16 Classic Kitchen Gifts That Stand the Test of Time (We Love Them All!)

So many editors at The Kitchn love their Staub Dutch ovens, but a few years ago, we got to take a trip to the factory to see how they get made and now we're even more enamored of them. So much work and care goes into each pot! (It takes about a week to make each pot and more than 20 workers play a part in every one!) So while the price is an investment, we totally understand why. Plus, Staub really does have some of the best cooking results compared with other enameled cast-iron pieces.

Also made in France (seriously, why is all the best kitchen stuff made in France?), Le Creuset's bakeware is essential for any home cook. Contributor Bernadette Machard de Gramont has had her oval gratin baking dish for more than a decade and uses it regularly for baked ziti, mac and cheese, shepherd’s pie, cherry clafoutis, and even apple crumble.

Get this for a home cook who loves freshly ground pepper — so, everyone. Made in France, Peugeot is one of the best names in the pepper-grinding business. Contributor Elizabeth Passarella loves the classic look, plus the easy-to-adjust setting for all sorts of grinds, from fine to coarse.

Maybe we should have retitled this gift guide All the Kitchen Things to Buy Your Francophile friends! These classic made-in-France glasses make for the perfect juice, water, or wine glasses, according to contributor Allison Arnold. Bonus: The price is right, and they'll look great alongside any kitchen decor.

Several editors and contributors love this air fryer from Instant Pot. In fact, Editorial Shopping Director Jada Wong uses it almost exlusively ever since she got hers more than two years ago because it's so versatile and easy to use. Contributor Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm loves the extra-large basket, too.

For the baker in your life, this set includes four of the most essential bakeware, plus storage. The pieces are made of aluminized steel, which distributes heat quickly and evenly, and have a nonstick ceramic-based coating to ensure easy release every single time. Food Editor Patty Catalano has been using a larger version of this set for almost two years, and she says it's still worth the hype.

This is as close to perfect as you can get when it comes to a good-quality chef's knife. Because it actually is perfect. It's balanced just right, and the blade is well-rounded on the bottom to encourage the ideal rocking motion. The price is right in the middle of the road (not too cheap and not ridiculously expensive), and it's special enough to be a sweet gift.

A good pair of tongs become an extension of a home cook's hands. And these OXO tongs are good tongs. So good, in fact, that they'll give cooks more control than, say, a spatula or turner. They lock closed, have nonslip handles, boast sturdy scalloped grippers, and can go in the dishwasher. They can also go in a stocking; get one for every stocking you need to stuff.

The name Microplane has become synonymous with graters of all types because it really is the brand that matters the most. And this is one of their best, most important tools. It can turn hard cheeses into snow-like mountains, garlic into a paste, nutmeg into a powder, and more. Looking for a little host gift? Pair this with a wedge of Parm, and you're all set.

Okay, maybe we take that French thing back because Lodge makes our all-time favorite cast-iron skillet, and it's actually made in the good ol' US of A. It comes pre-seasoned, which means it can be used as soon it's unwrapped, it cooks better than any other cast-iron skillet out there, and it only gets better as it's used over time.

The most ingenious measuring cups to have ever been invented (though we'd expect nothing less from OXO), these are read from above instead of the side (although that is an option, too). This way, bakers can see how much they're pouring out while they're standing over the cup and they don't have to hunch over awkwardly. Get this set for anyone who bakes and maybe there'll be some cookies in your future.

A good wooden cutting board is like a badge of honor for home cooks, and John Boos makes some of the best. It's an investment, but this hefty board is going to get daily use, so it'll be well worth it.

Nearly every professional chef will agree that a meat thermometer is one of the most crucial kitchen tools. And they'll almost always suggest the ThermoPop, too. Not only is it incredibly accurate, but it's also well-priced, super responsive, and easy to operate, says contributor Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm. Plus, it comes in a ton of fun colors, so you can make the gift feel a little more personal.

We can not say enough good things about these sheet pans. (So we're just going to keep writing about them.) They don't warp or discolor, and veggies roast just as well as chicken breasts. Chances are, the home cook in your life is annoyed by their sheet pans, but they'll never break down and buy some new ones. So that's where you come in.

Unlike other spatulas, which have a scraper attached to a handle, this GIR version is just one piece of silicone so there's no place for gunk to hide. It's perfectly bendy to scrape every last bit of batter from a mixing bowl, and it comes in a ton of bright colors, a hallmark of the GIR brand. Gift it on its own or pair it with something else on this list for a more substantial present.

Several editors at The Kitchn have this Cuisinart slow cooker and swear by it for chilis, roasts, and more. It can sauté, steam, and slow cook for versatility, and it's easy to use and easy to clean.