Q: I have been searching for a plastic-free electric kettle. There are plenty of glass and metal ones, but most have plastic spouts or silicone inside that come in contact with the water. Even if it's BPA-free, I'd like to avoid plastic so any not-yet-discovered toxins are not leaching into my tea and coffee.

Sent by Juliana

A panini press may be a convenient gadget for grilling a hot, cheesy sandwich (or countless other foods) but it can also be a pain to clean. That's where this one simple, natural ingredient comes in. More

Certainly you don't need a panini press to make grilled sandwiches, but if you happen to have one of these appliances, it can do much more than the name implies. A multitasking panini maker can be used to cook all sorts of foods quickly, creatively, and often healthfully. More

Q: My experience with tea kettles has not been the best. One of my tea kettles started rusting and chipping paint into the water and the handle of the other kettle broke. I would love some advice from other readers about what tea kettles work and last a long time. More

I have always scorned the over-the-range microwave. "Never!" I would say, holding out for a kitchen with a beautiful range and equally stunning range hood overhead. Now, cut to the reality of my old, prewar house's tiny kitchen: 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

Q: We recently lost our cheap, Craigslist-purchased microwave when a bag of popcorn went up in flames. Does anyone have suggestions for budget-friendly, powerful microwave to replace it? Thanks!

Sent by Arielle More

This past year we really took to heart the plight of the newbie cook: how do I set up my kitchen? What are the essential tools, appliances, and cookware to have at the ready? To help with this, we put together our own guides to cookware, bakeware, tools, and all the essential non-food products one needs to start off successfully in the kitchen, which we've included here. Rounding out this list is a post on great chef's knives, the best multi-tasking tool every kitchen should have (but especially small ones), and why it's worth it to splurge on one particular cooking thermometer. More

Oven space is always at a premium in the hours (and even the days) leading up to a big dinner like Thanksgiving. So here's a crazy idea: why not make make your dinner rolls in the slow cooker? More

New parents always appreciate the gift of homemade meals, but here's an idea for a gift that keeps on giving: a collection of your best slow cooker recipes and a new slow cooker, if you know your friends don't have one. More