34 Things For Anyone Who Spends Basically All Their Time In The Kitchen

Because let's face it, the kitchen really is the best room in the house.
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You don’t have to be a professional chef to know that the kitchen is the best place to be. And if you find yourself there most of the day whipping up delicious meals (and snacks), you probably know that you need to fill it with tools and products to help you achieve all your cooking goals. 

From an anti-fatigue mat to keep your legs and feet from hurting while standing for hours to a KitchenAid mixer to make baking a breeze, we’ve rounded up some great tools, appliances, cleaning products, and more that will transform your kitchen and the way you cook.

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1
Some heavy-duty cleaning wipes
Made to remove everything from grease to ink stains with zero water required, these magical wipes are also formulated with aloe and vitamin E so it's gentle on your skin. Plus, they're non-abrasive, so they're safe to use on smooth surfaces like car exteriors.

Promising review: "I have a small kitchen, and everything tends to get an oily, greasy film on it very quickly. I don't have a tile back splash or a range hood, and my fridge is right next to my stove, so the paint on the wall and the textured fridge get pretty disgusting. The tiniest little oil splatter seems to cover my whole kitchen. When these wipes arrived yesterday, I attacked my kitchen with them. They worked amazingly well! I didn't realize how much grease was really sticking to everything until I saw how disgusting the wipes were getting. Luckily, they're huge, so I was able to cover a lot before a needed a new one.
I have very sensitive skin, and these didn't dry my hands out at all. I also get severe migraines, which are easily triggered by chemical smells, and these have a nice, lemony scent that didn't trigger me at all. 10 stars!" — Michele West

Get a 90-pack from Amazon for $11.48 (available in eight sizes and multi-packs).
2
A cute recipe binder
You'll have a place to store all of your family's favorite recipes... or those concoctions you've recently stumbled upon on TikTok. This ring binder comes with 25 4"x6" recipe cards, 50 clear plastic sleeves, and nine tab dividers with categories.

Promising review: "I don't have too many recipes (since I'm not the best cook lol), so I was looking for a really cute recipe book just to keep my favorites! They supple a handful of stylish note cards that match the binder to input your recipes, which I really liked. Also, it is a really cute decoration to display in your kitchen, too!" — AB

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three designs).
3
An anti-fatigue floor mat
If you find yourself standing in your kitchen for long periods of time, this can help alleviate back and foot pain. It's basically a must-have if you spend your nights hand-washing an endless pile of dishes.

Promising review: "My kitchen floor is tile and after a half day of making bread, cookies, or brownies, or even prepping to can jams, my feet and toes would cramp at night. I needed relief! The Sky Mats kitchen mat is perfect. It's a perfect size for my kitchen workspace and amazingly comfortable to stand on while I chop, knead, stir, and mix. I spilled strawberry jam on it and thought I'd created a permanent sticky spot, but it cleaned up without a trace. I can sweep it clean after a day in the kitchen. Best of all, I don't have cramps in my toes and legs at night. Love my mat!" — Judith

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four sizes and 10 colors and patterns).
4
An expandable spice rack
Add this to your cabinet, and you'll actually be able to see the massive collection of seasonings you've somehow accumulated over the years.

Promising review: "With all our spices on one level, we had to take out every spice to get to the ones in the back. Now they are all visible and you can just reach in and take out the one you need. Easy peasy!" — Kindle Customer

Get a set of two from Amazon for $27.99.
5
A spinning display rack
Put the spices you reach for the most in it, and you'll be able to grab them in seconds. Plus, this is way more elegant than simply sitting them on top of the stove.

Get it from Ashley Homestore for $29.99 (originally $79.99).
6
A 7-in-1 Instant Pot
Yes, it actually lives up to the hype. Whether you're slow cooking your favorite soup or looking to whip up some homemade yogurt, this magical pot does it all. It's a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and food warmer all rolled into one nifty appliance.

Promising review: "This is quite possibly the coolest, most versatile kitchen gadget I’ve ever owned. I love it so much that I’ve purchased two more for friends and relatives. What can it do? I think the real question is 'What can’t it do?' I truly believe you could replace every cooking appliance (including your oven and stove top) and do EVERYTHING in the Instant Pot. I purchased two sizes for my own use: the three-quart (which is my almost-every-day workhorse for two person dishes) and the eight-quart (which I bring out to handle my dinner party dishes). Everything I’ve tried has been fabulous. In the realm of kitchen appliances, there is no better investment than the Instant Pot. Highly recommended!!!" — Stereoman

Get it from Amazon for $63.94+ (available in four sizes and two styles).
7
A BuzzFeed Tasty wall calendar
Filled with unique, easy meal ideas (and mouth-watering photos), this calendar will ensure that you won't get stuck eating the same thing over and over again.

Promising review: "Great quality calendar. This is the second year I purchased this calendar. Great recipes, plus great quality. I always look for a calendar that won’t sag throughout the year, this one doesn’t! I have this in my office and it’s a great conversation starter." — Dee Anna Chappell

Get it from Amazon for $11.98.
8
A bottle of Bar Keepers Friend
Made to clean basically anything in your kitchen and bathroom, this is basically a requirement for you to own. Need to spruce up your sink? Bring some life back to your old tarnished silverware? This will definitely do the trick.

Promising review: "Bar Keepers Friend should really be called 'Homeowner's Magician'! I purchased this cleanser in an attempt to revive our stainless-steel knife set, which is a great moderately-priced set that has seen better days, and I'm extremely happy that I did. The cleanser not only took away the rust spots with minimal difficulty, but it returned them to their original luster! After cleaning our knives, I gave it a shot on our porcelain sink, which I typically have to douse in bleach cleaner to remove the stains from, causing the entire kitchen to be filled with noxious fumes... and it worked beautifully! The stains came clean, and it made the sink look pretty enough to eat off of." — Kat (Ferrari) Backa

Get it from Amazon for $11.48.
9
All-natural bottle cleaning tablets
Plop these in your water bottles and coffee tumblers to remove stains and odors from the bottles you've left unwashed for an embarrassingly long time. It happens. These are biodegradable and odor-free.

Promising review: "I seriously can't believe how well these little tablets work. I had the most disgusting HydroFlask coffee mug — I tried everything. A bottle brush, different kinds of soap, vinegar, EVERYTHING, and there was still a seemingly impenetrable layer of black sludge inside. I let a tablet sit in each of my mugs for an hour or two, and the black sludge rinsed out COMPLETELY, without even scrubbing. They look brand new. What a magical product. No weird smell or taste afterward, either. I liked it so much I used it on another HydroFlask I use primarily to hold my Bloody Mary mix in the fridge. I couldn't put anything else in it because it would always taste like spicy tomato juice. Bottle Bright to the rescue! No residual smell or taste anymore. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING." — Amazon Customer

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $8.
10
A sleek utensil
This may look like a simple spatula, but it's actually so much more. You can use it as a slotted spoon, spatula, turner and it even features an edge that's perfect for light slicing and dicing.

Promising review: "Give it a cap and a costume, this is the only thing I need in the kitchen! I am often looking for tools that can replace the 30 others I have collected in my kitchen. I have used this to flip grilled cheese, stir red beans and rice, strain Brussel's sprouts, and taste sauce. I used the flat edge to cut onions that were too large once in the pot and scrape the bottom of the pan. The uni-tool feels nice in my hand, has held up fine in multiple dishwashings, and has allowed me to toss a few kitchen tools that have become obsolete." — Hiawhatha

Get it from Amazon for $19.26.
11
An ice cube tray with a lid
Now your ice will never absorb any freezer odors. Plus, you won't have to worry about spilling any water after you refill it!

Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE ice cubes in my drinks, and it's so annoying to have ice cube problems. I really researched ice cube trays and read a lot of reviews until I found these trays. It's so nice not to have to worry about spilling water just trying to get them in there. Also, they come out of the tray so easily! No more fighting to get the cubes out. These just kind of pop out when you press down on one side." — Kalisa
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
12
A Vitamix blender
This can handle the toughest ingredients with ease. You'll be whipping up your own chunky salsas and fresh nut butters in no time.

Promising review: "The holy grail blender, y'all. I grew up with a Vitamix (big, tall, classic model), and since being on my own I have really missed it. I tried food processors (because they're cheaper), less expensive blenders, immersion blenders, etc. Nothing came close to what a Vitamix can do. If you're wondering if it's worth the price, I would give a resounding YES. It's so supportive of a healthy diet (smoothies, soups, scratch-made dips and salsas, nut milks and butters, etc.), and it's stupid easy to use AND clean. What sold me ultimately was 1) the smaller size (the classic ones are larger), and 2) I thought about how much I spend (or would like to spend) at my local smoothie/juice bar. A 16 oz. smoothie costs a ridiculous $8-9, and a juice at least that much, if not more. If I could afford it, I would have gotten one daily. So, this Vitamix pays for itself in about a month." — lovespuppies

Get it from Amazon for $272.42+ (available in three colors and four styles).
13
A set of leak-proof storage containers
You can pop these right in the microwave because you shouldn't have to dirty extra dishes just to enjoy leftovers.

Promising review: "I am in the process of replacing all my storage containers with these. I cannot say enough good things about this product! These containers go from dishwasher to freezer storage without any issue. Started with a sample set to test whether they would bubble up in the microwave or stain, as I cook a lot of red sauce pasta and barbecue. They have passed every test with flying colors. These have not stained, bubbled (whitened), and hand washing or dishwasher — it doesn't make a difference, because they clean up great! Exceeded all expectations and I wish I would have bought these sooner. The best all around storage container I have ever used! Love them!" — Susanne S.

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in four sizes and four sizes).
14
A set of fridge bins
Add some order to your chaotic mess of groceries with this set. And because you'll be able to actually see all your food, you might just end up using that bag of lettuce before it goes bad!

Promising review: "It's nice to be able to find things in the refrigerator and be able to pull out the whole tray container to see what's in the back of the fridge. I don't know if this happens to you, but I find my way to the back every so often, and come to find out a jar in the back expired a year ago. Now I can see everything and use it." — BookBroke

Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $34.99.
15
A cold brew coffee maker
This is so easy to use and will turn your own kitchen into your new favorite (and much less expensive) coffee shop. Just add coarse-ground coffee into the mesh filter, pour water into the pitcher, screw the lid on (with the filter attached and submerged in the water), let it brew for 12–24 hours, and serve. You can pour it straight over ice cubes, or cut it with water or milk.

Promising review: "This coffee maker is my BEST FRIEND! I use this every day, it's so easy to use! My coffee comes out perfect every time. I'm a cold coffee drinker and I put about 8-10 scoops of freshly ground coffee into the filter. I let it sit overnight and the next morning, I remove the filter and dump the grounds. It makes four days' worth of coffee and I love that it's ready to go for me, especially since I wake up at 4:50 a.m. and I need to make my coffee quickly! It's very easy to clean as well." — Panda

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
16
A magnetic knife and utensil holder
Free up some counter space and wow everyone who steps foot in your kitchen.

Promising review: "I want to order another one! I wish I had thought to purchase one of these sooner. The magnet is strong and holds plenty of my everyday knives. I decided to put it on the side of my fridge and it holds perfectly. I didn't need anything extra to hold it in place either. I'd like to get one more for the rest of my tools because this is so much better than the block! Now I have more counter space." — RayJoni07

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two sizes).
17
A cooktop cleaning kit
These tools will help you tackle tough stains and make your stove looks shiny enough for the pages of Architectural Digest. This set comes with a 10-ounce bottle of cooktop cleaner, one cleaning pad, and one scraper.

Promising review: "As soon as I used this stuff, I couldn't believe it! We had a new stove that I didn't clean for months and assumed the burnt pea juice (my enemy) would just be a new stain forever. However, after one application, it was basically gone. I used the scraper that came with it and did one more small application on just that spot, and it was gone! Every time I use this it looks like my stove could be brand-new." — Christi

Get it from Amazon for $9.49.
18
A pack of Affresh cleaning tablets
Your dishwasher is probably way dirtier than you imagine. These will break down lime and mineral build-up so your dishes come out looking as sparkly as they do in all those dish soap commercials.

Promising review: "After using this product, I am happy to report that my $5 investment saved me over $500. I was ready to replace my dishwasher, due to super cloudy glasses, residue, and just not getting clean. Then I saw a product test review for Affresh in Good Housekeeping magazine. I was ordering some stuff from Amazon anyway, so I added that to my order. I did not expect the results I got! The glassware that I thought was permanently etched and ruined came out like new. Same with cutlery. The difference is unbelievable. I am amazed!" — Sheila

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $5.99.
19
A digital food thermometer
Get an instant reading with this useful tool, so you can rest assured that your meats are cooked to the perfect temperature.

Promising review: "This digital meat thermometer is the best I've ever had. I own others, but they are either too bulky to fit in the drawer or too hard to read. This one is small and lightweight; it's easy to pull out the probe and very easy to read the temperature. I purchased several as stocking stuffers for Christmas. They make a gift that will be appreciated for its size and ease of use, but most importantly, it will be a gift that gets used instead of put away in the closet." — Kat29

Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
20
A roll-up dish-drying rack
Tiny apartment dwellers, rejoice! This is a major space saver and surprisingly multifunctional. It can also be used as a trivet mat on your countertop or simply as a way to turn your sink into some extra counter space when you're cooking. It's heat-resistant up to 400 degrees F and can be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

Promising review: "It is incredibly versatile and a wonderful addition to our kitchen. So far I have used it for drying large items over the sink, filling a pot when the sink was already full, and as a counter trivet for a hot pan, and it performs beautifully in all these roles. The metal rods are strong and sturdy enough to hold heavy items, long enough to span our sink from multiple angles, and best of all, it rolls up for easy storage when not in use. All around a great kitchen tool, and I'll never be without one again." — T. Eicher

Get it from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in two sizes).
21
A three-compartment plastic lid organizer
You can start stacking all of your Tupperware containers together and save some sacred storage space.

Promising review: "This does exactly what it says it does. It holds a variety of lid sizes and fits nicely inside the cabinet. It is so nice to be able to find the exact lid you are looking for without having to rummage around inside the cabinet. I would recommend this product." — shelby2289

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in two colors).
22
A multipurpose stand
Not only will this prop open plastic bags, but it also doubles as a sleek drying stand for bottles and glassware and as an easy way to hold scraps while cooking. It's basically the helpful kitchen assistant you never knew you needed.

Promising review: "I stumbled on this product searching for something to dry bottles. I am so glad I took a chance on it. I love it for drying bottles. It does everything the reviews list. I was sold on it because it looked so easy to store, but honestly, it hasn't left my countertop since it arrived. The way it opens and adjusts lends itself to any number of uses. My favorite part it that I can hold up large awkward items like cookie sheets and a 9x13 pan to dry. I have used it for holding open gallon bags to fill. Such a simple design and well-executed." — My Old KY Home

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two colors).
23
A Kitchenaid stand mixer
This will become your new best friend from the first moment you use it. It can handle everything from thick bread dough to creamy cake batter — and let's face it, it will just look so good on your countertop.

Promising review: "My wife and I contemplated getting this mixer but were a bit wary because of the price point. It's totally worth the investment. This is an appliance we'll have for life and it works like a charm! So far we've used it to make a few baked goods and it's responding great. We totally love it!" — Seth Lizy

Get it from Williams Sonoma for $399.95 (available in 10 colors).
24
A hanging garbage bag holder
Easily dispose of your scraps while cooking without having to walk over to the trash can every single time.

Promising review: "I love this product because I'm always chopping vegetables and cutting up meat. I would be making several trips to the trash. Now I'm able to make meal prep quicker, easier, and cleaner! A good way to use up some of those plastic bags from the grocery store, too!" — Ellen Holcomb

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
25
An automatic pan stirrer
Now you can answer that text from your friend when you should be continuously stirring your homemade pasta sauce. It has a built-in timer and runs on four AA batteries.

Promising review: "Honestly I laughed at myself for buying this. I stopped laughing the first time I used it! What a help! It freed me up to do other things while it stirred the sauce that needed constant attention. Bought another one! Not laughing now!" — Luvdvm

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $25.
26
A spill stopper
You'll finally be able to turn your back for one second without worrying about your pot of pasta boiling over and making a mess everywhere. This 11-inch spill stopper is made of silicone that's heat-resistant up to 400 degrees F. It's also microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

Promising review: "I was pretty skeptical but thought I would give it a try. I LOVE this spill stopper! I cooked up brown rice and usually have to deal with the pot boiling over at some point. This wonderful invention allowed for me to walk away to take care of a few things before coming back and turning down the heat. I was so happy that there was no spill-over to have to clean up. I would purchase this as a housewarming gift, a hostess gift...what a wonderful invention!" — KW

Get it from Amazon for $19.24+ (available in two colors).
27
An organizer tray
Keep all of your silverware in its proper place because not every drawer should be a junk drawer.

Promising review: "I loved this so much I bought one for the bestie who just bought a new house. My silverware drawer is organized for the first time in forever!" — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
28
A set of plastic storage containers
Keep your produce tasting fresh for much longer. If you constantly find yourself tossing out strawberries you totally forgot you bought, these containers will basically pay for themselves.

Promising review: "I wish I would have gotten these sooner. I bought strawberries for my children, and then I forgot about them. I found them in the back of the refrigerator almost TWO WEEKS later, and they were still good. The real miracle is how long it keeps zucchini. Zucchini starts to get mushy in the crisper drawer after just a few days. Again, these miracle containers have kept it fresh for close to two weeks now. I've kept cut lettuce, cut cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, zucchini, sliced bell peppers, strawberries, blackberries, cut jicama, and carrots in these containers. I've had fantastic results with all of them." — Laura

Get a three-piece set from Amazon for $34.88 (also available in 10 other sizes and sets).
29
A vacuum sealer
This will pair nicely with a sous vide — or you can simply use it for safely storing leftovers (or the other half of an avocado!) for longer periods of time.

Promising review: "I had one of these machines from a well-known company for about 10 years, and it finally quit working. I bought a new one from the same company, and it was junk. This one was highly rated in a bunch of articles from different magazines, so I gave it a try. Wow. It's amazing! Pretty quiet (unlike my other one) and has great suction. There's a trough that you have to put the end of the bag in, or it won't work. Took me a couple of tries to figure that out. Also, make sure you press down HARD on both sides of the machine when you close it. Don't worry... you won't break it lol. It's totally worth the money." — Traci

Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in two colors).
30
A brush and squeegee combo
Swipe all your countertop messes directly into the sink. It even has a built-in ledge so you can hang it when not in use.

Promising review: "LOVE THIS PRODUCT! Saves me so many paper towels, easily washed in the dishwasher, and the small size saves space! Will always have one of these on hand for sure!" — Prime Time Review

Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
31
A knife block set
Let everyone know you mean business in the kitchen. It comes with six high-quality steel knives that will tackle all your slicing needs — and look good doing it. Each set includes an 8-inch chef's knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 5-inch serrated utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, and a walnut knife block.

Promising review: "These are sharp! They’re quality knives, the handles don’t break off, they feel great and they’re sharp, very sharp. The wood stand looks great on my kitchen." — Merim Spiodic

Get a six-piece set from Amazon for $229.95.
32
A clip-on silicone colander
Attaches this to the side of your pot, and you'll never burn yourself while awkwardly straining into a colander ever again! It's made of flexible silicone and designed to fit most pots and pans.

Promising review: "Gone are the days of pouring into a separate strainer and then having to clean two different things for a simple bowl of cooked pasta. I'm not typically a raving fan of seemingly simple kitchen gadgets, but this handy little helper works exactly as advertised. Made of hearty silicon material, it's flexible enough to snap onto all of my pots, from my small 8" to my largest Dutch oven. Even better, the material doesn't conduct heat so I don't have to worry about burning my hands when pulling it off the pot after it's finished draining boiling hot water. I've even left it clipped onto a pot for a little while before draining the water off, and it shows no sign of melting or marring. This is a fantastic way to shave off a few precious seconds from the process and I'd highly recommend it." — J. Im

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in five colors).
33
A rotating utensil holder
You can spin away and grab whatever you need. Sometimes the simplest kitchen gadgets are truly the most helpful.

Promising review: "I cook a LOT. I had a utensil holder, but it wasn't big enough so it was hard to slide the utensils in — and if it was semi-empty, they were tilting and falling. I threw it away and used a drawer but then was super sick of digging through everything to get what I needed, especially when you have something on the stove and you need it pronto. I ordered this and love it. It rotates so you can spin it around to get what you need really quickly, has three dividers in it (so the utensils aren't falling over every time you pull one out), and is big enough to fit everything. I have maxed it out with all my utensils — I have 16 cooking utensils in it at a time. It also looks really nice and sleek on the counter. I highly recommend this product." — Jessie

Get it from Amazon for $19.47.
34
A pan and pot lid organizer
Reaching for your favorite cookware shouldn't feel like playing a game of Jenga in your cabinet. Plus, you can use it upright or on its side.

Promising review: "I was tired of stacking my frying pans on top of each other and was looking for something to both organize my pans and give me easy access to them. Before this organizer, I would have to unstack several pans in order to get to the middle pan that I needed. Now, I can just reach in and immediately get the frying pan that I need without having to unstack. The quality of this organizer is pretty good." — Linda

Get it from Amazon for $15.97+ (available in two colors).

Before You Go

38 Gadgets For Your Kitchen You Probably Didn't Realize You Wanted In Your Life Until Now
A silicone grease container(01 of37)
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It comes with a built-in strainer to catch leftover bacon bits — you can pop it in the freezer and use it for future cooking endeavors. This reusable, silicone design is safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, resists stains and odors, and holds one cup of cooled grease.

Promising review: "After using just about anything that wouldn't melt, this is the best bacon grease container ever. Easy to use, easy to clean...love the piggy!" — Michael

Get it from The Grommet for $15.
(credit:The Grommet)
An air fryer (from the makers of the Instant Pot)(02 of37)
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Perfect for anyone who hasn't always been a big fan of leftovers but wants to make the most of all their delicious homemade meals. Best of all? You can crisp up your fave foods without all that oil.

Promising review: "I'd been contemplating buying an air fryer for quite some time, but it wasn't until I found myself cooking every night with my family due to COVID-19 that I finally decided it was the right time to get one. Friends of mine were raving about their new Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer, so after reading similar feedback on Amazon, I decided it looked like a winner. And it happens to be made by the same company that makes the crowd-favorite Instant Pot. I figured I would be using this appliance primarily as air air fryer, but as an added bonus, it can also roast, broil, bake, re-heat, and dehydrate food.

I've had this air fryer for about three weeks now, and I can honestly say it's become the hero of my kitchen. It preheats quickly, it's large enough to hold a good amount of food at once, it's easy to clean, and it makes food taste crispy on the outside and moist on the inside without any oil. I've been using my air fryer to make vegetables just about every night and it makes them taste so good. If you're cooking for kids, picky eaters, or you just don't get so excited about eating vegetables, the air fryer could be perfect for you. If you like chicken, the air fryer might change your life, and I don't mean that to be dramatic. The air fryer produces restaurant-quality chicken that tastes absurdly decadent, except there's no oil involved in the cooking — just air. We also tried making sesame chicken in the air fryer using boneless skinless chicken thighs. The sesame chicken tasted almost identical to my favorite Chinese takeout, and it had nothing to do with my cooking skills. Thanks to the air fryer, the chicken gets so crispy. I couldn't believe I made this at home!!" — Hannah Loewentheil

Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in two colors).
(credit:Hannah Loewentheil / BuzzFeed)
A milk frother(03 of37)
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This packs a powerful, spinning punch despite looking rather delicate. It'll help transform your hot chocolate into something out of a Hallmark holiday movie scene. Delish.

Promising review: "OMG, this milk frother makes my homemade latte taste like it was made by a barista. It was perfect. So perfect that I bought a second one for my brother who loves coffee to use. I've already recommended it to some coworkers. It has changed my coffee drinking life. This comes highly recommended." — Michelle Pirestani

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 32 colors).
(credit:Amazon)
A set of three fermentation lids(04 of37)
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You can use these with an array of jars to bring some scientific fun into your next cooking sesh. You'll be making your own pickles and kimchi in no time!

Promising review: "I am a first time fermenter and was very pleased with this kit. I made dill pickles and some mixed veggies (cauliflower, carrots, onions, and green beans). They all turned out yummy. I used half gallon jars and the glass weights, and didn't have any mold problems! I was not prepared for the smells though. Love this product as it makes it so easy to get some tasty probiotics into your gut." — Claudia Turner

Get it from Amazon for $25.99.
(credit:Amazon)
A pizza oven the entire family can enjoy(05 of37)
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From rolling out the dough and adding toppings to watching it cook over the flame, you'll enjoy the whole process.

Promising review: "We've wanted a pizza oven for a long time. The regular oven only gets to about 550F and the BBQ doesn't cook the top of the pizza well enough. Then this amazing thing comes along. It delivers as promised. Read to launch pizzas in 20 minutes. In fact I found that lower than max temp worked perfectly and avoided the over-charred crust. The 16-inch size is nice to allow room to maneuver 12-13" pies around to cook them evenly. I used the provided dough recipe with success so far. I look forward to trying some other crust types. If you are on the fence about this, listen: Buy it! Nothing easier than gas. Pizzas on my second try came as good as the best restaurant pizzas I've had. Keep the toppings light and you will love it too." — matthekman

Get it from Williams-Sonoma for $499.95.
(credit:Williams-Sonoma)
A tortilla press(06 of37)
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This will help you take your Taco Tuesdays to the next level without going above and beyond your minimal cooking skill level. (Heather here: Thanks to a handy lil' tortilla press from Verve Culture, making my own tortillas at home isn't much of a challenge at all. The press is made in Mexico from old Singer sewing machines and other recycled irons! The cast-iron should last you basically forever, so it's definitely worth your money. I still can't believe how easy they were to make! We used Maseca's corn flour (the bag has instructions on the back how to make the tortillas) and it was so simple. They came out *so* well I was beyond impressed with myself.)

Get it from Verve Culture or Amazon for $48.
(credit:Verve Culture)
A Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso maker(07 of37)
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It'll have your favorite drink ready in minutes — say goodbye to your cranky morning mood. It heats up in 15 seconds and has a 40-ounce water tank so you don't have to fill it every morning.

Promising review: "I like iced coffee with high caffeine. This fits the bill perfectly and is a joy to use and drink. My Starbucks monthly bill has come down considerably after buying this unit, and I'm ready to hit the ground running that much sooner in the morning. I especially enjoy the self cleaning feature and the ability to run it for smaller or larger cup sizes. Truly a premium product." — David T.

Get it from Amazon for $182.99 (available in five colors).
(credit:Amazon)
A set of LED light saber chopsticks(08 of37)
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If you misplace in your utensil drawer, you'll have the opportunity to exclaim "THESE are the ones I've been looking for!" once you've found them.

Promising review: "I purchased these for a friend's birthday present (he is a sushi waiter) and these are flippin' AMAZING. I ordered two sets by mistake, but I am totally keeping the second pair for another gift (or for myself!). These are sure to be great conversation pieces and attention-getters. Way to go!" — T. Redwood

Get them from Amazon for $19.97.
(credit:Amazon)
A mini fridge/freezer with a retro vibe(09 of37)
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You can use this to store all of the drinks and snacks you don't want your family members to find. (Heather here: I have one of these adorable fridges, and it's as functional as it is cute! The freezer is DEEP — like fits-an-entire-ice-cream-cake deep. It's been great during quarantine in my apartment, as we've stocked up on more food/drinks than we typically used to. It's nice to have space for some extra treats without overflowing the full-sized fridge.)

Promising review: "Great fridge! Looks good. Runs efficiently and mostly silent (just a slight hum when the compressor kicks in). I purchased this one because I wanted a small fridge without a can rack on the inside of the door. Without it, this fridge has tons of storage for lots of non-soda can things! Freezer is also super roomy. This is a great product for anyone who wants a stylish appliance that works well and saves space." — REV

Get it from The Home Depot for $249.99 (available in four colors).
(credit:@galanzamericas / https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ceOEHFC_e/)
An automatic pan stirrer with a timer(10 of37)
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Perfect for any aspiring chef who tends to get a little absent-minded while following a recipe.

Promising review: "My husband loves to cook. We have two very small children, so while his meals are mostly yummy, they are also sometimes burnt. :) This was perfect for him. He's able to turn it on, run into the next room to save the day with a plastic bag and a washcloth for whatever blowout-esque mess I'm dealing with, forget he's cooking, run back into the kitchen frantically when he remembers, and arrive only to find the meal practically cooking itself. Best. Gift. Ever." — Jake the ChefturnedDaddy

Get it from UncommonGoods for $25.
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A handheld garlic press(11 of37)
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You'll be ready to *rock 'n' roll* with this right out of the package — just don't plan on inviting over any vampires for dinner.

Promising review: "Very sturdy and well-designed garlic press. The handle is solid and the metal used isn't cheap and presses well. The enclosed small knife scraper and garlic roller are very useful. It was extremely easy to clean three cloves and then press for fresh garlic instead of the old jarred stuff from a box store. Nothing is better than using it fresh for your marinades or cooking." — Leips63

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors).
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A compact eight-in-one spiralizer(12 of37)
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It can grate cheese, juice fruits, cut ribbon and so much more. This lil' gadget really does it all.

Promising review: "I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I've started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it's very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you're ever portioning things out for a recipe." — Emma Lord

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
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A Magic Bullet blender(13 of37)
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You can count on this to help you recreate the green juice or smoothies you used to pick up on your way to the office.

Promising review: "I use this almost every morning. This was my savior during the quarantine part of the pandemic when I was working from home. I was able to easily make smoothies for breakfast or a snack instead of eating junk. Blended quickly and easily, easy to clean, and came with so many cups and travel options I was able to continue my healthy habit when I went back to work!" — Marissa Vitorio

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
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A cookie scoop(14 of37)
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So all of your precious balls of dough will come out *exactly* the same size and look simply stunning before everyone in the house gobbles 'em up. (Heather here: I have one of these, and it has been a game changer when making cookies. I love that each one comes out the same size, making it easier than ever to know precisely how many will fit on my baking sheet.)

Promising review: "Why didn't I have one of these in my kitchen drawer before?! I bought the medium-sized scoop originally to make a large batch of cookies for Christmas, but today it came handy when I had leftover batter from my banana bread recipe and it made the perfect scoop to fill a regular-sized cupcake liner! Now I'm thinking about getting the small size for my mini-cupcakes! Super easy and they came out perfectly uniform and totally beats trying to use a spoon! Handles have a nice silicone grip too and help with hand fatigue. :-)" — Michi K

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes).
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An AeroGarden(15 of37)
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Grow your own herbs to take your recipes to the next level — even if you don't have a green thumb.

Promising review: "I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend's sister-in-law who lamented not having a green thumb. In the two months that the sis-in-law has had the AeroGarden, the growth has been tremendous. I'm constantly in awe when she sends me pics of the new growth." — Mary A. Walls

Get it from Amazon for $119.99 (available in three colors).
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A mug warmer(16 of37)
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We've all been there — making our coffee or tea only to set it down and forget about until it's cooled down completely. Thanks to this mug warmer, none of us ever have to suffer through another cold cup of caffeine again! It has received over 21,200 five-star reviews on Amazon, so you know it's a big freakin' deal.

Promising review: "I'm a chronic coffee forgetter. I can't drink it straight from the brewer (too hot for me) so I set my mug down to cool slightly and often get distracted. Of course I then come back to my coffee to find it's already cold. I've currently got the warmer at my office and it's working great. I can sip my coffee leisurely over the course of an hour and it's still nice and warm." — Elle

Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
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A Cuisinart Griddler(17 of37)
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Make mouthwatering burgers all year long, whether it's 20 degrees or 90 degrees outside. Using this little grill is so simple! Throw your meat on, close the top, and BOOM — dinner is served. It's wonderful for making grilled chicken, burgers, grilled veggies and paninis.

Promising review: "Excellent addition to our kitchen. Good build quality, You can use this for a lot of different food but it is great for grilled cheese sandwiches. The griddle works well on pancakes and has plenty of heat to do the job. Easy and quick to clean." — Jazzperk

Get it from Amazon for $77.51.
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A KitchenAid food chopper(18 of37)
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This will help spare you the hassle of trying to finely chop ingredients *and* make sure all of your sauces and soups will be lump-free.

Promising review: "This is a perfect size for a small counter. It stores both blades and the cord wraps nicely. It is large enough to chop a large onion. It has a variable speed which is great for controlling particle size. It seems well-made, very little vibration and is very attractive." — D Powell

Get it from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in six colors).
(credit:Amazon)
A culinary blow torch(19 of37)
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So you can *finally* make your own baked Alaska after watching various chefs do it on TV for years.

Promising review: "This mini torch is easy to use with an adjustable flame. It's not too fancy shmancy, but it's not expensive either. It does everything I need it to do including lighting candles that have burned too far down to reach with a match. (although I know that's not its intent at all) Unfortunately it doesn't arrive with butane; but once you fill it, it lasts a pretty long time!" — Vero

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
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A Mr. Coffee drip coffee machine(20 of37)
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It'll ensure a classic, delicious cup o' joe will always be within arm's reach.

Promising review: "I'll admit, I can be prone to coffee snobbery now and again. I have just about every appliance, tool, and gadget to make coffee this way and that, but there's one I always come back to — the Mr. Coffee. My dad has used a Mr. Coffee basically every morning since the beginning of time, so when I got my first apartment — finally free of the "no cooking appliances" rule ubiquitous to college dorm life — of COURSE I bought the cheapest 12-Cup Mr. Coffee drip pot I could find. That same pot has been with me ever since (for over six years!), quickly brewing up cup after steaming cup of coffee for my roommates, friends, and me, never failing to make my morning and little better. It has also survived many, many moves while packed in pretty precarious boxes. TL;DR: it's also durable.

If you've somehow never made drip coffee before, listen, it's really easy. Just pop in a filter, fill it with coffee, fill the machine with water, and flip the switch. Boom! You've got java. Most mornings, flipping literally one switch is all I feel capable of, and Mr. Coffee thinks that's just fine! Is it an artisanal cup of coffee? No. But is it delicious and plentiful and quick and easy? Heck yes. I fully support making a lil' pour-over as a treat, but for an everyday pot for yourself and every coffee drinker in the house? Unbeatable." — Rachel Dunkel

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors).
(credit:Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed)
A coffee and spice grinder(21 of37)
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Making your go-to morning beverage just got much easier.

Promising review: "Been using this for my morning French press beans, and it is so straightforward and easy to use to one's needs. I haven't done any super deep cleaning of it yet but the design makes me think that'll be easy — all the surfaces inside are easy to access and clean out as needed." — Erin B.

Get it from Sur la Table for $19.95.
(credit:Sur la Table)
A SodaStream(22 of37)
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It's a must-have if expensive cans of La Croix are your one true vice.

Promising review: "I got the SodaStream Fizzi last fall and started using it immediately. I like this version because it's manual, which means it doesn't require electricity, so it doesn't have to be plugged into the wall. It comes with the water maker, a 60-liter CO2 Cylinder, and a 1L slim carbonating bottle. Instead of having to buy cans or bottles of seltzer all the time, I can make it in seconds in my apartment and never run out. I also love how much better for the environment it is — I've reduced my plastic and aluminum consumption by a lot." — Abby Kass

Get it from Target for $89.99 (available in four colors).
(credit:Abby Kass / BuzzFeed)
A microwave popcorn maker(23 of37)
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Goes perfectly with all the Netflix shows you've been bingeing — and just think of how good your house will smell.

Promising review: "This worked really well, it popped all but a few kernels without burning any of the popcorn. I found that the time to pop was the same as what I use for the microwave popcorn packets, which is two minutes on our microwave. The popcorn tasted very good considering it had no oil, butter, or salt on it. I didn't think I would like it without butter. I still like movie theater butter popcorn the best but probably not best to eat that all the time, this popcorn is healthier. I tried adding butter to a batch after it cooked and it didn't taste much better, not like the taste of the microwave packets." — Derek

Get it from Amazon for $15.90 (available in 23 colors).
(credit:Amazon)
A pasta machine(24 of37)
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It'll help you create the Sunday Funday of your carb-loving dreams.

Get it from Amazon for $36.99 (available in two colors).
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A mandolin with 30 different cut options(25 of37)
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You can use this to create one of those Pinterest-worthy vegetable platters shaped like a flower or a rainbow — so fun!

Promising review: "This item is amazing for both its safety features and ease of use. I am a bit of a kitchen klutz and feel completely at ease and fearless with this device. I made my own potato chips — I sliced with my Dash mandolin and cooked in my Dash air fryer. The tasted just like the ones i get from my favorite Portuguese restaurant but I’m hoping they are much healthier. I honestly think this is a must have for all at home chefs." — Dawn

Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in three colors).
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A breakfast sandwich maker(26 of37)
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For those rainy Sunday mornings when all you want is a cure for your hangover.

Promising review: "FAM. I need you to lissssssten. I would give this product 87 stars if I could. You'd think it would be one of those gimmicky kitchen appliances that barely even works. EXCEPT you're wrong. It's amazing. It's quick. Look. Lissssten. You put the ingredients in and about two minutes later your tummy is all like 'oh yesssss.' Basically. Just buy it. Purchase the sammich maker. You're welcome." — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $23.47+ (available in five colors).
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An immersion blender(27 of37)
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It'll make recreating your favorite soup a breeze — broccoli cheddar in a bread bowl, here we come!

Promising review: "Amazing blender! I've had other (cheap) models of immersion blenders. While they did what they were supposed to do, they did not have quality that this Mueller one has. I absolutely ADORE that the piece that does the work is all stainless, not cheap plastic. I use mine mostly for doing soups, and it does a wonderful job even on 'tough' kohlrabi. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a GOOD immersion blender!" — Judy D.

Get it from Amazon for $29.97.
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A nonstick microwave pasta cooker(28 of37)
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You'll pat yourself on the back for ordering this when you're starving and don't want to wait for water to boil before diving into your favorite pasta.

Promising review: "One of those 'why didn't I think of this?' kind of things. It makes cooking pasta so easy and foolproof! No trying to bend/break pasta to get it to fit into a round pan. The instructions tell you exactly how long to microwave it for the different size proportions." — EQUUS

Get it from Amazon for $16.98.
(credit:Amazon)
A handy corn butterer(29 of37)
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Ensure each kernel is coated in that golden goodness without much of a hassle or mess.

Promising review: "I purchased the corn butter knife early in the summer — just in time for corn season. Since it comes in a set of two, I gave one to my daughter and son-in-law; their comment was, "Why hasn't anyone ever thought of this before?!" It's a MUCH better solution than rolling the cob in a slab of butter!" — Anne

Get a pack of two from The Grommet for $13.95.
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A Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother(30 of37)
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For those who prefer to sip on something a bit decadent after rolling out of bed.

Promising review: "Bravo Nespresso! I can't rave enough about this item. The simplest and best milk frother I have aver seen. Our lattes and cappuccinos are simply fantastic now with the heated, frothed milk from this machine. I have an expensive Jura coffee maker and it does hot, frothed milk well but not as easy to use or as well frothed as this thing. I can make only the amount of milk I need with this, where I would have a big bulky stainless-steel canister on the counter all day for the Jura with milk I would never get to use so would throw away. Well worth the price if you like perfectly frothed milk. Simple to use too! One of the best items I have ever purchased!" — Customer

Get it from Amazon for $86.99.
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A SinkShroom strainer(31 of37)
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You won't know how you lived without this — it'll keep your kitchen sink unclogged no matter how much gunk you fill it with. (Heather here: I bought this for myself (since I'm clearly a REAL adult) and OMG. This thing REALLY works. Usually when my husband makes sauce from scratch I'm left with chunks of tomatoes throughout my sink and water that WILL NOT drain — that was until I bought the SinkShroom. My mom was so impressed she bought one, too. It's a serious game-changer.)

Promising review: "I’ve been a fan of the SinkShroom and TubShroom, and this is the best product from the line so far. My kitchen sinks simply do not clog any more, so there’s no more reaching into a bunch of water to unclog anything with my hand." — Brady Amerson

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
(credit:Amazon)
A rapid egg cooker(32 of37)
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You can use this to make your breakfast faster than you can say, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" One little machine that can whip up hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs and omelets? Sounds magical! And let me tell you — it is. Get one of these egg-cellent appliances ASAP.

Promising review: "This egg cooker is some sort of insane magic. It is brilliant...totally changed my life and is my new best friend in the kitchen. Super simple to use, instructions are extremely clear, with pictures and some recipes to get you going, and the different types of eggs you can cook with this is incredible: hard boiled, poached (!!!) and an omelet. We didn't even have to try it a few times to get it right — first time the eggs came out the most perfect I've ever cooked them and all I did was follow a few basic instruction steps, then walk away and listen for the buzzer. Even the buzzer at the end is more than a sound...it's music that my son and I dance to in the kitchen. I'm in heaven. All for such a low price. I can die happy now:)" — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $17.46+ (available in five colors).
(credit:Samantha Wieder / BuzzFeed)
A BBQ tool(33 of37)
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It's a spatula, tongs and brush all in one — no more fumbling around for the right grill gadget while your burgers are ready to be flipped.

Promising review: "Bought it for my son in law for Christmas, a grill master! Loved not burning his wrist on the big grill, and can pick up all large cuts of meat and small pieces of vegetable without a problem. Very well-made. Extremely pleased with this purchase!" — Joyce

Get it from The Grommet for $17.95+ (available in three sizes).
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A HyperChiller to cool your favorite drink in less than a minute(34 of37)
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A must-have if you prefer to drink iced coffee all year. Yes, that includes when it's 25 degrees out.

Promising review: "For those not fully familiar with how it works, what it's accomplishing is trying to surround your liquid with as much ice-behind-metal as possible. So, it has a center chamber of ice behind the metal, then an outer chamber of ice. The inner chamber fits inside the outer with about a cup's worth of space that's between the inner and outer chamber. This exposes your liquid to the greatest surface area of super-cold metal that they can, and since your liquid is only touching metal, and not the ice itself, it doesn't matter the temperature of the liquid poured in. You can pour in boiling water and while it may end up melting a bunch of the ice behind the metal, none of that water will mix with your drink. So, whether you're chilling a wine, dropping hot coffee to cool it off, or just wanting to rapidly drop the temp of that fresh lemonade you made without making it watery, this will get that done." — P. Eriksen

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
(credit:Amazon)
A bicycle-inspired pizza cutter(35 of37)
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Heather here: You should probably invest in this if you religiously order a pie or two every weekend (ahem, me). I have this pizza cutter, and while I could've easily gotten a standard one to do the same job, this one brings me joy *and* works well. Can't ask for much more than that!

Promising review: "So cute and beautiful at the same time!! Sharp and cut the pizza like butter. Bought as a gift and will definitely buy again!!" — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $22.88.
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A Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor(36 of37)
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This will seem like a pricey purchase at first, but then feel priceless. We saw Claire Saffitz use this bad boy in an episode of "Gourmet Makes," and there is *no* comparison.

Promising review: "We read an article in Sunset Magazine about The Best Ice Cream Makers, and they rated this as the BEST! We decided to splurge and couldn't be happier! We made a few of the recipes that came with it and all were good, however we have since gone VEGAN! We now make THE BEST Vegan Ice Cream with coconut milk or almond milk! It's so nice not having to deal with ice and salt like our old machine, or with having to remember to pre-freeze something that never really works! With this machine, you can decide you want yummy ice cream in an hour or so, put the ingredients in, push the button and wait for the 'Ice Cream Man' song to play and ENJOY! We highly recommend this product!" — Kimberli

Get it from Sur la Table for $499.95.
(credit:Sur la Table)
And a toaster with a touch screen(37 of37)
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If you're really particular about the way you like your bread toasted, this might just be a gadget you need in your kitchen. It has a touch screen where you can select what kind of bread you're using (or toaster pastry or waffle) and precisely how brown you'd like it. We really are living in the future, aren't we?

Get it from Food52 for $300.
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