The Kitchn Archive: Apr 2019

If you’re a renter, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that you get what you get and you don’t get upset — meaning, there’s not much you can do to customize or amend the design of your unit. Well, if you’re Heather Knight-Willcock, you get creative and hack your way to a “built-in” dining nook.

For all the talk around wood versus plastic, there’s very little talk about the SIZE of cutting boards. And this is one case where size really does matter. One of the biggest knife-related mistakes we see time and time again? People opting for cutting boards that are too small. A too-small cutting board is not only awkward to use, but it can also be unsafe! We’ve all done it before: You’ve pulled out a little guy, thinking you just have to mince some garlic.

Sur La Table’s President’s Day sale is live, and while that means discounts on everything from blenders to sheet pans, one thing caught our eye: Le Creuset is up to 45 percent off, including items in one of their newest colors, Sea Salt. We wrote about the new color launch back in January, and Sea Salt just happened to be our favorite of the latest additions.

Illustrator, designer, and creative director Sara Blake is all about the custom touch. “If you are going to be in a space long enough, even if you are a renter, I’ve gotten a lot of value out of custom-built furniture to fit and function the way I need,” Sara says in her House Tour from Apartment Therapy.

We are currently living in an era marked by increasingly ridiculous efforts to make even the most minute tasks super easy, like that gadget that can only slice your banana into smaller pieces. That’s why when I saw this pump that attached to the top of your peanut jar – I thought that it was totally unnecessary and laughed it off.

Presidents’ Day is one of those holidays that manages to pass by without much fanfare. It’s not a day that you’re necessarily going to have off from work or school, so it might even be a source of mild resentment. But there is something to be glad about, even if you are working: It’s our last major shopping holiday until Memorial Day, when retailers again drop their prices in honor of the long weekend.

We feel pretty strongly about vacuums here at Kitchn, and definitely aren’t immune to the allure of the Dyson. There’s something almost magical about them: They’re high-quality, design-forward, and very expensive. Hence, we always keep an eye out for ways to get these status-symbol products for less. While sites like Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond have frequent sales and tout lower prices, there’s another one that you might not be thinking of: eBay.

If you watch Antiques Roadshow, you know the most unassuming things can be worth tons of money. Recently, the highest valuation ever for an antique brought in was a set of teacups from China, carried unceremoniously in Tupperware containers. While the man who owns them was in line, he said that the person who took his ticket looked at the containers and said, “Don’t think Tupperware is bringing much these days.

When I first heard buzz about the Instant Pot I figured it was not unlike the quesadilla maker; just another unnecessary kitchen gadget invented to get people excited about cooking that would eventually end up in the summer yard sale. It wasn’t for those of us who actually like to cook, those of us who get “ooohs” and “aaahs” as we place a meal on the table.

If you remember, back in September we announced KitchenAid’s special Misty Blue stand mixer in honor of the brand’s 100th birthday. (For a refresher, see: We Got An Early Sneak Peek of KitchenAid’s Prettiest Mixer Yet.) The pale blue color was meant to feel vintage-y and pay homage to the past. Well, now the brand just announced a new limited-edition color that’s meant to look forward to the next 100 years. Any guesses to what it might be? It’s … Red!

Would it surprise you to know that there’s a storage container with a very passionate fan base? Well, if you’ve been ignoring our pleas to ditch your wimpy plastic storage containers for the greener and arguably more versatile glass variety, Amazon is currently offering a great deal on five large premium glass containers. And based on the reviews, people really love them.

If you’ve ever missed out on a Vitamix sale and later regretted it, today you can redeem yourself. Amazon’s Deal of the Day features two full-sized Vitamix models, including one for nearly half off. Deal of the Day quantities are often limited, and come midnight PST, the sale will be over. So, really, what are you waiting for? We doubt you’ll ever see a Vitamix for $150 again.

I just celebrated my one-year anniversary — with my Instant Pot. I started slow, just making hard-boiled eggs (so easy to peel!), and now I no longer use the stovetop for spaghetti. Despite being late to the pressure-cooking party, the Instant Pot has become the workhorse of my kitchen. And recently, despite having a full day of work and activities already planned, a post on the Instant Pot Community Facebook page sent me straight to Costco. Can you guess what they sent me there for?

It might not feel like it, but spring is indeed just around the corner — and new collections are starting to roll in. Target’s Hearth & Hand with Magnolia brand is a reliable source for simply designed (but always pretty) farmhouse-friendly decor, and their latest collection doesn’t disappoint. While there are offerings for every space, the most standout items can be found in their kitchen goods such as flatware and linens.

Instant Pots make a huge difference in the cooking life of many Americans, with the super-speedy pressure-cooking options and the one-pot abilities to brown and cook stews. Whole genres of cooking and food blogging have been devoted to the multi-cooker in the years since the kitchen appliance arrived on American shores. But now, reports Gear Patrol, a kitchen appliance company called Gourmia is offering a competitor that one-ups the famous pot, called the CoolCooker MultiCooker.

If you live in a tiny home, you’re faced with living a full life with less space — and less stuff. This makes going to Target a difficult task for tiny homeowners, because, well, they’re just as tempted by all the cute, quirky, and cool things in the aisles as you are (the Target effect is real, y’all!) But it also means that these residents are experts at cutting through the clutter to find the best problem-solving products while shopping.

Amazon has a lot of flash sales on big-ticket items like Vitamix blenders and Instant Pots, but sometimes it can be nice to take advantage of big sales on smaller things, too. If your kitchen tool arsenal needs an upgrade, today is your day. Until midnight P.T., Amazon is offering as much as 41 percent off a variety of smart, useful tools. They include both everyday essentials as well as more niche finds that will nevertheless make your life a whole lot easier.

We were already fans of DASH’s retro design and colorful range of kitchen products, but now we have another reason to shop: A few of their space-saving appliances are on sale right now on Amazon. We try not to promote anything that might be considered a one-trick pony, so your creativity is the only thing limiting you when it comes to what you make in any of these gadgets. If you need some inspiration, though, each of them comes with a convenient recipe guide.