The Palmpress is an ingenious new device that is essentially a collapsible French press. The durable plastic device looks like an over-sized hockey puck, but unscrew the lid and it pops open to reveal a silicone funnel. Add coarsely ground coffee to the marked line, pour in water that is just shy of boiling, give a stir and wait 4 to 6 minutes before inverting the press over a mug and pressing to extract. The flavor is bright and strong--just the way we like it. Perhaps best of all, clean up is a breeze: just scrape out the grounds and then give it all a rinse. There are no paper filters or pods to dispose of and no fragile parts to disassemble. Note: it produces 1 cup of coffee at a go.

It is a standing joke around the office that I LOVE this rice washer. It is just the right size, so storing it is not a pain (it’s small enough to keep it on my drain board at all times), it’s lightweight, it’s well-designed, and—if you like—it also washes rice. Why do we all have huge colanders, anyway? This 2.5-quart colander is the perfect size for 95 percent of your kitchen draining jobs. With rice, the device allows one to cover the rice with water and swish it around; there are tiny drain holes in the bottom and larger holes near the spout. You can use this simple bowl for washing any sort of produce, including berries—a simple but brilliant concept. As for cooking rice, I use a ceramic Japanese rice cooker (the Kamado-San Double-Lid Donabe Rice Cooker—available in our store) and use slightly less water than rice.

If you’re sick of struggling to remove stuck food from your pans, skillets and Dutch ovens, Knapp's patented Chainmail Dishcloth is the tool for you. The tightly woven stainless steel “fabric” has a rough enough texture to take on the most stubborn stuck-on bits but also won't damage cast-iron seasoning. Knapp's product features a larger chainmail link in one corner so you can hang it up to dry and keep it in top condition. Note that this scrubber is intended for Pyrex, cast iron, carbon steel and stainless steel pans; it will damage non-stick pans or other delicate surfaces. Try it on your grill as well—it works wonders on the grubbiest grate.

This durable steak frypan from French company de Buyer's Mineral B line is thicker than other brands and can be used in the oven as well as on the stove. We like the neat, effective design of the triple-riveted handles, which are the perfect length for easy maneuvering. And with each use, the carbon steel develops more of a protective surface coating that has nonstick properties. De Buyer even coats its pieces with a layer of beeswax to resist rust and provide a foundation for seasoning the pan. Choose between a 9.5-inch diameter—the perfect size for one steak—or an 11-inch diameter pan to make steaks for two. Both are perfect for everything from scrambled eggs and seared steak to grilled cheese or stir-fry.

Historic French company's Choc Intense line of nonstick pans use the latest generation of nonstick coating—designed to have a 50% longer lifetime than other models—so they release food easily and are a breeze to clean with a soft sponge. These Round Frypans also feature robust forged aluminum walls and induction-friendly stainless steel bottoms, so they are fast-heating and provide even heat distribution when sautéing and searing. The attractive matte black pans are weighty but not cumbersome, with sturdy triple-riveted stainless steel handles. De Buyer even includes a cloth bag with each pan to protect the nonstick surfaces during storage, so you can stack Choc Intense cookware without worrying about scratching the material.

• Dimensions: 8, 9.5, 11, or 12.5-inch diameters available
• Materials: Nonstick: Ultra-resistant and reinforced inner and outer black coating, guaranteed PFOA- and particles-free | Walls: 4-millimeter forged aluminum | Bottom: Induction-friendly AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel | Handle: Stainless steel
• Use: Suitable for all heat sources including induction. Oven-safe for 10 minutes at 445°F maximum. Do not use metal objects on cookware. Do not heat when empty or overheat. Avoid temperature shocks.
• Care: Hand-wash only, with a non-abrasive sponge.
• Place of Origin: France

I partnered with Vermont company J.K. Adams to design this Milk Street Exclusive eBoard, with two key features designed for home cooks. One, a magnetic spot to hold a chef’s knife. With young kids, I don’t like knives just lying around. A knife-shaped groove in the board keeps blades lying flat, held in place with magnets, and you can turn the sharp edge safely inward, out of harm's way. Second, I wanted a spot to put my phone so I could see it while cooking — I often use the step-by-step photos and videos at the Milk Street website, and this would be the perfect spot, right on the cutting board itself. I could also take phone calls over speakerphone in a pinch. (The slot is also long enough to hold a tablet.) For the material, we decided on a dark walnut wood with a gorgeous grain, durable enough to withstand denting without blunting or dulling your blades. The color will deepen beautifully with use. — Christopher Kimball

If you’ve never used a clay rice cooker like this one, then you’ve never had fabulous rice. Here’s how it works: Rice and water are placed in the pot and allowed to sit for 20 minutes covered by the cooker’s two lids—an inner lid with one small hole and an outer lid with one as well. Turn on the heat and wait about 10 minutes for steam to escape. After two minutes of steaming, turn off the heat and let the pot sit for another 2-5 minutes. Yes, it’s a bit fussier than an electric rice cooker, but the results are incredible. I’ve been using mine for more than a year and refuse to make rice any other way. A caveat: This pot only works on a gas stove.

If you are only going to purchase one skillet, this 12-inch Christopher Kimball stainless steel 5-ply skillet is the one to have. It can handle the biggest jobs, including a whole chicken of parts, big batches of vegetables or greens, or even for cooking our Spanish Pork and Chorizo Stew (Carcamusa) on the stovetop. This skillet is made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core that provides superior heat conductivity and cooking performance. The magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. No hot spots. Even heating. Great durability because the weight and construction of the pan discourages warping. (Never put a hot pan in a cold sink.) It is made from 18/10 stainless steel and is oven safe up to 500 degrees. The handles are custom designed for comfort and ease of lifting.

Unlike nonstick pans that need to be replaced every year or two as their coating wears off, carbon-steel pans are designed for the long haul and actually become more nonstick over time. This durable egg pan from French company de Buyer's Mineral B line is thicker than other brands and can be used in the oven as well as on the stove. This compact pan is the perfect size for everyday use, when you want the benefits of carbon steel but don't want to deal with cleaning a large pan; it's also great for toasting small amounts of spices or blooming spices in fat to make infused oils. And with each use, the pan develops more of a protective surface coating that has nonstick properties.

If you’re sick of struggling to remove stuck food from your pans, Knapp's chainmail dish scrubber is the tool for you. Knapp's intricate chain mail is tough enough to take on the most stubborn stuck-on bits, and the links are just the right size: large enough that food doesn't get stuck in them but small enough to easily reach the corners of pans. The food-grade stainless steel will last a lifetime, though it needs to be hung up to dry; Knapp's design features a larger chainmail link in one corner for hanging. Note that this scrubber is intended for Pyrex, cast iron, carbon steel and stainless steel pans; it will damage non-stick pans or other delicate surfaces. Try it on your grill as well—it works wonders on the grubbiest grate.

Field's cast-iron skillets work just as well as other brands but are so much more lightweight—the 10-inch model weighs just 4 pounds, at least 20% less than other models. The inside of the pans are also well burnished so they're smooth, not rough, for low-stick cooking, especially if you've seasoned your skillet properly. The Field skillets are available in a range of sizes to suit the needs of any home cook. Choose between the No. 4, a compact 6-inch pan that's perfect for morning eggs and personal grilled cheese; the medium-sized 10-inch No. 8 or 12-inch No. 10; or the No. 12, a generous 14-inch skillet that is our favorite for big batches and campfire cooking.

This small, gorgeous cast-iron griddle set from Japan is just the pan to sear scallops, a few jumbo shrimp, filet mignon or asparagus. The thin yet sturdy construction heats up quickly—over any burner or grill--and holds its heat well. The textured surface prevents foodstuffs from sticking. With its hardwood base, the griddle can easily be brought to the table and used as much as a hot plate as a cooking pan. We’ll heat it and fill it with appetizers like warm, spiced nuts or baked feta drizzled with fruity olive oil, herbs and pepper flakes. The ingenious handle removes easily for serving and storage.

This 10-inch stainless steel skillet is the workhorse of our kitchen for searing, frying and sautéing. It goes from stovetop to oven (handling temperatures up to 500 degrees) and is great for everything from vegetables and sauces to meats and poultry. It is made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core that provides superior heat conductivity and cooking performance. The magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. The handle is a custom ergonomic design that makes the pan easy and comfortable to lift.

If you only purchase one saucepan, this is it. Made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core that provides superior heat conductivity, this saucepan produces professional chef results. No burning. No hot spots. Even heat conductivity. (If you answer a phone call, your oatmeal or onions won’t burn.) The magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. The brushed stainless steel finish also makes cleaning easier and keeps the saucepan looking new longer. Oven safe up to 500 degrees and made from 18/10 stainless steel.

Named for its place of origin, La Chamba clay cookware from Colombia is crafted completely by hand using centuries-old methods. Made from local river clay, this stunning matte-black comal can be used directly on the stovetop for everything from toasting spices and charring vegetables to frying eggs or warming tortillas. It is perfect for use on the grill when cooking delicate vegetables or fish that benefit from the smoky heat of the grill but could stick or fall apart if cooked directly on the grate. Use the La Chamba comal to char vegetables for our Oaxacan Green Mole with Chicken. Making La Chamba cookware is quite literally a community effort, and every piece passes through the hands of various skilled artisans in one village in Colombia. The three types of clay used in the dishes’ construction make them strong enough to use in the oven, microwave or on your stove—but as with all clay cookware, La Chamba pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Instead, heat your comal over low flame, or put it in the oven before preheating.

Our five-ply cookware has three layers of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of nonreactive stainless steel. The aluminum core heats evenly and retains that heat well, eliminating hot spots, while the magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. The skillet's heavy-duty construction also ensures that it won't warp over time, unlike thin metal pans that become raised in the center. And the rounded, oven-safe handle feels comfortable and well-balanced in the hand, even when handling a full pan of food; plus, the handle's hollow core is lightweight and stays cool during stovetop cooking. We use an 8-inch skillet for a wide range of kitchen tasks from toasting nuts and spices, to breakfast duty, to omelets, to smaller jobs such as steak for one.

Many stock pots are only good for boiling liquids since they are not heavy duty and do not contain a core of aluminum. This 8-quart stockpot is the real deal, with 5-ply stainless steel around an aluminum core. You can boil in it as well as sauté, stew, brown, braise—whatever you want—without worrying about burning or hot spots. Also designed for use on induction burners (this pot rated the best when compared to other premium brands in terms of induction efficiency). Great handles that stay cool on the stovetop and are designed for comfort. This pot can go into a 500 degree oven as well. It's an investment, but this pot will never let you down.

The Christopher Kimball 10-inch sauté pan provides superior heat conductivity and an enhanced cooking experience because it is made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core. The magnetic stainless-steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. Its deep sides prevent food from splattering and helps to create a larger cooking surface.