After months of imagining all the kitchen possibilities for the iPad, one of the first things we did when our household received its new tablet was head straight for the Epicurious app. Cue the heavenly choirs! To be sure, the iPad is not a necessity, but we must admit we're pretty smitten. More

Q: I've always used a hand mixer to make my mashed potatoes, but I hate dragging the thing out to make them just for myself.

I've never used a potato masher — I know OXO has two different types, a Z type one and a grid type — nor a potato ricer. I am just curious what makes the quickest work of the mashing and the easiest to clean.

Sent by Cara Jo More

It was quite a kick to learn this week that we had been nominated for one of Saveur Magazine's Best Food Blog awards. Seems they like our coverage of kitchen gear (thank you, Saveur!) so I thought I might pull out some of those categories from the blog so you can see for yourself how we have you covered in the gear department. More

We've seen several cool new products around the internet this week. We're doing our best to thin out our unnecessary kitchen paraphernalia, but we might apply the one-out-one-in rule so we can bring one of these new products in! Some of them look so darn practical! More

Celebrity chefs offering up their expertise for chain retailers is nothing new. Getting people to purchase their products has a lot to do with people actually liking them. We happen to really enjoy Giada De Laurentiis, so it was a no brainer that we would be purchasing when we stepped in Target last week. More

Say hello to our favorite new kitchen tool! Seriously! We were skeptical when a friend first gave us a set of these microwave cooking covers, but they have quickly gone into daily use in our kitchen. Ironically, the place we most use them is not in the microwave. More

Recent events in our life have put a few things in perspective. Material possessions are not all that they are cracked up to be — but while we're able to have them, we might as well make the best! Everyone has a favorite item in their kitchen, or, an item they've been yearning to purchase for quite some time. More

At first glance, the idea of tongs dedicated to toaster use seems about as vital as having a separate set of spoons for caviar. But if, like me, (a) you have a partner who loves crumpets, and (b) said partner has a habit of fishing in the toaster for said crumpets with a fork, and (c) you really like your partner, this little wooden gadget starts to sound a lot more valuable. More

Q: Is there a difference between a waffle iron and a waffle maker?

I've been wondering about this for some time and I just came across the waffle recipe in one of the best of 2009 articles. Is one stronger than the other (their names make it sound like it)? Will you get the same result?

I have a waffle maker I think, but if the iron will make something even better, I may consider investing in one later on.

Sent by Debbie More

I have at least four timers in my kitchen (not counting my iPhone). I use them all constantly, especially when I am making a full meal and cooking multiple things at once. Each of my timers has at least one thing it does well; I especially love my timer from Muji. The new kid on the block, though, is this digital timer from Pyrex, and it is edging out the others with its functionality. Here's why. More