It takes a lot of trial and error to find the perfect kitchen tools that can be used over and over again. Thankfully, we food editors have tested our way through plenty of pots, pans, and gadgets, and we finally have a handful that we swear by and that we'll never live without. If you're in the market for a new (and affordable) set of knives, a nonstick skillet that lives up to its name, or a time-saving tool you maybe never knew you needed for chopping garlic, take a look at 10 of our absolute favorite picks that won't ever gather dust in our own kitchens.
Food editors are no strangers to searching for the perfect nonstick pan, and one of our editors has finally found it in this life-changing Scanpan ($90).
Typically, one good knife will set you back at least a hundred dollars. But I found the best cheap set of knives thanks to the Chef Essential 6-Piece Knife Set With Matching Sheaths in Black ($24) on Amazon. The entire set (yes, set!) is a fraction of the price of one knife, and each of the small and larger knives is supersharp and comes with a sheath to protect it.
Let's be real, peeling garlic is the worst. And while it might seem silly to buy a utensil that only serves one purpose, this OXO Good Grips Silicone Garlic Peeler ($7) truly is the best and fastest way to peel garlic, no smashing required.
A microplane ($15) is a must have in my kitchen for two reasons: it's the easiest way to zest a lemon and the quickest, most mess-free way to finely mince garlic.
Citrus juicers are great for the obvious task — juicing citrus — but did you know there are plenty of citrus juicer hacks to make cooking easier? You can use it to grind spices, crumble graham crackers, turn croutons into breadcrumbs, smash avocado, and crush hardened brown sugar. An affordable lemon juicer ($13) will become one of your go-to tools.
Slightly weird name, completely amazing result: The Ringer ($22). We forever said goodbye to steel-wool pads and discovered the best way to clean a cast-iron skillet is with this nifty scrubber.
If you take tea and pour-over coffee seriously, a high-quality electric kettle is worth investing in. We're partial to the Bonavita Gooseneck Electric Variable Temperature Kettle ($105), which heats quickly, can be set to any temperature, and has a gooseneck, perfect for making pour-over coffee.
The price tag of a Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven ($100-$400) might make you cringe at first, but trust us, buying one of these is an "adulting" moment you won't regret later. It's the best dutch oven ever thanks to its cast-iron lid, enameled exterior, ability to cook anything in or out of the oven, and undeniably chic look. One of our writers swears, "There is no piece in my kitchen that works as hard and looks as good."
Another one of our editors was a little too tired of the sound scrambled-egg residue being scraped off the bottom of her "nonstick" frying pan, so she tried the 8-inch Scanpan Classic Nonstick Skillet ($60), and she's never going back.
The Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer ($200) is 20 percent smaller, 25 percent lighter, and over $100 cheaper than the Classic KitchenAid Stand Mixer ($350). Honestly, it's so cute that we leave it on the counter and it inspires us to bake way more often.