Amanda Roberts
Amanda Roberts has more than 25 years of experience in home economics, household management and home product evaluation. That time has taught her how everyday products hold up in real homes, and what's worth paying attention to before you buy.
At Home Stuff Reviews, Amanda covers kitchen appliances, cleaning products, home essentials and household organization. She judges each product on four things: build quality, how long it lasts, how easy it is to use day to day, and whether the price makes sense for what you get.
Her rule of thumb is simple. The best products make daily life easier without adding steps, settings or upkeep you don't need. Her reviews stick to what she's seen and what matters, so you can make the call and move on.
Covers: Kitchen & Cooking, Appliances, Cleaning & Laundry
Recent guides by Amanda
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Easy-Grip Can Openers for Arthritic Hands: Our Top 4Hands-free electric and easy-grip manual can openers that don't need a strong squeeze or twist. Our picks for the best can openers for arthritis from Proctor Silex, Cuisinart, Kitchen Mama and OXO, with test notes.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Top Carbon Steel Pans, Including Picks for InductionCarbon steel sears like cast iron at half the weight and gets slick like nonstick with use. Our picks for the best carbon steel pans from de Buyer, Matfer, Lodge and BK, and which stays flat on induction.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
The Chef's Knife to Buy: 5 Top Picks Under $100 and UpA great chef's knife doesn't have to be expensive. Our picks for the best chef's knives, from the $46 Victorinox that America's Test Kitchen loves to the precise Mac MTH-80 and a heavy German Zwilling.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Compressor Ice Cream Makers (No Freezing the Bowl)A compressor ice cream maker freezes as it churns, so there's no bowl to pre-freeze and you can make batch after batch. Our picks from Whynter, Cuisinart and Breville, and which one testers liked best.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Deep Fryers With Oil Filtration for Easy CleanupDraining and storing hot oil is the worst part of deep frying. These fryers filter it for you, or at least cut the smell. Our picks from All-Clad, T-fal, Breville and Cuisinart, with test notes.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Dish Racks for a Small Kitchen: 4 Space-Saving FavoritesCompact, collapsible and expandable dish racks that actually hold a day's dishes and keep water off your counter. Our picks for the best dish racks for small kitchens from Simplehuman, OXO, Joseph Joseph and Prepworks, with test notes.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Japanese Kitchen Knives for BeginnersA first Japanese knife should be sharp, stainless and forgiving. Our picks for a beginner gyuto from Mac, Tojiro, Misono and Fujiwara, most under $100.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Jar Openers for Seniors and Weak Hands That Actually WorkStuck jar lids are a daily frustration with arthritis or a weaker grip. The best jar openers for seniors, from a battery-powered Robo Twist to simple grippers, actually opened jars in Reviewed's testing.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Kitchen Faucets That Hold Up to Hard Water: 2 Best BetsNo faucet is immune to hard water, but some make it far easier to live with: wipe-clean spray nozzles, spot-resistant finishes and valves built to last. Our picks from Delta and Moen.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Kitchen Knife Sets Under $200 (and a Cheaper DIY Set)Most knife sets are padded with knives you won't use. These small sets cover the essentials with blades that did well in America's Test Kitchen's testing, plus how to build your own set for less.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Kitchen Tools for Arthritic Hands: 5 That Make Cooking EasierTools that open, chop, slice and lift without a hard grip or twist: our picks for the best kitchen tools for arthritic hands, plus simple tips from an occupational therapist.
Best ofAppliances
Mini Fridges With a Freezer That Actually FreezesMany mini fridges have a tiny 'freezer' that barely keeps ice frozen. These have separate freezers that hold real freezer temperatures in Taste of Home's testing. Our picks for the best mini fridges with a freezer for bedrooms, dorms and offices.
Best ofAppliances
Best Nugget Ice Makers for Home (Sonic-Style Ice)Soft, chewable nugget ice at home: our picks from GE Profile Opal, Frigidaire, GoveeLife, Gevi and Igloo, plus which keeps ice frozen longest and what to know before you spend $400.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Stainless Steel Cookware Sets Under $200 Worth BuyingYou don't need All-Clad prices for good stainless cookware. Our picks for the best stainless steel cookware sets under $200, what 'tri-ply clad' means, and why it matters more than the piece count.
Best ofAppliances
Best 30-Inch Under-Cabinet Range HoodsDucted, convertible or ductless: our picks for a 30-inch under-cabinet range hood from Hauslane, Cosmo, Winflo, Kobe and Broan, plus how much CFM you need and when make-up air comes into it.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Woks for an Electric Stove (Flat-Bottom Picks)Round-bottom woks don't work on flat electric or induction cooktops. These flat-bottom woks do. Our picks from Made In, Yosukata and Joyce Chen, plus how to get real stir-fry heat.
VersusKitchen & Cooking
Carbon Steel vs Cast Iron: Which Pan Should You Buy?Carbon steel is lighter and quicker to respond. Cast iron holds heat longer and costs less. Here's how they differ in weight, heat, seasoning and everyday cooking.
VersusKitchen & Cooking
Compressor vs Freezer-Bowl Ice Cream MakersA freezer-bowl ice cream maker costs about $70 and makes excellent ice cream if you plan ahead. A compressor model costs $300 or more and is ready anytime. Here's how to choose.
VersusKitchen & Cooking
German vs Japanese Kitchen Knives: What's the Difference?German knives are heavier, softer and tougher. Japanese knives are thinner, harder and sharper. Here's how they compare on steel, edge angle, care and price.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Clean a Burnt Stainless Steel PanFrom a scorched sauce to a blackened bottom, here's how to get a stainless steel pan clean with water, baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend and a little patience, without wrecking the finish.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a FaucetWhite crust and spots on your faucet come off with plain white vinegar and a little patience. Here's how to clean the faucet, spray head and aerator without damaging the finish.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Season a Carbon Steel Pan (and Keep It Slick)A plain, step-by-step way to season a new carbon steel pan or wok on the stove or in the oven, plus what to do about rust, sticky spots and a patchy finish.
Buying guideAppliances
Mini Fridge Sizes Explained (Cubic Feet to Cans)What actually fits in a 1.7, 3.1 or 4.5 cubic foot mini fridge, typical dimensions for each size, and how to pick the right one for a dorm, bedroom or office.
VersusAppliances
Nugget Ice vs Bullet Ice: Which Countertop Ice Maker to BuyNugget ice is soft and chewable. Bullet ice is quick, cheap and hollow. Here's how the two kinds of countertop ice makers differ in price, speed, melting and upkeep.
Buying guideAppliances
How Many CFM Does Your Range Hood Need?A simple way to size a range hood for a gas, electric or induction stove, why duct length matters, and the 400 CFM make-up air rule that catches a lot of people off guard.
Best ofAppliances
Best Apartment-Size Washer and Dryer Sets That Stack in 24 InchesCompact 24-inch washer and dryer sets stack in a closet and often need no vent. Our picks from LG, Bosch, Miele and GE, with reliability data and power needs.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Can a Bread Machine Handle Sourdough? The 3 Best BetsNo bread machine makes true sourdough on autopilot, but some come close with custom programs. Our picks, from Zojirushi to Breville, and how to use them.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Cast Iron Skillets of 2026: 5 Picks for Every BudgetOur picks for the best cast iron skillets, from the $30 Lodge that works for almost everyone to smooth, lighter premium pans worth the splurge.
Best ofAppliances
Garage-Ready Chest Freezers: The Highest-Rated PicksA regular chest freezer can quit in a cold garage. The best garage chest freezers below are rated to run from 0°F to 110°F, from a 5 cu. ft. convertible to a 20 cu. ft. giant.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Coffee Grinders for French Press and Pour OverA burr grinder that makes even coarse and medium grounds is the biggest upgrade for French press and pour over coffee. Our picks from $45 to $400.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Cold Brew Coffee Makers Worth Buying (Glass, Less Plastic)Our picks for the best cold brew coffee makers, including a glass mason jar with a stainless filter, the OXO that tasters loved and the big-batch Toddy.
Best ofAppliances
Compact Dishwashers for Small Kitchens: 5 Top Picks for 2026Our picks for the best countertop and portable dishwashers for apartments and small kitchens, including models that need no faucet hookup at all.
Best ofAppliances
Countertop Ice Makers: Best Bullet, Nugget and Clear Ice PicksOur picks for the best countertop ice makers, from a $90 bullet ice machine that works for most homes to the best nugget and clear-ice makers.
Best ofAppliances
Countertop Ovens Big Enough for Bread and 9x13 PansMost toaster ovens can't fit a 9x13 pan or a Dutch oven. These countertop ovens can. Our picks for the best countertop ovens for baking bread, casseroles and cookies when you're short on oven space.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Drip Coffee Makers Without Plastic: Honest Picks for 2026Almost every coffee maker has some plastic. These keep it out of the hot water path. Our picks for the best drip coffee makers without plastic, from the glass-and-steel SimplyGoodCoffee Brewer to the Moccamaster.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Best Dutch Ovens for Sourdough Bread (2026)Our picks for the best Dutch ovens and bread ovens for sourdough, from the $60 Lodge Combo Cooker to the Challenger Bread Pan, and how to choose.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Electric Kettles With No Plastic Touching the Water: Top 3Most electric kettles have plastic lids, windows or filters. These stainless steel kettles keep it away from your water. Our picks for the best plastic-free electric kettles for coffee and tea.
Best ofAppliances
Instant Hot Water Dispensers Worth Buying (Under Sink and Countertop)Near-boiling water on tap for tea, oatmeal and pasta. Our picks for the best under-sink instant hot water dispensers, plus a countertop option with no plumbing.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Top Kitchen Scales for Baking and SourdoughA digital scale is the cheapest way to bake better bread. Our picks for the best kitchen scales for sourdough and everyday baking, plus what capacity and precision you actually need.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Knife Sharpeners for Home Cooks: The Highest-Rated Picks for 2026Electric, pull-through, rolling or whetstone? Our picks for the best knife sharpeners at every budget, and how to choose the right type for your knives.
Best ofAppliances
Portable Induction Cooktops Worth Buying, Including for Large PansA portable induction burner boils water faster than most stoves and plugs into a regular outlet. Our picks for the best portable induction cooktops from Duxtop, Breville and more, and what to know about big pans.
Best ofAppliances
Best Portable Washing Machines for ApartmentsNo laundry hookups? A portable washer that hooks to your sink can save trips to the laundromat. Our picks, the types explained, and what to check with your landlord.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Top Pressure Canners (and Why Multicookers Don't Count)Our picks for the best pressure canners from Presto and All American, the one electric canner worth knowing about, and why an Instant Pot isn't safe for canning low-acid foods.
Best ofAppliances
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems: Top Picks for 2026Our picks for the best under-sink reverse osmosis systems, with the certifications, flow rates and waste ratios that matter, and a tankless option for small cabinets.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Which Stand Mixer Can Handle Bread Dough? Top Picks for 2026Bread dough is the hardest job you can give a stand mixer. Our picks for the best stand mixers for kneading sourdough and big batches, from the Bosch Universal Plus to the Ooni Halo Pro.
Best ofAppliances
Toaster Oven Air Fryer Combos: The Top 4One appliance that toasts, bakes and air fries. Our picks for the best toaster oven air fryer combos from Breville, Cuisinart and Ninja, from a big oven that fits a 9x13 pan to a budget toaster oven.
Best ofAppliances
Upright Freezers for a Garage: Frost-Free Picks Worth BuyingGarage-ready upright freezers rated from 0°F to 110°F, most of them frost-free. Our picks for the best garage freezers from GE, Frigidaire and Gladiator, plus frost-free vs manual defrost.
Best ofKitchen & Cooking
Vacuum Sealers for Sous Vide and the Freezer: Our 2 Top PicksA vacuum sealer stops freezer burn and makes sous vide easier. Our picks for the best vacuum sealers, from the Nesco VS-12 to the Anova Pro, and when a chamber sealer is worth it.
Best ofAppliances
Ventless Washer Dryer Combos: Best Picks With No Dryer VentAll-in-one washer dryers wash and dry in one drum with no vent. Our picks from GE Profile, Samsung, LG and a compact 24-inch GE, plus how long drying really takes.
Best ofAppliances
Water Filter Pitchers for Well Water (and What They Can't Do)A pitcher can improve the taste of well water and cut some contaminants, but it can't make unsafe well water safe. Our picks for the best water filter pitchers for well water, plus what to check first.
VersusKitchen & Cooking
Cast Iron vs Nonstick: Which Skillet Should You Buy?Cast iron and nonstick pans are good at different jobs. Here's a plain comparison of heat, weight, upkeep, lifespan and price, and which one to buy first.
VersusAppliances
Chest Freezer vs Upright Freezer: Which Is Better?Chest freezers hold more, cost less and use less energy. Upright freezers are easier to organize and often frost-free. Here's how to choose for your home.
VersusAppliances
Countertop Ice Maker vs Fridge Ice Maker: Which Do You Need?A countertop ice maker makes ice fast but doesn't keep it frozen. A fridge ice maker is slow but always stocked. Here's how they compare and who should buy which.
VersusAppliances
Countertop vs Portable Dishwasher: Which Fits Your Kitchen?No room or plumbing for a built-in dishwasher? Here's how countertop and portable dishwashers compare on size, capacity, hookup and price, and who should get which.
Buying guideKitchen & Cooking
What Size Dutch Oven Do You Need? (Size Chart)A simple Dutch oven size chart by household and by what you cook, including the best size for sourdough bread, a whole chicken and a big batch of chili.
VersusKitchen & Cooking
Enameled vs Bare Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Which Should You Buy?Enameled cast iron is easier to care for and handles tomato sauce and wine. Bare cast iron is cheaper and nearly indestructible. Here's how to choose.
VersusKitchen & Cooking
Honing vs Sharpening: What's the Difference and When to Do EachHoning straightens your knife's edge; sharpening grinds a new one. Here's how to tell which your knife needs, and how to hone properly in under a minute.
Buying guideAppliances
How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use? (And What Can Run It)Most modern fridges use about 100 to 250 watts while running and 1 to 2 kWh a day, with a startup surge several times higher. Here's how to find yours and size backup power.
How-toAppliances
How to Clean a Countertop Ice Maker (and How Often to Do It)A simple routine to clean and descale a countertop ice maker with vinegar or a cleaner, plus how often to do it so your ice stays fresh and the machine keeps working.
How-toAppliances
How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter (Takes 10 Minutes)A dirty filter is the most common reason a dishwasher smells or leaves dishes gritty. Here's where to find it, how to clean it, and how often to do it.
How-toAppliances
How to Clean a Front-Load Washer That SmellsThat musty smell comes from mildew and soap residue in the door gasket, drum and drain filter. Here's how to clean each part and keep the smell from coming back.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Clean and Descale a MoccamasterMoccamaster's own descaling steps, how often to do it, why vinegar isn't recommended, and how to keep the carafe and brew basket clean.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Descale an Electric Kettle (Vinegar or Citric Acid)Remove white scale from an electric kettle in about 30 minutes with vinegar or citric acid, plus how often to do it and how to keep scale from coming back.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Get Rust Off Cast Iron (and Keep It From Coming Back)Rusty cast iron is almost always fixable. Here's how to scrub, soak and re-season a rusty skillet, plus the simple habits that stop rust for good.
How-toAppliances
How to Hook Up a Portable Dishwasher to a Kitchen FaucetStep-by-step instructions for connecting a portable or countertop dishwasher to your kitchen faucet, which adapter you need, and how to disconnect it safely.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet (Oven Method That Actually Works)A simple, step-by-step way to season or re-season a cast iron skillet in the oven, which oil to use, and how to fix a sticky or patchy finish.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Sharpen a Kitchen Knife With a Whetstone (Beginner-Friendly)A plain, step-by-step guide to sharpening a kitchen knife on a whetstone: which grit to use, how to hold the angle, and how to tell when you're done.
How-toKitchen & Cooking
How to Vacuum Seal Soups and LiquidsAn edge vacuum sealer will suck soup right into the machine. Pre-freezing fixes that. Here's the step-by-step for soups, stocks, sauces and marinated meats.
How-toAppliances
How to Tell if Your Pans Work on Induction (the Magnet Test)Grab a fridge magnet. If it sticks firmly to the bottom of your pan, it'll work on induction. Here's how to test, which materials work, and what to do if yours don't.
VersusAppliances
Induction vs Electric Cooktop: What's the Difference?Induction heats the pan directly and is faster, safer and more responsive. Electric (radiant) cooktops work with any pan and cost less. Here's how to choose.
VersusKitchen & Cooking
Pressure Canner vs Pressure Cooker: What's the Difference?A pressure canner is built and tested for safely canning low-acid foods. A pressure cooker or Instant Pot isn't, even if it has a canning button. Here's why it matters.
VersusAppliances
Washer Dryer Combo vs Stackable Set: Which Is Right for You?An all-in-one combo saves space but takes longer. A stackable pair is faster and can do two loads at once. Here's how they compare on space, time, cost and hookups.
Buying guideKitchen & Cooking
Which Kitchen Knives Do You Actually Need? (Hint: Just 3)You don't need a 15-piece block set. Here are the three kitchen knives that handle almost everything, the optional extras, and what to look for when you buy.
How-toAppliances
Why Is My Ice Maker Not Making Ice? 9 Fixes to Try FirstMost fridge ice makers stop working for simple reasons: a switch, a filter, a frozen line or a warm freezer. Here's how to find the cause and fix it yourself.