22 Big-Ticket Kitchen Items That Are Actually Worth the Expense

The kitchen item of the year is without question the Instant Pot ($150). You can cook pretty much anything, and this makes it so unbelievably easy.

If you love the taste of grilled food but don't love cooking outside in the Winter, you'll freak out over this Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Double Burner Grill ($200). You can place this in the oven, and grill vegetables, meat, fish, or whatever you like on this ingenious pan.

Look, it's time to invest in a full set of matching silverware. This pretty gold Canvas Home Oslo 20-Piece Flatware Set ($392) screams luxury, and you'll be so happy to have it.

You know how they say certain wines need to "breathe?" Well, it's true: letting your wine decant can make the drinking experience all the more pleasurable. This Luigi Bormioli Crescendo Decanter ($40) is so pretty, you'll want to display it.

Having a high-quality coffee maker is a hallmark of any sophisticated kitchen. This Breville Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine Bundle with Aeroccino Milk Frother ($162, originally $250) will let you make homemade lattes and cappuccinos, as well as a classic afternoon espresso shot.

For the person that takes Sunday brunch seriously, the All-Clad Four-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker ($200, originally $300) is a must have. Is there anything better than a crispy waffle on a weekend morning?

Cook meat perfectly, every single time. Sound like a dream? Well, meet your new reality with the ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide ($199); it heats and circulates water to the perfect temperature consistently, and connects to an app so you get step-by-step instructions and can track how well your food is cooking. Whether the chef in your life is adventurous and innovative or all about convenience, they'll love this.

There's nothing worse than cooking with a dull knife, and now they won't have to, thanks to this Wüsthof Chef'sChoice Electric Knife Sharpener ($180).

Speaking of which, I've been to homes where the knives are just thrown about in a drawer, which is not only unorganized, but also incredibly dangerous. Invest in this safe, sophisticated Wüsthof Epicure 7-Piece Knife Block Set ($550). Your kitchen will never be the same.

The Ember Travel Mug ($150) syncs to your preferred temperature, and stays that way. It's kind of our dream product; no more cold coffee!

If you host often, you know that having a pitcher makes life so much easier. The Anthropologie Glam Pitcher & Stirring Spoon ($68) can sit so beautifully on your dining room table. Plus, the pretty long spoon is such a fun accessory.

A high-quality, enameled cast-iron dutch oven like this Staub seven-quart oval cocotte ($364) is a budget-buster, but its versatility more than makes up for it. You'll want to display it stove top not only because it's aesthetically pleasing, but also because you'll be reaching for it so often. (It's the best thing for soups, stews, deep-frying, and braising.)

Don't bother with a knife set; your money is much better spent on a solid chef's knife, paring knife, and bread knife (the other knives that come in a set typically get little use). While top-notch versions of each will prove their worth, a chef's knife like this eight-inch Global model ($100, originally $125) will get the most use.

Protect the investment you made on high-quality knives with a wooden cutting board, which is much gentler on blades than plastic and glass models. (Seriously, don't even think of using a glass cutting board.) For everyday use (and especially for prepping meat and seafood), we're partial to Epicurean's wood composite boards ($50) as they're dishwasher safe. If you can muster hand-washing, an end-grain cutting board ($150) should last a lifetime, is even gentler on knives, and is attractive enough to serve food atop.

Until we tried a Scanpan Fry Pan ($90 for 10-inch, originally $139), a virtually scratch-proof, eco-friendly (read: not Teflon) nonstick pan, our philosophy was to stick with inexpensive nonstick cookware and replace as soon as its nonstick coating wore off with use. (Typically annually.) This pan is a game-changer: not only does its nonstick coating last for years, but we also no longer have to worry about ingesting flaked-off Teflon or inhaling fumes from overheating the pan.

The sticker shock might be hard to stomach, but we'd argue that a high-powered blender like the Vitamix Explorian E310 Blender ($350) is worth every penny. The texture of pureed soups, smoothies, and sauces made in one is incomparable; we consider ours an investment in our health.

We know what you're thinking: "$100 for a thermometer? WTF!" But hear us out: meat (especially big steaks and roasts) is pricey and easy to over- or undercook without an accurate instant-read thermometer. While we wish there were solid inexpensive models, nothing compares to the Thermapen ($99) for speed or accuracy.

Bonavita's variable-temperature kettle ($82, originally $100) isn't for everyone, but if you geek out on tea or coffee, listen up. Temperature control allows you to treat delicate tea leaves right, and the gooseneck will help you perfect brewing pour-over coffee.

If you like to bake or make candy, a Silpat ($18, originally $22 for half-sheet pan size) is a must buy. Not only is it a reusable way to keep baked goods from sticking to a pan, but it also helps prevent overcooking delicate baked goods' undersides.

If time is money, then a solid food processor, like Breville's 16-cup model ($400, originally $600), may just provide the best return on investment of any of these items. This large bowl size allows one to breeze through prepping produce, and a second 2 1/2-cup bowl is ideal for smaller jobs.

Thin, inexpensive pans don't heat anywhere near as evenly as an All-Clad stainless steel pan ($115 for eight-inch size) does, making it much more difficult to properly sear food without burning. With proper care, these pans last a lifetime.

If you only bake occasionally, a hand mixer does the trick, but if you're an avid baker, a KitchenAid stand mixer ($280, originally $500) is the gold standard. Also worth noting: a full suite of attachment options makes this item much more versatile than one might think.