Growing up in a Danish-American household, our kitchen was full of little tools and gadgets that felt entirely normal to us as children. We used them every day and assumed every home had them. As adults, those same items evoke warm memories and practical appreciation — they make cooking and baking easier and more enjoyable. Some of these tools can be hard to find in the United States, so we sometimes bring favorites back from Denmark. Below we’ve described the must-have Danish and Scandinavian kitchen tools we reach for most, and suggested types to look for when shopping.
1. Can Opener
Many homes use bulky, crank-style can openers, which work fine but are awkward to store and clean. The Danish-style can opener we grew up with is compact, sturdy, and extremely effective. It’s a small metal device you place on the rim, pierce the lid, and rotate around the can while twisting your wrist. Because it’s made of solid metal, it rarely rusts and lasts for years. If you prefer compact tools that are easy to store and simple to use, seek out a similar model rather than the larger crank-style openers.
2. Cheese Slicers
Cheese is a staple in Scandinavian diets, so it’s no surprise that great cheese-slicing tools exist. There are two classic styles worth knowing about. The Norwegian slicer has a wooden handle and a flat metal plate with a blade; you drag it across a cheese block for thin, even slices — dependable and fast.
The Danish slicer is the one we used daily. It’s a long metal tool with a cutting wire; one side produces thicker slices, the other finer ones. You simply pull the wire across the cheese for uniform slices ideal for smørrebrød or cheese plates. Both types outperform slicing with a knife when you want neat, consistent pieces.
3. Vegetable Peeler
Peeling potatoes and root vegetables brings back memories of summers spent helping our morfar (grandfather) prepare dinner. Danish-style vegetable peelers don’t look drastically different from other peelers, but the best ones feel sturdier and more reliable. With heavy use, a well-made peeler stands up to repeated peeling without bending or becoming awkward to hold.
In our experience, peelers with wooden handles outperform plastic- or metal-handled versions. Wood provides a secure grip and a sense of durability that helps when you’re working quickly. If you find plastic-handled peelers flimsy, seek a wooden-handled model — they last longer and make the task faster and more pleasant.
4. Egg Slicer
Although the egg slicer is of German origin, it deserves a place in any Scandinavian kitchen. If you enjoy topping open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød) with evenly sliced eggs, an egg slicer is indispensable. The thin wires cut smooth, uniform slices that look great on sandwiches, salads, or as garnishes. They’re simple, affordable, and make food prep faster — a small tool with a big payoff.
5. Æbleskiver Pan
An æbleskiver pan is the quintessential tool for making Danish pancake puffs. Æbleskiver are small, round pancake balls often served with powdered sugar and jam, traditionally enjoyed at Christmastime but delightful any time of year. An æbleskiver pan has hemispherical indentations that let you pour batter and rotate each puff as it cooks, producing a perfectly round, tender result. If you love hosting or want an easy way to make an impressive treat, this pan is worth the investment — and once you try æbleskiver, they quickly become a favorite.
These five tools are staples in our kitchen and have proved useful over years of everyday cooking. They bring convenience and consistency to common tasks, and they carry the nostalgia of home. If you try any of them, we hope they make your time in the kitchen easier and more enjoyable.
Thank you for reading — happy cooking!