Sharon Franke

Sharon Franke is the kitchenware maven. For over 30 years, she was in charge of testing and reporting on everything from wooden spoons to connected refrigerators at Good Housekeeping. In her free time, you’ll find her banging pots in her own kitchen.
    I’ve Tested Nearly Every Food Storage Container on the Market. This Is a List of the Best of the Best.
    Shopping
    Whether you want glass, plastic, or something you can give away.
    Sharon Franke
    Dec 9, 2022
    We Tested 36 Lunch Containers: Here Are the Best Ones for Every Kind of Lunch
    The perfect container for every kind of lunch.
    Sharon Franke
    Aug 9, 2022
    What’s the Difference Between All the Vitamix Models?
    Tools
    What do people have against names like Vitamix Regular Fancy and Vitamix Extra Fancy? Here, we explain what all the real names mean!
    Sharon Franke
    Aug 4, 2022
    I’m a Professional Gear Tester and a Bit of a Minimalist — But I Use This $11 Gadget Every Day
    Tools
    Hint: I use it for garlic, ginger, lemons, limes, and more.
    Sharon Franke
    May 1, 2022
    5 Things I’ve Learned About Cast Iron During My 30+ Years as a Professional Gear Tester
    Tools
    "To break in a new skillet, I've found that it really helps to make a batch of good old-fashioned fried chicken."
    Sharon Franke
    Feb 9, 2022
    The Best Instant Pot Model You Can Buy
    Shopping
    This model has a combination of settings and improvements to its design that make it the best Instant Pot yet! 
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 16, 2022
    I’m a Gear Pro — These Are the 3 Things I Use to Take Care of My Knives
    Tools
    Including a sharpener that takes all the guesswork out of the process!
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 5, 2022
    I Tried 8 Nonstick Skillets That Cost $25 or Less. One Blew Me Away.
    Shopping
    It's actually from a commercial line, so it's got a pro-level look and some impressive heft to it.
    Sharon Franke
    Aug 29, 2021
    I’ve Cooked with Nearly Every Casserole Dish. Here Are My Favorites.
    Shopping
    One of our favorites is just $30.
    Sharon Franke
    Jul 20, 2021
    Please Don't Put Grill Grates in the Dishwasher
    Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
    Here's why it's not a good idea. And how you should actually clean them.
    Sharon Franke
    Jun 5, 2021
    I Tested 10 Chef’s Knives That Are $20 or Less — This One Was Amazing
    Shopping
    We actually really liked three of these inexpensive knives.
    Sharon Franke
    Jun 4, 2021
    8 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Cast Iron Skillet
    Tips from The Kitchn
    You can use soap! It doesn't actually heat up all that evenly!
    Sharon Franke
    Apr 28, 2021
    This Is the Best Blender for Smoothies (No, It’s Not What You’re Thinking)
    Tools
    Any other guesses?
    Sharon Franke
    Apr 23, 2021
    I’ve Tested Nearly Every Piece of Induction Cookware on the Market. This Is a List of the Best of the Best.
    Shopping
    Just because a package or Amazon listing describes a cookware set as induction-safe, that doesn't mean it will actually cook *well* on an induction stovetop.
    Sharon Franke
    Feb 2, 2021
    What Are Garlic Keepers, and Do You Need One?
    Shopping
    These little containers sure do look cute, but do they keep garlic fresher, longer? We did some testing!
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 27, 2021
    Why This Air Fryer from Walmart is The Appliance You Need for 2021
    Shopping
    A simple search for an "air fryer" on Walmart.com results in pages and pages of machines. This is the one to get.
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 26, 2021
    How Does an Air Fryer Work?
    Shopping
    An air fryer is actually a lot like a countertop convection oven. Just with a few differences.
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 20, 2021
    The Best Air Fryers for 2021 and Beyond
    Shopping
    Including a budget-friendly option, a giant one, and a teeny tiny one!
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 16, 2021
    I’ve Tested Nearly Every Toaster Oven on the Market. These Are the 4 Best for Most Home Cooks.
    Shopping
    Whether you have tons of space, live in a small apartment, or are shopping on a budget, one of these will work for you.
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 13, 2021
    I’ve Tested Nearly Every Toaster on the Market. These Are the Best Ones for Most Home Cooks.
    Shopping
    These toasters are the best things to come along since sliced bread.
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 12, 2021
    9 Things You Need to Know About That New Carbon Steel Pan You Just Got for the Holidays
    Tips from The Kitchn
    First of all, here's the deal with that waxy coating ...
    Sharon Franke
    Jan 3, 2021
    Everything You Need to Know About Drip Coffee Makers — No Matter Which Machine You Have
    Shopping
    Yes, they need to be cleaned. And our budget pick is just $35!
    Sharon Franke
    Dec 18, 2020
    What’s the Difference Between a Braiser and a Dutch Oven?
    Shopping
    Using a Dutch oven to braise meat could result in steamed pork instead of perfectly seared chops.
    Sharon Franke
    Dec 9, 2020
    What Is a Braiser, Do I Need One, and Which One Should I Get?
    Shopping
    We have a budget-friendly option and a splurgier pick.
    Sharon Franke
    Dec 8, 2020
    I’ve Tried Nearly Every Meat Thermometer. Here Are My 3 Favorites.
    Shopping
    You're gonna need one of these for Thanksgiving — and beyond.
    Sharon Franke
    Oct 30, 2020
    I’ve Used Nearly Every Roasting Pan Out There. Here Are My Favorites.
    Shopping
    These are my three favorites, based on what you need and how much you're willing to spend.
    Sharon Franke
    Oct 29, 2020
    I’ve Tested Nearly Every Stand Mixer on the Market. These Are the 2 Best for Most Home Cooks.
    Shopping
    There's a great $100-option that rivals the KitchenAid.
    Sharon Franke
    Oct 27, 2020
    What You Really Need to Know About Exploding Glass Bakeware
    Tips from The Kitchn
    ALWAYS set a hot dish on a dry cloth potholder!
    Sharon Franke
    Oct 15, 2020
    Help! I’m Shopping for a New Fridge — Which Type of Freezer Combo Is Best?
    Freezer Week
    We got one of the top gear pros in the biz to weigh in on the major options.
    Sharon Franke
    Aug 11, 2020
    Everything You Need to Know About Chest Freezers
    Freezer Week
    Our top pick is actually in stock RIGHT NOW!
    Sharon Franke
    Aug 11, 2020
    I’ve Tested Nearly Every Chef’s Knife on the Market. These Are the 5 Best for Most Home Cooks.
    Shopping
    One of the picks is less than $30!
    Sharon Franke
    Aug 5, 2020
    How Can Lodge Cast Iron Skillets Be So Darn Inexpensive?
    Shopping
    We're not complaining or anything — we just wanna know!
    Sharon Franke
    Jul 20, 2020
    Everything You Need to Know About Cast Iron Skillets — All in One Place
    Tips from The Kitchn
    Curious about which cast iron skillet is the best? What size to get? How to clean it? Whether or not it's okay to cook acidic food in it? We've got all those answers — and more.
    Sharon Franke
    Jul 3, 2020
    What Exactly Is a Defrosting Tray — And Do You Need One?
    Shopping
    How many times a month do you find yourself wishing that you had remembered to defrost some meat the night before?
    Sharon Franke
    Jun 18, 2020
    Everything You Need to Know About Gas Grills — All in One Place
    Shopping
    Including which gas grill is best!
    Sharon Franke
    Jun 13, 2020
    6 Things Every Homeowner Should Know About Replacing Appliances
    Shopping
    Never get the extended warranty.
    Sharon Franke
    May 25, 2020