Tools & Equipment

Looking for an excuse to finally get the Le Creuset Dutch oven of your dreams? Sur La Table might have just given you one. The store is currently running its semi-annual cookware sale, offering up to 65 percent off top brands like Le Creuset, Staub, and All-Clad. As an extra incentive, you’ll also get free shipping on orders totaling more than $65 with the code SHIPFREE. It’s a huge sale, which can be a little overwhelming.

We woke up this morning to find one of the best things ever sitting in our inboxes: an email from IKEA, showcasing all sorts of new goodies. We then spent the next few minutes (okay, hours) ogling all the pretty soon-to-be-released products. (Everything should be available by April.) Here are some of our favorites. Warning: You may want to cancel any upcoming meetings. Don’t be surprised if you start seeing a lot of our recipes shot on these dishwasher- and microwave-safe stoneware plates.

While we’ll never tell you get rid of your trusty balloon whisk, we were super interested to learn about a new whisk from Kuhn Rikon and Christopher Kimball. It’s got a funky design that has three great features, making it a worthy addition to your current tool collection. Christopher Kimball for Kuhn Rikon Traverse Power Whisk, $24 at Sur la Table It’s speedy: The traverse power whisk is primarily designed to make it faster to aerate or emulsify liquids.

As grilling season approaches, you’ll be hearing a lot about the Big Green Egg, which basically looks like a giant avocado. People are so fanatical about this grill that they have an official name (Eggheads) and they have in-person events (known as Eggfests!). Are you a secretly an Egghead and you just don’t even know it yet? Before you go out to buy one, here are some key things you should know about the Big Green Egg.

Even though it is snowing in some parts of the country today, it is now officially spring. And although most of us won’t need much help putting winter behind us, Le Creuset has a few new pieces that can get us all thinking spring thoughts. The common theme? Flowers, flowers, and more flowers! Take a look at some of Le Creuset’s newest (and soon-to-be-released) pieces for spring. Perhaps you saw this post, in which we showed off a 4.5-quart Provence applique Dutch oven and a 1.

While Memorial Day is, first and foremost, a time to remember and thank our military men and women for their service, it also happens to be a time when many retailers hold some major sales. Here are some of the best deals happening across the internet this weekend. Use the code “SPF15” to take an extra 15 percent off Memorial Day sale items now through May 29.

Want more zest in your life? Or maybe just more cheese? Say hello to the Microplane. While the company makes a vast array of graters and rasps (and even foot files), we found that for most home chefs there’s really just one we all need — the 40020 classic zester/grater. Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater, $13 So what makes this microplane so grate? (Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves!

When it comes to kitchen tools, we tend to be pretty big advocates for the well-made basics that don’t create clutter. But that doesn’t mean we are completely immune to the charms of quirky novelty items. And if there’s one brand that sums up non-essential but incredibly tempting, it’s Fred & Friends.

Unless you have unlimited storage space, chances are many of your kitchen essentials are stored in a cabinet that, like the universe, leans towards entropy. There are plenty of companies and products dedicated to controlling that chaos, with varying levels of success. The problem with many organizers, however, is that they don’t live up to the irregular nature of many of our personal collections.

Whenever you hear the words “free two-day shipping,” what do you think of? Amazon, right? While the online giant should get credit for popularizing the speedy delivery option, it’s certainly not the only store doing it these days. And that’s good news, obviously, if you’re not willing to shell out the $99 a year for a Prime membership to get the deal. Here are five big retailers you might not have realized offer a similar free two-day shipping option.

Regardless of how much caffeine your day needs, if the foam-filled portion of your brew is a priority, I have the tool for you. This inexpensive, battery-powered, and highly-reviewed (more than 2,500 people have shared their opinion on Amazon, where you will pay more for it) frother from IKEA has helped me take a warm brew from essential to enjoyable. And I’m convinced it’s the ultimate tool to convert creamer-lovers to the nut milk side. Here’s what I love about it.

I really like baking and eating cookies. As someone who has done plenty of both, I am also well-versed in the forever debate around cookies: crisp and crunchy or soft and chewy? I have my own opinions, but one thing is for sure — no matter where you fall on the issue, no one likes a burnt cookie. Sadly, a burnt cookie is often what I wind up with. I have the uncanny ability of putting in a tray of cookies and completely forgetting I turned on the oven.

Immersion blenders are one of our favorite kitchen tools. Getting one can save you space and even save you money if you want to get one as an alternative to a regular blender. See, an immersion blender can jump in for many tasks that you’d use a regular blender for — and then you don’t have to wrestle with a heavy base and hard-to-attach jar. Even if you have a blender you know and love, an immersion blender comes in handy plenty.

The day after Easter is a perfect time to scoop up chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks at a steep discount, but we may have found an even better sale. Currently, Williams Sonoma is offering two site-wide sales with deep discounts. The first is up to 20 percent off your order and free fast shipping on all participating brands with the code “SPRING.” That deal runs through 11:59 p.m. E.T. Monday, April 2.

Fact: There is no perfect dish rack for small apartments. So this is the best solution I've found.

The Dutch oven (rightfully) gets a lot of love from Kitchn editors. We feel bad, though, because there’s another piece of cast iron, enameled cookware that gets the short end of the stick: Allow us to give some love to braisers! If you’re looking to get one, this gorgeous option from Staub (complete with a domed glass lid for the curious cook who is tempted to peak) is currently a whopping 57 percent off at Sur la Table.

We know that it’s way better for the environment (and our wallets) to eschew disposable bottles of water in favor of reusable ones. Luckily, thanks to brands like Soma But there’s just one major problem: Many water bottles have necks that are too narrow to allow for ice cubes to pass through. And a lot of us prefer cold water! The idea of an ice cube tray with long, narrow compartments to make ice cubes for water bottles isn’t exactly new.

When it comes to KitchenAid, there’s no shortage of bright, fun colors to choose from. If you’re willing to go a bit more staid (or super bold), you should get in on this deal: Originally $50, the Contour Silver and Empire Red mini food processors are currently only $30 on Amazon. KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Mini Food Processor, $30 Mini food processors are great alternatives to their full-sized counterparts.

Target’s latest in-house collection, Opalhouse, is a budget boho paradise. And after much anticipation, the collection is finally available in stores and online — as of today! The line features goods to cover your entire house (and even the walls, thanks to removable wallpaper). But when we got a sneak peak of the collection last week, we immediately fell in love with the stuff for the kitchen and dining room. Not just because we are a bunch of food editors, either.

Between making green smoothies for breakfast, puréeing soups for dinner, and making the (semi) occasional milkshake for dessert, there are a lot of ways to put a blender to good use. And although the prices can range from less than $30 to well over $500, it’s totally possible to get a great blender at every price point. Whether you’re shopping for your very first one or you need to replace an old one, we’ve got you covered.

There are few things as satisfying as having all your dried goods corralled into matching storage containers. While there’s the visually pleasing element of seeing everything neatly in its place, there are some actual home organization benefits as well: Storing pantry items this way reduces clutter and helps keep items easy to find, while also maximizing space. If you’ve longed for such a blissfully ordered pantry, today might be your day to buy.

There are lots of reasons to love Le Creuset’s line of enamel cookware. One of the biggest (and maybe silliest?) things is the wide array of bright colors the pots come in. Deciding what size Dutch oven to get is easy — deciding if you want white, red, or orange? Well, that’s the hard part. Once you pick your color (or colors!), though, you can really go all out. In addition to cookware, Le Creuset also has a line of kitchen tools coordinated to their signature classics.

Keeping your family happy (and fed) at dinnertime is a balancing act. It’s a fine line between making sure everyone’s preferences and dietary restrictions are accommodated while also maintaining your sanity. There may never be one perfect solution, but this pan from Chicago Metallic can at least help with lasagna night.

A while ago, one of our editors raved about her new blender — her first blender upgrade in more than a decade, and a huge step up from the entry-level blender she’d had since college. Her raves led to a lively discussion in the comments (and plenty of emails) about the best blenders out there. So here we go: According to our readers, these are the three best blenders on the market. Plus, we’re including one that got surprisingly negative reviews.

If you’re into making your own household cleaners, you’re going to need a spray bottle. Whether you’re a fan of vinegar, a Castile soap mixture, or something else, having a way to distribute your solution in a convenient way is key. Enter: the spray bottle. A sturdy, medium-sized spray bottle gives you a vessel to mix up as much cleaning solution as you need and easily use it through your home. Finding the right one is tricky, though. First of all, size matters.

Long before Costco and Sam’s, Dollar General was founded as a discount wholesaler by a father-son team. This wide-reaching brand (they have more than 14,500 stores in 44 states) offers a wide variety of goods, from food to home items and apparel, all at super-low prices. But if you think you’ll just be digging through bargain bins, don’t be fooled! This well-organized retailer has a few offerings that just might surprise you.

Having a baby often makes you rethink the cleaning products you’ve been using — and also makes you suddenly aware of a whole host of things you haven’t been cleaning that you now want to have germ-free. Add to that baby’s super-sensitive skin and quite a few gadgets you didn’t have before, and it turns out new moms need a ton of new cleaning products. With that said, here are the cleaning supplies my friends and I bought and loved when we became new moms.

When it comes to cutlery, chef’s knives get all the glory. They’re just so handy! And if you truly can only have one knife, the chef’s knife is the way to go. That said, we know most people have more than one knife. (It’s not like they take up much room!) So as much as we can go on and on about that eight-inch wonder, we also don’t want to forget about the chef knife’s little sibling: the paring knife. Victorinox 3.

The most dangerous part of any Target store? The first few square feet. I’m talking about Bullseye’s Playground, which I will forever affectionately call the Dollar Spot. No matter how frequently I visit, the section always seems to be full of fun new stuff that I’ve never seen before. And each item is more enticing than the last. It’s all so cute and inexpensive — but it does add up.

Perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising that people on Amazon can get really enthusiastic about their travel mugs. (Specifically this travel mug from Contigo, which has more than 6,000 five-star reviews and counting.) For daily coffee drinkers, caffeine delivery is up there with shelter and food in our hierarchy of needs. So a coffee mug that elegantly solves so many of the pitfalls of lesser models is, of course, going to get rave reviews. Currently making do with a subpar mug?

Let’s be real: Tuesdays are rough. Mondays at least have the excitement of a new week, and by Wednesdays, the weekend is in sight again. Tuesdays are just the useless day in between. Which may explain why Taco Tuesday is such a hallowed tradition — something fun on the worst day of the week. Of course, the fact that it’s a weekly excuse to eat tacos could explain a lot, too.

The one word you should avoid when buying cheap rosé is not Franzia or boxed — it’s domestic! For all you U.S.-based readers, rosé shopping is one time when you don’t want to buy local. This is not to say there aren’t good American rosés, it’s just that most of the good ones start at just under $20 and go up from there. Go too cheap with domestic rosé and you risk ending up with something heavy, cloying, and weirdly sweet and bitter.

You know how people get super excited about Amazon Prime Day? Well, now, there’s also Way Day from Wayfair. And it’s happening today. Announced last week, Wayfair is currently having its own Prime Day-like sale for today only. That means prices are dropping temporarily on 70,000 items across the entire website, from drawer pulls to refrigerators. You can find all of the deals on Way Day’s webpage, but if you’re overwhelmed, here are the best ways to shop for your kitchen.

Looking for something to invest in with your tax refund? We have a suggestion that’s as practical as it is gorgeous: Williams Sonoma is currently offering 20 percent off its exclusive line of mint Le Creuset piece through May 31, while supplies last. Currently, five items are available in the mint range: the signature round Dutch oven in 5.5 quarts, a 3.5-quart Dutch oven, a cast iron saucepan, a French press, and an oven-top grill. The entire collection ranges from $68 to $340.

Earth Day is this Sunday, April 22. And while we’re always looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment, there’s nothing like a day dedicated to the planet to really give us reason to invest in more eco-friendly home goods. Sure, many of our favorite reusable alternatives do require more of an upfront investment — but they really can save you money in the long run.

You don’t need us to tell you that there are a ton of companies that make kitchen gadgets. Just take one stroll through Bed Bath & Beyond or a digital walk through Amazon and the sheer number of brands and products is just overwhelming. To help you make sense of it all, we’ve created this list of 10 of the most-popular kitchen gadget brands and highlighted what each of the companies do best. Of course, it wasn’t easy — there are plenty of things to love from each brand.

I both love and require coffee in my life. This makes me fairly non-unique, as studies find that most American adults are regular coffee drinkers. What does make my situation unique, however, is that I cohabitate with two other adults with slightly different morning schedules than me — and one moderately sized kitchen. That leaves us with some challenges. Namely: coffee.

Did you know that BuzzFeed (as in the website that tells you where you’ll meet your soulmate based on the groceries you buy) has its own line of kitchen gadgets? Technically, it’s from Tasty — the brand’s spinoff food site — and it launched in Walmart stores earlier this year. The line is super colorful and reasonably priced.

My cast iron skillet and I have a special relationship — I won’t even let my husband wash it because I don’t like the way he does it. I’ve worked really hard to create a seasoning that is slick and nonstick, and I don’t want to have to re-season it again (a few years ago I once had to redo everything after my husband let it “soak” for several days while I was traveling).

If you’ve finally convinced yourself that nothing sears a steak like a cast iron skillet and that you absolutely have to have one to make crusty cornbread, your next decision is figuring out which one to buy. In our opinion, there’s only one choice. The good news is that it’s remarkably inexpensive. (That’s right — “the best” often means “the most expensive,” but not when it comes to cast iron!) Our must-buy is the Lodge 10.

If pretty much the only thing you ever blend is a simple morning smoothie to slurp on the way to work or the gym, don’t invest in a full-size blender that hogs counter space and leaves you with a jar to wash in addition to your travel cup. Opt instead for a personal-size model that whips up a single serving right in a grab-and-go bottle. You can get a good one that’s also reasonably priced — and then you can spend even more money on fresh, organic fruit to blend up.

I’ve finally entered that chapter in my life where I’m surrounded by new mom friends, and many of them are in vacation-planning mode. I’ve got a lot of questions: Where’s the best place to travel with a baby? Are some hotels more crib-friendly than others? Is it difficult to pump and store breast milk on the road? There are lots of options for those looking to keep their breast milk “on ice.

Earth Day happens just once a year, and although it’s over for 2018, Seventh Generation wants you to celebrate every day. To help, the eco-friendly cleaning line is currently offering Prime members 20% off one item eligible item, and 35% off if you buy two or more. The sale only applies to bulk purchases, but it’s for a good reason: By buying in large amounts, you’re also reducing the amount of resources used to ship the products to you.

The containers we use to store food in seems like a boring topic — and yet people can get really excited about it. (Perhaps that explains why there’s an entire store devoted to containers.) Investing in a good set or two of reusable food containers is a great way to help keep your food fresher longer, organize your fridge, and get better about packing lunch. Here are three containers that we are really excited about. Bonus: They also all happen to be on sale on Amazon.

When it comes to chef’s knives, our editors love everything from a $10 basic one to beautiful Japanese knives that cost several hundred dollars. (Shop: 10 Chef’s Knives for Every Budget.) But, as Goldilocks taught us, sometimes the best option is somewhere in the middle. Wüsthof, a German knife company, sells high-quality knives at prices we love. And right now, both Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma are running sales on Wüsthof knives, offering up to 70 percent off!

Most kitchen organizing tools either get the job done or look pretty — they rarely achieve both. (Looking at you, Anthropologie egg trays that serve no real purpose!) That’s why we love the stuff from YAMAKAZI home so much. Its entire line of organizers is elegant, minimalist, and effective. Made in Japan, the line features design-forward problem-solvers for the whole home. Of course, we are naturally taken with the selection of kitchen organizers.

The Target shopping experience is the subject of many an internet ode. It’s both parts relaxing and an easy way to spend a lot more money than you ever intended. If you’d like to enjoy the Target shopping experience without the temptation of impulse purchases, however, this news may be just what you’re waiting for: The retailer now has same-day grocery delivery service in select areas, powered by Shipt.

Le Creuset makes some of the world’s most beautiful Dutch ovens. They’re solid and chic and they come in such an array of colors that many people have spent hours trying to figure out what color of Dutch oven they want to use for the rest of their lives. (They last forever, so it’s basically a lifetime commitment.) But Le Creuset is a lot more than Dutch ovens.

The way we write about Costco around here, you’d think it was strictly a supermarket. That’s clearly not the case, so we wanted to take a minute to talk about our recent Costco purchases that have absolutely nothing to do with making dinner, serving snacks, or prepping for a party. You know, things that are worth checking out after you load up on giant packs of greens, pounds of bananas, and cases of almond milk.

It’s quite the holiday weekend! This year, Cinco De Mayo falls on a Saturday and, as always, it’s preceded by Star Wars Day. Star Wars Day, if you’re not familiar, is a holiday born from a pun: Because we can say that today is “May the Fourth,” we can also say “May the Fourth be with you.” Get it?! So, in honor of the punniest holiday this side of Pi Day, here are three on-sale Star Wars kitchen products that are as useful as they are nerdy.

Whether you realized it or not, World Market considers you friends and family. (Awww!) That means you can take advantage of the store’s site-wide Friends and Family sale running now through Monday, May 7. Take 30 percent off almost everything (excluding food and beverage, which is 10 percent off) in stores and online. Plus, you’ll get free shipping on orders totaling more than $65. To get the discount, simply enter the code “YAYFRIENDS” at checkout.

Last November Amazon launched two of its own affordable and stylish in-house furniture brands. There’s Rivet, a mid-century-modern-inspired line, and Stone & Beam, which leans more rustic and modern farmhouse. We didn’t write about them then (although our sister site, Apartment Therapy, did) because the two brands were focused on living rooms.

Many of us are used to signing up for memberships to our drugstores or grocery stores to get discounts, but did you know that IKEA has a rewards program too? It’s called IKEA Family, and signup is free, with no annual membership. If you’re a frequent shopper at IKEA — or even an infrequent one, actually — you might want to take advantage of it. Not a member? Here’s what you’re missing out on.

Because IKEA products are so inexpensive, they’re often billed as more temporary solutions — a couch for your dorm room, a bookcase for your first apartment. Essentially, people view it as starter stuff that you buy before you can afford the “real” stuff from a higher-end home store. But in my experience, a lot of my IKEA starter stuff had stood the test of time and, in fact, become the real stuff that I’m still totally happy to use. Don’t believe me?

Did you know that you can buy IKEA stuff through Amazon? I learned this a few years ago, when searching for a kids’ table and chairs for my girls. I’m honestly not sure whether IKEA has authorized sellers or there are a few entrepreneurial souls who have made a living doing this (seems like the latter!), but I’m grateful! Until fairly recently, IKEA products weren’t available online, and even now, not everything can be bought through their site.

IKEA stocks a shocking number of items that are $5 or less. And it’s not just junk, either. There’s some legit good stuff that can be found at IKEA for a Lincoln or less. While many of these things aren’t available online (the brand can’t keep them that cheap if they’re subsidizing your shipping!), it’s worth it to make a trip to the brick-and-mortar store for these goodies. Just be careful because this inexpensive stuff can add up!

People love to talk about cold brew. This very site is running a bunch of stories about it right now, in fact. And obviously, there are lots of ways to turn tea leaves and coffee grounds into a refreshing beverage. But there’s one method that people don’t really talk about all that much: flash chilling (aka Japanese cold brewing).

When it comes to nonstick skillets, we have a few horror stories of inexpensive, first-apartment type purchases that flaked into our scrambled eggs or failed to do the whole “non” part of “nonstick” altogether. A good nonstick skillet? Well, one of those can get the job done for years and years. Which brings us to this Calphalon 10-inch Contemporary Omelette Pan. Not only is it one of our favorites, but it’s also currently 60 percent off on Amazon.

We don’t buy much for our fridges, right? I mean, we buy fancy cheeses and meats to put in them, but we rarely come home from the store with a special treat that’s for the fridge — and not for our tummies. Well, a few weeks ago I did and, let me just tell you, I’m not sure who’s happier now: me or my fridge.

All-Clad, one of our favorite cookware brands, doesn’t come cheap. However, if you’re strategic, there are ways to get pieces for way less than full price. You can usually find a few good deals during store sales (thanks, Williams Sonoma and Sur la Table!) and big shopping holidays, like Cyber Monday. Another way? Through this VIP Factory Sale. Hosted through Home and Cook Sales, the sale offers discounts averaging around 50 percent off (and up to 78 percent off) of factory seconds.

There is a whole world of beautiful kettles out there, and we’ve been known to splurge on the perfect tea pot that’s equal parts Instgrammable and functional. But what if you want to just get the job done and not worry about looks? Look no further than the T-fal Balanced Living 4-Cup Electric Kettle. Not only does it have more than 1,800 enthusiastic five-star reviews, but it’s also now on sale for $22 on Amazon.

Hopefully we all know by now to resist the siren call of infomercial products. But every once in a while, one comes along that, astonishingly, can actually change your life. Or, at the very least, make it a whole lot easier. That’s how I feel about the Vidalia Chop Wizard, which I got on a whim and have zero regrets about. What’s a Vidalia Chop Wizard? It’s a chopper that helps you chop all your summer veggies in one fell swoop.

When did water bottles also become fashion accessories? There might not be an exact tipping point, but S’well is surely one of the companies responsible for our desire to not only hydrate, but also hydrate chicly. The bottle, with its fun colors and patterns, has a distinct shape that we just see everywhere now. (There’s even a $1,500 version at Neiman Marcus.) And thanks to vacuum-sealed insulation that keeps drinks cold and your hands dry, it’s as functional as it is cute.

Amazon is one of my favorite places to order, well, pretty much everything. And I’m willing to bet most of you would agree. They sell almost anything you can imagine — just find what you need and get it delivered to your doorstep!

A few summers ago, pool floats went from a kiddie must-have to a verified Instagram accessory for millennials. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Instead, there are new heights to be reached, new objects to be made into inflatable pool toys. While we wait to see what’ll be a hit this summer, things don’t get more millennial-centric than this avocado float, currently on sale at Urban Outfitters.

There’s obviously lots to love about IKEA. The 79-cent dish towels! The IKEA Family program! All the fun groceries! Our list literally goes on and on. We do, however, also have a list of the things we do not love at IKEA. That list is a lot shorter, but we’re pretty firm on it. Here are the three things Kitchn editors simply will not buy from IKEA. Take a look and then weigh in with your thoughts.

When you think of IKEA, one thing comes to mind: furniture! Of course, you know you can also load up your cart with pillows, lamps, cutting boards, and more. You’ve probably also seen IKEA’s big selection of cookware and wondered how well it performs. (Will it last longer than those inexpensive sofas?) With prices ranging from $3.50 for a small pan up to $130 for a full set, IKEA pots and pans are definitely bargain-priced.

Don’t get us wrong — Amazon is definitely a lifesaver on most occasions. (How else can you get a shipment of 12 cases of GoMacro bars delivered to your door in less than 24 hours?) But it’s not always your best bet for various reasons. We polled Kitchn staffers to find out what not to buy on Amazon and why! “I feel like I can always find better deals at Aldi or even Big Lots. Plus, I don’t like how many darn listings there are for LaCroix on Amazon.

Joseph Joseph occupies an interesting space when it comes to homewares. The brand is both design-forward and problem-solving in ways we truly haven’t seen before — plus the wares are generally very affordable. All three of these points certainly apply to this nesting cutting board set. And, for a limited time, it’s cheaper on Amazon than on the company’s site. Right now, the set is marked down from $30 to just $19.

Who are we kidding? Ice cream is a year-round treat. It’s just that it tastes even better during the summer — especially when it’s homemade! Whether you have a hand-me-down machine that could stand to be replaced or you’re new to the churn-your-own process, we’ve got some good news: Three of our favorite ice cream makers happen to be on sale right now. At less than $30 (and an average rating of 4.3 stars), this version is a great starter model.

If you don’t have a grill yet or want to upgrade the one you do have, Memorial Day is a great time to go shopping for one. The weekend is full of sales, which usually focus on all the summer essentials like grills, patio furniture, and melamine dinnerware (check out more on these sales!). Here are five great deals on grills that we’re currently eyeing.

Coffee pods have long been a boon to people who crave both caffeine and convenience. And Nespresso has been the high standard for single-serve coffee and espresso that feels both simple and luxurious. Of course, that high standard usually comes with a high price tag to match. Today, however, you can get the Nespresso Vertou Coffee and Espresso Maker with a milk frother for 40 percent off on Amazon.