Milk Street Precision Rolling Pin
Unless you are a pastry chef, getting pie and cookie dough (even pasta dough) rolled out evenly to an exact thickness is perhaps the hardest skill to master in the kitchen. The Milk Street Precision Rolling Pin solves this problem so that even novice bakers can get it right the first time, every time. How does it work? Simply screw in the end caps for the desired height and roll out your crust or dough. (The ends are thicker than the middle by the thickness you want for the dough.) This system is extra-sturdy and easy to use and the pin is plenty long, 23 inches, to handle any width of dough. Plus, we added a laster-etched ruler to the length of the beechwood pin for measuring pans and ensuring your dough is just the right width. You can also use this pin without the end caps - it is 18-inches long and perfect for smaller, more delicate tasks.
Milk Street Flex Spatula
The Milk Street Flex Spatula is an indispensable and endlessly useful kitchen tool for sautéing, stir-frying, grilling and more. The 6.5-inch flexible paddle is lightweight and easy to manipulate, yet it's sturdy enough to lift half-pound burgers and whole grilled cheese sandwiches. The sharp, angled edge and ultrathin design will easily slide underneath delicate foods like eggs, pancakes or its namesake fish fillets. Plus, the spatula’s slats make it perfect for lifting frying foods from the pan as the cooking oil drips right through. And it might be the world’s best tool for serving light, crumbly cakes.
Kitchen Note: This spatula isn’t designed for nonstick cookware and can scratch those surfaces.
Marna Silicone Piggy Steamer Lid
Designed for steaming food, the Marna Piggy Steamer from Japan is a silicone lid that forms a tight seal over pots and containers, vents excess steam through its snout and is easy to lift by its ear-shaped handles. Use it for perfect stovetop steaming, splatter-free microwave cooking or even refrigerator storage in place of plastic wrap. It's more compact and flexible than metal pot lids and fits any vessel less than 8.5 inches in diameter, with the silicone locking in moisture for effective steaming; smartly designed holes in the pig snout act as vents to avoid built-up pressure. When you're done using it, you can throw the lid in a kitchen drawer for storage without worrying about finding a spot on the shelf.
Rösle Stainless Steel Can Opener with Pliers Grip
Tested against five other popular can openers, our kitchen team found Rösle’s Stainless Steel Can Opener with Pliers Grip to be the best of the bunch. Rather than latching on from the side, like most can openers do, this opener is held flat across the top of the can to latch, making for a better grip and a cleaner cut. The integrated pliers that helps lift sticky lids was high on our list of favorite features–along with the steady and safe lateral cutting system this opener uses to avoid sharp edges. Designed with every small detail in mind, we love that Rösle’s durable opener avoids contact with food, is easy to clean and comes complete with a hanging ring for simple storage. Plus, it has an ergonomically shaped thumbscrew for smooth turning for seamless opening every time. And when you’re done, you can reuse your cut lid as a cover to keep any leftovers fresh, no need to worry about jagged edges or dents.
Salad Sling
Simple but brilliant, the space-saving Salad Sling is our go-to replacement for a bulky, breakable traditional salad spinner. Made from ultra-absorbent microfiber, the Salad Sling is designed with four long “handles;” simply load your greens into the middle, pull the corners together and swing. A combination of the Salad Sling’s absorbent fibers and centrifugal force pull moisture from lettuce (it’s big enough for a whole head), hearty greens and herbs in a matter of seconds. The triple-layer Salad Sling has a waterproof liner to keep any water droplets from flying around your kitchen. Have multiple ingredients to dry? Just empty and flip the Salad Sling and load up the dry side. When you’re done, simply hang it to dry or toss it in the washing machine, then store it away compactly with your kitchen towels. Available in Original and Mini sizes, and as a set of two.
Original Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop #1016
We’ve never scooped ice cream so easily! Made from sturdy aluminum alloy, this scooper is made to give you a lifetime of sundaes. It won’t bend or flake like plastic versions will and it’s also a single piece of material, with no tiny springs or mechanical parts that could get lost or broken. The Zeroll is resistant to corrosion, too. It does a great job at digging into even dense, high-fat ice creams like Häagen-Dazs easily thanks to its unique heat-conducting handle—which is also comfortable to hold. It’s filled with a special fluid that transfers your hand’s warmth to the dish of the scooper, so you can slide through the ice cream without having to heat the scoop beforehand. And not only does the Zeroll easily release your ice cream, but it makes stunning scoops every time. Its bowl allows the thick ribbon of ice cream to curl under itself using one or multiple passes (depending on your desired size), so it forms a perfect sphere. The Zeroll also doesn’t compress the ice cream like others can, so the texture is fluffy and the scoop is 20% larger than a typical one formed from a lesser scooper.
Linden Baker's Cooling Rack
Baking sheets and cooling racks are a baking must-have, but they often take up all of your counter space. So we looked for something space-saving and functional to do the job better, and Linden Baker’s Cooling Rack fit the bill. The sturdy metal rack has four vertical foldable tiers to help keep your counter clear while cooling hot trays. Each rack can carry up to 10 pounds and can hold four half-sized sheet pans or standard sized baking sheets. And, its adjustable too, meaning you can fold up one of the middle shelves to fit taller items like bundt cakes or pies. Even better, the vertical design allows for efficient air circulation to help cool pans down quickly. When you’re done, simply rinse it in the sink, dry and fold it up flat to store. Perfect for baking projects or prepping for dinner parties when counter space is crucial, this compact rack will bring organization to your kitchen.
Mastrad Three-Piece Mixing Bowls
This durable three-piece metal mixing bowl set from French brand Mastrad is designed to do more than just hold ingredients. Equipped with a non-slip silicone base for extra stability, these bowls won’t shift or slip at all while mixing, stirring or folding. The steep sides, fitted with measurement lines on the inside, help keep food from spilling out. Unlike regular mixing bowls, each bowl in this set comes with a transparent fitted lid for storage, perfect for keeping an eye on freshness. But even better, each lid is also splatter-proof and contains a removable middle piece so you can whisk, beat or blend without making a mess. The largest two lids can even fit an immersion blender! When not in use, this nesting set stores compactly, so it won’t take up too much space in your cabinet. Available exclusively online at Milk Street in the US.
Aux Co. Ltd. Miso Muddler
Made in Japan, this unique tool doubles as a measuring tool and a whisk, giving you the perfect dollop of miso every time for consistent cooking. Simply dip the rounded wire end into your tub of miso, turn it and gently lift it out to get a consistently portioned blob of miso every time. Then, just stir the whisk-like tool in your pot to dissolve the miso. Bonus: No need to clean more than one utensil. Available in both small (1 tablespoon) and large (2 tablespoon) options.
Benriner Mandoline Slicer
A mandoline vegetable slicer by Japanese company Benriner is standard equipment in most Japanese homes and restaurant kitchens around the world. We prefer this tool’s simplicity, durability and efficacy over other more complicated models. It comes with three interchangeable blades: The fixed straight blade—which is also removable and replaceable, ensuring long-term durability—creates slices ranging from .5 mm to 5 mm. Use the dial on the underside of the mandoline to fine-tune and adjust the thickness of your slices. You can also screw in one of other two blades, which allow you to julienne or finely shred your vegetables. We especially love that the finger guard, which extends across the width of the entire blade, is easy to handle and keeps a firm grip on ingredients while slicing. Additionally, a non-skid base, safety handle and notches in the mandoline will keep the device steady whether you lay it across a bowl or prop it against a countertop.
Milk Street Rice Washer with Silicone Bottom and Handle
Rinsing your rice is a crucial step in most recipes to prevent a gluey, sticky result, but most traditional colanders aren’t designed for small grains. That’s where Milk Street’s Rice Washer comes in. With small holes and a perforated pouring spout at the top, this colander keeps rice inside and lets the cloudy water drain out easily. The colander works just as well to rinse fruits and vegetables, and raised bumps on the bottom add a bit of friction to help wash especially dirty produce like turnip greens or bok choy. And the silicone base and handle allows for extra grip during even the most slippery task.
Victoria Cast Iron 8-Inch Tortilla Press
Made by a three-generation family metalworking business, this cast iron tortilla press is made with care and craftsmanship in mind. Aluminum tortilla presses are common, but sturdy cast iron yields more even pressure and extra weight. Its plates are made through a precise sand-casting and molding technique to ensure they (and your tortillas) are perfectly flat. A lever helps you evenly press the plates together, while the base and handle are reinforced so it will last for generations. Plus, it’s pre-seasoned with flaxseed oil, which is generally regarded as the most durable oil for seasoning cast iron because, when it polymerizes at high temperatures, it forms a structure that’s more durable than other common oils.
Cuisipro Measuring Cups
Because of their robust construction and fine machining, Cuisipro’s award-winning precision tools are elevated kitchen essentials and a pleasure to use. These stainless steel measuring cups are our favorite brand because their perfectly flat rims make it easier for leveling off ingredients with a knife, while their elongated elliptical shape can fit into narrower containers. We found that the longer handles are useful for scooping ingredients—with these cups, you won’t need to stick your hand deep into a bag of flour each time you bake. These cups are also visually appealing; both the eyelet hole at the end of the cup and the handle shape have contours that echo the clever oval design.
Goyon St. Vincent Wine Opener
Made entirely by hand in Goyon-Chazeau’s knife workshop in Thiers, France, this beautiful tool is part wine opener, part pocket knife. It comes with a full-cutting, 4.5-inch blade. It’s designed by Robert Beillonnet, a renowned French cutlery expert synonymous with beautiful, functional knives. The blade, notched lever and thin corkscrew are made from sturdy, hardened steel that will stand up to a lifetime of heavy use. And it makes an elevated gift (especially for the person who has everything)—every wine opener comes in a leather pouch and cork gift box.
JF Foldable Potato Masher
Standard potato mashers are often too bulky and always end up crammed in our kitchen drawers, but this one folds flat so it doesn’t take up nearly any space! The oval-shaped blade grid make quick work of even the most unruly spuds and even other types of food. It’s constructed from sturdy stainless steel, so it will hold up to frequent use, and the silicone-coated, ergonomic handle makes it easy to use. Plus, the masher end is edged in silicone to protect the surface of your pot or pan while using the tool.
Sarah Kersten Studio 2-Quart Vegetable Fermentation Jar
Handmade in a small Oakland, California studio, this fermentation jug is elegant, functional and compact enough for apartment kitchens. It’s rustic, minimalist aesthetic will be at home on any countertop—made from high-fired stoneware and finished with a hand-made glaze in a glossy, speckled white or silvery, matte black. We also love how the crock uses a traditional water-lock style seal, an ancient fermentation style which does wonders to keep out oxygen. After a water-sealed crock is packed, two half-circle weights (which are included) are placed into the crock to keep your veggies submerged. Then, the lid is placed into an open moat which is then filled with water. Now, outside air is prevented from entering the crock and carbon dioxide gases created during fermentation easily bubble out.
de Buyer La Mandoline Access
This freestanding mandoline slicer by the French cookware experts at de Buyer beat out all other models in testing for its superior slicing and safe, durable design. Constructed from solid stainless steel with non-slip feet to keep everything in place, this raised tool features multiple removable blades with options for julienne, waffle, slice and crinkle cuts. The ergonomic pusher and included finger guard add an extra level of safety while slicing. Ideal for cutting, shredding, dicing, cubing and so much more, use it for precise prep with vegetables and fruit of any kind, then simply fold the stand down for easy storage. You’ll especially love it for french fries.
Westmark Bottle Opener and Closer
Made from high-quality steel and silicone, this tool from German company Westmark pulls double-duty as a bottle opener and closer. Compact in design and easy to hold in your hand, use it first to open bottles and twist caps, then slide the bottom rubber back over your unfinished drink—it acts like a bottle stopper to create a tight seal. Our testers were blown away with how well the rubber bottom worked to keep drinks fizzy, even after long periods of time. After a week in the fridge with the Westmark covering it, our sparkling apple cider was still just as fizzy as the day it was opened.