The Best Things We Saw at the 2018 Home + Housewares Show
As you may have read in some previous posts, I spent the last few days at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago. It’s a big trade show, during which big and small companies show off their latest and greatest in cookware, small appliances, kitchen gadgets, and all other things in the name of cooking and eating. I saw tons of cool stuff (including the newest KitchenAid stand mixer colors). In fact, some of it was so cool, I just had to tell you about it now. Of course, it will be a while before most of these things come out, but it’s still fun to look!
Keep reading to check out some of the highlights. (Pardon the poor photo quality!)
1. A Microwave Grill Pan from Lékué
Not only can this coated metal pan go in the microwave (without sparking or starting a fire!), but it also turns your microwave into a grill. I watched a demonstrator put raw patties of ground beef between these two plates and microwave the whole thing for just three minutes. When she separated the plates, the patties were cooked and had those covetable grill marks and everything!
2. Twist ‘n Crisp Air Fryer from George Foreman
If I had a dollar for every air fryer I saw, I’d have a lot of dollars (presumably to use to buy a bunch of air fryers?). Each company claimed to be the best, but they all looked pretty much the same — all but this one from George Foreman, that is. This one has a round basket (that reminded of a bingo spinner), which spins the food as it cooks for totally even crisping. They weren’t demo-ing the fryer at the booth, so I couldn’t taste test anything, but I’d say this small appliance has big potential.
3. A Universal Lid from Zwilling
This may seem like a silly thing to get excited about, but hear me out. Know how you can never seem to find the exact lid you’re looking for? This universal lid has graduated steps on the bottom, which allows it to sit comfortably on nearly any size pot or pan. So rather than hunting for the perfect lid, you just have to find this one.
4. 12-Cup Self-Cleaning Grind and Brew Coffee Maker from Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart both had coffee makers that featured a self-cleaning bean grinder. Simply add the beans and set the machine to grind and brew. The water that gets pumped in from the reservoir also cleans the grinder before it brews, so the gadget will stay clear and ready to work at all times.
5. Lucky in Love Collection from Pyrex
We already wrote about the return of this vintage pattern, and I got to see it in person at the show. It was even better than I had hoped. Now available in round and rectangular shapes, you can find the new/old pattern here.
6. DrawerStore from Joseph Joseph
While my kitchen has decent storage, I do lack wide drawers. (What builder thought that five, seven-inch drawers was a good idea?) So I’ve been struggling to find a drawer organizer that would fit and actually work. This narrow option from Joseph Joseph has me all sorts of excited.
7. Provence Applique Pieces from Le Creuset
Just this month, Le Creuset launched a new color: Provence, a nod to the iconic lavender fields that bloom throughout the south of France in the summer. And in June, the brand will launch the white 4.5-quart Provence Applique Dutch Oven and a 1.7-quart au gratin dish to match.
Read more: Le Creuset Is Releasing Another Controversial Color
8. Upgraded Pop Containers from OXO
Some of our all-time favorite storage containers are getting a makeover. The new containers will have a slightly reworked design (more on that later) and there will be fun accessories — like little scoopers, date dials, brown-sugar savers, and more — that hook onto the lids. Look for it all to hit stores in the fall.
9. 3-in-1 Brewer Kit from Chef’n
As big as air fryers were for the show, cold brew was nearly just as big. This glass brewer from Chef’n comes with everything you need to make cold brew, pour over, and French press coffee. And it all nests for easy storage. It retails for $80 and is available here.
10. Utensils and Spoon Rests from Epicurean
I can’t get enough wooden spoons and I totally swooned over these from Epicurean. They’re super flat (read: easy to store!), but still have a deep-enough cup to make them useful. Like the other Epicurean gear, these are made from wood fiber composite and can go in the dishwasher.
I’ll be writing about more products for sure. Of these finds, though, which one is your favorite?!