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April 23, 2023

11 top-rated Amazon kitchen tools under $25

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The right kitchen tools can make meal prep easy and enjoyable — whether you’re whipping up a weeknight meal for the family or cooking an elegant dinner for close friends. Many of the top-rated tools that chop, grate, peel and froth to perfection cost less than $25 and are available to purchase on Amazon right now.

We’ve sifted through dozens of bestselling items and found ones that are not only kind on your wallet but actually do what they say — and do it well.

SKIP AHEAD Best Amazon kitchen products under $25

Best Amazon kitchen tools under $25 in 2023

Below, we rounded up 11 tools on Amazon that will streamline the cooking process and save you time in the kitchen. Every item is highly rated with at least 4.2 stars based on thousands of reviews.

Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘n’ Strain

4.5-star average rating from over 32,000 Amazon reviews

This silicone fine-mesh strainer lets you drain water from any round pot, pan or bowl with one hand. It is designed to maximize drainage and is half the size of a standard colander, so it it shouldn’t take up as much drawer space, according to the brand. The strainer snaps on to round pots, pans and bowls of all sizes including glass, wood and lipped bowls. It’s BPA-free, heat resistant up to 440 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher-safe too.

Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘n’ Strain

Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘n’ Strain $ at Amazon

Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press

4.6-star average rating from over 34,000 Amazon reviews

Smash burgers are well loved for their crispy, cracked edges and juicy center. To get these results, you’ll need a weighted press to smash the meat and lock in the flavor as it cooks. This cast-iron press from Cuisinart is durable enough to smash your burger into a 6-inch patty; plus, its 1-centimeter raised edge will lock in the fat and juices, according to the brand.

Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press

Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press $ at Amazon

Amazon Basics Food Safe Baking Mats

4.7-star average rating from over 97,000 Amazon reviews

These nonstick silicone baking sheets eliminate the need for cooking sprays, grease and parchment paper. They come in a pack of two and measure 11.6 inches x 16.5 inches, so they fit perfectly on half-size baking pans, according to the brand. Oven-safe up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, you can easily clean these silicone sheets with soap and water.

Amazon Basics Food Safe Baking Mats

Amazon Basics Food Safe Baking Mats $ at Amazon

Sharpal Knife Sharpener

4.3-star average rating from over 34,000 Amazon reviews

This compact knife sharpener has a rubber base that firmly suctions to your table when the sharpener switch is turned on, so it shouldn’t slip or damage your countertop, according to the brand. It comes with two blades — a carbide blade for sharpening edges and a ceramic blade to hone. The Sharpal also sharpens scissors.

Sharpal Knife Sharpener

Sharpal Knife Sharpener $ at Amazon

Elitapro Ultra-High-Speed Milk Frother

4.2-star average rating from over 24,000 Amazon reviews

With this battery-powered, double-whisk frother, serious coffee drinkers can get barista-grade cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos at home. It can mix your desired foam in 15 seconds and has a silicone ergonomic handle to keep your hands comfortable while you use it, according to the brand. Plus, it comes with a slim stainless steel stand and is available in 18 colors.

Elitapro Ultra-High-Speed Milk Frother

Elitapro Ultra-High-Speed Milk Frother $ at Amazon

KitchenAid 4-Sided Grater

4.8-star average rating from over 10,000 Amazon reviews

This stainless steel, rust-resistant box grater can mince, slice, grate and shred cheeses, veggies and more. It comes with a 3-cup container that fits under the grater’s base to catch excess food so there’s less mess in your kitchen. The container also has measurement markings and a top so you can store the leftover shavings for later.

KitchenAid 4-Sided Grater

KitchenAid 4-Sided Grater $ at Amazon

Poromi Herb Scissors

4.4-star average rating from over 2,000 Amazon reviews

Fresh herbs make any dish more flavorful. You can use these high-quality scissors, which come with a safety cover and a comb for cleanup, to cut herbs directly over pizza, salad, casseroles, soup and more. Because these scissors have five blades, it uniformly snips herbs faster than regular scissors can, according to the brand. The handle is made of nonslip soft rubber material, and the stainless-steel blades are rust resistant. It’s perfect for beginners who don’t have the best knife skills and are looking for alternative options in the kitchen.

Poromi Herb Scissors

Poromi Herb Scissors $ at Amazon

Ototo Gracula Garlic Crusher

4.5-star average rating from over 5,500 Amazon reviews

This vampire-inspired kitchen tool can crush, mince and press garlic in seconds. To use, pop off Gracula’s head, place the garlic (or ginger, nuts or herbs) inside, place his head back on and twist. It’s only 120 grams and is BPA-free and dishwasher safe too.

Ototo Gracula Garlic Crusher

https://www.amazon.com/Gracula-Garlic-Twist-Crusher-OTOTO/dp/B076CTTZKX/ref=sr_1_9?keywords= (Amazon / Amazon)

Ototo Gracula Garlic Crusher $ at Amazon

Zulay Utensil Rest with Drip Pad

4.7-star average rating from over 34,000 Amazon reviews

This utensil rest not only has four slots to park your spatulas, ladles and tongs while cooking, but it also has a drip pad to help keep your countertop splatter-free. It’s made with heat-resistant silicone and has a nonslip bottom to keep it in place as you use it. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe and available in two sizes and 31 colors.

Zulay Utensil Rest with Drip Pad

Zulay Utensil Rest with Drip Pad $ at Amazon

Talisman Bacon Grease Bin

4.7-star average rating from over 5,600 Amazon reviews

I love making bacon but cringe at the thought of figuring out what to do with the grease. The Talisman bacon bin is made of heat-resistant, BPA-free silicone and has a removable strainer on top that filters out tiny bits of bacon fat so you are left with pure grease to cook with or toss (once it’s chilled), according to the brand. It’s also refrigerator-, freezer-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe so you can store any remnants as you please.

Talisman Bacon Grease Bin

Talisman Bacon Grease Bin $ at Amazon

Cuisinart Ceramic-Coated Stainless-Steel Knives

4.8-star average rating from over 46,000 Amazon reviews

Knives are an essential tool in every kitchen, and this Cuisinart set comes with 12 high-quality stainless steel blades that have a nonstick ceramic coating, which makes them easy to use, according to the brand. With this set you’ll get two: 8-inch chef knives, 8-inch slicing knives, 8-inch serrated bread knives, 7-inch santorum knives, 6.5-inch utility knives and a 3.5-inch paring knives along with a blade guard for each. Each type is a different color to help you avoid cross-use during food prep.

Cuisinart Ceramic-Coated Stainless-Steel Knives

Cuisinart Ceramic-Coated Stainless-Steel Knives $ at Amazon

Why trust Select?

Barbara Booth has written a number of guides on bestselling and highly rated products you can buy on Amazon that simplify your life,including best organizational products , best car accessories, best travel accessories and more. For this piece, Barbara researched dozens of top-rated items on Amazon that simplify and streamline meal prep.

Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Originally published April 21, 2023 at 5:03 PM

April 22, 2023

11 best Amazon kitchen tools under $25

We’ve sifted through dozens of bestselling items and found ones that are not only kind on your wallet but actually do what they say — and do it well.

SKIP AHEAD Best Amazon kitchen products under $25

Best Amazon kitchen tools under $25 in 2023

Below, we rounded up 11 tools on Amazon that will streamline the cooking process and save you time in the kitchen. Every item is highly rated with at least 4.2 stars based on thousands of reviews.

Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘n’ Strain

4.5-star average rating from over 32,000 Amazon reviews

Cuisinart Smashed Burger Press

4.6-star average rating from over 34,000 Amazon reviews

Smash burgers are well loved for their crispy, cracked edges and juicy center. To get these results, you’ll need a weighted press to smash the meat and lock in the flavor as it cooks. This cast-iron press from Cuisinart is durable enough to smash your burger into a 6-inch patty; plus, its 1-centimeter raised edge will lock in the fat and juices, according to the brand.

Amazon Basics Food Safe Baking Mats

4.7-star average rating from over 97,000 Amazon reviews

These nonstick silicone baking sheets eliminate the need for cooking sprays, grease and parchment paper. They come in a pack of two and measure 11.6 inches x 16.5 inches, so they fit perfectly on half-size baking pans, according to the brand. Oven-safe up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, you can easily clean these silicone sheets with soap and water.

Sharpal Knife Sharpener

4.3-star average rating from over 34,000 Amazon reviews

This compact knife sharpener has a rubber base that firmly suctions to your table when the sharpener switch is turned on, so it shouldn’t slip or damage your countertop, according to the brand. It comes with two blades — a carbide blade for sharpening edges and a ceramic blade to hone. The Sharpal also sharpens scissors.

Elitapro Ultra-High-Speed Milk Frother

4.2-star average rating from over 24,000 Amazon reviews

With this battery-powered, double-whisk frother, serious coffee drinkers can get barista-grade cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos at home. It can mix your desired foam in 15 seconds and has a silicone ergonomic handle to keep your hands comfortable while you use it, according to the brand. Plus, it comes with a slim stainless steel stand and is available in 18 colors.

KitchenAid 4-Sided Grater

4.8-star average rating from over 10,000 Amazon reviews

This stainless steel, rust-resistant box grater can mince, slice, grate and shred cheeses, veggies and more. It comes with a 3-cup container that fits under the grater’s base to catch excess food so there’s less mess in your kitchen. The container also has measurement markings and a top so you can store the leftover shavings for later.

Poromi Herb Scissors

4.4-star average rating from over 2,000 Amazon reviews

Fresh herbs make any dish more flavorful. You can use these high-quality scissors, which come with a safety cover and a comb for cleanup, to cut herbs directly over pizza, salad, casseroles, soup and more. Because these scissors have five blades, it uniformly snips herbs faster than regular scissors can, according to the brand. The handle is made of nonslip soft rubber material, and the stainless-steel blades are rust resistant. It’s perfect for beginners who don’t have the best knife skills and are looking for alternative options in the kitchen.

Ototo Gracula Garlic Crusher

4.5-star average rating from over 5,500 Amazon reviews

This vampire-inspired kitchen tool can crush, mince and press garlic in seconds. To use, pop off Gracula’s head, place the garlic (or ginger, nuts or herbs) inside, place his head back on and twist. It’s only 120 grams and is BPA-free and dishwasher safe too.

Zulay Utensil Rest with Drip Pad

4.7-star average rating from over 34,000 Amazon reviews

This utensil rest not only has four slots to park your spatulas, ladles and tongs while cooking, but it also has a drip pad to help keep your countertop splatter-free. It’s made with heat-resistant silicone and has a nonslip bottom to keep it in place as you use it. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe and available in two sizes and 31 colors.

Talisman Bacon Grease Bin

4.7-star average rating from over 5,600 Amazon reviews

I love making bacon but cringe at the thought of figuring out what to do with the grease. The Talisman bacon bin is made of heat-resistant, BPA-free silicone and has a removable strainer on top that filters out tiny bits of bacon fat so you are left with pure grease to cook with or toss (once it’s chilled), according to the brand. It’s also refrigerator-, freezer-, microwave- and dishwasher-safe so you can store any remnants as you please.

Cuisinart Ceramic-Coated Stainless-Steel Knives

4.8-star average rating from over 46,000 Amazon reviews

Knives are an essential tool in every kitchen, and this Cuisinart set comes with 12 high-quality stainless steel blades that have a nonstick ceramic coating, which makes them easy to use, according to the brand. With this set you’ll get two: 8-inch chef knives, 8-inch slicing knives, 8-inch serrated bread knives, 7-inch santorum knives, 6.5-inch utility knives and a 3.5-inch paring knives along with a blade guard for each. Each type is a different color to help you avoid cross-use during food prep.

Why trust Select?

Barbara Booth has written a number of guides on bestselling and highly rated products you can buy on Amazon that simplify your life,including best organizational products, best car accessories, best travel accessories and more. For this piece, Barbara researched dozens of top-rated items on Amazon that simplify and streamline meal prep.

Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Posted on April 6, 2023
Spring kitchen refresh with culinary expert approved tools from knives to new cutting boards

If you’ve already cleaned the house for spring you may have realized it’s time to spruce up some kitchen essentials. These products have you covered.

“Good Morning America” enlisted the culinary expertise of test kitchen directors, recipe developers, chefs and food bloggers to share their product picks that are fresh for spring and will help you get cooking like a pro.

Chef-approved kitchen tools from knives to cutting boards

Dan Pelosi

The ReBoard from Material Kitchen being used to chop fresh produce.

Ashton Keefe, chef and recipe developer, shared five of her favorites from knives to an essential countertop appliance that make cooking at home breeze.

Trio of Knives with Stand

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Material Trio Cutting Knife Set & Stand

Price: $230.00 • From: West Elm

The set has everything needed to slice, dice and chop. Each knife is crafted from sharp and durable triple-layered Japanese steel and magnetically affix to the solid beech wood stand, which helps keep them from getting dull.

Set includes The Stand, The 8″ Knife, The Serrated 6″ Knife, and The Almost 4″ Knife.

Having a “go-to knife set for the home chef” is an essential for any kitchen. Keefe is of the camp that “you only need three knives, max. Ever. The number one question I’m asked is, ‘What is the best knife?’ Or the question everyone is afraid to ask, ‘How do I sharpen my knife?’ These are cool knives. Japanese steel, delicious handle and a no-brainer/no-fail way to sharpen. Works for a seasoned pro and beginner alike.”

CorningWare French White Cast Aluminum 4-Quart Braiser with Lid

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CorningWare, Non-Stick 4 Quart QuickHeat Braiser with Lid

Price: $43.23 • From: Amazon

Spring and summer wedding season is also here and Keefe said this makes a “perfect gift for a newlywed or to add to a registry” because it’s a classic. “Can use on the stovetop, oven or as serving. This screams chic and sophisticated and will last you a lifetime,” she said.

Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-Quart Smart Multi-Cooker

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Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-quart Smart Multi-Cooker

Price: $199.95 • From: Amazon

For any home cooks who have yet to hop on the Instant Pot train, the time is now.

Keefe said this fully connected pressure cooker has over 800 plug and play recipes through the accompanying app that can wirelessly start your meal. “I also particularly love this model because it’s light weight and smaller making it do-able for city dwellers or those with smaller kitchens,” she explained.

Pyrex 8×12” Divide Glass Baking Dish

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Pyrex Durable high-quality Divided Glass Baking Dish

Price: $16.97 • From: Walmart

Save time and space by cooking and serving two foods at the same time with this versatile divided glass baking dish. Reheating and clean-up are both simple since the Pyrex glass is microwave and dishwasher safe.

Keefe’s pick is “ideal for cooking for one to two [people] and entertaining a crowd,” she said. “I can’t think of anything cooler than being able to bake or roast something in one compartment and then doing something entirely different in the other. Think roast chicken and a few pieces of salmon or vegetables and side of roasted fruit for dessert. When using as a serving dish, elegantly divided compartments keep sauces and dressings separate ensuring the only thing that comingles are your guests.”

Sarah Wharton knows her way around test kitchens and culinary product trials. The senior editor and analyst of the Good Housekeeping Institute shared the following must-have tools.

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2-Piece Cutting Board Set

Price: $23.99 • From: OXO

The OXO 2-Piece Cutting Board Set is a dynamic kitchen duo ideal for everyday meal prep.

“Spring vegetables mean lots of prep and veggies need room,” Wharton said. “I love this OXO Good Grips Carving Board. It has tons of space for trimming carrot tops or slicing the first garlic scapes. We also love OXO’s two-piece set with an Everyday Board and Prep Board; it was one of Good Housekeeping’s top picks for cutting boards.”

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STOJO Collapsible Bowl – Sage Green

Price: $24.95 • From: Amazon

“These Stojo Bowls from our 2021 Kitchen Gear Awards have become my go-to for lunch salads. They collapse when you’re done, so they take up less space in your bag on the commute home — and in your cabinet at home,” Wharton said. “They’re easy to seal and they come in several pretty pastels that are perfect for spring.”

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“I use my Dutch oven year-round. It’s great in spring for asparagus risotto or cooking down fruit for jam,” Wharton said. “And Le Creuset has launched a new shade that’s lovely for the season: olive. It looks like budding trees and tulip leaves. Le Creuset’s enameled cast iron cookware is a fave in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, and its Dutch oven was a winner in our 2021 Kitchen Gear Awards as our pick for making hearty stews and soups due to its ability to heat evenly and retain heat well.”

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Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream, Gelato & Sorbet Maker

Price: $179.99 • 30{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} SavingsKohl’s

Original: $259.99

The Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker transforms frozen solid bases into ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes and more with the simple touch of a button. Ninja’s Creamify technology enables the CREAM to break down a uniformly frozen block into an incredibly smooth, creamy texture in minutes.

“This one’s just for fun since the days are getting a little warmer, and it’s another winner from our Kitchen Gear Awards. Our judges were impressed that the ice cream and gelato settings yielded different textures, even with the same recipe. The Ninja Creami comes with pint containers that you can fill with your base, freeze overnight and then churn in about five minutes,” she explained.

The internet’s favorite Italian-American, Brooklyn-based food blogger and recipe developer Dan Pelosi shared some of his top picks.

Sustainable cutting boards

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Material reBoard

Price: $35.00 • From: Anthropologie

These colorful BPA-free cutting boards are made entirely of kitchen plastic scraps and renewable sugarcane. One small step for sustainability, one giant leap for kitchengoods.

“I use sustainably made cutting boards and I have them in every color,” Pelosi said of his first pick. “Color is important to me in my home, but so is functionality. When the two are perfectly combined, I am delighted.”

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Mikasa Lazy Susan Serving Tray

Price: $79.99 • 11{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} SavingsKohl’s

Original: $89.99

“I need my go-to cooking ingredients at arm’s length while I am developing recipes, but I don’t want them to run free all over the kitchen,” Pelosi explained. “This countertop lazy susan is very at-home on my counter, spinning around all day as I grab all my go-tos with ease but no mess.”

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“The number one question I get from people making my recipes is about cook times. I always ask people: ‘do you have an oven thermometer?’ Recipes are written to accurate oven temperatures and unfortunately almost no oven is the temperature you think it is,” Pelosi advised. “An oven thermometer inside your oven is a must for knowing your oven temperature.”

Bee’s Wrap Reusable Food Wraps

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Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Wraps, Set Of 3

Price: $14.46 • 19{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} SavingsSur La Table

Original: $18

Whether you’re storing a lemon half, wrapping baked goods or covering a bowl, this assorted set provides you with the essentials for keeping your food fresh. A sustainable, natural alternative to plastic wrap, these beeswax wraps make it easy for you to make the shift away from disposable food storage.

Get sustainable for spring with the these wax wraps “for keeping food fresh and cutting down on waste.”

“I keep my favorite loaves of bread wrapped in these in my cabinet, cut vegetables covered in my counter, and leftovers stored in my fridge,” he said. “They are so versatile, colorful, and last forever.”

Jenna Helwig, “Bare Minimum Dinners” cookbook author and Food Director at Real Simple, shared a few of her favorites for spring and beyond in the kitchen.

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Colony Co. Five-Pack Large Reusable Produce Bags

Price: $18.95 • From: Amazon

“Spring means it’s time to resume my weekly trips to the farmer’s market. To reduce my plastic usage, I bring these reusable produce bags,” she shared.

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Fortessa Jupiter 13-Inch Cake Stand in Cornflower

Price: $31.99 • 20{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} SavingsBed Bath & Beyond

Original: $39.99

Get additional savings as a Beyond + member.

“Sure, cake stands are good for cakes, but also for serving muffins, cupcakes, tarts, and pies … basically anything that deserves to be on a literal pedestal,” Helwig said. “If I lived in a bigger apartment I would have a collection of them, including this retro-chic and relatively inexpensive one.”

An earlier version of this story was first published on April 21, 2022.

Posted on March 31, 2023
Best Kitchen Tools – 12 Favorite Daily Kitchen Tools

These are my top favorites in the kitchen that I can’t live without! The best kitchen tools that make the cooking process easier and more enjoyable. Add them to your list!

Here’s what I can’t live without when it comes to the kitchen!

I loooove sharing things like this because I secretly want to know YOUR favorites.

I’ve been wanting to share my current top ten kitchen items with you and was inspired yesterday when I saw Joy share her kitchen splurges. I absolutely LOVE seeing what items people use in the kitchen – what changes the game for them and makes everything easier. I’m all about easy.

Most of these below will come as no surprise! You will recognize a lot of these items from either seeing them in my photos or reading about them in my monthly favorites.

A few years ago I shared a complete list of my kitchen essentials – all of my favorite things that I recommend after 15 solid years of serious cooking. I update that list frequently and still stand by all of those items, but wanted to give you a quick peek at the things I use daily, or almost daily.

The kitchen items that I can’t live without!

The ones that make a huge difference when it comes to moving about in the kitchen and getting things done.

Share yours with me below!

12 Best Kitchen Tools I Can’t Live Without

The Scrub Daddy

Is it weird to talk about a sponge first? If you haven’t used a scrub daddy before, you are missing out. It is the best sponge that exists EVER – perfect for cleaning everything (especially silverware) and makes dishes a breeze. If you’re like me and make sure everything is spotless before it goes in the dishwasher, you need this.

Meat Chopper

This was life changing for us. It chops up ground beef or turkey so incredibly well – and easily. I have three or four of these and can’t go without them whether I’m making bolognese, tacos, etc.

Parchment baking sheets

This is one of the best things you can buy for your kitchen. I have gone through countless packs of these and they are a dream. You will never buy a roll of parchment paper again. Seriously.

The Nutribullet

I use this almost daily, but not for smoothies! This is how I make the most incredible vinaigrettes and dressings. I use it for my ranch dressing and my cilantro lime vinaigrette. It’s the perfect size and just so easy! I can’t live without this. And of course, if I’m making one small smoothie (as if that happens in a fam of 5, haha), it works for that too!

Global Knife Block

Good knives are the best tool for success in the kitchen. I have always had the hardest time spending money on good knives – they just don’t seem as fun as other items. But they are necessary and will totally change the game when it comes to cooking. Global knives are my absolute favorite. We use every single knife in this block, sometimes every day! They are so sturdy, sharp and sleek.

Mezzaluna knife

I also always have a mezzaluna on hand for chopping herbs and cutting homemade pizza. This makes it so simple to chop fresh herbs and garlic. It also just makes cutting flatbreads or smaller pizzas very easy. I also use it to make chopped salads – aka, the best salads.

W&P Porter Sealed Bowls

These jars are one of my favorite ways to store leftovers, sauces, dressings and more. First, they are pretty. But second, they are sleek and fit well in the fridge, plus keep the food super fresh. They are very secure. I use both sizes, but probably grab the 24 oz more often.

Weck tulip jars

This is another jar I use often for sauces, dressings and extras like pickled onions. Real life – I never use the clamps on these, but I do use the lids. They aren’t sealed tight which means what goes in here is limited. But I like these for serving or when I set out a lot of toppings or dressings. I use all the sizes of weck jars, but this tulip one is probably my most used.

Le Creuset Cast Iron Braiser

You probably recognize this because I use it in many of my recipes and photos here! If I want a heavier pan to throw in the oven, I love to use this one in the 3.5 quart size. I find that it’s a nice size and isn’t too heavy. I have the matte white shade and love it.

Greenpan Reserve Cookware

I am the HUGEST fan of my greenpan cookware. I’ve used it now for years (5+? or maybe more.) and can’t go without it. It’s the best nonstick cookware I’ve ever used. Now I do follow the rules and don’t go over medium heat (you don’t need it if you heat your skillet properly!) and hand wash these. Best pans ever.

OXO gold sheet pans

I get asked every single day about my gold sheet pans! These are the hardest working pans in my kitchen and I adore them. The OXO ones are my favorite, but I also use this three pack from Target too. I love the smaller ones. I probably have 20 to 30 of these gold pans and they are the best.

OXO stainless salad spinner

Salad spinners make me feel very 1990s, but I am telling you – they make one heck of a salad. They are the most efficient (and fastest!) way to get your lettuce/greens dry and crisp. Using this is one of the reason most of our salads at home taste restaurant-worthy.

[This post is not sponsored! There are some affiliate links above. Thank you for your support!]

Posted on March 27, 2023
7 Kitchen Tools and Appliances I Don’t Regret Upgrading

I love a kitchen upgrade, but not all pricey products are created equal. I can tell you from personal experience that springing for a premium model for one kitchen tool often pays bigger dividends in your day-to-day routine than ponying up the dough for a top-shelf version of something else.

Nonstick cookware is a good example: You can spend $100 or more on a premium pan, but it’s not going to scramble eggs or fry pancakes much better than this $22 Tramontina nonstick skillet. I’d posit that other kitchen appliances are quite worthy of spending more on, will perform accordingly and have the potential to completely change the way you cook and eat.

A blender with good power will turn out silky shakes and smoothies in less time than a cheap model and might be enough to help kick your healthy breakfast routine into gear (it was for me). And a quality frying pan or chef’s knife that just begs to be used might be the nudge you need to put in the work on a home-cooked meal and skip the expensive delivery.

Over the years, a few pieces of hardware have come into my kitchen that I’ve become so reliant on, it’s hard to imagine being without them. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, some have even changed the course of my diet and health. These are just a few upgraded kitchen tools and small appliances I simply couldn’t live without.

Ninja

You’re receiving price alerts for Ninja Twisti

Upgrade to a performance model blender, and you’ll feel the difference immediately — and it might even help you change your diet. I was a piecemeal breakfast eater relying mostly on empty carbs until I started using a blender with some real get-up-and-go. Now it’s protein- and vitamin-packed smoothies or bust. I can absolutely feel the difference throughout my day (oh hello, energy, I’ve missed you), and I don’t have to shell out $10 on a fancy juice bar shake or smoothie.

Ninja makes a number of good blenders and most offer terrific value for money. My favorite is the modestly sized Ninja Twisti ($140) — about the best blender I’ve ever used for making smoothies and other small-ish recipes.

One unique feature I love is the rotating mixer blades that protrude down from the lid. You can spin those babies to loosen the contents mid-blend. That means I almost never have to stop and stir sticky ingredients such as peanut butter or chunky ice.

The Twisti has 1,500 watts of power packed into a machine. It won’t eat up tons of space on the counter or coins from your bank account as a pricey Vitamix or Blendtec will.

Read our Ninja review.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Dreamfarm Lime Fluicer | Easy Squeeze Manual Lime Juicer | Citrus Juicer That Folds Flat for Space-Saving Storage | Lime Squeezer with Pivot to Increase Leverage

I’d all but given up on handheld citrus juicers since they seem to leave more juice in than they get out. Enter Dreamfarm’s excellent Fluicer.

This innovative kitchen brand has found ways to improve many of the most common culinary tools. This handheld citrus squeezer not only squeezes front to back but also bends each half of a lemon, lime or orange as it squeezes, leaving nothing in the rind and everything in your bowl, jar or cocktail shaker.

At just $15 for the small size — good for limes and lemons — this kitchen upgrade doesn’t cost much more than the original. In short: Everyone I know is getting a Fluicer for their birthday this year. As a regular lemonade and margarita maker (OK, mostly margs), this is my favorite addition to the miscellaneous kitchen tools drawer in years.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for All-Clad’s 10-inch skillet with lid

If you’ve become reliant on your nonstick skillets, it might be time to learn your way around a stainless-steel pan, since they offer better surface heat for browning and searing, and are far more durable than Teflon.

The fastest way to get used to a stainless skillet is to get a great one, and All-Clad’s 10-inch tri-ply skillet with a covered lid is our favorite option. While $100 might sound like a big splurge for one pan, if you care for it, it’s going to last for many years. This pan is light, heats evenly and includes a lid for recipes that require covered cooking and to help manage splatter.

TL;DR? This frying pan makes cooking a joy and I’m totally obsessed.

Dreamfarm

This is another one of Dreamfarm’s simple innovations we’re filing under “why didn’t I think of that?” and it took just a few swipes across a carrot to fall in love. The Sharple may look like your standard peeler, but on closer inspection you’ll discover the sliding case is also a sharpener, keeping the device razor-edged for years without having to do anything more than open and close it. I love a kitchen tool with high function and staying power, and this self-sharpening veggie peeler has got it all.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Made In Cookware – 8″ Chef Knife France – Full Tang With Truffle Black Handle

I like this Made In knife so much I’ll go out of my way to find things to chop. Kitchen knife weight and length preferences are admittedly subjective, but I find this blade to have a perfect heft, a comfortable handle and impeccable balance.

There’s not likely a kitchen tool you’ll put your hands on more than the chef’s knife, so it’s a no-brainer to upgrade to one you love. This is my absolute favorite, and it’s reasonably priced considering the quality.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Tiger rice cooker

Rice is one of the most versatile side dishes that go with so many mains, but making it at home takes time and practice to master. Even when I’d start to get the hang of time and temps, I’d need to keep at least one eye on the range and remove the heat source or I’d have some badly burned brown basmati on my hands — not to mention some serious pot soaking and scraping to do.

Enter the rice cooker. When I brought one into the house, I started swapping healthier brown rice and ancient grains in for mostly nutrition-free potatoes and bread. Having just one button to push for a satisfying starch makes all the difference. I did some hands-on testing of several rice cookers last year and the Tiger made the most consistent rice — never mushy or undercooked. It features fairly basic settings and cooking programs and clocks in under $100, or closer to $80 if you find it on sale.

Patrick Holland/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Fellow Ode Brew grinder

This is admittedly a big splurge, but the Ode grinder is a joy to use and has unmatched precision when it comes to grind size. That’s especially helpful if you regularly make espresso, which calls for a fine grind, or use a pour-over method that requires a coarse bean.

It’s also about the best-looking and quietest coffee grinder on the market. Sometimes I catch myself grinding more beans than I even need just to hear the calming whirr.

More CNET kitchen picks

Posted on March 24, 2023
These Kitchen Tools and Appliances Are Worth a Small Splurge

I love a kitchen upgrade, but not all pricey products are created equal. I can tell you from personal experience that springing for a premium model for one kitchen tool often pays bigger dividends in your day-to-day routine than ponying up the dough for a top-shelf version of something else.

Nonstick cookware is a good example: You can spend $100 or more on a premium pan, but it’s not going to scramble eggs or fry pancakes much better than this $22 Tramontina nonstick skillet. I’d posit that other kitchen appliances are quite worthy of spending more on, will perform accordingly and have the potential to completely change the way you cook and eat.

A blender with good power will turn out silky shakes and smoothies in less time than a cheap model and might be enough to help kick your healthy breakfast routine into gear (it was for me). And a quality frying pan or chef’s knife that just begs to be used might be the nudge you need to put in the work on a home-cooked meal and skip the expensive delivery.

Over the years, a few pieces of hardware have come into my kitchen that I’ve become so reliant on, it’s hard to imagine being without them. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, some have even changed the course of my diet and health. These are just a few upgraded kitchen tools and small appliances I simply couldn’t live without.

Ninja

You’re receiving price alerts for Ninja Twisti

Upgrade to a performance model blender, and you’ll feel the difference immediately — and it might even help you change your diet. I was a piecemeal breakfast eater relying mostly on empty carbs until I started using a blender with some real get-up-and-go. Now it’s protein- and vitamin-packed smoothies or bust. I can absolutely feel the difference throughout my day (oh hello, energy, I’ve missed you), and I don’t have to shell out $10 on a fancy juice bar shake or smoothie.

Ninja makes a number of good blenders and most offer terrific value for money. My favorite is the modestly sized Ninja Twisti ($140) — about the best blender I’ve ever used for making smoothies and other small-ish recipes.

One unique feature I love is the rotating mixer blades that protrude down from the lid. You can spin those babies to loosen the contents mid-blend. That means I almost never have to stop and stir sticky ingredients such as peanut butter or chunky ice.

The Twisti has 1,500 watts of power packed into a machine. It won’t eat up tons of space on the counter or coins from your bank account as a pricey Vitamix or Blendtec will.

Read our Ninja review.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Dreamfarm Lime Fluicer | Easy Squeeze Manual Lime Juicer | Citrus Juicer That Folds Flat for Space-Saving Storage | Lime Squeezer with Pivot to Increase Leverage

I’d all but given up on handheld citrus juicers since they seem to leave more juice in than they get out. Enter Dreamfarm’s excellent Fluicer.

This innovative kitchen brand has found ways to improve many of the most common culinary tools. This handheld citrus squeezer not only squeezes front to back but also bends each half of a lemon, lime or orange as it squeezes, leaving nothing in the rind and everything in your bowl, jar or cocktail shaker.

At just $15 for the small size — good for limes and lemons — this kitchen upgrade doesn’t cost much more than the original. In short: Everyone I know is getting a Fluicer for their birthday this year. As a regular lemonade and margarita maker (OK, mostly margs), this is my favorite addition to the miscellaneous kitchen tools drawer in years.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for All-Clad’s 10-inch skillet with lid

If you’ve become reliant on your nonstick skillets, it might be time to learn your way around a stainless-steel pan, since they offer better surface heat for browning and searing, and are far more durable than Teflon.

The fastest way to get used to a stainless skillet is to get a great one, and All-Clad’s 10-inch tri-ply skillet with a covered lid is our favorite option. While $100 might sound like a big splurge for one pan, if you care for it, it’s going to last for many years. This pan is light, heats evenly and includes a lid for recipes that require covered cooking and to help manage splatter.

TL;DR? This frying pan makes cooking a joy and I’m totally obsessed.

Dreamfarm

This is another one of Dreamfarm’s simple innovations we’re filing under “why didn’t I think of that?” and it took just a few swipes across a carrot to fall in love. The Sharple may look like your standard peeler, but on closer inspection you’ll discover the sliding case is also a sharpener, keeping the device razor-edged for years without having to do anything more than open and close it. I love a kitchen tool with high function and staying power, and this self-sharpening veggie peeler has got it all.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Made In Cookware – 8″ Chef Knife France – Full Tang With Truffle Black Handle

I like this Made In knife so much I’ll go out of my way to find things to chop. Kitchen knife weight and length preferences are admittedly subjective, but I find this blade to have a perfect heft, a comfortable handle and impeccable balance.

There’s not likely a kitchen tool you’ll put your hands on more than the chef’s knife, so it’s a no-brainer to upgrade to one you love. This is my absolute favorite, and it’s reasonably priced considering the quality.

David Watsky/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Tiger rice cooker

Rice is one of the most versatile side dishes that go with so many mains, but making it at home takes time and practice to master. Even when I’d start to get the hang of time and temps, I’d need to keep at least one eye on the range and remove the heat source or I’d have some badly burned brown basmati on my hands — not to mention some serious pot soaking and scraping to do.

Enter the rice cooker. When I brought one into the house, I started swapping healthier brown rice and ancient grains in for mostly nutrition-free potatoes and bread. Having just one button to push for a satisfying starch makes all the difference. I did some hands-on testing of several rice cookers last year and the Tiger made the most consistent rice — never mushy or undercooked. It features fairly basic settings and cooking programs and clocks in under $100, or closer to $80 if you find it on sale.

Patrick Holland/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Fellow Ode Brew grinder

This is admittedly a big splurge, but the Ode grinder is a joy to use and has unmatched precision when it comes to grind size. That’s especially helpful if you regularly make espresso, which calls for a fine grind, or use a pour-over method that requires a coarse bean.

It’s also about the best-looking and quietest coffee grinder on the market. Sometimes I catch myself grinding more beans than I even need just to hear the calming whirr.

More CNET kitchen picks

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