When the sun is shining, and school is out, summer is the dream season for outdoor gatherings and relaxed al fresco meals with family and friends. But while much of the cooking action may unfold outdoors, equipping your modern bespoke kitchen with time-saving tools and smart gadgets will make all the indoor prepping faster and more fun. From gathering fresh salads to powering up the pizza oven, here are the essential items Roundhouse designers recommend to ensure summer cooking is a relaxed affair all-round.

Salad spinner

A salad spinner might not seem like a game-changer, but if you haven’t got one, we urge you to invest. Salad spinners are brilliant for achieving crisp, lettuce leaves without diluting your carefully made dressings. They can also be used for washing and drying kale, spinach, herbs, defrosting prawns, and rinsing cooked pasta. A lack of kitchen cupboard storage might have put you off buying a salad spinner in the past, but with a well-planned Roundhouse kitchen, featuring deep pan under kitchen cabinet drawers or a walk in larder, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Mandoline slicer

Another salad saviour, the Mandoline slicer will ace salad prep and slash the time it takes to slice and dice cucumbers, carrots and radishes. Get one with ridge-cut blades for pretty presentations that will entice children to tuck into the crudites. In winter, this gadget is also handy for prepping quick soups and stews. A slimline Mandoline that folds flat like this one will stash neatly inside drawers or cupboards in kitchen or pantry.

Ice-cream maker

Homemade ice-cream is always a crowd pleaser in summertime and it’s easy to impress guests if you invest in an ice-cream maker. They’re also a handy addition in a contemporary kitchen if you need to cater for allergies as you have full control over the ingredients. Self-contained models have built-in compressors that freeze in one unit and are perfect if you have a large kitchen island worktop and plenty of built in storage cupboards. If storage space is tight but there is room to spare in your freezer, opt for a manual model, which must pre-frozen before use. Whether you’re prefer a simple flavoursome vanilla or love experimenting with fresh fruit and treats, this gadget will make summer desserts unforgettable.

Wireless meat thermometer

Achieving the perfect pinkness on your grilled meats is far easier with a wireless meat thermometer. This gadget can also be used on bigger joints on the BBQ and in your regular ovens – although we recommend Gaggenau and Miele ovens with built-in probes for roasting perfection. Some versions, like Meater’s wireless thermometers, connect to an App, allowing you to monitor progress temperature from a distance, so you can spend more time with guests without worrying about overcooking the ribeye.

Hand blender

Hand blenders, aka immersion blenders, may not be the newest or most exciting gadget on the block but they really are incredibly handy. Go for a cordless model for extra convenience and flexibility. A hand blender takes up far less space in your bespoke kitchen cabinets compared to a traditional countertop blender and won’t permanently hog a power point either! Brilliant for quick sauces, salad dressings, slushies and cold summer soups like gazpacho, a hand blender is easy to clean and a great gadget to have close to hand for summer entertaining.

What is the most essential tool for a cook?

If you’re cooking using fresh ingredients that have not been pre-prepared, you are going to need a knife. You’ll probably need a few options in your knife block, but one of the most useful is the chef’s knife, which has a long, curved blade that tapers to a point, promoting a rocking motion for quick, comfortable chopping. Their medium size makes chef’s knives ideal for a wide range of prepping, and they’re light enough to avoid wrist fatigue. Some of the best chef’s knives are made from high-grade Japanese steel with full tang construction, which means the blade extends through the full length of the handle for superior balance and durability.

Our expert kitchen designers can help you make the best choices for your Roundhouse bespoke kitchen, furniture or wardrobes. Visit any of our seven Roundhouse showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham and get planning!