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1. Achieve a pro-level sear from a *pre-seasoned* (!) Lodge cast-iron skillet, which offers excellent heat retention, making it perfect for keeping your favorite dishes piping hot. Plus, it can be used on the stove and in the oven, or even over a grill or fire!
I've had my Lodge skillet for maybe seven years now, and I love it just as much today as the first day I got it. Nothing — and I mean NOTHING — is better when it comes to achieving the perfect golden brown pancake, crackly-skinned fish, and crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside baked pasta (see photo above). Contrary to popular belief, it's incredibly easy to care for, and as long as you don't let it rust it'll last you FOR-EV-ER (just feel how heavy it is and you'll know you're working with something sturdy!).
Promising review: "As a professional chef in the industry for 20 years now, I have my own file of brands I seek out. When it comes to cast iron, Lodge is a brand I know is going to be good. When it came to the price, I couldn't click 'buy' fast enough. This has become my go-to pan any time I am working with meat at home, be it a burger patty, or a large piece of meat I am searing off for braising in the slow cooker. This is a pan I know I will have for the next 20–30 years." —Mike
Get a 10.25-inch skillet from Amazon for $19.90 (also available in other sizes here).
2. Whiz up smooth salad dressings and silky sauces from scratch using a compact yet powerful Beast Blender that'll get the job done in a matter of seconds. Bottled green goddess, you've been replaced. Oh, and can we talk about how GORGEOUS it is?!
P.S. The blending bowl also doubles as a portable thermos and comes with a screw-on drinking lid and carry cap.
I got this blender over the summer, and wow, as someone who had firmly decided I was an "I don't need a blender" person, I quickly changed my mind after the first use. For starters, it's not as large as those super industrial-strength blenders, and it's so aesthetically pleasing that I have it out on my counter at all times. Plus, it couldn't be easier to use — just fill the bowl with your ingredients, pulse, and in a matter of ~moments~ you'll have a perfectly uniform blend of whatever you're trying to blitz. I first tried it out on a smoothie made with frozen bananas and peaches (see it in action on TikTok here!), and it pulverized the icy fruit like a champ. Best of all? It's a total breeze to clean, which, if I'm being honest, was probably the biggest factor in my having waited so long to add a blender to my kitchen arsenal. I can't recommend it enough, 15/10, no notes.
Get it from Amazon for $195 (available in three colors).
3. And transform your chunky butternut squash concoction into an ethereally smooth puree right in the pot via a KitchenAid immersion blender, which should really be called "Fairy Godmother: Soup Edition." Best of all, it'll keep you from burning yourself, since you won't be transferring a big batch of piping hot soup to a standing blender!
I own the blue immersion blender, and as someone who's just 5 feet tall and has practically zero upper body strength, I find that it's been a total game-changer. Now, whenever I want a smooth sauce or silky soup, all I have to do is stick this bad boy into the pot, press a button, and presto! No more having to muster up all my strength to lift a heavy pot, and then pour hot liquid from it into a blender (I mean, disaster waiting to happen). Oh, and it's SO easy to clean, plus the pretty blue hue makes me happy every time I use it!
Promising review: "Best immersion blender I've used! This thing is so powerful! Smoothly blended my roasted butternut squash, onion, and celery to make a bisque. I love the pan guard so I can blend right in the pot and it doesn’t scratch. It was very easy to use and clean. Highly recommend." —Annabelle
Get it from Amazon for $50.99+ (available in 10 colors and in corded and cordless styles).
4. Enjoy perfectly crisp roasted veggies and evenly baked cookies every time by using Nordic Ware aluminum half-sheet trays, because not only is aluminum durable, it's also an excellent heat conductor. The lighter finish helps prevent food from burning, and trust me, these babies will last FOREVER!
I use these sheet trays at home, and whether I'm roasting cauliflower or baking cookies, I end up with even browning every time. I've had mine for almost 10 years now, and they still work just as well as they did when I first bought them. Sure, they might be a liiittle less shiny, but that's how you know you're getting good use out of them!
Promising review: "Love these baking sheets. They are the best ones I have ever owned. They say buy light-colored baking sheets for light-colored cookies that don't burn on the bottom, and these sheets seem to hold that saying true. Highly recommend them." —Chantilly Philly
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $23.76.
5. Replace your dull knife with an essential chef's knife, which won't just improve efficiency, it'll make cooking safer, since you'll get crisp, clean cuts without exerting as much force. You'll be amazed when you see how effortlessly it slices through a tomato — which, let's face it, would've taken 15 minutes and an entire box of bandages with your old knife.
Promising review: "I have wanted a chef's knife for years. I finally tired of cutting vegetables with cheap paring knives. I'm so glad I bought this. I was afraid to use it for a couple of weeks because even though the blade is six inches, it was intimidating to look at! I'm happy I gave it a try, it cuts and chops like a breeze. I did an internet search on how best to grip the knife securely, that's what gave me the confidence to start using it. I keep my other hand flat across the top side of the knife, so not to chance cutting myself. The cost was reasonable for a quality product." —Debs
Another promising review: "I bought this for my husband; he is a professional chef. He absolutely loves this knife. The quality is great, and the price is reasonable for a chef knife. We originally purchased a different one that was more expensive and after a week of using it started getting rust spots. He has been using this one now for two months and loves it. No rust spots." —Tara L.
Get it from Amazon for $41.35+ (available in four sizes).
6. And make sure you have a handheld knife sharpener to keep your most-used kitchen tool impeccably pointy. Simply swipe dull knives through the coarse side and sharp ones through the fine end to touch-up and polish.
I use this for my knives, and whenever I hear the 'zing!' of the blade going through I feel *so* legit. My knives are several years old, but giving them a quick once-over with this handy gadget makes them work like new every time.
Promising review: "This made it so simple to sharpen my knives and it has been life changing. Not sure why I felt this was so hard or complicated before. This is an awesome little product. Stores away nicely, sharpens with only a couple of turns. Huge value for the money!" —RTRae
Check out our full KitchenIQ 50009 knife sharpener review.
Get it from Amazon for $10.51.
7. Weigh flour using a digital scale rather than measuring in cups, since it'll give you the most accurate amount (and saves time on dishes!). Scooping flour into a measuring cup often yields wildly different results depending on how tightly it's packed, which is why using a scale will keep your end product from being too dry (the WORST!).
It can weigh items ranging between 0.1 ounces to 22 pounds, and comes with AAA batteries so you can try it out right away. Plus, it features a tare function, which allows you to place a mixing vessel (e.g., bowl) on top, zero out the weight, then add your ingredients and weigh just those.
Promising review: "I got this after rekindling my interest in sourdough baking. Since I haven't really baked that much before, I was content just using my standard measuring cup. When I started using this, I noticed there can be a big difference between grams and cups. I must say, I was hesitant to use this scale right away because I thought it would have a big learning curve. However, I was up and running in minutes. It was easy to make my plate a '0' and begin the weighing process. I just finished baking a zucchini sourdough quick loaf and it came out much better than my previous attempts without weighing ingredients. I like the look of this scale and think I'll get a lot of use out of it." —Karin Foster
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in five colors).
8. Swap your bulky box grater for a Microplane when you're zesting citrus, because while box graters are "grate" when you're shredding potatoes and carrots, a handheld grater gives you much more control so you can avoid getting pith (the bitter white stuff) in your food.
You can also use it to shave fine specks of Parm over your pasta!
When I worked as a baker, I often had to zest dozens of lemons at a time to make large batches of lemon cake, so I know a thing or two about the most efficient (and comfortable!) tools to use. Without a doubt, a Microplane is the best thing for the job, as it's designed to be held in your hand, meaning you can zest right over your mixing bowl rather than having to bust out a cutting board. I also found that when using a box grater, my knuckles were much more prone to nicks and cuts due to the extra effort I had to put in (not to mention the awkward angle I was holding my hand at).
Microplanes stay sharp for a really long time, and in my experience they're more precise than box graters when it comes to removing the zest without bringing the bitter pith along with it. I even bought one for my dad as a gift a few years ago, and he told me that zesting is now his favorite kitchen task!
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in a pack of two).
9. Grow — and pick! — fresh herbs right from your very own counter thanks to an AeroGarden Harvest, which doesn't require soil, sun, or a backyard. Ina will be *so* pleased you didn't use the dried stuff, even in the middle of winter!
Plus, reviewers say it's foolproof, so even if you're lacking a green thumb, you'll delight in seeing your herbs sprout up! It includes basil, curly parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and mint seeds, along with a bottle of all natural plant nutrients.
Check out BuzzFeed's full AeroGarden review for more info!
Promising review: "This was worth every penny and then some. Easy to set up, spectacular results! Every one of the seed pods germinated, growth was quite astonishing, first flower popped out about 45 days from set up. My garden is now covered in healthy vegetation and copious blooms. Can't ask for more! But I may have to buy more, LOL!" —D.L. Sniderman
Get it from Amazon for $85.98+ (available in two sizes and four colors, as well as in several kits).
10. Ensure your balls of cookie dough are consistent in size by having an easy-grip Oxo cookie scoop at the ready, because not only will they look prettier this way, they'll all finish baking at the same time, too!
You can also use them to evenly portion cupcake batter!
Promising review: "I really like Oxo products and have many of them. The quality is always right up there. I have both the small and medium cookie scoops. The small one is the one I use most, but I like the medium-sized one if I'm giving cookies away as gifts or want to take them to social gatherings. It just makes a generous cookie for giving. I prefer the smaller scoop when making cookies just for my husband and I. I like the fact that these scoops make cookies uniform in shape and size. Prior to buying these scoops, I just used a spoon and my cookies were anything but uniform! The dough slides out of the scoops very easily and keeps my fingers clean." —Rosebud
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes, a variety pack, and several bundle sets).
11. Expand your culinary skills with Our Place's Always Pan, a versatile cooking vessel that'll quickly become one of your kitchen go-tos (and is a certified BuzzFeed fave!). It's essentially an all-in-one kitchen tool, as it has braising, searing, steaming, straining, sauteeing, frying, boiling, serving, AND storing capabilities.
Plus, it comes with a wooden spatula and metal steaming basket!
Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Taylor Steele has to say about it: "As someone who neither enjoys cooking nor is particularly good at it, the Always Pan has made being in the kitchen feel like less of a chore. Having one pan that can do everything means I don't have to second-guess every cooking decision I make. I can boil and prepare pasta in it. And I can roast Brussels sprouts. And I can make the perfect fried egg. And I can steam dumplings. The best part is that everything slides so seamlessly out of the pan and onto the plate, which also makes clean up super fast and easy. Both the amateur (read: reluctant) cook and the more seasoned chef will enjoy creating fan favorites and new recipes in the Always Pan!"
Also, BuzzFeeders LOVE this pan: seven of our team members shared their thoughts in our Always Pan review, saying they loved everything from its nonstick coating and lightweight feel to its *gorgeous* design.
Get it from Our Place for $145 (available in seven colors).
12. And effortlessly take your cozy braises from stove top to oven by way of Our Place's Perfect Pot, which will keep all of those tasty juices trapped inside with its dome-shaped lid. (No more dry pot roast!) Plus, its super lightweight design will make you forget all about your heavy Dutch oven, since it'll give you more control and confidence when you're lifting it.
It's designed for (*takes huge breath*) boiling, crisping, baking, braising, roasting, steaming, straining, pouring, serving, and storing!
I have this pot at home, and the first thing I noticed about it (aside from its pretty looks) was how shockingly light it was (less than five pounds with the lid!). As a 5'-tall weakling, I tend to get nervous whenever I have to lift a cast iron Dutch oven more than a few inches, so I was thrilled when I realized I'd be able to make my favorite hearty meals without the risk of dropping a heavy, piping hot cooking vessel. Plus, it comes with a steamer insert and a wooden spoon with — get this — little grooves that allow it to rest right on the pot's handle, so if you're anything like me and *still* haven't gotten around to getting a spoon rest, this bb's got you covered. Best of all, if you're short on cabinet space, this pot is so beautiful you'll want to display it on your stove for all to admire.
Promising review: "Love it, in particular the color, weight and functionality. I've been using it weekly to do a rotisserie-style chicken in the oven (amongst using it for other recipes) and it literally is perfect. My only problem — can I justify buying other colors, maybe one for each day of the week??" —Amy T.
Get it from Our Place for $165 (available in nine colors).
13. Ditch delivery for pizzeria-worthy pies at home with a heavy-duty pizza stone that'll give you the crispy crust of your dreams, no fancy oven required. It's been fun, Domino's!
Pizza stones absorb excess moisture from the dough, meaning you'll get a crispier, more evenly baked crust than you'd get if you just used a sheet tray. Plus, you can use it on the grill, too!
Promising review: "Whether you make pizza from scratch or enjoy a frozen pizza from the market, this pizza stone is essential for the best at home pizza experience. Preparing your pizza on a stone ensures a crispy crust and removing the pizza from the oven, on the heated stone, assures you that it will remain warm while the slices are consumed." —Steve
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three sizes).
14. Slice your potatoes with uniform precision by using a Dash Safe Slice Mandoline, which your precious little fingies will be relieved to know doesn't require them to be anywhere near the blade! Plus, it comes with over 30 slicing options — from 1–8 millimeters thick!
You can also use it for julienne- and matchstick-dicing! Just feed your ingredients through the tube, push the lever, and your slices will come out on the other side.
Promising review: "I tried to use a conventional mandolin one time...and sustained quite a cut. When I was asked to make my famous scalloped potatoes for Easter, I just didn't have it in me to slice the potatoes by hand (I have an autoimmune disease that often saps all of my energy). I love that your fingers never get close to the blade! They even provide a brush so you can safely clean the blade. This mandolin sliced 5 pounds of potatoes in no time at all and they were all a uniform thickness. Yes, you are able to adjust the size the cuts. I believe this has been my best kitchen investment this year." —Teri H
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in six colors).
15. Clear some space on your counter for a pasta machine that'll make you feel so accomplished every time you crank out a batch of fresh noodles. Reviewers say it's more foolproof than it looks, and once you try it you might never buy the dried stuff again!
It includes a pasta cutter, hand crank, and clamp, and you can find attachments and accessories to try more pasta shapes here.
Promising review: "Words cannot truly express how much I love this machine. It has changed my life. I had never made fresh pasta before and now that I have the Atlas 150, my family and I make fresh pasta or ravioli several times a week. We are never going back to boxed pre-made pasta again. The machine is easy to use, easy to clean — just wipe it down with a damp cloth and dry it, and you can tell it is well made." —Ashley Coley
Another promising review: "After taking a cooking class in Milan and using one of these, I was hooked. The chef said it was the only model worth buying. My sister, who was in the class with me, both bought one so we can have pasta nights. I bring mine to hers and vice versa, so we're constantly making pasta, side by side. Not only is it fun to use, it's easy, too. No experience necessary. The more you do it, the better it gets. But right from day one, this was a purchase I was thrilled with." —KevinB_NYC
Get it from Amazon for $80.03.
16. Grind your own spices using a granite mortar and pestle set, because your delicious homemade chai deserves freshly crushed cardamom, not the stale powdered stuff. And it's so pretty, too!
It's made of unpolished granite for better friction!
Promising review: "A mortar and pestle has been on my wish list for countless birthdays and holidays. This year I gifted them to myself, and I wish I’d done so long ago. I harvested my basil and made the best pesto to date, and my friends and family asked me for the secret as they actually noticed the difference. The taste and texture are well worth the extra work using a mortar and pestle in place of a blender. I use it for processing dried herbs, making rubs, spreads, and pesto other than traditional basil pesto. I find the mortar and pestle a joy to use and enjoy reaping the tasty rewards." —Sommer Thyme
Get it from Amazon for $38.99.
17. Get perfectly smooth, flat cake layers from the get-go by wrapping your pans in Wilton cake strips, which will keep you from having to precariously lop off any domed tops (the domes are often like, a third of the cake!). All you do is wet the strips, wrap them around your pans, and stick everything in the oven for super profesh-looking layers without any waste.
Promising review: "These really do work. You just soak them in ice water for a bit and put them around the pan and bake the cake, and the cakes come out much, much more level — no more dome top! After using these for the first time a year ago, I bought an extra set to have on hand for when I make multilayer cakes. You will still need to level your cake slightly, but it will be small adjustments rather than cutting off a large piece of the top. It is definitely easier to fit them to the pan BEFORE you get them wet — trying to adjust them when they are wet and cold is much more difficult. I've reused them multiple times with no issues. I highly recommend for anyone who does any basic level of cake baking/decorating." —Michelle E.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.19 (also available in a larger pack and several bundles).
18. And evenly split your layers in half with a Wilton cake leveler, because being at the mercy of a serrated knife pretty much always ends in a comically jagged-looking cut.
Adjust the slicer to your desired height using the measurement guide, then just saw through your cake! It's designed for cakes that are 10 inches or smaller.
Promising review: "I had never used a 'cake leveler' before, although I had tried the procedure with a knife a couple of times — with disastrous results. This thing...what a great idea! I was making a special cake for a special birthday, and I wanted the layers to be even. I baked four layers, de-panned them, and let them completely cool in the fridge for an hour (as was recommended to me). I actually baked enough layers for two cakes, just in case I had a horrible accident while leveling and needed to start over. When the moment came to level, I approached the cake with some trepidation, but I needn't have worried. The leveler sliced easily through each layer, with no tearing and no crumbling, and gave me perfectly flat tops. I ended up with two nearly perfect cakes. The trick is to be firm, but not rushed. A gentle sawing action did the trick. I will definitely be using this item a lot. My cakes finally look more like those made by the pros! Love it." —Dr H
Get it from Amazon for $8.39.
19. Throw out your dusty dried parsley and start incorporating fresh herbs into your cooking — a task made much easier when you have a handy herb leaf remover that separates the leaves from the stem in one fell swoop. No more wasting time picking each leaf off individually, and no more unpleasant stems sneaking their way into your roasted vegetables!
I bought this as a stocking stuffer for my sister's boyfriend, who loves to cook, and he was SO excited about it! It also shipped really quickly and was packaged beautifully.
Collin Garrity is the St. Louis-based woodworker behind these lovely tools, and his other minimalist creations include whimsical ornaments you'll wanna keep around long after the holidays are over.
Promising review: "Just exactly what I was looking for. The wood is smooth and comfortable to use and just pretty to look at. Quickly becoming a staple utensil for my kitchen." —David and Amy Emler
Get it from Shop Collin Garrity on Etsy for $16 (available in three types of wood).
20. Whip up fluffy cakes, light as air meringues, and practically anything your dessert-loving self could think of by investing in a KitchenAid stand mixer you'll find yourself turning on time and time again if flexing your baking muscles was one of your 2023 resolutions. Oh, and since it does 99% of the work for you, your *actual* muscles will thank you.
Don't worry about it teetering over the edge of your counter when you set it to high speeds — it may be pricey, but as someone who used to use one all the time in a bakery, I can confidently say nothing compares when it comes to sheer sturdiness. If you're serious about taking your pastry skills to new heights, I highly recommend having one of these in your arsenal. In addition to whisk and paddle attachments, it comes with a dough hook for all of you bread lovers out there (I used it for kneading the dough for the cinnamon rolls pictured above!), as well as a pouring shield, which keeps flour from getting all over your counter (and you!).
Promising review: "This mixer will change your life! I went from making French macarons all by hand power to using this standing mixer and I feel like a new baker! This mixer will definitely transform your practice and baking game, everything has become 100% easier! I suggest cleaning each part (three attachments, guard, and bowl) with mild soap and warm water, then clean the bowl with a baking powder paste to remove the gray metal polish that is applied at the factory. I was amazed at how gray the paste turned once I started rubbing it in the bowl. Glad I didn't ruin my first batch of macaron shells. So far the only con is the price, but having the right tools make baking SO much more enjoyable and productive." —Mr. P
Get it from Amazon for $385.71+ (available in 18 colors).
21. Get every last drop of liquid gold out of your citrus with a 2-in-1 lemon and lime squeezer, because incorporating fresh juice into your cooking and baking will make your meals so much more delicious than using the bottled stuff. It's also faster than squeezing by hand and all but eliminates the chance of any stray seeds falling into your food!
It comes with a smaller compartment to fit limes and a larger one for lemons.
BuzzFeed Shopping's Heather Braga says: "My mom got one of these and continues to rave about it to me each time she uses it. I wasn't sure what all the hype was about until I watched how easily she was able to squeeze a slew of lemons for a recipe she was working on. Easy peasy lemon squeezy."
Promising review: "I was surprised at the heft of this juicer. It is a heavy duty, metal utensil. My only regret is that I have been squeezing lemons using a reamer for all these years when I could have been using this wonderful lemon/lime squeezer. It made juicing lemons fast and efficient. I couldn't believe how much more juice came out of a lemon when I used this squeezer. And don't even get me started on trying to squeeze enough key limes to have juice for a pie. Before this squeezer, I spent about 10 times longer and wasted so much elbow grease on those tiny limes! Those little limes were actually the reason I looked for something that would be more efficient — and this squeezer does the job beautifully." —A. Goodman
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven styles).
22. Take your steaks from tough to succulent by way of a stainless-steel meat tenderizer that'll break down the chewy connective tissues and fibers. It'll also puncture the meat with tiny holes that absorb marinades in as little as five minutes!
Promising review: "We LOVE this little gadget. Now that we have it, we wonder how we ever got along without it. Seriously! This makes tenderizing meats so easy, fast and CLEAN. Simply pressing the blades down into the meat is much cleaner than using a tenderizer mallet, which splatters meat and juice all over the place. Cleaning the tool itself is a breeze, too." —tuBgrateful
Another promising review: "I like to marinate for flavor, and this tool allows foods to absorb the marinade in minutes; you don't have to put the cuts in a bag overnight! Also, this really speeds up the cooking; if you like your steaks medium rare, knock a couple of minutes off the grilling time. I can't find anything I don't like about this product!" —Arthur Lilien
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes).
23. Give your salad dressings a big upgrade courtesy of Brightland's cold-pressed extra virgin olive oils and fruit-infused vinegars, because quality matters when you're enhancing uncooked ingredients, and one taste will make you wonder how you ever tolerated the generic stuff.
Yes, they're splurgier than that grocery store oil you're used to, but you'll taste the difference. Plus, those striking bottles will look fantastic on your counter. This set comes with Brightland's bestselling Awake and Alive olive oils as well as their champagne vinegar and balsamic vinegar, making it a great introduction to the brand.
Brightland is a WOC-owned small business that sources olives from a family-run farm in California.
Promising review: "I like to make my own salad dressings and marinades but lately, the flavor has been off and bitter-tasting. I decided to try Brightland's products after reading rave reviews. I am a convert. The oil and vinegars are smooth, bright, and not at all bitter. I have reordered three times now and am about to place another order. The products are not inexpensive but they are top quality. To me, it is worth the splurge for delicious ingredients that are used every week." —Deborah B.
Get an assortment of two oils and two vinegars from Brightland for $112 (originally $118).
24. Confidently roll your dough out to the correct thickness with an adjustable rolling pin that'll take all of the guess work out. It comes with four sizes of removable rings you screw on depending on how thin or thick you want your dough, and once the ring touches your work surface, you'll know you're done rolling!
It also comes with a nonstick baking mat, and there are measurement markings on the roller itself so you can easily gauge the length and width of your dough as well.
Promising review: "I have spent a lifetime avoiding recipes that need a rolling pin because I could never get the hang of them. Too heavy, or everything stuck to them, or never got the right thickness. But I wanted to make some doggie cookies and decided to give it another shot. I LOVE this one. The thickness guides are just what this amateur needs. A good weight, easy to roll, easy to clean. And the mat is perfect. It doesn’t slide, it has great guides, and it cleans up easily. A new world awaits!" —nzp
Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in three colors).
25. And avert a potential pastry crisis by placing a pie crust shield around the rim of your fruit-filled creation, which will keep the edges from getting too much color (aka burnt) while the interior finishes baking. Much easier than tenting with foil!
It adjusts to fit pies ranging from 8–11.4 inches and is BPA-free!
Promising review: "Can’t live without these. You spend so much time preparing everything to make the perfect pie and then you notice that the crust is getting burnt. Argh. So you grab the aluminum foil and try not to burn your hands as you gingerly place it on the pie. This product is a game changer. It fastens into place to accommodate even little pot pies. You can put it on at the start and take it off near the end to brown the crust. No more burnt crust, I love it. I stick it in the dishwasher and it’s ready for the next pie. Worth the smile you’ll have on your face when you take your masterpiece out of the oven." —Oleh Haluszka
Get a set of two from Amazon for $12.49+ (available in red or green).
26. Achieve perfectly medium rare meat (or whatever doneness you're going for) with the aid of a small but mighty Thermapen, because temperature is by far the most accurate cooking indicator. You'll be so thrilled when you realize, yes, you can grill a piece of steak without it turning into rubber!
While you might think $79 is a bit steep for a thermometer, just know it's the one the pros reach for when they want the most accurate temperature, stat. It doesn't have "Super-Fast" in its name for nothing! Plus, you'll probably save money in the long run, since you won't be throwing out pricey, overcooked ingredients!
Promising review: "This is the absolute best thermometer out there, I've had one for over a year now and use it nearly every weekend with great results. It's extremely fast, and always accurate and consistent. I had tried cheaper thermometers from retail stores and they were wildly inconsistent — probing the same spot would swing in a 30-degree difference! Once I got a Thermapen I threw all of those other thermometers away, there's just no comparison. Now that I have a fast and accurate way to check my temps, food off the grill or smoker is cooked to perfection. Well worth the money!" —Matt
Get it from Thermapen for $79 (available in six colors).
27. Impress your family with homemade tacos and chips made from fresh corn tortillas, thanks to an artisan-crafted wooden tortilla press that requires zero tedious rolling! Just be prepared when friends start showing up at your house on Taco Tuesdays.
Central Coast Woodworks is a small biz based in Orcutt, California, that makes tortilla presses you'll want to keep out on your counter at all times just so you can admire them. Keep in mind that the tortilla press is meant for making corn tortillas, not flour ones.
Promising review: "I’ve been watching the Mexican cooking class on MasterClass and after the lesson on tortillas, I knew I wanted to try to make my own. I’d read you can use two cutting boards, so I tried that first, and while it worked, it definitely wasn’t quick and easy. So I looked online to see what I could find. In the class, she uses a wooden press, so I knew what I wanted, but I did look at the cast-iron ones as well. The reviews on the cast-iron presses would have comments about the handle breaking off or other issues with the press, so I decided to look for something I’d enjoy using and that would look nice on my countertop. I knew I wanted this one as soon as I saw it, and the reviews just confirmed it. I could hardly wait during the week it took to receive my order, but it definitely was worth the wait. We’ve used this every day since receiving it and absolutely love the results. The tortillas come out perfect every time." —T. Bramhall
Get it from Central Coast Woodworks on Amazon Handmade for $89.99.
28. Effortlessly apply your frosting with the help of a cake turntable, which will let you spin the cake smoothly instead of manually jostling your cake stand around. This way, your icing will go on in a nice, even layer for a more polished appearance.
This set includes three decorating combs to provide a textured effect, a silicone spatula, an offset spatula, and a cake server.
Promising review: "This sexy little bakery tool ups your cake game. It’s amazingly easy to make cool frosting designs with this turntable and the included tools. The turntable spins so well I could probably throw a clay pot using this thing. I am in love with it. So glad I didn’t go with one of the plastic turntables. You’ll want to spin all of the buttercream off of your baking just because this stand is so fun to use. Sooo smooooth!" —MOB
Get it from Amazon for $35.99.
29. Throw a cast-iron smoker box filled with wood chips onto your grill to infuse your meats and seafood with delectable, rich flavor. It's much less maintenance than a full-size smoker, but you'll certainly notice the difference the next time you bite into a rib.
It works on pretty much any grill — just add your favorite wood chips, along with juices, water, or marinades, and let the grill do the rest!
Promising review: "Highly recommended! If you are looking to get a smoker and are hesitant to drop big bucks because you don't know how to use one, this is a great place to start! Easy to use and portable!" —Dawna
Another promising review: "Was intrigued by all the smoker grills but two BBQs is too much. Decided to try a smoker box on our Weber. This box is a solid build, and we’re surprised by how well it works. So far we’ve used pecan wood chips to cook/smoke chicken breasts, hot wings, turkey burgers, and cod. Results have been delicious!" —Andrew A.
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
30. And wrap anything and everything in everyone's favorite breakfast protein with the aid of some bacon holders that'll keep the strips from unraveling as soon as they hit the grill. Think of them as handy little meat thumbtacks that'll make the end result look like it was made by someone who knows their stuff.
DDR Fab is a small biz based in Bentonville, Arkansas, that was started by two Texans who love all things metal, bulldogs, and barbecue. They make everything from t-shirts and hats to metal decor and accessories.
Promising review: "If you grill, you need this product. I love them to keep my bacon on steak, hot dogs, and so on." —Daniel Ward
Get a set of eight from DDR Fab on Etsy for $24.99+ (available with or without personalization and with the option to add BBQ rubs).
31. Swap the instant stuff for restaurant-quality grains by letting a Zojirushi rice cooker do most of the work, because it's known as the best of the best for a reason. Reviewers say its consistency is unparalleled and setting a timer sure beats standing over a pot on the stove top!
This is considered by many to be the Rolls-Royce of rice cookers, hence its splurgier price tag, but once you see all of the different preparations it's capable of, you'll be a believer — think sushi rice, long grains, short grains, and even steel-cut oats. Plus, it'll keep your rice warm even after it's cooked!
Promising review: If you eat a lot of rice, a Zojirushi rice cooker is absolutely worth the cost. I thought my $10 standard rice cooker from Kohl’s did a pretty good job. That is, until I tasted the rice that the Zojirushi makes. Every grain of rice in the cooker is perfect and uniformly cooked throughout. No slightly overcooked rice on the bottom, no more undercooked or overcooked rice. I can set the timer before work and come home to perfect rice at night. This particular unit is small and meant for a two- or three-person family. I really had no idea how much better rice could be until I started using this thing. Beware, however: good rice takes time to cook. You’ll need to start your rice an hour or more before you need it to be ready. Some modes take a very long time, such as the GABA mode, which takes 3.5 hours. There is a 'quick' mode which cooks white rice in about a half an hour, but I don’t use that one because I want my rice to taste as good as possible. Overall I am very happy with the Zojirushi. The little songs it plays are fun. The manual is well written and easy to understand. The unit feels extremely high quality and well designed throughout." —CDandEB
Get it from Amazon for $169.49.
32. And try your hand at a sushi making kit so you can enjoy your favorite form of seafood right at home. It comes with a handy online guide, reviewers say it's a lot of fun, and once you get the hang of it, you'll be on a ~roll~. So impressive, too!
It comes with two rolling mats, a rice spreader, rice paddle, and five pairs of chopsticks, along with a downloadable recipe guide!
Promising review: "I got this kit on a whim, basically I just wanted to try to make sushi for the first time. For the price you can't really go wrong! The mats were great and the everything else included was helpful. It comes with an online guide which is nice, but you can also go online and find a ton of videos on how to roll sushi. I've made about four rolls over the course of two nights and am really satisfied. Making rolls is a breeze and fun! A great starter kit for anyone interested in trying this out." —J. Leaver
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
33. Trade your thick, plastic spatula for a bendy stainless-steel fish spatula you'll use for SO much more than seafood. Sure, it's thin and flexible enough to get under a piece of fish without tearing the skin, but you'll also want it for lifting freshly baked cookies from a sheet tray or flipping eggs and pancakes with ease. Look at you being all fancy with your perfectly intact yolks!
Promising review: "I'm a chef at a seafood restaurant — I have used many fish spatulas but this one has to be the best in quality, durability, and weight. It's light and the edge never damages the fish, perfect for heavy duty cooking." —Yolanda
Another promising review: "So good for so many applications! I can fry up eggs with confidence in any of my fry pans now, not just the nonstick one. This is good at getting the 'browned bits' up before/during deglazing. Also good at serving up fish fillets. I've had it a few weeks now, and it's already become my go-to kitchen flipper." —Maria
Get it from Amazon for $9.21.
34. Stop boiling your veggies into oblivion and give 'em a little spa treatment in a bamboo steamer, which will gently cook them until they're perfectly tender without being mushy. And once you've mastered things like broccoli, you can try your hand at homemade dumplings!
It couldn't be easier to use — simply place the steamer over a pan of water and heat to cook! It has two tiers so you can cook multiple items at once.
Promising review: "Fantastic steamer that does exactly what it says it does. My veggies are bright green, crisp, and nicely steamed in just a few minutes. I place the bamboo steamer in a 12-inch skillet with about 1/2 an inch of water in the bottom and within minutes I have perfect veggies." —Plainly Spoken
Get it from Amazon for $22.
35. Add an Oxo fat separator to your arsenal, because skimming the fat off of your stock with a spoon when you're making gravy gets preeetty tedious. With this absolute lifesaver, just pour your juices in and let it do the separating for you — then, when everyone comments on the smoothness and clarity of your broth, go ahead and take all the credit.
Plus, the lid doubles as a strainer to weed out all of those little unwanted bits while you pour your juices in!
Promising review: "I can't believe I spent so many years using a spoon trying to get the fat out of gravy and sauces. This separator took mere seconds to do the work!" —Marlo Casabar
Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in two sizes).
36. Overcome your fear of sous vide by enlisting the help of an Anova Culinary precision cooker that's much more foolproof than its fancy name implies. All you do is place your food in a sealed bag, submerge in a pot of water with the sous vide machine attached, and let it heat the water until it reaches your desired doneness.
Connect it to the Anova app to find the perfect cooking time and temperature for whatever you're making.
Promising review: "I love this device! I find it such a handy, convenient tool, primarily for cooking my steaks. Cooks accurately to my desired temperature and doneness, and there really is no appreciable cleanup. How cool is that? Cook to the temp you like, then finish by searing on a grill or in a cast iron skillet. Wish that I'd had one of these a long time ago!" —Tim
Get it from Amazon for $129+ (available in two models).
37. If frozen desserts are your jam, get churning with a mostly hands-off Cuisinart ice cream maker, which will likely become your favorite kitchen appliance once you realize how easy it is to make everything from fro-yo to sorbet. Toss in whatever mix-ins you like and you'll have a sweet treat on your table in as little as 20 minutes!
It includes a replacement lid, 2-quart double insulated freezer bowl, paddle, and a recipe book.
Promising review: "Got one for me, for my sister, and my parents, and we all love it! It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and best of all it makes some amazing ice cream. For best results on the consistency of your ice cream I recommend not filling it to full capacity. I always go 1.75 quarts, since some ingredients make the ice cream expand and spill over the edge. I also freeze the container a day prior to using it. I wouldn’t attempt to make more than one batch in one day, the container needs to be as cold as possible." —Beatriz
Get it from Amazon for $80.40+ (available in chrome or red).
38. And finally, wrap a cute reusable bowl cover over your prized sourdough loaves as they proof so they don't dry out. It's much more eco-friendly than plastic wrap, won't cling onto the dough, and can be cleaned in the washing machine!
It also makes a great reusable cover for leftovers!
Stacy's Kitchen is a San Francisco-based small business that makes handmade kitchen linens with a focus on sustainability.
Promising review: "They have been working great for proofing my bread. Much cuter than plastic wrap. They are finished off nicely on the seams so you don't need to be concerned about any fraying. Would buy again." —Leanne Revier
Get it from Stacy's Kitchen on Etsy for $17.12+ (available in six sizes and four patterns, as well as a set of three — you can also request a custom size!).
Don't worry, he's talking about your expertly rolled sushi!
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.