After Testing Kitchen Gear for 10 Years, These Are the 10 Gadgets I'd Recommend to Anyone

I’ve had to literally eat my words with this pick, and daaaang, were they delicious. For the longest time, I was convinced I didn’t need a Bluetooth thermometer; the finger test or a standard thermometer were fine. But this thermometer makes grilling anything to seared-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside perfection practically foolproof. Even if kids, dogs and your very nosy neighbor are all vying for your attention simultaneously.

The Meater Plus connects wirelessly to the Meater app on your phone, where you can choose your protein and level of doneness, and it will monitor your food’s progress, chiming when it’s good to be taken off the grill plates (or skillet). Dual temperature sensors gauge the meat’s internal temp as well as the ambient temp, providing more precise results. It’s also safe to use in an air fryer, according to the brand, and it provides pretty reliable cook time estimates, so you can ensure your entire meal is ready at once. Steak, chicken, pork—whatever I’m tossing on the grill, you better believe I’m using the Meater with it. (Psst: It’s also a great gift. Years later, a couple I gave it to still rave that it was one of their favorite wedding presents.)

They’re dishwasher safe (without the measurements instantly wearing away). It features round and narrow scoops—great for skinny spice jars, but also so you can measure out a teaspoon twice without having to wash in between. Oh, and they’re magnetic, so the spoons nest neatly together; no annoying ring to fuss with.

Simple, yet brilliant: Oxo’s angled cups let you read the measurements from above, so there’s no stopping mid-pour to bend over and inspect whether you’ve hit exactly one-third of a cup. Or 2.67 ounces. Or 78.86 milliliters. (Both of which are also displayed there.)

Don’t get me wrong—I love the KitchenAid stand mixer—but there are a few features I prefer from Breville’s foray into the stand mixer world. First, the fact that it comes with two bowls (one glass, with measurements along the side for easy baking, and one stainless steel, which is ideal for anytime you need a chilled bowl, like making absurdly fluffy whipped cream). Second, the timer on the side (no need to wonder whether you’ve let it mix for 5 minutes, like the recipe recommends!). Third, the built-in lights under the head of the mixer, so you can see how things look in the bowl without squinting. Fourth, the dial to adjust the speed, which is easier to use—and feels more precise—than the KitchenAid’s knob system.

Add to that the fact that it’s every bit as reliable and durable as the KitchenAid (at least in my three years’ of use), and it’s a winner in my book.

At $700 for a blender, you’ve got to be serious about your smoothies. And soups. And purees. But if you’re looking for the best of the best, I haven’t come across any brand who does it better than Vitamix. The brand backs this with its 10-year warranty, and while my Ascent is creeping toward that date, it’s still showing no signs of lag or wear. I’ve made everything from nut butter to pesto and copycat Panera soups with it, and it’s tackled everything with ease. (My biggest gripe with most blenders is how many excel at stirring your ice, or gently crushing it, rather than truly pulverizing it. That’s never been an issue with Vitamix.) And with a 64-ounce capacity, I can make smoothies for the whole family in one batch.

Why yes, I do have a preference when it comes to can openers. I used to grab the cheapest one around…only to struggle with them six months later. You’ll pay a bit more for KitchenAid’s design, which is pretty comfortable to grip, latches onto cans of all sizes and styles firmly, and makes quick (clean) work of removing the lid. The stainless steel design is rust resistant, lasting me 7+ years without issue.

Grip and swivel are the two most important features on a peeler to prevent it from slipping all over the place (and hurting your hands). Oxo nails both. The nubby thumb grip and finger rest make this gadget comfortable to hold no matter how many carrots you’re peeling, and the swiveling head catches onto veggies and tubers easily. Plus, the top features a built-in potato eyer.

I tend to be fairly silicone spatula agnostic; I use one constantly, but I’ll take just about any design. (I always look forward to Williams-Sonoma’s celebrity collabs to benefit No Kid Hungry.) But the most impressive one I’ve ever owned has to be Gir’s design. It’s made of 100 percent pharmaceutical-grade silicone that’s heat-resistant up to 550 degrees F, and it’s entirely dishwasher safe, with a seamless design that prevents food from crusting in small crevices (an issue I’ve had with wooden-handle styles). Better yet, the blade is curved at a slight angle to get into tricky corners and edges, and it’s firm with just enough give to scrape the bowl without buckling under the weight of a heavy dough.

Confession: I eye-rolled when the Perfect Pot first launched, convinced it was being overhyped for its aesthetics. Now, I’ve owned one for nearly three years, and I love it. As in, shove other pots out of the way to use it every night love it. Yes, the colorways are dreamy, but more than that, the Thermakind nonstick coating has held up remarkably well, heating evenly and making cleanup a breeze, no matter what I’m making. It’s also oven safe up to 450 degrees, and the lid has a built-in strainer, so I don’t have to bust out my colander when I’m cooking. (And if you’re on the fence about it, the company offers a 100-day trial.)

Oven safe up to 900 degrees F, this fry pan is an investment—that reaps dividends. It’s the type of ultra durable yet stunning enameled cast iron that, with proper care, holds up for years and years—and can be passed down to your kids. I like the 10-inch size, because it’s large enough to cook dinner for a family of four but not so heavy that you can’t lift it to use either of the pour spouts (or take it to the table). It’s electric stovetop compatible and doesn’t require seasoning, but word to the wise: To maintain its nonstick glory, hand wash over dishwash, even though the brand says it’s dishwasher safe.