The Best Kitchen Equipment
A smart cook needs a super sidekick so we called in the latest, most innovative tools and challenged them to help us in our kitchens. The result: 18 heroes that give you new ways to save time, money and occasionally your dinnertime sanity!
Cuisinart Combo Steam and Convection Oven
Toaster, convection oven, steamer -- unite! Only slightly larger than your average toaster oven, this countertop pioneer steams, bakes and broils, turning out tender steamed fish, flaky pastries and crispy-skinned roast chicken.
Garlic Twist
Thwart smelly fingers and save yourself tons of time. This chopper cuts up several garlic cloves -- and shallots, ginger and chile peppers too. Just keep turning for your desired size of dice.
Purefizz
This 25-ounce steel bottle carbonates water, juices and cocktails, no bulky machine required. Close the airtight lid, pop in a tiny CO2 cartridge and add as much fizz as you want by shaking the canister.
Zest 'N Press
Loads of recipes, from chicken piccata to key lime pie, call for fresh-squeezed juice and zest. Get both in a citrus press with a built-in zester and catch-all bowl.
CDN Proaccurate Ovenproof Thermometer-Glow
This instant-read thermometer has a large glow-in-the-dark face so you can grill that steak or rack of lamb to the degree-perfect medium-rare, even after the sun goes down.
Pull'n Slice Mandoline
Unlike a traditional mandoline, where you run your fruits and veggies over the blade, this tool holds your ingredient in place and cuts by sliding the blade back and forth. So even when you're down to the tiny base of a tomato, your hands are hidden behind the finger guard.
Corner Spoon
Why didn't someone think of this before? This sturdy wooden spoon's squared-off corner gets into your pan's edges, so you can scrape up every delicious bit.
Magnetic Spot Scrubber
This tiny but strong scrubber leaves no stain behind on your narrow-necked vases, pitchers and decanters. Fill the dirty vessel with soapy water, drop in the silicone pad, then, with the magnetic holder on the outside, attract and guide the pad to rub out stains.
Clean Flip BBQ Tray
Grillers will flip for this two-in-one melamine tray. Prep raw meat on one side, then turn the tray insert over (the juices collect at the base) to safely serve cooked food.
iSi Basics Flex-It Measuring Spoons
Defending your counter from spills, these magnetic measuring spoons lie flat so pouring liquids, and resting full spoons, is easier and cleaner than ever. Halving recipes is a cinch, too, because each spoon has a clearly marked half-measure line -- no more guessing!
Keurig Rivo Cappuccino & Latte System
Some like it hot, some like it not. Keurig's cold-brew wonder makes rich, creamy single-serve lattes and cappuccinos, and iced versions of both. The easy-to-read buttons make it impossible to brew a bad cup.
The Perfect Peeler
The knob on this razor-like peeler angles the blade up to 45 degrees, so you can go from apples to cucumbers to potatoes without having to change your comfortable grip.
Blendtec Designer Series Blender
Blendtec's superstrength impressed the toughest critics in our test kitchen: It pureed garlic, made flour from wheat berries and doubled as a soft-serve ice cream maker!
Slush and Shake
Keep Slush and Shake's core cup in the freezer. Then, for a cold treat, pour in juice or flavored milk, give it a few stirs and -- voilaà -- a delicious shake or slushie in minutes.
Danny Seo Smashula
Able to press grilled cheese sandwiches and flip burgers with a single tool! Its bent-steel shape maneuvers into hard-to-reach spots better than mere mortal spatulas.
Cutting Board with Knife Sharpener
It's a cutting board...it's a knife sharpener...it's both! If you find yourself with a dull knife, just turn this bamboo board on its side: The built- in sharpener will give your blade a fresh edge.
CoverBlubber
Extend the life of your leftovers! These sticky rubber caps stretch to great lengths to cover bowls, plates and fruit with an airtight seal. A cap even kept a tester's cut apple from browning over the weekend.
E-Filters
Just one refillable super-pod will last you through 20 morning cups of joe and replace your need for mountains of K-Cup boxes.
Tried and True
Our test kitchen's staff uses Rach's pots, pans, dishes and kitchen accessories every day to cook the recipes in this magazine. And we have three must-haves, starting with Rach's oil and vinegar set. These bottles are fun and functional: The thin spouts are great for drizzling, and they even come with a funnel for easy filling.
Porcelain Enamel Skillet
The nonstick surface heats up quickly for a good pan sear -- plus, it's a cinch to clean.
Bubble & Browns
We love pans that can go straight from the oven to the table and still look pretty, like these stoneware pieces.
