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When you’re on a gut health journey, your kitchen becomes your lab. And no, I don’t mean a sterile, white-coat experiment (though, if you like wearing goggles while chopping onions, you do you). I mean practical tools that actually make life easier while helping your digestion.
The problem? Most kitchen gadgets end up shoved in the back of a cupboard, wedged between that bread maker you used twice and a novelty avocado slicer. The trick is finding gadgets you’ll genuinely use—the ones that fit naturally into your routine and make gut-friendly cooking fun instead of a chore.
Here are some kitchen heroes worth a permanent spot on your counter.
1. Fermentation Crock or Jar Kit
Fermented foods are like a spa retreat for your gut microbiome. Sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles—these bring in the good bacteria that help balance digestion and reduce bloating.
Instead of risking moldy science experiments with random jam jars, a fermentation crock or jar kit keeps things safe and easy. These usually come with weights, lids, and airlocks to prevent bad bacteria from taking over.
👉 Check out this Fermentation Set on Amazon
2. High-Speed Blender
Smoothies can be your gut’s best friend—if they’re packed with fiber, probiotics (think kefir or yogurt), and polyphenol-rich berries. A solid high-speed blender breaks down tough plant fibers so your digestion doesn’t have to work overtime.
Cheaper blenders can leave “chunky surprises” (nobody likes celery strings in their teeth). A good blender is worth the investment if you plan on blending daily. I regularly blend up spinach, ginger, berries, and coconut water in my Ninja Food Processor & Blender (it’s definitely worth it).
3. Digital Jam & Preserving Thermometer
More and more people are trying canning, jamming, and preserving right now (with mixed results). But here’s the deal—it’s actually more science and less creative, so you’ll need to be precise. A digital jam thermometer helps you nail the “set” without guesswork.
Not only does this keep your preserves safe, but it also means you can experiment with gut-friendly options like chia jam (less sugar, more fiber). If you have fruit growing and want to try this, I suggest getting a Digital Jam Thermometer. If you’re not making jam, obviously you don’t need it – don’t be tempted to buy on “just in case”!
4. Wide-Mouth Mason Jars
Sounds boring, but mason jars are the Swiss Army knife of gut-friendly cooking. Ferments, overnight oats, chia puddings, kefir, salads-in-a-jar—you name it.
Wide-mouth jars are easier to clean and fill than the narrow versions, which is essential when you’re dealing with chunky kraut or sticky jam. And they give that authentic homestead look to any house.
👉 Pack of 6 Wide-Mouth Mason Jars
5. Steamer Basket
Your gut loves veggies, but frying them every night isn’t exactly digestive zen. Steaming preserves nutrients while keeping food gentle on the stomach. A simple steamer basket that fits into your regular pots means no extra clutter.
Bonus: steamed veggies make a great base for fermented side dishes.
I personally like the Stainless Steel Steamer Baskets, but you can get Instant Pot Steamer Baskets or even tiered pot sets, though they’re quite bulky to store.
6. Instant Pot (or Multi-Cooker)
And while we’re on the topic of the Instant Pot – get one. Just get one. They’re amazing! Yes, I know air fryers are all the rage right now, but you will use an Instant Pot so much more, and your gut will thank you.
Beans and lentils = gut-friendly fiber bombs. But cooking them from scratch can be intimidating (and… windy, if you don’t prep right). An Instant Pot or multi-cooker makes dried beans quick, safe, and easy—no babysitting required.
It also doubles as a yogurt maker and slow cooker. Basically, this one gadget can replace three others you’ll never use.
7. Salad Spinner
Yes, really. Nobody eats more greens just because they’re soggy and limp. A salad spinner keeps your leaves fresh, crisp, and actually appetizing—plus, it cuts down on food waste (slimy spinach graveyards in the fridge are a crime against humanity).
Fresh, crunchy greens = happy gut bacteria. Always make sure you pick a good quality, BPA Free Salad Spinner.
Wrapping It Up
You don’t need every gadget under the sun. But a few well-chosen tools can make gut-friendly cooking feel less like a punishment and more like something you’ll stick with. And again, I strongly recommend the Instant Pot! (and no, they’re not paying me to say this!)
- Want to start with one small thing? Get a fermentation jar kit and start your sauerkraut empire.
- Already blending smoothies daily? Upgrade your blender and thank me later.
- Into fall preserving? Grab that thermometer and mason jars.
Your gut will thank you, and hey—your kitchen might even look like you know what you’re doing.
Alex Keane is a health writer and gut health researcher with a personal mission: help people stop feeling like garbage for no clear reason. After years of dealing with brain fog, digestive issues, and 3am anxiety spirals, Alex started digging into the connection between the gut and the mind — and never looked back.
When not writing about microbiomes, Alex is usually found experimenting with fermented foods, walking obsessively, or trying not to buy more supplements off Instagram.
Alex is not a doctor, and that’s probably for the best.