Milk Street Precision Rolling Pin
The Milk Street Rolling Pin will ship by March 30
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.
Marcato Ravioli Tablet
For uniform, perfectly filled ravioli every time, we rely on Marcato’s Ravioli Tablet to do the heavy lifting for us. The trusted Italian brand has been leading the way in designing innovative pasta tools since 1930, and this secret weapon is certainly an innovation. The heavy base with sturdy silicone feet is made of solid, food-grade, anodized aluminum with deep wells for lots of filling, while the removable cutting surface is made of durable, easy-to-clean Tritan that cuts neatly and precisely. Simply add your sheet of dough, lightly press, add your filling then the second sheet, then use the included anodized-aluminum rolling pin to pop the ravioli cleanly out of their molds without tearing or sticking. This beautiful green tablet makes ten 2-square inch ravioli at a time, so dinner will be quick work.
Norpro Deluxe Jumbo Potato Ricer
Riced potatoes are the secret to perfect mashed potatoes, homemade gnocchi, spaetzle and other dishes, but ricing potatoes is usually slow and arduous—not so with the Norpro. The first thing we noticed? The size. This stainless steel hopper can hold up to 24 ounces of potato—that’s well over a pound in a single fill—saving time and effort compared to smaller models (and you can still easily press a single potato, if that’s all you need). It’s perforated on all four sides for effortless pressing, which also means the potato doesn’t get compacted while being pressed, making for fluffier rice than other models. Don’t be intimidated by processing so many potatoes at once; the ricer is finished with thoughtful details like extra-long cast aluminum handles for extra leverage, and a silicone-lined notch on the underside so you can add potatoes straight into a bowl or pot. Plus, silicone lining on the underside of the handle and notch protect your bowl and hands while pressing. And the ricer comes apart for easy cleaning, another bonus compared to other versions we’ve tried.
Otoshibuta Adjustable Stainless Steel Drop Lid
In Japan, cooks have a clever tool for ensuring that simmering foods stay below the liquid instead of bobbing along the surface. They use an otoshibuta, or drop lid. Though drop lids are traditionally made of wood, we like this new and adjustable stainless steel version, designed to fit a variety of pot sizes. It also doesn’t absorb flavors the way wood can. To use, simply set the otoshibuta over food in simmering liquid, which weighs those items down just enough to keep them below the surface. The drop lid also forces liquid to circulate (so food is evenly covered with no stirring required), holds ingredients in place to prevent breakage and promotes faster cooking. We like to use them when blanching kale or chard, which can puff above boiling water, or when simmering black-eyed peas, lentils and other legumes to keep them fully submerged.
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.
La Gondola Double Pasta Cutter Wheel - 2 Separate Blades
La Gondola’s Double Pasta Cutter Wheel is equipped on one side with a sturdy straight edge for clean cuts and uniform lines, and a crimped edge on the other for cutting frilly pasta shapes or making ravioli. It’s great both for making long-stranded pastas like pappardelle or tagliatelle and for cutting square-shaped raviolis. But unlike most tools that are made of silicone and plastic, this cutter is made from a durable brass head and beech wood handle that can stand up to frequent use. It’s built to last by artisans in Italy, so you can pass it down to the next generation.
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.
HIC Ilsa Cast Iron Gas Ring Reducer
Much as we love our stovetop coffee makers, too often the grates over the gas burners are too wide for them to sit safely above the flames. But in Italy, Christopher Kimball was introduced to a simple tool that keeps the country’s ubiquitous stovetop espresso pots perfectly balanced. The Ilsa Gas Ring Reducer consists of high-quality, heavy-duty cast-iron construction that decreases the size of gas burner openings in center grates while absorbing and diffusing heat evenly. It’s fantastic for making coffee, of course, but we find it’s equally useful for any small cookware, from saucepans to tea kettles.
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.