Brittany Burke

Ah, pizza. The universal language. It’s an easy, fast, and unanimously beloved way to end the day. While you can get a hot, fresh pie delivered to your door with a few taps on your phone, it can be even more fun (not to mention delicious) to make it at home. And before you say that it never turns out as well as one that you order from your favorite pizza place, we can help with that! We asked some experts for their must-haves for the best at-home pizza experience.

You might think your friends know a lot about you — or even that you’re pretty self aware, but the true test of finding out more about yourself lies in your favorite fried side: the french fry. Read on for what your pick says about you. You’re the life of every party (obviously). Always the first one to get the dance floor going and the last one to want to head home, you believe that everything in life should be fun, first and foremost.

A few weeks ago, we spent some time talking to Ted Lindeman, a professor in the biology and biochemistry department at Colorado College. We originally wanted to know which packing material he preferred for bagged lunches: plastic zip-top bags, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap. (He picked the bags as long as we all promised to use each bag at least five times before tossing them — and that when washing them between uses, we use just a little bit of not-too-hot water.

Studies from the last few years have reported that more than 90 percent of Americans have BPA in their systems. It’s hard to avoid: We get most of it by eating food that has been in containers made with BPA. It’s also apparently possible to pick up BPA through air, dust, and water. Don’t panic. Instead, take a minute to educate yourself about BPA, the dangers of it, and what you can do to protect yourself.

If you’re on this site, chances are that you love grocery shopping. It’s probably not a chore for you, right? No matter how much you enjoy it, though, you don’t always have hours and hours to spend, slowly moseying up and down each and every aisle. Because, well, life. That’s why we asked some brilliant time-management experts for their best tips to help us all get in and out of the grocery store quickly.

Ziploc bags are a modern miracle. It’s hard to imagine life without them (or the fact that when they were first introduced to the market, people didn’t know how to use them). But do you ever feel, you know, a tiny bit guilty about how many you go through? Do you ever stare at the empty box and think, Didn’t I just buy these on Sunday? Well, there is one way to try to use a little less, and reuse a little more — it’s something your grandma might’ve done.

The best part of any camping trip (or even a backyard fire-pit gathering) is obviously the time you spend with your friends and family. The second-best thing? The s’mores, hands down. If you’re one to really rough it, chances are you’ve roasted your fair share of marshmallows on random sticks you’ve collected in the woods. While any specks of dirt and bark just add to the rustic experience, it’s hard not to wonder if what you’re doing is actually okay.

Have you ever opened up your freezer to find that your once red beef is looking a little brown? Or taken a pint of ice cream out only to discover the top is covered in ice crystals? Freezer burn happens to the best of us. Here’s what you should know. When you see that your red meat has taken on a dull brown shade, or your chicken has gone a bit pale, it’s easy to worry it’s gone bad — but it’s totally safe to eat!

Picture this: You’re doing your weekly grocery shop and there’s a great deal on a family pack of chicken thighs. And now that you’re looking in the meat section, you were thinking maybe you’d have a cookout this weekend and the ground beef is on sale. And you might as well stock up on buns because, well, it’s still summer-ish and you need buns. Somehow you walk out of the store with more than enough to feed you, your family, and then some.

Imagine your perfect summer day: You sleep in late, make your way to the beach (or lake, or pool), and spend the rest of the afternoon alternating between napping in the sun, eating hot dogs, and taking a dip. Outside of remembering to re-slather yourself with sunscreen, there’s not a lot you have to worry about — except for that whole old adage about waiting 30 minutes to swim after you scarf down your lunch or have an ice cream cone. What’s the deal with this theory, anyway?

There’s no denying that there’s something satisfyingly primal about the idea of cooking over an open fire pit. It makes feels like you could totally hold your own as an extreme camper or on a season of Survivor. Of course, you can cook over an open flame even if you’re not living in the wild or competing for a cash prize. If you’re heading out on a brief camping trip or adding a fire pit to your yard, here are some best practices to keep in mind.

Some things just get better with age — a good bottle of red wine, a leather handbag, and that Chevy that your dad used to drive with such pride. When you’re buying kitchen appliances, the general wisdom seems to be that newer is better, right? Not always. Sure, there can be some “Can you believe it does this?” features in the newer models, but there’s one appliance that can be just as functional if you buy it vintage.

It’s hot outside, but it should be (very) cool inside your refrigerator. To keep it that way — even as the mercury rises and rises — follow these simple tips. They’ll do wonders for your energy bill, help keep your food from spoiling, and just keep your fridge running nice and cold. No, we’re not telling you to wipe down the shelves (although that’s never a bad idea).

So it’s about a zillion degrees out — but you still have to eat! And to do that, you usually have to spend some time in the kitchen (although takeout does sound good). For the days you’re definitely going to be cooking at home, here are our best tips for keeping your kitchen from overheating. File this one under “well, duh.” If you really want to keep things cool in your kitchen, your best bet will be to cook, er, prepare things that don’t use your oven.

Nonstick pans have long been a controversial part of any kitchen arsenal. There are the Serious Chefs, who think that everything and anything you cook could benefit from the seared and crispy goodness that comes from a stainless steel pan and a bit of fat. Then there are the home cooks who prefer to avoid any potential for toxicity where possible, and fear the particles or fumes that can emanate from a nonstick skillet.

Even the most experienced home cook can feel intimidated by the idea of grilling. Maybe it’s the varying temperatures, the rules, or the tons of gadgets and accessories that can feel necessary for success. But don’t let all of that deter you. “I always say that grilling is 90 percent the will, and 10 percent the skill,” says Elizabeth Karmel, the founder of Girls at the Grill.

Here’s the thing about a charcoal grill: It inspires profound loyalty. Chances are that if you are #teamcharcoal, you’re #teamcharcoal all the way. Maybe it’s the fact that it requires a certain amount of patience and strategy to get that Goldilocks char and tenderness, or perhaps it’s that it feels like a true hobby you can spend a Saturday afternoon practicing and perfecting.

Ah, sweet summertime. The days are long, the weather is warm, and dinner can be cooked on a grill, without a single pan to clean. What’s not to love? Unless, of course, you’re grill-less! The very first question to ask yourself before you get into things like BTUs and whether you want natural gas or propane is How much are you willing to spend? Compared to their charcoal counterparts, gas grills tend to be on the pricier side.

The battle of charcoal versus gas grills is one for the ages — and the grilling enthusiasts in your life are sure to have strong opinions. But if you’re considering buying a grill for the first time or, perhaps thinking about making the switch from #teamgas to #teamcharcoal (or vice versa), what are the key factors you should consider? We’ve laid it all out here. There are a few reasons to opt for a charcoal grill, not least of which is cost.

When it’s time to buy a new fridge, it can feel like there are about a thousand options — single door, French doors, freezer on the top, freezer on the bottom, stainless steel or not. The list goes on, but luckily we’re here to break it all down for you, including one more feature you probably didn’t even know existed before you started your refrigerator research. Here’s the question: Should you get a counter-depth or a standard-depth fridge?

Life's full of choices. Here, we help you break it down.

If you’re considering a new refrigerator, chances are the first things you’ll consider are price and size. These are critical! But, as you’ll find out once you start to do some research, there are many (many) more factors to take into consideration. One of those is freezer placement. No, it’s not sexy, but it is a question you should ask yourself: Do you want a freezer on the top or a freezer on the bottom? There are advantages (and disadvantages) to both.

There are a few luxuries that can make your kitchen instantly seem like it belongs in a Michelin-star chef’s home: a gorgeous range, plenty of counter space, and a seriously impressive refrigerator. When it comes to the latter, how do you decide whether you should get a built-in or if a freestanding fridge will do? The cost will play a huge role in helping you decide. Other key factors? Aesthetics and how much space you have, for sure.

The oven is the workhorse of the kitchen. It’s the thing that bakes the cookies for your kid’s school functions, warms the soup when you’re sick, and helps you get that casserole on the table in a pinch. If you’re in the market for a new one, you don’t want to make the wrong decision! There are tons of factors to take into consideration (Do you want gas or electric? Do you want a wall oven, a slide-in, or something else? Do you want stainless steel?

If you haven’t been dishwasher shopping in a while (or ever), know this: Dishwashers have gotten pretty fancy! Like, really fancy. Not only do they clean your dishes, but many now also come with built-in sensors to determine how soiled your dishes happen to be. They also have all sorts of settings and rack configurations (silverware caddies verses drawers or adjustable tines, for example). You’re gonna have a ton of choices and things to think about when you get to the store.

At Kitchn, we have a love-love relationship with our microwaves. Of course we love it for all the obvious reasons — like warming our coffee in the morning and delivering near-instant popcorn gratification on movie night — but also for mug cakes, single-girl suppers of mac-and-cheese, and the quickest and easiest answer to breakfast (eggs in the microwave!). We even lean on it when migraines strike. It’s an important appliance, and buying the right one matters.

There’s no doubt that your refrigerator is one of the most important things in your kitchen. It’s home to the fruit you put in your morning smoothies, the shelter for your beloved nightly class of wine, and, of course, the keeper of all the cheese. The function of your fridge is more important than most cosmetic details — whether it’s white, black, stainless, or purple, it’ll all be the same inside!

When you’ve got a family to feed — or just a serious Costco habit — the idea of having some more space in the freezer is incredibly appealing. You can just imagine the benefits: You’ll do less grocery shopping because you can buy so much meat at once and freeze it for the future, you’ll spend less money because you can take advantage of sales and stick the excess in the freezer, and you’ll avoid last-minute pizza by freezing more meals for future late nights.

If your eyes light up when you head through the frozen aisle at Costco, or your feet are at risk every time you open your freezer (a pint of Ben & Jerry’s can really do a number on your toes!), you’ve probably thought about getting another freezer. We know: It seems like such an indulgence! Would you even use it, have a place for it, or be able to justify the expense? Take this quiz and find out. A. One to two B. Three to four C. Five or more A. Whole Foods B.

Updating your kitchen with new appliances can be an exciting facelift. But updating your budget spreadsheet with the necessary numbers can feel a little bit more like a punch in the gut. If you’re looking for a bargain, you know to shop around for sales and look for rebates. One other option? Buying used. Here are the pros and cons that come with getting something that’s pre-loved — and where to find a gem if you choose to take the plunge!

If your microwave is starting to go (or you never had one to begin with), you may find yourself unsure of where to start. Fun fact: Shopping for a microwave oven can be just as complicated as shopping for an actual oven. (At least microwaves are a lot cheaper!) Study up on these seven pointers and your head won’t explode when you start your search. Related: 5 Signs You Need to Replace Your Microwave Countertop microwaves are the ones commonly found, well, on countertops.

Of all the appliances (large or small) in your kitchen, the microwave tends to have the shortest lifespan — around nine years or so. The good news? The new ones on the market are relatively inexpensive and you can get a decent one for less than $100. How will you know if it’s time to get a new one? Look for any of these five signs. That buzzing or banging you’ve been hearing lately? Yeah, that’s not normal.

The coffee maker is the sun around which your kitchen orbits: The day waxes as the first cups brew in the morning, and wanes as the last pot of decaf is prepared. That’s why buying a new machine can be a really big decision and feel like the whole house’s happiness rests in the balance. Here are some things to know before you do it. Buying a coffee maker is not a one-time expense.

I’m going to take a wild guess and assume that your favorite thing about your kitchen is not the microwave. The gorgeous morning light? Sure. The reclaimed wood table? Definitely. Your new oven? Yay! The microwave? Well, that’s usually more of a functional necessity than anyone’s hallmark piece. That’s not to mention that it poses its own set of design challenges. You could leave it floating on a countertop, but then your work space might look cluttered.

In a perfect world, we’d all pack healthy, filling, satisfying meals for the office every day. But that’s easier said than done. Maybe you spent the weekend taking care of chores and didn’t have any time for meal planning. Or maybe (hopefully!) you had way too much fun this weekend and didn’t do any chores, let alone think about what you were going to eat for lunch. The good news is that on the days when you have to buy your lunch, you don’t have to break the bank.

Is there any more perfect party food than pizza? Completely customizable, perfectly portionable, and, well, just about irresistible, it can feed everyone from toddlers to octogenarians with ease. And the fact that this magical treat doesn’t need to be made by you and can arrive at your house without you having to do much more than press a button is, like we said, perfect. The only question when it comes to pizza — besides “Can I have it now?