TV Chef and Author Writes About How She Selected Fave Under-$20 Kitchen Gadgets

Feb. 18, 2010— -- How do I come up with our selections for the "GMA" segment, "Kitchen Gadgets, $20 and Under"?

Well, it is a lengthy process. My producer and I look through kitchen catalogs and Web sites, we reach out to kitchenware stores, and we talk to friends to find out if they have any new favorite kitchen toys. When we find new gadgets, my producer calls them in and I test them at home.

It usually takes several months to select the choices that will make it on to the show, although, I am on the lookout virtually all year long for cool, new affordable kitchen gadgets.

So, what are our criteria besides "kitchen" and "$20 and under"? The gadgets must:

1. Be new

2. Be truly useful

3. Speed up prep time

4. Not take up too much kitchen real estate

5. Be easy to clean and store

I also take the instructions in to consideration. And this is where many gadgets have not made the "GMA" cut. Sometimes there are no instructions or the instructions are lacking in detail.

Many of the gadgets we choose, some new garlic press or vegetable slicer, for example, could be replaced by a plain old knife or other basic kitchen tool, but I realize that not everyone is so fast with a knife. At the end of the day, it is really all about getting dinner on the table in a timely fashion.

I will admit that I am turning into a bit of a geek from testing all these products. I gave all my relatives a sugar dispenser for Christmas (dispenses just a half-teaspoon at a time with a mere push of a button, hooray!!) and I cannot live without my can opener that opens cans without creating sharp edges. At this point, these silly gadgets make cooking even more fun for me. As my husband says, "It is all about having the right tool for the job."

Click HERE to read Sara's answers to viewers' questions!

Chef Moulton's Favorite Gadgets for Less Than $20

Gadget: Bag cap

Cost: $6.00

Why: The product keeps bagged food fresh and easily accessible. It eliminates the need for twist ties, clips and storage containers, and has ingenious lids that attach to any bag and pop open for easy pouring. It's freezer and dishwasher safe. The round and oval shapes to cover almost any bag.

Available at: Surlatable.com