Christopher Kimball for Kuhn Rikon Traverse Power Whisk
Our Traverse Power Whisk has a revolutionary flat, coiled design, which works faster than a balloon whisk to whip up egg whites or heavy cream. It has more concentrated tines, which are in constant contact with liquid to incorporate more air. Also, it will reach all the way to the edges of your saucepans and containers, unlike that awkward balloon whisk. Use it back and forth, not in a circular fashion, and see how much time and energy you will save on whisking. The traverse whisk is also versatile enough to emulsify pan sauces or blend batters—it’s the only whisk you’ll need. Try it in our Tangy Maple Whipped Cream.
Cuisipro Measuring Spoons
Every element of these stainless steel measuring spoons was thoughtfully designed to conveniently reach the bottoms of your most narrow spice containers, from the oval bowl to the long, slender handle. Their durable stainless steel feels sturdy and balanced in the hand, and the contours of the handle are comfortable to grip. We especially like that the spoons feature a gentle curve at the end that keeps them upright on countertops—no more spilled salt—and helps the spoons neatly nest into each other for compact storage.
iSi Flex-It Measuring Cups
For easy, spill-free pouring, these smartly designed silicone measuring cups are just the thing. The flexible material allows you to squeeze the cup and create a spout anywhere on its rim, adjusting as you pour. So whether you need precision pouring for runny liquids—like a thin stream of oil when emulsifying aioli—or a wider lip to quickly pour thick batters, the Flex-It Measuring Cups will work perfectly. Plus, the food-grade silicone can be used in the microwave and is heat-resistant up to 490 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also dishwasher-safe: We found that even after we left the cups sitting overnight with turmeric and chili, the silicone was easy to clean and didn't have any residual smells or stains. Choose between a three-piece set with 1-cup, 2-cup and 4-cup sizes, or buy the largest cup on its own—it's large enough to mix up your favorite pancake batter without dirtying a bowl!
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.
Christopher Kimball for Kuhn Rikon Comfort Balloon Whisk
This sturdy, fine-wired balloon whisk is broad enough for whipping eggs, yet small enough to fit into any utensil drawer. It’ll easily whip stiff peaks and the thickest pancake batter.
Falcon Enamelware Bake Set
This 5-piece cookware set from British company Falcon Enamelware includes individual-sized dishes for everyday use, as well as larger ones for family gatherings or parties. Made by fusing porcelain to metal, the surfaces of these baking dishes have all the nonstick and heat distribution properties of ceramic cookware but are more lightweight thanks to their durable yet thin steel cores. We love how Falcon cookware adds a charming touch of color to your table but in a timeless manner, with bright white interiors and a variety of accent colors—navy blue, vivid red or cool gray—around the rim and exterior of the pieces. The rounded corners on the rectangular baking dishes also look softer and more refined tableside. As an added bonus, the dishes can be stacked and nest into each other so they take up less space than your mismatched cookware.
The pieces in this set are shallower than those of Falcon's pie set and ranges from a pair of identical small tins with about a 2-cup capacity (perfect for dinner for two) to a large roasting pan that can accommodate your holiday turkey. Or for a vegetarian centerpiece, serve up Whole Roasted Cauliflower in Falcon's enamelware fresh from the oven. Use one of the medium-sized pans to make our Roasted Chicken Breasts with Grapes and Sherry Vinegar or even roast a whole chicken. Want to deglaze the fond from your chicken on the stove? No problem—Falcon enamelware can handle the high heat of stovetop burners.
Falcon Enamelware Prep Set
In professional kitchens, chefs choose stainless steel bowls because they're lightweight, stackable, sturdy and easy to clean. British company Falcon Enamelware's Prep Set, made by fusing porcelain to metal, has all these features in addition to the non-stick and heat distribution properties of ceramic cookware. The graduated set consists of 5 bowls and a colander, all of which are not only useful but also a pleasure to look at, with bright white interiors and a variety of accent colors—navy blue, vivid red or cool gray—around the rim and exterior of the pieces. You won't need any other mixing bowls with the variety of sizes in this set. We especially love the colander, which not only features a charming floral pattern with its drain holes but also fits perfectly into the largest bowl in the prep set—no more dripping water on your tables or countertops.
Cuisipro Silicone Balloon Whisk
Because of their robust construction and fine machining, Cuisipro’s award-winning precision tools are elevated kitchen essentials and a pleasure to use. For a whisk that won’t damage your nonstick pan as you make a roux or scramble eggs, the company’s patented Silicone Balloon Whisk is a must-have item. Its tines are made with stainless steel that is sturdy enough to whisk molten caramel into a smooth sauce, while the silicone coating protects cookware that might get scratched by a conventional balloon whisk. And, with a high heat resistance of 575 degrees Fahrenheit, you can use it directly on the stove. A cap at the end of the handle ensures that no cake batter or meringue will get stuck at the base of the tines, making clean-up easier. It’s even dishwasher-safe.
de Buyer Bain Marie/Double Boiler
French company de Buyer's compact stainless steel bain marie is a double boiler with a convenient built-in water chamber for gently heating foods. Simply fill the water chamber through an opening in the handle, and when heated the bain marie applies gentle, indirect heat to foods. It's ideal for melting chocolate, heating sauces or making custard. We like its pressure valve and heat-resistant silicone handle, which make for safe and easy handling. Plus, de Buyer has measuring marks for the pot's internal volume (in quarts) and a clear window in the handle that allows you to keep an eye on the water level of your double boiler.
Brotform 10-Inch Round Woven Proofing Bowl
This traditional proofing woven bowl is a must-have for any avid bread baker. Used for centuries in Europe, the Brotform helps loaves hold their shape as they rise and also promotes a crispy, ribbed crust and improved texture. The bowl is hand-shaped from natural cane and its 10-inch size can accommodate up to a 2 lb loaf. It can be used without a liner for a more textured crust, but needs to be well-dusted with flour to prevent any sticking. The stunning natural look of this bowl also makes it wonderful for serving rolls and bread slices after your baking is done. Cotton liner sold separately.
KuchenProfi 3-Piece Mixing Bowls Set
This three-piece set of heavy-gauge stainless steel mixing bowls has a more durable construction than others. Each bowl has a black silicone lining on its bottom, which prevents the bowls from shifting and slipping during prep work. They are fairly tall-sided, rather than widening further from the base toward the rim; this means less food spilling out and a generous capacity to prepare large batches of food at a time. We also appreciate how the non-slip linings are tightly adhered to the bowls; on poorly made models, this rubberized base may detach and fall off over time.
Falcon Enamelware Pie Set
This 5-piece graduated cookware set from British company Falcon Enamelware ranges from a 2-cup volume for the smallest dish to a 6-cup capacity for the largest, about the same as an 8-by-8-inch pan. Made by fusing porcelain to metal, the surfaces of these baking dishes have all the nonstick and heat distribution properties of ceramic cookware but are more lightweight thanks to their durable yet thin steel cores. We love how Falcon cookware adds a charming touch of color to your table but in a timeless manner, with bright white interiors and a variety of accent colors—navy blue, vivid red or cool gray—around the rim and exterior of the pieces. The rounded corners on the rectangular baking dishes also look softer and more refined tableside. As an added bonus, the dishes can be stacked and nest into each other so they take up less space than your mismatched cookware.
The tapered sides of this rectangular pie set were designed with pot pies in mind but are ideal for all kinds of casseroles. Instead of your standard loaf pans, try making quick breads in these dishes. Or make your own ice cream, such as Crème Fraîche Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips and Crystallized Ginger, and keep it in a Falcon pie dish for a more attractive serving vessel. One of our favorite ways to use this set is to roast fruit for serving with ice cream or make fruit cobblers; for the latter, reheating is also much easier because Falcon's enamelware can go straight from the fridge to the oven.
Brotform Cotton Bowl Liner
This 100% cotton liner is designed to pair with the Brotform 10-Inch Round Woven Proofing Bowl. Used for centuries in Europe, the Brotform helps loaves hold their shape as they rise and also promotes a crispy, ribbed crust and improved texture. Adding a liner helps prevent wetter doughs from sticking to the bowl’s nooks and crannies.
de Buyer Copper Eggwhites bowl
This stunning bowl from French company de Buyer is as beautiful as it is functional, made of 100% solid copper. This style of half-round mixing bowl is the classic tool used by bakers to whip egg whites into stiff peaks to incorporate into desserts and beyond, as the shape adds extra air the the mixture and the copper keeps the peaks glossy and supple through its ability to promote a certain type of bond between the egg proteins. A side handle adds stability, while the open-rolled edge makes for easy cleaning.