Kitchen & Cooking

Cookware, knives, coffee gear and countertop helpers. We cover what is worth buying, how to look after it, and what to skip.

Most kitchens run on a handful of tools: one good skillet, a sharp chef's knife, a cutting board and a few small appliances that earn their counter space. We focus on those everyday workhorses first, because they make the biggest difference in how cooking feels day to day.

Our kitchen guides are written by Amanda Roberts, who has more than 25 years in home economics and household management. Alongside our picks, you'll find plain how-tos on caring for what you already own, like seasoning cast iron or sharpening a dull knife, so your gear lasts longer and you buy less of it.

Every buying guide lists who each product is for, what bugs us about it, and who should skip it.

Best picks and reviews

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  Best of
  Easy-Grip Can Openers for Arthritic Hands: Our Top 4

  Hands-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.

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  Top Carbon Steel Pans, Including Picks for Induction

  Carbon 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.

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  The Chef's Knife to Buy: 5 Top Picks Under $100 and Up

  A 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.

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  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.

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  Best Deep Fryers With Oil Filtration for Easy Cleanup

  Draining 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.

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  Dish Racks for a Small Kitchen: 4 Space-Saving Favorites

  Compact, 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.

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  Best Japanese Kitchen Knives for Beginners

  A first Japanese knife should be sharp, stainless and forgiving. Our picks for a beginner gyuto from Mac, Tojiro, Misono and Fujiwara, most under $100.

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  Jar Openers for Seniors and Weak Hands That Actually Work

  Stuck 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.

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  Kitchen Faucets That Hold Up to Hard Water: 2 Best Bets

  No 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.

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  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.

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  Kitchen Tools for Arthritic Hands: 5 That Make Cooking Easier

  Tools 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.

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  Stainless Steel Cookware Sets Under $200 Worth Buying

  You 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.

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  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.

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  Can a Bread Machine Handle Sourdough? The 3 Best Bets

  No 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.

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  Best Cast Iron Skillets of 2026: 5 Picks for Every Budget

  Our picks for the best cast iron skillets, from the $30 Lodge that works for almost everyone to smooth, lighter premium pans worth the splurge.

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  Best Coffee Grinders for French Press and Pour Over

  A 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.

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  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.

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  Drip Coffee Makers Without Plastic: Honest Picks for 2026

  Almost 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.

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  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.

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  Electric Kettles With No Plastic Touching the Water: Top 3

  Most 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.

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  Best Gas Grills Under $500 in 2026

  Good gas grills don't have to cost $1,000. Our picks under $500, from the Weber Spirit to a 4-burner Monument for big cookouts, plus what to skip.

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  Top Kitchen Scales for Baking and Sourdough

  A 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.

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  Knife Sharpeners for Home Cooks: The Highest-Rated Picks for 2026

  Electric, 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.

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  Meat Grinders for Deer and Home Processing Worth the Money

  Grinding a whole deer takes a grinder that won't choke on sinew. Our picks for the best meat grinders for deer from LEM, Meat! Your Maker and STX, plus how to trim and grind venison.

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  Best Wireless Meat Thermometers for Smoking

  A good wireless probe lets you watch a 12-hour brisket from the couch. Our picks, from the eight-sensor Combustion to the budget ThermoPro TempSpike.

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  Outdoor Griddles, Including Blackstone Alternatives Worth a Look

  Our picks for the best outdoor flat-top griddles, from the $224 Blackstone 28-inch to the Weber Slate and Traeger Flatrock, and what you get for more money.

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  Best Pellet Grills Under $1,000 (2026)

  You don't need to spend $2,000 for great smoked ribs. Our picks for pellet grills under $1,000, from Pit Boss and Traeger to the Weber Searwood.

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  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.

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  Which Stand Mixer Can Handle Bread Dough? Top Picks for 2026

  Bread 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.

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  Vacuum Sealers for Sous Vide and the Freezer: Our 2 Top Picks

  A 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.

Guides and how-tos

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  Versus
  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.

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  Versus
  Compressor vs Freezer-Bowl Ice Cream Makers

  A 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.

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  Versus
  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.

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  How-to
  How to Clean a Burnt Stainless Steel Pan

  From 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.

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  How-to
  How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Faucet

  White 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.

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  How-to
  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.

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  Versus
  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.

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  Buying guide
  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.

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  Versus
  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.

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  Versus
  Honing vs Sharpening: What's the Difference and When to Do Each

  Honing 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.

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  How-to
  How to Clean and Descale a Moccamaster

  Moccamaster's own descaling steps, how often to do it, why vinegar isn't recommended, and how to keep the carafe and brew basket clean.

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  How-to
  How to Clean a Pellet Grill (and How Often)

  A simple pellet grill cleaning schedule: what to do every cook, every few cooks and once or twice a year, plus how to prevent grease fires.

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  How-to
  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.

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  How-to
  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.

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  How-to
  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.

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  How-to
  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.

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  How-to
  How to Vacuum Seal Soups and Liquids

  An 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.

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  Versus
  Pellet Grill vs Gas Grill: Which Should You Buy?

  Pellet grills make easy smoked barbecue. Gas grills are faster and better for weeknight grilling and searing. Here's how they compare on flavor, cost and upkeep.

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  Versus
  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.

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  Buying guide
  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.