42 Kitchen Tools To Simplify Your Cooking Process
A versatile veggie chopper that'll help you prep (and clean up!) with speed that feels downright magical. The interchangeable blades just pop out, then throw them right into the dishwasher.
A modern knife block you can get in a breezy coastal green and treat your countertops to a surprisingly practical centerpiece. The five stainless steel knives are nestled in an ash wood block, helping them stay sharp and easily accessible. Whether you're looking for your first set of knives or are a cooking pro in need of an upgrade, these can make all the difference in your kitchen.
A splurge-worthy 12-piece Caraway cookware set — nonstick cookware with minimalist silhouettes sure to complement any kitchen. These work with induction, gas, and electric stove tops, they're all oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, are made with a nontoxic coating, and feature nonstick ceramic with an aluminum core and stainless-steel handles. Whew! Sorry for all that; I really got Caraway'd away!
An inconspicuous jar opener, because you're not gonna let arthritis or poor upper body strength get in the way of your pasta puttanesca night.
A silicone bread maker, an inexpensive option that'll help you ~rise~ to the occasion whenever you want to bake a perfect loaf of bread. The partially closed design allows steam to circulate to keep your bread from drying out, while the openings on the side help heat disperse evenly, creating a golden crust.
A Kochblume spill stopper to keep meals from boiling over onto the stove by trapping excess foam and liquid. No more tossing a wooden spoon over your pasta, hoping it keeps the bubbles at bay!
A pastry tool you can use to divide dough, sure, but this is no one-use gadget. It's also designed with herb-stripping holes on top. And as an added bonus, there's a handy conversion chart right on the side!
A genius tofu press that'll efficiently drain tofu to get the perfect texture and taste, mess not included.
An air fryer (from the makers of the Instant Pot) so you can avoid cooking with hot oil and still make all your favorite fried foods. This even has a rotisserie feature so you can cook an ENTIRE chicken in one go!
Or a counter space-friendly toaster oven/air fryer combo for folks who would gladly give up their fast food habit as long as they can still get their fry fix at home. This includes a fry basket, oven rack, and baking pan. Reviewers have made pizza, bread, cinnamon rolls, meatloaf, an entire chicken... the delicious list goes on.
A pair of herb scissors sure to ~cut~ your prep time in half when chopping things like cilantro, parsley, and dill.
A Cuisinart mini food processor so you can make sauces, dips, butters, and more from scratch. Don't feel like hand-chopping herbs? This thing can do that for ya, no problem!
A retro stand mixer from Dash (that proudly boasts over 13,000 5-star reviews) — this six-speed mixer comes with a 3-quart bowl that's ready to take on all the cookie dough your heart desires.
An electric peeler, because the phrase "easy as pie" is a flat-out lie. Fortunately, using an electric peeler will make the prep work seriously simple.
A highly-rated blender with an 1800W motor that gives reviewers a little start when they realize just how powerful it is. Reviewers also say it's comparable to $400+ Vitamix options. So feel free to go wild with those organic kale bunches at the farmers market next week — you earned that smoothie money!
An Instant Pot — a modern classic that can replace one-use appliances (like a pressure cooker and slow cooker) and make full meals in minutes. Seriously. There are 11 different one-button cooking selections, so you don't have to dig through the internet to find a proper cooking time. There's even a YOGURT button. Yum.
Or an Our Place Dream Cooker that's not just a pretty face. This *treasure* can slow cook, sear, saute, and pressure cook. Having one multi-use appliance can help keep your kitchen from feeling cluttered, encouraging you to cook more often because it's actually a NICE place to be. Dream Cooker? You're dreamy.
A digital food thermometer — it's gonna take the (terrifying) guesswork out of preparing meat. It's always nice to know you won't be giving your guests salmonella when having a dinner party.
Or a suuuper techie ThermPro meat thermometer with a Bluetooth temperature tracker boasting a whopping 650 ft. range, so you can keep an eye on how dinner's lookin' on the grill while sitting and relaxing.
A Thaw Claw to safely defrost food in far less time — for when you don't remember to thaw your chicken until after your stomach starts rumbling. It suction cups to the bottom of your sink, so just stick it on, fill the sink up, and place your frozen meat underneath the claw — it'll keep everything submerged evenly underwater and thaw that piece of meat faster than you can say, "Get in my belly."
A Bluetooth Anova sous vide that'll basically be the ~sous~ chef you didn't know that you needed. Attach this to any pot, put the food in, and then it'll cook it to perfection using the built-in controls in the app. The future is now.
A Dash rapid egg cooker sure to guarantee you never have to ~scramble~ to find a good Sunday brunch spot ever again — your kitchen table is gonna be the best spot in town.
An eight-pack of fancy kabob skewers designed with a flat blade (so your food doesn't spin when you're turning it while cooking) and a push bar so you can remove the cooked food with ease!
A rice cooker to take the guesswork out of making the perfect bowl of rice. It's time to finally make the crispy rice sushi bites TikTok keeps talking about!
A sushi-making kit that'll keep you on a roll as you continue growing your cooking skills (without an oven... it's way too hot for that right now).
A silicone clip-on strainer that's dishwasher safe, attaches to any size pot or pan, and is designed to save a bunch of space in your kitchen cupboards.
An immersion blender, because cold soup season is here and I plan on eating gazpacho... daily. What do I not plan on doing? Cleaning a blender daily. Grab this and you too can have delicious soup without the extra dishes!
An outdoor pizza oven that'll give you another great excuse to cook outdoors on breezy summer nights. And, ahem, eat delicious homemade pizza after ordering delivery pizza the night before. Different categories, folks! Totally different meals!
A tortilla press made in Mexico out of old Singer sewing machines...seriously. You're gonna be hard pressed to find another tortilla maker this cool.
A container of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust that'll be so dang delicious you'll feel like you're coating meals in fairy dust. Reviewers have used this on toast, yogurt, fries, popcorn...even sweet potatoes. Sweet.
An adjustable cake leveler to help with what feels like an impossible task — evenly cutting into a baked cake. If you've tried this with a knife before and ended up with nothing but crumbles, you deserve this.
A dough scoring knife that'll breathe a little life into everyday loaves of bread (even though cinnamon raisin bread is scrumptious no matter its aesthetic).
A smoking cloche — a suuuper snazzy way to infuse unique flavors into food and drinks. This is gonna prove your cooking skills are ~smokin'~ hot.
A Wilton 55-piece cake tips set to make desserts so mind-bogglingly lovely your friends won't know whether to eat it...or frame it.
A stackable deviled egg carrier that'll make everyone's favorite summer side *much* more travel-friendly. If the stress of transporting these bite-sized beauties has you so stressed you think you might ~crack~, then get yourself this excellent egg carrier.
A Dracula garlic mincer so you can ditch the jarlic and enjoy some extra fresh ingredients with your meals. Oh, you just noticed it also looks like a vampiric demon of the night? Well, yeah. Just go ahead and start singing, "Dracula-la-la-la-la I can't hear you!" when the other grown-ups tell you it's not a respectable kitchen tool.
A tomato knife to make chopping up this pesky piece of produce tomat-oh so easy if you plan on eating them on the reg the entire time they are growing in your garden.
A portable Cuisinart vertical smoker for people who only cook when they can do it outside. This *treasure* slow-cooks everything from turkey to brisket. That's a smokin' hot accessory to have in your backyard-turned-restaurant, if you ask me.
An Oxo 3-in-1 avocado tool to split, pit, and slice avocados with ease. Guacamole is the sustenance we humans need all summer long, and using this tool just might make the prep a satisfying cinch!
A pizza stone so you can improve your delivery pizza life. Get ready to become a true crust-texture snob, because the results from this pizza stone ~rock~.
And finally, a beer can chicken roaster to put the pedal to the metal while cooking up your famous backyard BBQ masterpieces.
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New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Husband refuses to eat chicken left in hot car for hours, sparking food safety debate
One man risked dinner – and domestic peace – when he refused to eat sun-warmed poultry that his wife was planning to prepare, according to a viral social media post. Writing on Reddit's 24-million-member 'Am I the A–hole' forum on July 26, the man said the spat began after his wife decided to try a new recipe for dinner. Advertisement 'It's a one-pot chicken thing with orzo,' he wrote. 'She ordered the groceries online this morning and then went to collect them around 11 a.m. She got back home around midday and unloaded everything from the car.' But around 5:30 p.m., his wife suddenly asked where the chicken went – and found that it had been sitting in the trunk of their car all afternoon. 'The chicken wasn't a frozen chicken,' the man clarified. 'The chicken was a whole, fresh, raw chicken, in a sealed bag.' 'Although it wasn't a particularly warm day, we still had a high of [60 degrees Fahrenheit] and our car was sitting out in the sunshine all afternoon.' Advertisement The wife said that the chicken was still 'cool to the touch,' which the man hesitantly agreed with – it wasn't warm, he said, but he wouldn't call it 'overly cold.' 'It's safe to say it was somewhere between fridge temperature and room temperature,' he wrote. 5 One man risked dinner when he refused to eat sun-warmed poultry that his wife was planning to prepare, according to a viral social media post. Rido – The Redditor quickly told his wife he wasn't interested in eating the chicken. Advertisement 'She tells me we're [still] going to eat the chicken,' he recalled. 'I go back to the couch and start Googling how long you can leave a chicken in the car.' Despite going back and forth, the wife continued preparing the chicken – until the husband had an idea. 'I pitch the idea that she can have the chicken and I can just make something simple for my dinner,' he said. 'She's not thrilled because she wanted to make this meal for me.' 5 'The chicken wasn't a frozen chicken,' the man clarified. 'The chicken was a whole, fresh, raw chicken, in a sealed bag.' ColleenMichaels – Advertisement The man said he told her that he was 'not going to eat it' and felt as if he was 'being made to eat a chicken against my will.' She then got into the car and left 'in search of another chicken from the store.' But the man admitted that he felt 'like a bit of an a–hole about it.' 'I also feel like we may have wasted a perfectly good chicken,' he said. But most of the comments posted on the thread — which attracted over 2,000 responses — affirmed his fears. 'You know what's worse than throwing out a chicken? Food poisoning,' the top comment read. 'I would not have eaten that chicken either.' 5 'She tells me we're [still] going to eat the chicken,' he recalled. 'I go back to the couch and start Googling how long you can leave a chicken in the car.' Natasha Breen – Advertisement 'I have a realllllllyyy loose attitude toward food safety, and I wouldn't eat that chicken,' another person chimed in. One user who attested to working in restaurants for two decades, however, had a different take. 'I would've eaten it,' the commenter wrote in part. 'Still cool to the touch and getting cooked fully? It's fine.' Another wrote, 'You're about to cook it. It's not had time to rot, especially if it's cool to the touch. Everyone in these comments is overreacting.' Advertisement 5 The man said he told her that he was 'not going to eat it' and felt as if he was 'being made to eat a chicken against my will.' fizkes – Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., a food scientist with Mendocino Food Consulting in California, told Fox News Digital the risk in the Reddit situation is 'very high.' 'It has been several hours-plus inside a car, which will be at a much higher temperature than the surrounding air,' he said. 'Bacteria grow very fast every 10 degrees higher than refrigeration temperature, exponentially so every 20 minutes. They are right that it is not safe to eat.' Advertisement 5 'Bacteria grow very fast every 10 degrees higher than refrigeration temperature, exponentially so every 20 minutes. They are right that it is not safe to eat,' Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., a food scientist, said. Mara Zemgaliete – Le added that, hypothetically, one could try cooking the chicken, which would destroy pathogenic bacteria. But that doesn't solve the issue, he said. 'It's the toxins they leave behind that can be a problem, which tend to be heat-resistant,' the expert said. 'It's not worth the risk. A single chicken is not that expensive compared to the food poisoning you could experience.'
CNET
4 days ago
- CNET
This Is the Only Window AC I Can Count On to Cool My Two-Story Home All Summer Long
CNET's key takeaways The Windmill AC normally starts at $349 for 6,000 BTUs, but you can often find it on sale at Windmill's website Amazon Home Depot Not only is the Windmill AC the easiest unit I've ever installed, it's the only AC unit I've tried that effectively kept my older and not well-insulated home cool during a heat wave. Bonus: It's actually stylish. Although, I still would have paid for an ugly one that works. I'm a sucker for an old home. My current rental -- a 100-year old row home with original 1920s art deco tile -- lured me in with its character and tall ceilings. But it also came with a tough trade-off: no central air conditioning. With record-breaking heat waves regularly hitting in my area, I needed to find window ACs that could cool my poorly insulated 2,500 square foot home. I hunted for the right one for years. Every summer I'd buy and test out new window air conditioners, only to feel frustrated by how poorly they worked. I'd sell them at the end of the season, and restart the cycle again the following year. Finally, after years of sweating through sweltering three-digit temperatures and overbearing humidity, I found it: the Windmill WhisperTech window air conditioner. This innovative powerhouse was so effective at cooling my oversized master bedroom, that I eventually bought two more. These three AC units effectively cool my 2,500-square-foot Philadelphia row home even during intense heat waves. And they look great while they do it. The Windmill AC isn't the cheapest option on the market, but for me, it was well worth every cent. If you're also fed up with sweating indoors, here's why you need to try this game-changing AC. I've had the 12,000 BTU Windmill WhisperTech air conditioner for three years, and it keeps our master bedroom comfortable during intense temperatures. (It's stylish, too!) Courtney Johnston/CNET My experience with the Windmill air conditioner I was skeptical about the Windmill window air conditioner when it first arrived. It was lighter than other units I'd tried out (I could pick it up myself), so I panicked, thinking there was no way this one could cool our south-facing 350 plus square foot bedroom. But within minutes, my partner and I had the unit installed and running. Only a few hours later, our bedroom felt less like a sauna and dropped to 68 degrees Fahrenheit -- a feat that hadn't happened with prior ACs. The humidity, which often jumped up to 65% or higher on humid days also dropped to below 50%. I was equally impressed by how well it maintained its set temperature, too. Especially during intense heat waves. The very next day, I ordered a second unit for the other end of our house. Note: CNET does scientific testing on window ACs at our Louisville testing labs. We will be testing the Windmill AC unit there this summer to see how fast it can cool a heated 92 degree Fahrenheit room and how well it can maintain 68 degrees Fahrenheit -- a tough test many AC units fail at. What makes the Windmill AC different? Windmill air conditioners have a few unique features, but what prompted me to add one to my cart was the unit's cooling design. Windmill ACs push cool air out of the top of the unit at a 45 degree angle for better cooling. After trying several big name window ACs that pushed air out horizontally, I was excited to find that this feature actually cooled a second-story room with a tall ceiling; the air seemed to circulate better since the unit pushes the cold air up, rather than out and down. No more hiding the ugly AC units I'd deal with an ugly air conditioner as long as it cooled my home. But I'm glad I don't have to. The Windmill air conditioner has a sleek, minimal design that many of my friends and family have commented on. The unit has an attractive front panel design that hides its air filter and houses tiny buttons that are nearly hidden at the top of the panel. The LED display lights automatically dim, so you don't have to worry about any visual disruptions at night. It also comes with side panel covers that offer extra insulation and a seamless look. Windmill also offers colorful magnetic panel fronts to add some whimsy to your window, if you're into that kind of thing. It's the quietest AC I've ever owned Although it wasn't a main selling point for me, I'm now a huge fan of Windmill's Whispertech quiet cooling technology. My first priority was an air conditioner that made my house feel comfortable; I just assumed that would come with some noise. The specs list it as 42 decibels -- softer than the average household refrigerator. I found my Windmill units comfortably quiet, even after regularly using two for almost three years. My partner and I are able to watch TV at a normal volume, talk to each other from other ends of the house and jump on work calls without the noise bothering us. I actually enjoy the white noise effect it offers in our bedroom at night. I do sometimes find the running noise distracting when I'm on work calls, but that would happen with any AC since my window is right next to my desk. This typically only happens if it's on high or medium, so I just switch it to low or eco-mode to solve this problem. You can install it in minutes (really) I've installed three of these units in multiple homes and windows, and it only takes me five to ten minutes to set up. That's because this unit comes pre-assembled. There's no attaching panels or screwing brackets onto the base before installing it. All you have to do is add the window foam to the sides of your windows, set the unit onto your window pane, expand the side panels, shut your window, then secure it with screws. If you can't drill into your window panes or if you rent (like me) and don't want to, you can secure it to a block of wood. I usually have my partner help me install this (one of us lifts while the other opens and lowers the window), but I've successfully installed it on my own in the past. It comes with a smart app and voice control Windmill will send a remote with your window AC, but if you have multiple units to control, I highly recommend using Windmill's smart app. It takes just a few minutes to install and register your device (they send a QR code you can use to make set up even easier). The Windmill app makes it easy to control settings for multiple window air conditioners in one spot. Screenshot by Courtney Johnston The app's easy to use and helpful if you leave the house and forget to adjust the temperature before you go. It does occasionally show the wrong temperatures, though. I had an issue with my office AC's temperature on the app showing as 61 degrees when it clearly wasn't, but a quick reset of the AC solved that. Similar to a smart thermostat, you can create automations to lower or raise the temperature, speed or even shut the unit off at certain times of day. It's a great tool if you want to raise the temperature while you're at work or away for a weekend. I don't use the voice control with Alexa feature, but if you're into that, it seems easy to set up. Eco mode keeps my energy bill low Since I have gas heat, my electric bill tends to go up in the summer when I'm running the AC. While that's still the case, I don't worry about large energy bill surges anymore. Windmill's eco-mode helps my rooms stay cool without causing a surprise electric bill. Windmill air conditioners are Energy Star rated, with up to a 15 Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio rating. To earn an Energy Star rating, air conditioners need a CEER rating of 12 or higher. Solves the storage dilemma I'm lucky to have a basement where I can store my air conditioners when I'm not using them. But if you don't have an extra closet or garage to house these units during the winter, Windmill sells winter covers that will protect your unit, keep your house insulated, and add a pop of color (if you choose) to your window. I like this idea, although the current options are fairly limited and I don't personally love any of the color schemes they offer. The specs 6,000, 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU units available. Pre-assembled for easy installation WhisperTech quiet technology The 6,000 BTU unit is 42 decibels Comes with side panel covers for extra insulation and a seamless finish Airflow at a 45 degree angle Auto-dimming LED lights Three cooling options Three fan speeds Eco-mode Remote control Smart app and voice control One-year limited warranty The 6,000 BTU unit retails for $350, but we usually see it on sale for $340. The 12,000 BTU retails for $629 and often on sale for $589. This 12,000 BTU Windmill air conditioner was installed in our dining room and cools our entire downstairs. Courtney Johnston/CNET CNET's buying advice I recommend Windmill window air conditioners to everyone I know who's looking for one. My experience with three units I own has been nothing but positive. They've outperformed GE and Midea air conditioners I've tried in the past and work well to keep my humid row house cool and comfortable. The biggest drawback of the Windmill air conditioner is its price. While the cost is on par with competitors like July (yes, they're an AC company named after one of the hottest months of the year) and Midea, you can find more affordable options. Paying $630 for a 12,000 BTU window air conditioner is a steep price, but you can frequently find them on sale at Windmill's website or at Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, P.C. Richards and Costco. If a Windmill AC isn't in your budget, don't go into debt to buy one. Instead consider the GE 5,000 BTU mechanical window air conditioner, CNET's best budget pick, the GE AHEC05AC window AC for around $160-170.
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Composting helps the planet. This is how to do it, no matter where you live
Most of what goes into U.S. landfills is organic waste, ranging from household food scraps to yard trimmings. That's a problem because in that environment, organic waste is deprived of oxygen, which helps break material down. The result: the release of a lot of methane , a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Consumers can curb their environmental impact by composting, which helps break material down in ways that reduce the release of methane. This can be done whether someone lives in a home with a yard or in an apartment without outside space. Composting also alleviates pressure on landfill space and results in a nutrient-rich substance that help soil. Robert Reed, with the recycling and composting company Recology, said that applying compost makes soil better at retaining moisture, which makes it resilient against droughts, wildfires and erosion. For people who want someone else to compost their food scraps, some local governments offer curbside pickup. Otherwise, nonprofits, farmers markets and community gardens often fill that gap. Companies in some areas also will pick up the food waste to be taken away for composting for a fee. For those who want to try composting at home , here's how to get started . If you've got a yard Composting doesn't necessarily require much space. Even 4 square feet — roughly the size of a standard office desk — can do the trick. Common receptacles include open wooden bins or large barrel-shaped tumblers that you can rotate on a metal rod. Free-standing piles also work. Some people follow a strict schedule of turning the pile, often with a hoe or shovel, or adding to it regularly. Backyard composting typically relies on microbes to break down the waste, which can bring a pile's temperature up to 130-160 degrees Fahrenheit (54-71 degrees Celsius). Others follow a more passive approach. Experts break the composting recipe down into four main ingredients: water, oxygen, nitrogen-rich 'greens' (food scraps, grass clippings) and carbon-rich 'browns' (cardboard, dead leaves, shredded paper). Typically compost has two or three times as much 'brown' material as 'green.' The Environmental Protection Agency recommends against meat, bones, dairy, fats and oils in backyard compost piles because they typically don't get hot enough to fully break them down, and because they're more likely to attract pests. The agency also says to steer clear of treated wood, glossy paper, pet waste and compostable dishware or bags. Experts say composters can experiment with what works and what doesn't. Rodale Institute Senior Farm Director Rick Carr said he's tried animal products and just about everything in his household. Hair from the hair brush and fully cotton swabs break down great. Cotton T-shirts? Not at all. 'If you're unsure if it'll break down, put it in there and you'll find out,' he said. The bacteria and fungi feed on the pile of organic waste and turn it into compost. The finished product looks like moist, dark soil. The EPA says a well-tended pile can produce finished compost in three to five months, while a more passive pile that doesn't reach high temperatures may take up to a year. Bob Shaffer, who owns a company called Soil Culture Consulting, said that for him, the process can take closer to nine months, but it's easy to tell when it's finished. 'When you look at compost, what you should not be able to see is, oh, there's a leaf. There's that carrot top that I put in there 10 months ago. You shouldn't be able to discern what the material is,' he said. Common pitfalls Most composting problems happen when the ingredients get out of whack. One way to make sure you've got the right balance of 'greens' and 'browns' is a 'squeeze test,' by reaching into the pile and grabbing a handful then letting it go, said Nora Goldstein, editor of the organics recycling magazine, Biocycle. 'If it just kind of crumbles off your hand, it's too dry. If you squeeze and get a little bit of drips, it's a little wet. But what you want is to squeeze it, let it go, and have kind of a coating on your hand.' When the pile gets too dry, the composting process slows down or stops. The answer: Hose it down or add more food scraps. Another common problem is the opposite: there isn't enough air, or there are too many nitrogen-rich 'greens.' The first sign of trouble is when the compost pile smells. That typically means the microorganisms are dying and the pile is releasing methane, like in a landfill. The solution: stir the pile to get more air inside and allow it to cool down. Then add some cardboard or paper. A pile that's too wet can also attract flies, maggots and rodents. 'As long as you're mixing in enough amendment or browns, you'll stay out of trouble,' Goldstein said. If you lack outdoor space Composting indoors is possible through what's known as vermicomposting, a process that relies on worms. People can buy premade worm bins, make their own out of untreated wood or use plastic storage bins with a few modifications, according to the EPA. The containers should have tight-fitting lids and keep out the light. Only certain types of worms will work, and they can be obtained from a worm grower or a neighbor who's already started vermicomposting. Goldstein said that the process isn't always easy: 'You really have to know what you're doing.' Instead of relying on microbes, worms feed on the carbon- and nitrogen-rich organic matter. They poop out almost-black castings. That's the finished product. The EPA says it takes about three to six months, which can be faster than backyard composting. They can create a more nutritious end product than in traditional compost. But Goldstein said that it can be tricky to ensure conditions are right for the worms. 'You want to make sure those worms are very happy, because if they're not, they will leave the bin. And they're not harmful, it's just a little freaky,' said Goldstein. Traditional composting, whether indoors or outdoors, is typically a process that takes place over months, not days, Goldstein said. Electric countertop devices that promise to break down food in hours or days don't use the same process. Goldstein said those devices produce material that can be used in gardens, but it's 'not completely broken down' and should be mixed with soil. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
