The first pieces of writing of the year are always about predictions, resolutions, hot trends, and diets. I'll be honest: writing about what's hip in food for a particular year is usually an unpleasant and forced activity for me. This year, I actually came up with something to say in an organic way. It's not a prediction; it's just something to think about.

Elbow grease.

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January is the perfect time for a kitchen tune-up. A new year has dawned, and with it the possibility of new cooking adventures. If tackling your kitchen seems overwhelming, start with one (or all) of these eight tips for a neater, cleaner, and more organized kitchen. More

The momentum of the new year has me inspired to do a clean sweep in my kitchen, so I can start 2013 with a pantry, fridge and freezer full of fresh and inspiring ingredients. Unfortunately, I don't have a full day to tackle this project, so I'm breaking it down into steps that can be completed in 20 minutes or less per day for five days. Want to join me? Start today and by Monday morning your kitchen will be cleaned out and ready for a new year of cooking. More

Q: We recently received this 1920's Hotpoint toaster as a gift, in "as-found condition." It has a bit of a grimy, greasy coating on the outside and may have been stored in a garage or barn. What is the best way to clean this vintage toaster so it can be used again for making toast? More

The end of December is the perfect time to take a long look around your kitchen and decide how you can make it a cleaner, better-organized, happier place to cook in the year ahead. To give you a little help, here are the best cleaning and kitchen organization tips we shared in 2012, including the proper way to use your refrigerator's humidity drawers, a smart way to store olive oil, a surprising use for address books, and the "one soapy sponge" trick to motivate even those who hate washing dishes to tackle the dreaded task. More

I'm doing a little project over the next few weeks: exploring the biggest problems (and solutions if you've got them) in the various rooms of our homes - starting with The Kitchen.

When it comes to all the things you do in using and keeping up your kitchen, what are the biggest problems that really bug you?? Yes, I'm talking about everything from cooking to storing things to washing and drying dishes.... you name it. I'm even interested in big LITTLE niggling problems as well as problems with your kitchen around healthy eating and mealtime issues. Here are some of the problems that irritate me: More

Whether you're looking for the best refrigerator for a small kitchen or the proper way to clean wood cutting boards, our readers are always ready with helpful advice for finding the tools and equipment worth buying, and instructions for keeping them in good shape for years to come. From cheaper alternatives to All-Clad cookware to the best methods for keeping a cast iron skillet seasoned, here are 18 products readers were shopping for this year, plus 7 ways to keep your kitchen equipment clean and well-maintained. More

Q: My roommate recently used my aluminum baking sheet and instead of cleaning it with soap, he let oven cleaner sit on it for about an hour to break down the grease. Now the finish on my pan is dull and splotchy and I'm not sure if it's safe to use anymore. Did he ruin my baking sheet? More

Q: I spilled turmeric on my kitchen counter. What's the best way to get the color out?

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After a long cookie baking session, you might be tempted to throw the cutters in the sink and deal with them later. But trust us, you and your cookie cutters will be happier if you wash them promptly (or at least keep them dry until you do) and then ... pop them in the oven! More