Elevated Craft Double Walled Hybrid Cocktail Shaker
This cleverly designed cocktail shaker from Elevated Craft includes upgraded features that solve common problems for a home bartender—while keeping you from making a mess. Founder Adam Craft spent two years developing a tool that prevents leakage, sticking and freezing your hands. With double-walled stainless steel and vacuum insulation, this shaker will make the drink ice cold while protecting your hands and keeping condensation at a minimum. Its high-capacity measuring top, with both ounces and milliliters, brings an element of precision to craft cocktails, and the screw-on lid is secured with gaskets to prevent leaks while shaking. A strainer built into the pour spout keeps seeds, ice and other large items out of the glass. And the generous size holds up to 750 milliliters (that’s an entire standard bottle of liquor) even as the slim design makes it easy to grip and shake.
Mason Cash Garlic Store and Grater
This charming ceramic pot functions as a two-in-one garlic storage container and grater. Three holes in the side provide ample air circulation to keep garlic fresh, while the jar shields the cloves from light, which can lead to sprouting. Our favorite feature is the lid, which conceals a grating surface on its underside. The ceramic nubs are arranged in a spiral pattern reminiscent of Japanese-style ginger graters; Mason Cash's adaptation is highly effective and easy to scrape clean. And unlike with wand-style graters, there are no sharp teeth that will scrape fingers or snag sponges or towels—in fact, the whole product is dishwasher-safe.
KüchenProfi 3 Piece Set Pastry Baking Scraper Set
This compact set includes three bench scrapers to take care of every type of task: A dough cutter—which features a sharp stainless steel blade that’ll slice through even the stickiest doughs—a sturdy plastic spreader for making smooth layers of cake frosting or transporting ingredients from cutting board to bowl and a soft rounded scraper that’s perfect for sneaking into nooks and crannies. The stainless steel blade of the dough cutter is precise not only in its slicing, but also in its portioning—the ruler markings etched along the blade help cut uniform dinner rolls and more. The spreader has a beveled edge that can sneak cleanly under any ingredient, while the curved scraper boasts a sturdy yet flexible construction that easily wipes the sides of a bowl clean. Plus, each has an ergonomic handle and incredibly sturdy construction—even the smallest silicone scraper has a stainless steel core. Plus, they tuck together seamlessly for easy kitchen storage.
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.
Offset Bakery Spatula
Offset spatulas are known for their ability to easily slide under baked goods without crumbling them, but this one works even better since it has a unique beveled tip. The slight upturn allows you to use the spatula tip almost like a lever, prying up stuck-on cookies and the like with ease. And despite being made from sturdy stainless steel, the spatula blade is still quite flexible and won’t mangle even the most delicate treats like lacey-edged cookies and meringues. Measurements along the side of the spatula ensure accuracy as you bake—whether you’re seeking to made even widths of dough lattice for a pie or consistently sized cuts of cake or brownie. Thanks to the ergonomically-shaped handle, this spatula is a joy to use. You won’t strain your hand if you’re frosting cupcakes en masse or slicing and scooping out multiple brownie trays. Plus, the angle at which the handle is set is positioned just right for you to keep your fingers out of the frosting.
HIC Kitchen Stainless Steel Double Mesh Strainer
We like this durable 4-inch double mesh strainer from HIC because it will stay put. The two handles, a long hooked one and a short notch on the other side, are long enough to allow it to rest securely on the edge of pots, pans, mixing bowls and containers so our hands are free to measure and pour. The hooked end for is also good for hanging. This must-have kitchen tool is ideal for sifting, draining, straining and sieving foods and beverages. Use it to remove lumps, seeds, skins and other fibrous items for velvety smooth sauces and soups. It also can be used to rinse legumes, rice and grains before cooking and can catch seeds and pulp when juicing fresh citrus. And it doubles nicely as a sifter.
triangle Tools Cheese Grater
This cheese grater comes from triangle Tools’ Soul line, a series of high-quality kitchen tools developed for design lovers and gourmands alike. The grater comes with super-sharp teeth designed with a photo-etching process, a method that involves using photosensitive film and an acid bath to precisely dissolve a stainless steel sheet to produce the teeth, which behave like knives rather than simply ripping up food. The grater’s handle is made from smooth cherry, plum or walnut wood sourced from local orchards and forests; the handles are carved in nearby Sauerland before being fitted with the stainless steel grate in Solingen—a region of Germany famous for knives, kitchen tools and flatware—with renewably sourced electricity. This grater comes in a reusable gift box, ideal for last-minute gifting or (spoiling the chef in your life).
triangle Tools Reibe 2-way Grater with Catcher
We found it: the grater that won’t make a mess and works twice as fast. A 2-in-1 “catcher” clips under the grate to capture and redirect errant shavings; to protect the grating surface, simply clip the catcher on top of the grater to guard blades (and fingers) when the grater is stored. The Reibe has an ultrasharp grate with medium holes designed to deliver a coarse shaving, perfect for grating vegetables for salads. And blades are arranged to cut foods in two directions, speeding prep time. These stainless steel graters come with nonslip nubs and a notch at the base to ensure a secure hold on cutting boards and bowls.
Dreamfarm BBQ Brizzle
This barbecue-friendly basting brush is a larger version of Dreamfarm’s Good Design Award-winning Brizzle, the ingenious silicone tool that makes basting easier, more efficient and less messy. The BBQ Brizzle retains the flexible brush head of the original, which bends to scoop up liquid from hard-to-reach corners of bowls or pans to make it easy to spread thick barbecue sauce or glaze over your grilling meat. A weighted curved handle—longer than the original to keep hands a safe distance from the fire—keeps the brush head off the counter (a boon for avoiding both messes and cross-contamination). It’s also nonstick, won’t trap bacteria, dishwasher-safe and heat resistant to 500°F.
Verve Culture Small Molinillo Whisk
This intricate wooden whisk from Mexico is the traditional tool used to prepare Mexican hot chocolate. Each molinillo is beautifully carved by hand from a single piece of alder wood, resulting in a one-of-a-kind product. And the designs aren't just decorative—the extra nooks and crannies are great for aerating liquid, resulting in an especially creamy drink. Simply roll the shaft back and forth between your palms to whip milk into a light, frothy consistency. For the most authentic experience preparing your hot chocolate and a visually appealing addition to your kitchen, Mexico's time-tested molinillo is perfect.
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 Nakiri & Peeler Set
Milk Street Nakiri
What if we told you there is a Japanese knife specifically designed for vegetable prep that will make your cooking safer, easier and faster? It is vastly better than the all-purpose European chef’s knife, which is clunky, heavy and too thick to precisely slice and dice onions, cut carrots into perfect coins or reduce chard into feathery ribbons. The solution is the Milk Street Nakiri. It’s light, thin and sharp, with a design that resembles a mini cleaver—2 inches deep with a squared-off tip. A very thin blade, just 1.6 millimeters at the top, tapers down even thinner toward the end so it slices through even tough ingredients effortlessly without bending. The broad blade shields your fingers when you chop and works as a bench scraper to transfer chopped veggies to the simmering pot. With the help of veteran industrial designer David Lewin, we added a few special touches. The blade is embossed with a nonstick file pattern that replicates the kourochi (blacksmith) or tshuchime (pear skin) finish to traditional nakiris, so sliced ingredients fall right off. A gentle curve accommodates fingers when choking up tight for control, and the handle has been designed to provide a nonslip grip.
Riess Enamelware Skimmer
Both practical and elegant, porcelain enamelware is nonreactive, easy to clean and has a more polished look than unfinished stainless steel, but like metal cookware is lightweight and durable. Riess' handcrafted skimmer has a slightly raised lip that we prefer to completely flat skimmers because it helps prevent food from rolling off, and its wide surface is good for scooping up larger foods and less flimsy than wire models. The product feels well-balanced and lightweight, and its handle is appropriately long for deep-frying or reaching deep into pots. Made by fusing porcelain glass onto iron, the material is nonreactive, easy to clean and has a more polished look than unfinished stainless steel, yet like metal cookware is lightweight and durable; we love how the sleek design shows off the glossy enamel and can be hung as a decorative piece alongside the company's Ladle and Perforated Ladle as a Three-Piece Set with Hanging Bar. A caveat: Although enamelware is much stronger than glass, the porcelain finish can still chip if it's dropped or hit against a hard surface.
EatCo Toku Egg Beater
Traditionally used in Japan to make Tamago Kake Gohan, a meal of hot rice and eggs, this clever tool first beats eggs until smooth and then combines the mixture without picking up clumps of rice the way a normal whisk would. But we also found that this specialized egg beater saves a bit of effort—it does a better job of emulsifying egg whites and yolks with a gentle whisking motion, rather than endless beating. And the loop-shaped end has a serrated edge, which easily picks up unwanted stringy bits of unblended white.
EatCo Mazelu Whisk
No kitchen is complete without a slim whisk for mixing small amounts. Made from high-grade stainless steel, this tiny whisk is a workhorse—use it to blend vinaigrettes, eggs, spices, sauces or even cocktails. It’s extra sturdy from a solid steel handle (most comparable whisks of this size have a flimsier spiral handle), and despite a slim profile—less than an inch across—the long 10-inch handle means you can use it taller bowls, jars or glasses comfortably.
EatCo Saji Slim Spoon
We reach for this sturdy, ingenious spoon from EatCo almost every time we cook: Long-handled with a slim profile, it’s perfect for comfortably scooping from narrow jars without getting caught on its way out. The 0.85-inch thin, deep bowl of the spoon holds plenty of seasoning, spices or sauce (it makes a great tasting spoon, too.)
Suncraft Silicone Cooking Chopsticks
Streamline your cooking with cooking chopsticks—replace your spatula, tongs, whisk and spoon as you turn, flip, mix and stir with one sleek tool. Longer than chopsticks designed for dining, cooking chopsticks keep your hands far from heat and flames, which makes them safer for risky jobs like deep-frying. And they’re more precise than tongs or spatulas: Gripping food with the pointed ends means you can target even pieces or parts of a single ingredient with extra dexterity, for specific control and even cooking. Suncraft’s are simultaneously fine enough to pick up a single noodle to test doneness or an herb sprig while plating, while also being sturdy enough to toss a whole stir-fry with speed and confidence.
What sets these apart from other cooking chopsticks is a small scoop for seasoning at the thicker end, perfectly sized to add a pinch of salt, pepper or spice while cooking, and a textured point on the narrow end, which provides traction and helps grip food better. Made from durable silicone—which won’t scratch up your pans—these chopsticks are heat resistant up to 446°F and dishwasher-safe.
EatCo Suqu Spoon
This Japanese-designed serving spoon is compactly sized and made of high-grade stainless steel. The handle features a brilliant detail on the end: a down-turned lip that can hang on to the rims of bowls or containers, keeping the spoon from slipping in.