New York City, this is the gadget you need for all your fall soups, as well as dips, salsas and light batters."This is the perfect accompaniment to make soups and stews this season and much easier to clean than a food processor or actual blender," Johnson saidIt comes with a 25-ounce chopping cup, a 42-ounce jug and a whisk attachment.