The Absolute Best Kitchen Gear We Tested This Year (2024)

Ian Burke

Ian BurkeSenior Commerce Editor

Ian is the Senior Commerce Editor at The Kitchn. He's also a New Jersey native, an NYU alum (where he was a four-year member of the wrestling team), and constantly on the hunt for the best bowl of pho in New York City.

Follow

published Dec 30, 2022

facebook

pinterest

email

comments

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

The Absolute Best Kitchen Gear We Tested This Year (1)

At Kitchn, we’re always striving to help you stock up on the best home items, wow your guests with killer recipes, and optimize your home-cooking experience. That’s why, in 2022, we tested a lot of kitchen gear, from organizational tools and cleanup gadgets to awesome cookware, can’t-beat cutlery, and much more. And, while some of them ended up being not-so-great, others were absolute game-changers that made our lives easier, improved our meals, and helped us organize our kitchen clutter — all benefits which we want to bring into the new year. To help you start 2023 off on the right foot (and with all the right culinary essentials) we put together this handy list of a few of the absolute best pieces of kitchen gear we tested in 2022. Now’s the perfect time to snag that thermometer, frying pan, or chef’s knife that you’ve been eyeing, so check out our favorite picks below.

1

/

17

Caraway Cookware Set

Caraway

$

476.00

was $

745.00

If you know us, you’ll know we can’t get enough of the chic kitchen products from Caraway. “The first time I took this sleek pan (which works on any kind of cooktop) for a test drive, I audibly gasped,” Managing Commerce Editor Tamara wrote in her review of the fry pan from the Caraway Cookware Set. “My crispy fried eggs slipped onto my plate so easily that I didn’t even need to wash the pan (but you probably still should).” This set also includes an equally impressive Dutch oven, saucepan, and sauté pan.

Buy Now

2

/

17

Kohler Kitchen Sink Squeegee

Amazon

$

13.06

was $

14.70

Nobody likes a dirty sink, which is why this Kohler Kitchen Sink Squeegee is such a game-changer. “I’ve had the squeegee for a few weeks now, and I can’t believe I’ve never tried something like this sooner,” contributor Ashley writes in her review. “While this product doesn’t prevent my shirt from getting soaked during this daily chore, it has made counter cleanup so much easier (and honestly, more fun).”

Buy Now

3

/

17

MEATER Plus Smart Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth

Amazon

$

79.95

was $

99.95

If you’re looking for a gadget that can help take some of the stress out of wintertime hosting, look no further than the MEATER Plus. I had the pleasure of testing this bad boy, and found that the case, the easy-to-use app, and the connectivity range of this wireless thermometer probe made achieving perfectly cooked roasts and ribs a snap.

Buy Now

4

/

17

Afaxinrie Oven Liner

Amazon

$

5.09

was $

6.99

Gross oven? No thanks. Unfortunately, the best way to clean your oven is to not let it get dirty in the first place. That’s where this Afaxinrie Oven Liner comes in. “I highly recommend this little piece of Spill-Whatever-You-Want magic,” Tiffany writes in her review. “[The liner] extends the time between oven cleans and helps me maintain my sanity.”

Buy Now

5

/

17

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Casserole Skillet

Amazon

$

48.86

was $

53.92

This Enameled Cast Iron Covered Casserole Skillet from Amazon Basics is “budget-friendly, versatile, durable, and attractive,” according to contributor Laura. “It has all the things I’ve ever wanted in an everyday piece of cookware, and it’s been holding strong in my kitchen.” The skillet is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and works with all types of cooking surfaces, and it’s pretty enough to serve from. Plus, the wide loop handles make it a breeze to carry to the table, even with oven mitts on.

Buy Now

6

/

17

Tri-Ply Stainless Mira Series 3.3 Qt Sauté Pan with Lid

OXO

$

99.99

I love testing cookware, and almost everything I’ve had the chance to try from OXO has been a slam dunk. The brand’s Tri-Ply Stainless Mira Series Sauté Pan was no exception. It’s a kitchen workhorse made using two layers of stainless steel with a heat-radiant aluminum core, which means it heats evenly and won’t scorch or burn parts of your dish. It also features a stain-resistant finish with “evershine technology,” which helps prevent heat discoloration.

Buy Now

7

/

17

Cork Pops Original Wine Bottle Opener

Amazon

$

21.02

was $

28.00

Looking for a belated Christmas gift for a wine-lover? Give them a unique bottle opener that uses zero effort to pop corks. “This bottle opener would become both a conversation starter and my go-to gift for everyone from family to wine-loving friends,” SEO editor Sarah writes in her review of the gadget. “This device uses compressed CO2 to push the cork out of the bottle from the inside — and it really lives up to its easy-to-use claims.”

Buy Now

8

/

17

Staub Enameled Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven

Williams Sonoma

$

279.95

was $

380.00

If you’re looking to make one kitchen upgrade that will elevate the entire room, snag a Staub Dutch Oven. It’s not only incredibly versatile and useful, but it looks stunning atop a stove. “I’m on the record for preferring modestly sized Dutch ovens over the huge pieces, and this one hits the sweet spot of capacity and practicality,” Editor in Chief Faith writes in her review of the piece.

Buy Now

9

/

17

Contoured Mess-Free Pepper Grinder

OXO

$

17.99

When it comes to black pepper, grind size is super important. Unfortunately, the plastic single-use grinders you might find at the grocery store don’t usually allow you to select your grind size — plus, they’re bad for the environment and end up costing a lot more than using a reusable pepper mill. This one from OXO was perfect for my apartment, and its unique design means no pepper crumbs on the counter.

Buy Now

10

/

17

Baker's Bundle

Amazon

$

59.00

was $

74.00

Looking to get into baking in 2023? Snag this set of three key must-haves for any baker’s kitchen: a superb set of oven mitts, an insanely helpful pastry mat, and — our favorite — some innovative cupcake liners. “GIR, or ‘Get It Right,’ has been an editor-favorite at Kitchn since their epic spatula first popped on our radar years ago,” Stella writes in her review of the set. “Bottom line, this bundle is every baker’s dream.”

Buy Now

11

/

17

Imarku 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Amazon

$

26.99

was $

69.99

Contrary to popular belief, a good knife doesn’t have to be expensive. This affordable knife from Amazon has lasted me for what seems like forever, and it still holds a great edge and makes meal prep a breeze.

Buy Now

12

/

17

Daily Board

Our Place

$

35.00

was $

40.00

Constructed from 100 percent recycled plastic, Our Place’s Daily Board is an editor-favorite at Kitchn. It doesn’t slip, doesn’t warp, and features a unique, textured surface that helps with slicing and dicing.

Buy Now

13

/

17

magic bullet Mini Juicer

Nutribullet

$

59.99

Sometimes, it really feels like the Magic Bullet is actually magical. “Because the juicer’s blade and strainer are combined into one efficient, conical disk, assembling and breaking down the handy appliance is a breeze,” contributor Stella writes in her review. “I also love that when working on big batches of juice, I don’t have to stop and empty out the pulp bin.”

Buy Now

14

/

17

Full Steam Duo

Great Jones

$

60.00

was $

90.00

You never think you need a nice colander until you’re trying to balance a massive pot of boiling pasta on the edge of your sink, since you only have a fine mesh strainer which “has been working fine.” Save yourself the headache and snag a two-pack of Great Jones’ Full Steam. They’re four-in-one tools, meaning they can be used as a steamer, splatter guard, trivet, and, of course, colanders.

Buy Now

15

/

17

House of Noa Nama Standing Mat

House of Noa

$

139.00

Give your feet (and ankles, and knees, and hips, and back) a break with this handy kitchen anti-fatigue mat. It’s made with comfortable, high-density foam so the mat won’t compress over time. Get ready to actually look forward to doing the dishes.

Buy Now

16

/

17

Tiny Bowls

Our Place

$

25.00

was $

35.00

This one is right in the name: Tiny Bowls. Besides looking cute, these bowls are oven-safe, so they also work great for baking single-serving savory appetizers, souffles, or desserts. You can also use them to serve sides or sauces on the table!

Buy Now

17

/

17

Brava Smart Oven

Brava

$

1295.00

This smart oven functions as an oven, toaster oven, slow cooker, steamer, air fryer, dehydrator, frying pan, sous vide, and grill. Phew. “There are a bunch of things that attracted me to the Brava Oven, with one of the main things being its versatility,” SEO Editor Sarah writes in her review of the oven. “With the Brava, cooking on crazy days is less laborious and, for the most part, foolproof.”

Buy Now

Filed in:

appliances

Kitchen Tools

Product Review

Shopping

The Absolute Best Kitchen Gear We Tested This Year (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 6214

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.