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1.
A silicone grease container with a built-in strainer to catch leftover bacon bits — you can pop it in the freezer and use it for future cooking endeavors.
The Grommet
This reusable, silicone design is safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, resists stains and odors, and holds one cup of cooled grease.
Promising review: “After using just about anything that wouldn’t melt, this is the best bacon grease container ever. Easy to use, easy to clean…love the piggy!” —Michael
Get it from The Grommet for $15.
The Grommet
This reusable, silicone design is safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, resists stains and odors, and holds one cup of cooled grease.
Promising review: “After using just about anything that wouldn’t melt, this is the best bacon grease container ever. Easy to use, easy to clean…love the piggy!” —Michael
Get it from The Grommet for $15.
2.
An air fryer (from the makers of the INSTANT POT!!), perfect for anyone who hasn’t always been a big fan of leftovers but wants to make the most of all their delicious homemade meals. Best of all? You can crisp up your fave foods without all that oil.
Hannah Loewentheil / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed editor Hannah Loewentheil finally caved and bought an air fryer while in quarantine, and she’s glad she did:
“I’d been contemplating buying an air fryer for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I found myself cooking every night with my family due to COVID-19 that I finally decided it was the right time to get one. Friends of mine were raving about their new Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer, so after reading similar feedback on Amazon, I decided it looked like a winner. And it happens to be made by the same company that makes the crowd-favorite Instant Pot. I figured I would be using this appliance primarily as air air fryer, but as an added bonus, it can also roast, broil, bake, re-heat, and dehydrate food.
I’ve had this air fryer for about three weeks now, and I can honestly say it’s become the hero of my kitchen. It preheats quickly, it’s large enough to hold a good amount of food at once, it’s easy to clean, and it makes food taste crispy on the outside and moist on the inside without any oil. I’ve been using my air fryer to make vegetables just about every night and it makes them taste so good. If you’re cooking for kids, picky eaters, or you just don’t get so excited about eating vegetables, the air fryer could be perfect for you. If you like chicken, the air fryer might change your life, and I don’t mean that to be dramatic. The air fryer produces restaurant-quality chicken that tastes absurdly decadent, except there’s no oil involved in the cooking — just air. We also tried making sesame chicken in the air fryer using boneless skinless chicken thighs. The sesame chicken tasted almost identical to my favorite Chinese takeout, and it had nothing to do with my cooking skills. Thanks to the air fryer, the chicken gets so crispy. I couldn’t believe I made this at home!!”
Get it from Amazon for $88.26.
Check out the full review, plus some air fryer recipe suggestions for more!
Hannah Loewentheil / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed editor Hannah Loewentheil finally caved and bought an air fryer while in quarantine, and she’s glad she did:
“I’d been contemplating buying an air fryer for quite some time, but it wasn’t until I found myself cooking every night with my family due to COVID-19 that I finally decided it was the right time to get one. Friends of mine were raving about their new Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer, so after reading similar feedback on Amazon, I decided it looked like a winner. And it happens to be made by the same company that makes the crowd-favorite Instant Pot. I figured I would be using this appliance primarily as air air fryer, but as an added bonus, it can also roast, broil, bake, re-heat, and dehydrate food.
I’ve had this air fryer for about three weeks now, and I can honestly say it’s become the hero of my kitchen. It preheats quickly, it’s large enough to hold a good amount of food at once, it’s easy to clean, and it makes food taste crispy on the outside and moist on the inside without any oil. I’ve been using my air fryer to make vegetables just about every night and it makes them taste so good. If you’re cooking for kids, picky eaters, or you just don’t get so excited about eating vegetables, the air fryer could be perfect for you. If you like chicken, the air fryer might change your life, and I don’t mean that to be dramatic. The air fryer produces restaurant-quality chicken that tastes absurdly decadent, except there’s no oil involved in the cooking — just air. We also tried making sesame chicken in the air fryer using boneless skinless chicken thighs. The sesame chicken tasted almost identical to my favorite Chinese takeout, and it had nothing to do with my cooking skills. Thanks to the air fryer, the chicken gets so crispy. I couldn’t believe I made this at home!!”
Get it from Amazon for $88.26.
Check out the full review, plus some air fryer recipe suggestions for more!
3.
A milk frother to pack a powerful, spinning punch despite looking rather delicate. It’ll help transform your hot chocolate into one out of a Hallmark Christmas movie scene. Delish.
amazon.com, Amazon
I invested in one of these this year and I’m so glad I did — I use it to make lattes at home and have saved a lot of dollars without having to run out to Starbucks every morning (just…once a week or so instead hehe).
Promising review: “OMG, this milk frother makes my homemade latte taste like it was made by a barista. It was perfect. So perfect that I bought a second one for my brother who loves coffee to use. I’ve already recommended it to some coworkers. It has changed my coffee drinking life. This comes highly recommended.” —Michelle Pirestani
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 17 colors).
amazon.com, Amazon
I invested in one of these this year and I’m so glad I did — I use it to make lattes at home and have saved a lot of dollars without having to run out to Starbucks every morning (just…once a week or so instead hehe).
Promising review: “OMG, this milk frother makes my homemade latte taste like it was made by a barista. It was perfect. So perfect that I bought a second one for my brother who loves coffee to use. I’ve already recommended it to some coworkers. It has changed my coffee drinking life. This comes highly recommended.” —Michelle Pirestani
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 17 colors).
4.
A set of three fermentation lids you can use with an array of jars to bring some scientific fun into your next cooking sesh. You’ll be making your own pickles and kimchi in no time at all!
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I am a first time fermenter and was very pleased with this kit. I made dill pickles and some mixed veggies (cauliflower, carrots, onions, and green beans). They all turned out yummy. I used half gallon jars and the glass weights, and didn’t have any mold problems! I was not prepared for the smells though. Love this product as it makes it so easy to get some tasty probiotics into your gut.” —Claudia Turner
Get it from Amazon for $25.99.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I am a first time fermenter and was very pleased with this kit. I made dill pickles and some mixed veggies (cauliflower, carrots, onions, and green beans). They all turned out yummy. I used half gallon jars and the glass weights, and didn’t have any mold problems! I was not prepared for the smells though. Love this product as it makes it so easy to get some tasty probiotics into your gut.” —Claudia Turner
Get it from Amazon for $25.99.
5.
A pizza oven the entire family can enjoy — from rolling out the dough and adding toppings to watching it cook over the flame, this is one gift you’ll get praised for.
oonihq / Via instagram.com
Promising review: “We’ve wanted a pizza oven for a long time. The regular oven only gets to about 550F and the BBQ doesn’t cook the top of the pizza well enough. Then this amazing thing comes along. It delivers as promised. Read to launch pizzas in 20 minutes. In fact I found that lower than max temp worked perfectly and avoided the over-charred crust. The 16-inch size is nice to allow room to maneuver 12-13” pies around to cook them evenly. I used the provided dough recipe with success so far. I look forward to trying some other crust types. If you are on the fence about this, listen: Buy it! Nothing easier than gas. Pizzas on my second try came as good as the best restaurant pizzas I’ve had. Keep the toppings light and you will love it too.” —matthekman
6.
A handheld soap dispensing brush that might just make you want to clean your dishes — it looks kinda fun, doesn’t it?
oxo / Via instagram.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “I’m loving this little brush. I had purchased another dish brush a while back from the grocery store and the bristles were so stiff that it often splattered soap everywhere. This one isn’t like that. The bristles are stiff, but soft enough that they tend to cling to what you’re brushing, so they don’t cause that splatter effect. I also like that you can open the whole thing up by taking its top off to refill it, giving you plenty of room to pour in the dish soap. The ability to easily remove and replace the brush is another very handy feature. Both are easy to do and it’s well made, so they’re not likely to come open or undone unexpectedly.” —Elliria
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
oxo / Via instagram.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “I’m loving this little brush. I had purchased another dish brush a while back from the grocery store and the bristles were so stiff that it often splattered soap everywhere. This one isn’t like that. The bristles are stiff, but soft enough that they tend to cling to what you’re brushing, so they don’t cause that splatter effect. I also like that you can open the whole thing up by taking its top off to refill it, giving you plenty of room to pour in the dish soap. The ability to easily remove and replace the brush is another very handy feature. Both are easy to do and it’s well made, so they’re not likely to come open or undone unexpectedly.” —Elliria
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
7.
A tortilla press to help you take your Taco Tuesdays to the next level without going above and beyond your minimal cooking skill level.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
Thanks to a handy lil’ tortilla press from Verve Culture, making my own tortillas at home isn’t much of a challenge at all. The press is made in Mexico from old Singer sewing machines and other recycled irons! The cast-iron should last you, basically, forever so it’s definitely worth your money. I still can’t believe how easy they were to make! We used Maseca’s corn flour (the bag has instructions on the back how to make the tortillas) and it was so simple. They came out *so* well I was beyond impressed with myself.
Check out my full review of this awesome tortilla press!
Get it from Verve Culture or Amazon for $45.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed
Thanks to a handy lil’ tortilla press from Verve Culture, making my own tortillas at home isn’t much of a challenge at all. The press is made in Mexico from old Singer sewing machines and other recycled irons! The cast-iron should last you, basically, forever so it’s definitely worth your money. I still can’t believe how easy they were to make! We used Maseca’s corn flour (the bag has instructions on the back how to make the tortillas) and it was so simple. They came out *so* well I was beyond impressed with myself.
Check out my full review of this awesome tortilla press!
Get it from Verve Culture or Amazon for $45.
8.
A Nespresso Vertuo coffee and espresso maker that’ll have your favorite drink ready in minutes — say goodbye to your cranky morning mood.
Amazon
It heats up in 15 seconds and has a 40-ounce water tank so you don’t have to fill it every morning.
Promising review: “I like iced coffee with high caffeine. This fits the bill perfectly and is a joy to use and drink. My Starbucks monthly bill has come down considerably after buying this unit, and I’m ready to hit the ground running that much sooner in the morning. I especially enjoy the self cleaning feature and the ability to run it for smaller or larger cup sizes. Truly a premium product.” —David T.
Get it from Amazon for $179.95+ (available in three colors, plus in bundle options with the Aeroccino milk frother).
9.
A set of LED light saber chopsticks you’ll probably misplace in your utensil drawer but then have the opportunity to exclaim “THESE are the ones I’ve been looking for!” once you’ve finally find them.
amazon.com, Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
I know for a fact that BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord treats herself to sushi every Friday and takes her “treat yo’ self” meal a step further by devouring it with these fun chopsticks.
Promising review: “I purchased these for a friend’s birthday present (he is a sushi waiter) and these are flippin’ AMAZING. I ordered two sets by mistake, but I am totally keeping the second pair for another gift (or for myself!). These are sure to be great conversation pieces and attention-getters. Way to go!” —T. Redwood
Get them in red and green from Amazon for $21.99.
amazon.com, Emma Lord / BuzzFeed
I know for a fact that BuzzFeed editor Emma Lord treats herself to sushi every Friday and takes her “treat yo’ self” meal a step further by devouring it with these fun chopsticks.
Promising review: “I purchased these for a friend’s birthday present (he is a sushi waiter) and these are flippin’ AMAZING. I ordered two sets by mistake, but I am totally keeping the second pair for another gift (or for myself!). These are sure to be great conversation pieces and attention-getters. Way to go!” —T. Redwood
Get them in red and green from Amazon for $21.99.
10.
A mini fridge/freezer with a retro vibe you can use to secretly store all of your favorite drinks and snacks you don’t want your other family members to find.
galanzamericas / Via instagram.com
I have one of these adorable lil’ fridges and it’s as functional as it is cute! The freezer is DEEP — like fits-an-entire-ice-cream-cake deep. It’s been great during quarantine in my apartment, as we’ve stocked up on more food/drinks than we typically used to. It’s nice to have space for some extra treats without overflowing the full-sized fridge.
Promising review: “Great fridge! Looks good. Runs efficiently and mostly silent (just a slight hum when the compressor kicks in). I purchased this one because I wanted a small fridge without a can rack on the inside of the door. Without it, this fridge has tons of storage for lots of non-soda can things! Freezer is also super roomy. This is a great product for anyone who wants a stylish appliance that works well and saves space.” —REV
Get it from The Home Depot for $259.26 (available in four colors).
11.
An automatic pan stirrer with a timer, perfect for any aspiring chef who tends to get a little absent-minded while following a recipe.
UncommonGoods
Promising review: “My husband loves to cook. We have two very small children, so while his meals are mostly yummy, they are also sometimes burnt. 🙂 This was perfect for him. He’s able to turn it on, run into the next room to save the day with a plastic bag and a washcloth for whatever blowout-esque mess I’m dealing with, forget he’s cooking, run back into the kitchen frantically when he remembers, and arrive only to find the meal practically cooking itself. Best. Gift. Ever.” —Jake the ChefturnedDaddy
Get it from UncommonGoods for $25.
12.
A handheld garlic press you’ll be ready to *rock ‘n’ roll* with right out of the package — don’t plan to invite any vampires over for dinner.
Amazon
Promising review: “Very sturdy and well-designed garlic press. The handle is solid and the metal used isn’t cheap and presses well. The enclosed small knife scraper and garlic roller are very useful. It was extremely easy to clean three cloves and then press for fresh garlic instead of the old jarred stuff from a box store. Nothing is better than using it fresh for your marinades or cooking.” —Leips63
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).
13.
A compact eight-in-one spiralizer that’ll grate cheese, juice fruits, cut ribbon, and *so* much more. This lil’ gadget really does it all.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed, Amazon
BuzzFeed editor *and* zoodle-lover Emma Lord is obsessed with this gadget:
“I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I’ve started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it’s very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you’re ever portioning things out for a recipe.”
Promising review: “LOVE THIS. I absolutely love this. So far I’ve used the thicker spiralizer, two of the grater things, and then the juicer. I love how easy this makes keeping everything together. And it’s sharp so it actually cuts through things without you needing to work super hard to do it. The only thing I don’t love is that the spiralizers are a bit hard to clean, but I guess that’s with all of them? Not sure, this is the first I’ve owned. But, overall I’d recommend it :)” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
Emma Lord/BuzzFeed, Amazon
BuzzFeed editor *and* zoodle-lover Emma Lord is obsessed with this gadget:
“I recently purchased this because it was my cheapest option for making zoodles, and also because my apartment is the size of a shoebox and there was no room for anything bigger. I LOVE how easy it is to swap out the caps to do other things, too — I’ve started grating my own cheeses and feel very fancy. But mostly I just love that it’s very safe to use (it comes with a finger guard!), super easy to figure out, very compact, and even has measurements on the inside of the cup if you’re ever portioning things out for a recipe.”
Promising review: “LOVE THIS. I absolutely love this. So far I’ve used the thicker spiralizer, two of the grater things, and then the juicer. I love how easy this makes keeping everything together. And it’s sharp so it actually cuts through things without you needing to work super hard to do it. The only thing I don’t love is that the spiralizers are a bit hard to clean, but I guess that’s with all of them? Not sure, this is the first I’ve owned. But, overall I’d recommend it :)” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
14.
A Magic Bullet blender you can count on to help you recreate the green juice or smoothies you used to pick up on your way to the office.
Amazon
Promising review: “I use this almost every morning. This was my savior during the quarantine part of the pandemic when I was working from home. I was able to easily make smoothies for breakfast or a snack instead of eating junk. Blended quickly and easily, easy to clean, and came with so many cups and travel options I was able to continue my healthy habit when I went back to work!” —Marissa Vittorio
Get it from Amazon for $29.13.
15.
A cookie scoop, so all of your precious balls of dough will come out *exactly* the same size and look simply stunning before everyone in the house gobbles ’em up.
I have one of these and it has been a game changer when making cookies. I love that each one comes out the same size, making it easier than ever to know precisely how many will fit on my baking sheet.
Promising review: “Why didn’t I have one of these in my kitchen drawer before?! I bought the medium-sized scoop originally to make a large batch of cookies for Christmas, but today it came handy when I had leftover batter from my banana bread recipe and it made the perfect scoop to fill a regular-sized cupcake liner! Now I’m thinking about getting the small size for my mini-cupcakes! Super easy and they came out perfectly uniform and totally beats trying to use a spoon! Handles have a nice silicone grip too and help with hand fatigue. :-)” —Michi K
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in sizes S–L).
16.
A smart Breville toaster oven, because the one you’ve been using from college is likely looking charred and a lil’ gross — you deserve an upgrade.
breville / Via instagram.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “We love this oven! We almost never use the big gas oven anymore, even for baking. We bought this back in Nov of 2016 and it’s now Jan of 2020. I bake a loaf of bread about weekly and it’s perfect. Specific things we like: it heats up fast, timer starts when on temp, beeps when done, right on with the temp, smaller more efficient perfect for the two of us. We use this almost everyday for something, zero repairs, no cleaning issues, still works like new. If it died today I would definitely buy another of these.” —A.J. Goodrich
Get it from Amazon for $269.99.
breville / Via instagram.com, amazon.com
Promising review: “We love this oven! We almost never use the big gas oven anymore, even for baking. We bought this back in Nov of 2016 and it’s now Jan of 2020. I bake a loaf of bread about weekly and it’s perfect. Specific things we like: it heats up fast, timer starts when on temp, beeps when done, right on with the temp, smaller more efficient perfect for the two of us. We use this almost everyday for something, zero repairs, no cleaning issues, still works like new. If it died today I would definitely buy another of these.” —A.J. Goodrich
Get it from Amazon for $269.99.
17.
An AeroGarden for your countertop so you can grow your own herbs to take your recipes to the next level — whether you have a green thumb or not.
Promising review: “I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend’s sister-in-law who lamented not having a green thumb. In the two months that the sis-in-law has had the AeroGarden, the growth has been tremendous. I’m constantly in awe when she sends me pics of the new growth.” —Mary A. Walls
Get it from Amazon for $149.95.
Promising review: “I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend’s sister-in-law who lamented not having a green thumb. In the two months that the sis-in-law has had the AeroGarden, the growth has been tremendous. I’m constantly in awe when she sends me pics of the new growth.” —Mary A. Walls
Get it from Amazon for $149.95.
18.
A mug warmer, because even if you’re the self-proclaimed “busiest person on the planet” you deserve to have hot coffee.
We’ve all been there — making our coffee or tea only to set it down and forget about until it’s cooled down completely. Thanks to this mug warmer none of us ever have to suffer through another cold cup of caffeine again! It has received over 13.7K five-star reviews on Amazon, so you know it’s a big freakin’ deal.
Promising review: “I’m a chronic coffee forgetter. I can’t drink it straight from the brewer (too hot for me) so I set my mug down to cool slightly and often get distracted. Of course I then come back to my coffee to find it’s already cold. I’ve currently got the warmer at my office and it’s working great. I can sip my coffee leisurely over the course of an hour and it’s still nice and warm.” —Elle
Get it from Amazon for $10.99
We’ve all been there — making our coffee or tea only to set it down and forget about until it’s cooled down completely. Thanks to this mug warmer none of us ever have to suffer through another cold cup of caffeine again! It has received over 13.7K five-star reviews on Amazon, so you know it’s a big freakin’ deal.
Promising review: “I’m a chronic coffee forgetter. I can’t drink it straight from the brewer (too hot for me) so I set my mug down to cool slightly and often get distracted. Of course I then come back to my coffee to find it’s already cold. I’ve currently got the warmer at my office and it’s working great. I can sip my coffee leisurely over the course of an hour and it’s still nice and warm.” —Elle
Get it from Amazon for $10.99
19.
A Cuisinart Griddler, so you can make mouthwatering burgers all year long whether it’s 20 or 90 degrees outside.
Using this lil’ grill is so simple! Throw your meat on, close the top, and BOOM — dinner is served. I’ve been using one for years and it’s wonderful for making grilled chicken, burgers, grilled veggies, and paninis.
Promising review: “Excellent addition to our kitchen. Good build quality, You can use this for a lot of different food but it is great for grilled cheese sandwiches. The griddle works well on pancakes and has plenty of heat to do the job. Easy and quick to clean.” —Jazzperk
Get it from Amazon for $78.67.
Using this lil’ grill is so simple! Throw your meat on, close the top, and BOOM — dinner is served. I’ve been using one for years and it’s wonderful for making grilled chicken, burgers, grilled veggies, and paninis.
Promising review: “Excellent addition to our kitchen. Good build quality, You can use this for a lot of different food but it is great for grilled cheese sandwiches. The griddle works well on pancakes and has plenty of heat to do the job. Easy and quick to clean.” —Jazzperk
Get it from Amazon for $78.67.
20.
A KitchenAid food chopper to spare you the hassle of trying to finely chop ingredients *and* make sure all of your sauces and soups will be lump-free.
Promising review: “This is a perfect size for a small counter. It stores both blades and the cord wraps nicely. It is large enough to chop a large onion. It has a variable speed which is great for controlling particle size. It seems well-made, very little vibration and is very attractive.” —D Powell
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in five styles).
Promising review: “This is a perfect size for a small counter. It stores both blades and the cord wraps nicely. It is large enough to chop a large onion. It has a variable speed which is great for controlling particle size. It seems well-made, very little vibration and is very attractive.” —D Powell
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in five styles).
21.
A culinary blow torch so you can *finally* make your own baked Alaska after watching various chefs do it on TV for years.
Promising review: “This mini torch is easy to use with an adjustable flame. It’s not too fancy shmancy, but it’s not expensive either. It does everything I need it to do including lighting candles that have burned too far down to reach with a match. (although I know that’s not its intent at all) Unfortunately it doesn’t arrive with butane; but once you fill it, it lasts a pretty long time!” —Vero
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
Promising review: “This mini torch is easy to use with an adjustable flame. It’s not too fancy shmancy, but it’s not expensive either. It does everything I need it to do including lighting candles that have burned too far down to reach with a match. (although I know that’s not its intent at all) Unfortunately it doesn’t arrive with butane; but once you fill it, it lasts a pretty long time!” —Vero
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
22.
A Mr. Coffee drip coffee machine that’ll ensure a classic, delicious cup o’ joe will always be within arm’s reach.
BuzzFeed / Rachel Dunkel
BuzzFeed writer Rachel Dunkel has been *raving* about this coffee machine:
“I’ll admit, I can be prone to coffee snobbery now and again. I have just about every appliance, tool, and gadget to make coffee this way and that, but there’s one I always come back to — the Mr. Coffee. My dad has used a Mr. Coffee basically every morning since the beginning of time, so when I got my first apartment — finally free of the “no cooking appliances” rule ubiquitous to college dorm life — of COURSE I bought the cheapest 12-Cup Mr. Coffee drip pot I could find. That same pot has been with me ever since (for over six years!), quickly brewing up cup after steaming cup of coffee for my roommates, friends, and me, never failing to make my morning and little better. It has also survived many, many moves while packed in pretty precarious boxes. TL;DR: it’s also durable.
If you’ve somehow never made drip coffee before, listen, it’s really easy. Just pop in a filter, fill it with coffee, fill the machine with water, and flip the switch. Boom! You’ve got java. Most mornings, flipping literally one switch is all I feel capable of, and Mr. Coffee thinks that’s just fine! Is it an artisanal cup of coffee? No. But is it delicious and plentiful and quick and easy? Heck yes. I fully support making a lil’ pour-over as a treat, but for an everyday pot for yourself and every coffee drinker in the house? Unbeatable.”
Get it from Amazon for $28.09 (also available in white).
23.
A coffee and spice grinder you can use to make your go-to morning beverage that much easier to whip up (especially when you’re still feeling super sleepy).
Sur La Table
BuzzFeed editor Melanie Aman has been using this while in quarantine this year and is a fan!
Promising review: “Been using this for my morning French press beans, and it is so straightforward and easy to use to one’s needs. I haven’t done any super deep cleaning of it yet but the design makes me think that’ll be easy — all the surfaces inside are easy to access and clean out as needed.” —Erin B.
Get it from Sur La Table for $19.95.
24.
A SodaStream you can use to make endless sparkling water, a must-have if expensive cans of La Croix are your one true vice.
Abby Kass / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed writer Abby Kass has been using hers non-stop, especially since transitioning to working from home:
“I got the SodaStream Fizzi last fall and started using it immediately. I like this version because it’s manual, which means it doesn’t require electricity, so it doesn’t have to be plugged into the wall. It comes with the water maker, a 60-liter CO2 Cylinder, and a 1L slim carbonating bottle. Instead of having to buy cans or bottles of seltzer all the time, I can make it in seconds in my apartment and never run out. I also love how much better for the environment it is — I’ve reduced my plastic and aluminum consumption by a lot.”
You can read her full review on the SodaStream here.
Get it from Target for $69.99 (available in three colors).
Abby Kass / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed writer Abby Kass has been using hers non-stop, especially since transitioning to working from home:
“I got the SodaStream Fizzi last fall and started using it immediately. I like this version because it’s manual, which means it doesn’t require electricity, so it doesn’t have to be plugged into the wall. It comes with the water maker, a 60-liter CO2 Cylinder, and a 1L slim carbonating bottle. Instead of having to buy cans or bottles of seltzer all the time, I can make it in seconds in my apartment and never run out. I also love how much better for the environment it is — I’ve reduced my plastic and aluminum consumption by a lot.”
You can read her full review on the SodaStream here.
Get it from Target for $69.99 (available in three colors).
25.
A batter dispenser, that’ll help you create perfectly round, fluffy pancakes that honestly could be featured on the cover of a magazine.
Promising review: “Finally a kitchen utensil that saves time, mess, and frustration! I ordered this because my 10-year-old daughter loves to make pancakes but she also leaves an incredible mess. She also loves to make cupcakes and that’s even a double mess. Upon receiving the batter dispenser, my daughter took it out of the package and started making pancakes right away without my instructions. She loved the ease to make the pancakes in the container and then one click on the pan with no mess.” —Jim Hudson
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
26.
A microwave popcorn maker to go perfectly with all the Netflix shows you’ve been bingeing — mmm think of how good your house will smell.
Amazon
BuzzFeed writer Sam Wieder has been using this gadget to whip up one of her favorite snacks at home.
Promising review: “This worked really well, it popped all but a few kernels without burning any of the popcorn. I found that the time to pop was the same as what I use for the microwave popcorn packets, which is two minutes on our microwave. The popcorn tasted very good considering it had no oil, butter, or salt on it. I didn’t think I would like it without butter. I still like movie theater butter popcorn the best but probably not best to eat that all the time, this popcorn is healthier. I tried adding butter to a batch after it cooked and it didn’t taste much better, not like the taste of the microwave packets.” —Derek
Get it from Amazon for $15.90 (available in 21 colors).
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “Very nice pasta maker for beginners. It is really easy to set it up and operate. This is my first pasta maker. Before buying it, I had concerns about using it because I’m not good at cooking. But I totally changed my mind after the first time using. It was designed for beginners! And it was super easy to clean. I love it so much and the price is very nice. I will recommend to everyone.” —Karen L
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in two styles).
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “Very nice pasta maker for beginners. It is really easy to set it up and operate. This is my first pasta maker. Before buying it, I had concerns about using it because I’m not good at cooking. But I totally changed my mind after the first time using. It was designed for beginners! And it was super easy to clean. I love it so much and the price is very nice. I will recommend to everyone.” —Karen L
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in two styles).
28.
A mandolin with 30 different cut options you can use to create one of those Pinterest-worthy vegetable platters shaped like a flower or a rainbow — so fun!
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “This item is amazing for both its safety features and ease of use. I am a bit of a kitchen klutz and feel completely at ease and fearless with this device. I made my own potato chips — I sliced with my Dash mandolin and cooked in my Dash air fryer. The tasted just like the ones i get from my favorite Portuguese restaurant but I’m hoping they are much healthier. I honestly think this is a must have for all at home chefs.” —Dawn
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors).
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “This item is amazing for both its safety features and ease of use. I am a bit of a kitchen klutz and feel completely at ease and fearless with this device. I made my own potato chips — I sliced with my Dash mandolin and cooked in my Dash air fryer. The tasted just like the ones i get from my favorite Portuguese restaurant but I’m hoping they are much healthier. I honestly think this is a must have for all at home chefs.” —Dawn
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors).
29.
A breakfast sandwich maker for those rainy Sunday mornings where all you want is a cure to your hangover but can’t physically venture farther than the kitchen.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “FAM. I need you to lissssssten. I would give this product 87 stars if I could. You’d think it would be one of those gimmicky kitchen appliances that barely even works. EXCEPT you’re wrong. It’s amazing. It’s quick. Look. Lissssten. You put the ingredients in and about two minutes later your tummy is all like ‘oh yesssss.’ Basically. Just buy it. Purchase the sammich maker. You’re welcome.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “FAM. I need you to lissssssten. I would give this product 87 stars if I could. You’d think it would be one of those gimmicky kitchen appliances that barely even works. EXCEPT you’re wrong. It’s amazing. It’s quick. Look. Lissssten. You put the ingredients in and about two minutes later your tummy is all like ‘oh yesssss.’ Basically. Just buy it. Purchase the sammich maker. You’re welcome.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
30.
An immersion blender that’ll make recreating your favorite Panera soup a breeze this winter — broccoli cheddar in a bread bowl here we come!
Amazon
BuzzFeed editor Kayla Boyd recently purchased this and can’t wait to give it a whirl! I have a similar one and use it to remove any unwanted lumps and bumps from sauces and soups, but also to make Dalgona coffee!
Promising review: “Amazing blender! I’ve had other (cheap) models of immersion blenders. While they did what they were supposed to do, they did not have quality that this Mueller one has. I absolutely ADORE that the piece that does the work is all stainless, not cheap plastic. I use mine mostly for doing soups, and it does a wonderful job even on ‘tough’ kohlrabi. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a GOOD immersion blender!” —Judy D.
Get it from Amazon for $34.97.
31.
A handheld knife sharpener you can use to bring your most-used kitchen utensils back to life in a flash without destroying your countertop or cutting boards. Bobby Flay would be proud.
Amazon
Promising review: “Buying this knife sharpener has changed my life! I used to burn water, but now I’m on par with chefs like Gordon Ramsay! My knives are so sharp that I could cut off a finger and would not even notice. Paper thin tomatoes and onions for a tuna fish sandwich? Not a problem! Thank you KitchenIQ, my life will never be the same.” —J.W.
Get it from Amazon for $10.91 (available in four colors).
Check out our full review of the KitchenIQ 50009 Edge Grip 2-Stage Knife Sharpener.
32.
A nonstick microwave pasta cooker you’ll pat yourself on the back for ordering when you’re starving and don’t want to wait for water to boil before diving into your favorite pasta.
Promising review: “One of those ‘why didn’t I think of this?’ kind of things. It makes cooking pasta so easy and foolproof! No trying to bend/break pasta to get it to fit into a round pan. The instructions tell you exactly how long to microwave it for the different size proportions.” —EQUUS
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
Promising review: “One of those ‘why didn’t I think of this?’ kind of things. It makes cooking pasta so easy and foolproof! No trying to bend/break pasta to get it to fit into a round pan. The instructions tell you exactly how long to microwave it for the different size proportions.” —EQUUS
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
33.
A handy corn butterer to ensure each kernel is coated in that golden goodness without much of a hassle or mess.
The Grommet
Promising review: “I purchased the corn butter knife early in the summer — just in time for corn season. Since it comes in a set of two, I gave one to my daughter and son-in-law; their comment was, “Why hasn’t anyone ever thought of this before?!” It’s a MUCH better solution than rolling the cob in a slab of butter!” —Anne
Get a two-pack from The Grommet for $13.95.
The Grommet
Promising review: “I purchased the corn butter knife early in the summer — just in time for corn season. Since it comes in a set of two, I gave one to my daughter and son-in-law; their comment was, “Why hasn’t anyone ever thought of this before?!” It’s a MUCH better solution than rolling the cob in a slab of butter!” —Anne
Get a two-pack from The Grommet for $13.95.
34.
A Nespresso Aeroccino milk frother in case you prefer to sip on something a bit more decadent after rolling out of bed.
One of our writers, Ali Faccenda, has been using this to make delicious drinks at home.
Promising review: “Bravo Nespresso! I can’t rave enough about this item. The simplest and best milk frother I have aver seen. Our lattes and cappuccinos are simply fantastic now with the heated, frothed milk from this machine. I have an expensive Jura coffee maker and it does hot, frothed milk well but not as easy to use or as well frothed as this thing. I can make only the amount of milk I need with this, where I would have a big bulky stainless-steel canister on the counter all day for the Jura with milk I would never get to use so would throw away. Well worth the price if you like perfectly frothed milk. Simple to use too! One of the best items I have ever purchased!” —Customer
Get it from Amazon for $85.10 (available in two colors).
One of our writers, Ali Faccenda, has been using this to make delicious drinks at home.
Promising review: “Bravo Nespresso! I can’t rave enough about this item. The simplest and best milk frother I have aver seen. Our lattes and cappuccinos are simply fantastic now with the heated, frothed milk from this machine. I have an expensive Jura coffee maker and it does hot, frothed milk well but not as easy to use or as well frothed as this thing. I can make only the amount of milk I need with this, where I would have a big bulky stainless-steel canister on the counter all day for the Jura with milk I would never get to use so would throw away. Well worth the price if you like perfectly frothed milk. Simple to use too! One of the best items I have ever purchased!” —Customer
Get it from Amazon for $85.10 (available in two colors).
35.
A SinkShroom strainer you won’t know how you lived without because it’ll keep your kitchen sink unclogged no matter how much gunk you fill it with.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon
I bought this for myself (since I’m clearly a REAL adult) and OMG. This thing REALLY works. Usually when my husband makes sauce from scratch I’m left with chunks of tomatoes throughout my sink and water that WILL NOT drain — that was until I bought the SinkShroom. My mom was so impressed she bought one, too. It’s a serious game-changer.
Promising review: “I’ve been a fan of the SinkShroom and TubShroom, and this is the best product from the line so far. My kitchen sinks simply do not clog any more, so there’s no more reaching into a bunch of water to unclog anything with my hand.” —Brady Amerson
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
Heather Braga / BuzzFeed, Amazon
I bought this for myself (since I’m clearly a REAL adult) and OMG. This thing REALLY works. Usually when my husband makes sauce from scratch I’m left with chunks of tomatoes throughout my sink and water that WILL NOT drain — that was until I bought the SinkShroom. My mom was so impressed she bought one, too. It’s a serious game-changer.
Promising review: “I’ve been a fan of the SinkShroom and TubShroom, and this is the best product from the line so far. My kitchen sinks simply do not clog any more, so there’s no more reaching into a bunch of water to unclog anything with my hand.” —Brady Amerson
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
36.
A rapid egg cooker you can use to make your breakfast faster than you can say, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Amazon, amazon.com
One little machine that can whip up hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs and omelets? Sounds magical! And let me tell you — it is. Get one of these egg-cellent appliances ASAP.
Promising review: “This egg cooker is some sort of insane magic. It is brilliant…totally changed my life and is my new best friend in the kitchen. Super simple to use, instructions are extremely clear, with pictures and some recipes to get you going, and the different types of eggs you can cook with this is incredible: hard boiled, poached (!!!) and an omelet. We didn’t even have to try it a few times to get it right — first time the eggs came out the most perfect I’ve ever cooked them and all I did was follow a few basic instruction steps, then walk away and listen for the buzzer. Even the buzzer at the end is more than a sound…it’s music that my son and I dance to in the kitchen. I’m in heaven. All for such a low price. I can die happy now:)” —Amazon Customer
Check out our deep dive into the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker here.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in five colors).
Amazon, amazon.com
One little machine that can whip up hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, scrambled eggs and omelets? Sounds magical! And let me tell you — it is. Get one of these egg-cellent appliances ASAP.
Promising review: “This egg cooker is some sort of insane magic. It is brilliant…totally changed my life and is my new best friend in the kitchen. Super simple to use, instructions are extremely clear, with pictures and some recipes to get you going, and the different types of eggs you can cook with this is incredible: hard boiled, poached (!!!) and an omelet. We didn’t even have to try it a few times to get it right — first time the eggs came out the most perfect I’ve ever cooked them and all I did was follow a few basic instruction steps, then walk away and listen for the buzzer. Even the buzzer at the end is more than a sound…it’s music that my son and I dance to in the kitchen. I’m in heaven. All for such a low price. I can die happy now:)” —Amazon Customer
Check out our deep dive into the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker here.
Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in five colors).
37.
A BBQ tool that’ll act as a spatula, tongs, and brush all in one! No more fumbling around for the right grill gadget while your burgers are ready to be flipped.
The Grommet
Promising review: “Bought it for my son in law for Christmas, a grill master! Loved not burning his wrist on the big grill, and can pick up all large cuts of meat and small pieces of vegetable without a problem. Very well-made. Extremely pleased with this purchase!” —Joyce
Get it from The Grommet for $16.95+ (available in 15, 18, or 21 inches).
38.
A HyperChiller to cool your favorite drink in less than a minute. A must-have if you’re like me and prefer to drink iced coffee all year. Yes, that includes when it’s 25 degrees out in the middle of January.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “For those not fully familiar with how it works, what it’s accomplishing is trying to surround your liquid with as much ice-behind-metal as possible. So, it has a center chamber of ice behind the metal, then an outer chamber of ice. The inner chamber fits inside the outer with about a cup’s worth of space that’s between the inner and outer chamber. This exposes your liquid to the greatest surface area of super-cold metal that they can, and since your liquid is only touching metal, and not the ice itself, it doesn’t matter the temperature of the liquid poured in. You can pour in boiling water and while it may end up melting a bunch of the ice behind the metal, none of that water will mix with your drink. So, whether you’re chilling a wine, dropping hot coffee to cool it off, or just wanting to rapidly drop the temp of that fresh lemonade you made without making it watery, this will get that done.” —P. Ericksen
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “For those not fully familiar with how it works, what it’s accomplishing is trying to surround your liquid with as much ice-behind-metal as possible. So, it has a center chamber of ice behind the metal, then an outer chamber of ice. The inner chamber fits inside the outer with about a cup’s worth of space that’s between the inner and outer chamber. This exposes your liquid to the greatest surface area of super-cold metal that they can, and since your liquid is only touching metal, and not the ice itself, it doesn’t matter the temperature of the liquid poured in. You can pour in boiling water and while it may end up melting a bunch of the ice behind the metal, none of that water will mix with your drink. So, whether you’re chilling a wine, dropping hot coffee to cool it off, or just wanting to rapidly drop the temp of that fresh lemonade you made without making it watery, this will get that done.” —P. Ericksen
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
39.
An electric jar-opener, because we all deserve to live in a world where we don’t need to ask someone else to open our salsa, sauce, or jams.
Amazon
My mom has fragile wrists, so my dad gifted this to her for the holidays. She routinely will FaceTime me just to show me how “IT REALLY WORKS!” so, not only will you get an easily-opened jar, but you’ll get a few minutes of entertainment as well.
Promising review: “I love the Hamilton Beach Open Ease Automatic Jar Opener product, because it actually works. I was skeptical that this product would work well, but it actually does what it says. I’ve tested it the product on multiple unopened glass bottles (with tight tops, that would be difficult, if not impossible for me to open without a rubber mat and some hot water). It was so easy to use, without complicated directions. And for me, it worked every time.” —silhouette_of_enchantment
Get it from Amazon for $38.99.
40.
A bicycle-inspired pizza cutter you should probably invest in if you religiously order a pie or two every weekend (ahem, me).
Amazon
I have this pizza cutter and while I could’ve easily gotten a standard one to do the same job, this one brings me joy *and* works well. Can’t ask for much more than that!
Promising review: “So cute and beautiful at the same time!! Sharp and cut the pizza like butter. Bought as a gift and will definitely buy again!!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.88.
Amazon
I have this pizza cutter and while I could’ve easily gotten a standard one to do the same job, this one brings me joy *and* works well. Can’t ask for much more than that!
Promising review: “So cute and beautiful at the same time!! Sharp and cut the pizza like butter. Bought as a gift and will definitely buy again!!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.88.
41.
A Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor that’ll seem like a pricey purchase at first but then feel priceless after you successfully make your first batch of homemade ice cream.
Sur La Table
I saw Claire Saffitz use this bad boy in an episode of Gourmet Makes while making a replica of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream — there is *no* comparison. It’s an expensive item but one you’ll definitely get a lot of use out of in the long run.
Promising review: “We read an article in Sunset Magazine about The Best Ice Cream Makers, and they rated this as the BEST! We decided to splurge and couldn’t be happier! We made a few of the recipes that came with it and all were good, however we have since gone VEGAN! We now make THE BEST Vegan Ice Cream with coconut milk or almond milk! It’s so nice not having to deal with ice and salt like our old machine, or with having to remember to pre-freeze something that never really works! With this machine, you can decide you want yummy ice cream in an hour or so, put the ingredients in, push the button and wait for the ‘Ice Cream Man’ song to play and ENJOY! We highly recommend this product!” —Kimberli
Get it from Sur la Table for $429.95.
42.
And a toaster with a touch screen on it that’ll make you feel like you’re living in the Year 3000 alongside the Jonas Brothers.
Food52
If you’re really particular about the way you like your bread toasted, this might just be a gadget you need in your kitchen. It has a touch screen where you can select what kind of bread you’re using (or toaster pastry or waffle) and precisely how brown you’d like it. We really are living in the future, aren’t we?
Get it from Food52 for $300.
Enjoy playing with your new kitchen toys!
Charles M. Schulz
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Looking for more stuff to help make your house a home? Check out the best places to buy inexpensive furniture online, the best places to buy couches online, cute home decor you’ll wish you knew about sooner, or check out all of our home content for even more great ideas.
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