What a great list. We share a lot of similar opinions, but there are some that I can't justify right now in my NYC apartment haha. That's a cool baking steel! Do you keep your baking steel in the oven all of the time or take it out when you're not using it? Also, do you use it on the stovetop?
Thanks, Leslie! :) I fondly remember those city space constraints and hiding appliances in strange places throughout our small apartment!
The baking steel is awesome! I store it with my cookie sheets, cooling racks and sheet pans in a special cabinet, but you could absolutely leave it on the bottom shelf of your oven when not using it (and just make sure to periodically clean/treat it as you would a cast iron pan). I’ve never tried it on the stove before, but I would imagine it acts a lot like a griddle in that capacity. The only hazard is since it’s sideless, you’d probably have some run-off challenges to contend with.
Yes, to almost all! I realized some years ago that the inexpensive plastic mandoline was a staple in most professional kitchens! It's a workhorse and it lasts. Best tip: always use the slider for protection!! I do have a steel glove that Chef insisted we acquire many moons ago in a different chapter of my life. It's super-cool, too, and it washes. Not for most kitchens!
Yes, I almost always use my slider on the mandoline for extra protection, although agree that a steel glove would be nice too, especially for bulk slicing! :)
Oh my goodness YES to all of this! Although I don’t have a baking steel. Did you see that Thermoworks is coming out with a new and improved instant read thermometer AND a new scale that apparently is hyper precise? Putting the scale on my wish list.
And why haven’t i bought a handheld mandoline before now? I do use my heavy duty one (just made a big batch of pickles with it), but I love this idea.
Thank you, Elizabeth! :) I didn’t see that Thermoworks was coming out with a scale, but I’m in the market for a new one probably soon, so I will have to check it out!
long live all of those!!! what a stellar list. I may be down to a good knife and immersion blender these days, though I value them so!!!!! more than ever!!! : )
Great article on must haves for the kitchen. We have a Mizen chef's knife I absolutely love. And can vouch for the Kitchen-Aid Immersion blender. The other one we use regularly is a masher. Bought the one linked and don't let the small size fool you. It's well made and a great addition to any kitchen.
Thanks, Steve! I love that potato masher—it looks like it would be much easier to use and clean than the more standard one I own. Appreciate the recommendation!! :)
It is lots easier to clean! I actually bought a bigger one at the same time but this one does the job even with a big pot of potatoes to mash. I never even use the bigger one.
All excellent choices! :) I debated whether to include stand mixer in my top 8, because (with its dough hook), it has fully upped my bread game. And, of course, for making batters and doughs and whipping cream, it’s considerably less effort than a handheld mixer!
Peelers are great for ribbons! Besides cucumbers, I use my mandoline for thinly slicing onions, beets, zucchini, potatoes, and even for fruits like apple. I love it (if you can’t tell)!. :)
A baking steel is new to me! I loved this post!
Thanks, Stephanie! ☺️ I love my baking steel—totally changed my pizza (and bread) game!
What a great list. We share a lot of similar opinions, but there are some that I can't justify right now in my NYC apartment haha. That's a cool baking steel! Do you keep your baking steel in the oven all of the time or take it out when you're not using it? Also, do you use it on the stovetop?
Thanks, Leslie! :) I fondly remember those city space constraints and hiding appliances in strange places throughout our small apartment!
The baking steel is awesome! I store it with my cookie sheets, cooling racks and sheet pans in a special cabinet, but you could absolutely leave it on the bottom shelf of your oven when not using it (and just make sure to periodically clean/treat it as you would a cast iron pan). I’ve never tried it on the stove before, but I would imagine it acts a lot like a griddle in that capacity. The only hazard is since it’s sideless, you’d probably have some run-off challenges to contend with.
Yes, to almost all! I realized some years ago that the inexpensive plastic mandoline was a staple in most professional kitchens! It's a workhorse and it lasts. Best tip: always use the slider for protection!! I do have a steel glove that Chef insisted we acquire many moons ago in a different chapter of my life. It's super-cool, too, and it washes. Not for most kitchens!
The chef's knife is a slam dunk!
Yes, I almost always use my slider on the mandoline for extra protection, although agree that a steel glove would be nice too, especially for bulk slicing! :)
Oh my goodness YES to all of this! Although I don’t have a baking steel. Did you see that Thermoworks is coming out with a new and improved instant read thermometer AND a new scale that apparently is hyper precise? Putting the scale on my wish list.
And why haven’t i bought a handheld mandoline before now? I do use my heavy duty one (just made a big batch of pickles with it), but I love this idea.
Great list Kerry! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you, Elizabeth! :) I didn’t see that Thermoworks was coming out with a scale, but I’m in the market for a new one probably soon, so I will have to check it out!
long live all of those!!! what a stellar list. I may be down to a good knife and immersion blender these days, though I value them so!!!!! more than ever!!! : )
Thanks, Jess! ☺️ they’ve all impacted my kitchen life fo the better- and in such different ways!
Great list, Kerry! I don’t have a probe thermometer yet but probably should get one. And I don’t have a food processor, lol. I need to up my game!
I love and use them all so much. Game changers!
I’ve got 5 out of 10. Hoping if I get the rest, I’ll be as phenomenal a cook as you!
Aw, thanks Amie! ☺️ 5 out of 10 is a great start!!
Such a useful article Kerry. A baking steel is new to me as well. That one earned my vote for the "best hint of the day" award"!
Thanks, Anne! And yay! If you like to make pizza, the steel is an essential for great results.
I have almost everything on this list except the various sizes of scoops. Clearly something to add to the holiday wish list.
A great gift idea! ☺️
super selection…I have a low tech thermometer. That one looks great
I use mine all the time- it’s been so reliable!
A friend introduced me to the digital thermometer last year - life changing in the kitchen. So fast and accurate. I also use it to test hot water.
Yes, the hot water testing is a big one!
The ThermoPop, also from ThermoWorks, is a wonderful, budget-friendly option!
Ooh, yes, that’s a great option as well! Thanks!
Agreed with the ice cream scopps, excellent for bread, biscuits etc.
I use them for everything I possibly can! Any others you’d have on your list that I didn’t mention? :)
It’s such a simple idea. The first time I ever used it was when I was making a big batch of dumplings and needed them to all be equal.
So simple—and excellent for dumplings!
Great article on must haves for the kitchen. We have a Mizen chef's knife I absolutely love. And can vouch for the Kitchen-Aid Immersion blender. The other one we use regularly is a masher. Bought the one linked and don't let the small size fool you. It's well made and a great addition to any kitchen.
https://a.co/d/096Kh7cW
Thanks, Steve! I love that potato masher—it looks like it would be much easier to use and clean than the more standard one I own. Appreciate the recommendation!! :)
It is lots easier to clean! I actually bought a bigger one at the same time but this one does the job even with a big pot of potatoes to mash. I never even use the bigger one.
Excited to try it!
My stand mixer, Dutch oven, and digital kitchen scale. I use all three every single week 🫶🏻
All excellent choices! :) I debated whether to include stand mixer in my top 8, because (with its dough hook), it has fully upped my bread game. And, of course, for making batters and doughs and whipping cream, it’s considerably less effort than a handheld mixer!
Superb list Kerry. I still don’t have a mandoline, I waffle back and forth. Perhaps now I should!
Thanks, Sheryl! I use mine a ton, and my cucumber salads have never looked better! 😊
I was actually thinking about cucumber. Last time I was using my peeler for ribbons!
Peelers are great for ribbons! Besides cucumbers, I use my mandoline for thinly slicing onions, beets, zucchini, potatoes, and even for fruits like apple. I love it (if you can’t tell)!. :)
I actually think you have pushed the needle for me. I will get one similar to yours.
Now the daunting part is going to the local (glorious) kitchen store and ONLY getting a mandolin.
Ha, good luck (so nice to have a glorious kitchen store close by!), and excited to hear what you think! 😊
go for it! It is so simple, easy to wash off, and useful for so many items. Being able to change the thickness really helps.
I rely heavily on every single one of these tools! Also, I got a probe thermometer (two actually), and it's fantastic!
Oh yay! That probe thermometer single-handedly upped my Thanksgiving turkey game!