When cooking, it seems there’s nothing worse than ruining the food in question. Whether you’ve cooked it too long, added too much spice, or even some mysterious catastrophe that ends with your food becoming inedible. What most people don’t think about as a very real possibility is ruining their cookware during a kitchen mishap. Sure, it’s annoying to have to start a dish all over from scratch after putting a lot of time and effort into it, but it’s nowhere near as maddening as accidentally destroying a $50 pot because you’ve scraped the nonstick coating completely off the bottom. True story.
The best way to avoid rendering your cookware unusable is to stock your kitchen with plenty of non-scratch utensils. Or, you could just invest in the Spoon Tongs (Vat19, $10.95) and call it a day. This gadget has the ability to easily switch between a spoon and tongs, allowing you to grab, scoop, and serve all with the same utensil. Heat resistant up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you can be sure that it won’t melt into your dish and since it’s made from plastic and silicone it’s safe for all types of cookware. The spring-loaded handle locks for comfortable storage. Heck, it’s even dishwasher safe!
The only caveat here is that the spoon isn’t suitable for water or thin sauces, so you will have to keep at least one traditional spoon on hand. I know, CRAZY.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 3″ x 1″
-Switch between spoon and tongs easily
-Perfect for grabbing, scooping, and serving
-Heat resistant to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
-Safe on all cookware surfaces
-Spring loaded handle
-Locks for easy storage
-Dishwasher safe
-Made of silicone and plastic
Anyone who’s ever cooked knows the importance of properly measuring your ingredients. Just a pinch more or a heap less of salt and your dish can be ruined. Once you get past the initial intimidation of the multitude of measurements and their respective abbreviations (I have a friend who still can’t tell the difference between tsp and tbsp – I don’t let him cook anything), it’s just a matter of having the necessary tools on hand.
Instead of stocking your kitchen with at least a dozen little measuring spoons, why not just use one? The Nuscup Adjustable Measuring Cup and Scoop (Vat19, $11.95-13.95) takes all those tools and combines them into one incredibly convenient kitchen gadget. Available in two different sizes that cover most common measurements, this adjustable measuring cup and scoop lets you measure a multitude of both liquid and dry ingredients without dirtying all of your dishware. Simply pull back the slider to the desired measurement (listed in both English and Metric on the top and sides of the device) and fill. The rubber seal along the edge of the measuring flaps keeps ingredients from slipping out and the ergonomic grip allows you to hold the measurement tool comfortably. You can even measure the desired amount then pull back on the slider to ensure you don’t spill a drop (or a morsel, depending on what you’re measuring). And not only are you saving precious kitchen storage space because you’re using one measuring cup instead of many, but this gadget also sticks to the side of your fridge via a magnet affixed to the base. Genius!
Are you ready to hear the downside? You probably have to *gasp* rinse the scoop in between ingredient measurements. Say it ain’t so!
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Adjustable measuring cup and scoop
-Adjustable flap with air tight seal
-Pull back slider after measuring to avoid spillage
-Measurements listed in English and Metric
-Measures both liquid and dry ingredients
-Available in mini (1/8 tsp to 2 tbsp) or standard (2 tbsp to 1/2 cup)
-Magnet for side of fridge storage
-Ergonomic grip
-Comes apart for easy cleaning
-Top rack dishwasher safe
Is there anything better than a delicious pizza? I’d be lying if I said that pizza was the end-all, be-all of existence, but you have to admit that it’s pretty damn good. Seriously, is there anyone out there who doesn’t like pizza? There are so many different combinations of base, sauce, and toppings that there’s sure to be at least one type of pizza for each person on the planet. Now, that’s a lot of pizza!
Pizza cutting usually isn’t a problem you run into when you order from your favorite pizza joint, but even pizza masters have their share of bad days that can result in sloppy cutting jobs. And if you’re as big a fan of pizza as I think you are, then you probably make a decent amount of pizza on your home turf as well. Whether you’re ordering in or creating a masterpiece from scratch, the Pizza Pro 3000 (Latest Buy, $10.46) should be your pizza cutter of choice. Shaped like a mini circular saw, this cutter features a laser-etched stainless steel blade that cuts through crust, sauce, and cheese like nobody’s business. Not only is it more comfortable to use than a traditional pizza cutter, but because it’s so efficient, you don’t need to make multiple passes through the same section (we all know that leads to cheese dragging and deformity).
I have a theory that if you’re trying out a new pizza place, you shouldn’t go for the bells and whistles (at least not at first). Order a slice of cheese. After all, if they can’t make a decent pie of the most basic of pizzas, they’re probably gonna screw up a pepperoni, pepper, pineapple, ham, and anchovy pie.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 3.9″ x 2.2″ x 4.5″
-Heavy duty pizza cutter shaped like a circular saw
-Features laser etched stainless steel blade
-Removable shield for easy clean up
-Made of tough engineering plastics
So I really went all out for Valentine’s Day yesterday. I bought a huge bouquet of roses, lit a few candles, and then made the most delicious meal: frozen pizza. Hey, if you forked out the cash for a quality floral arrangement, then you feel my pain. I mean, what else could I afford to buy after that? Still, the evening was quite lovely right up until I had to take my pizza out of the oven. That’s when I decided that instead of burning my mouth on molten hot cheese, I would instead graze my wrists against sizzling oven racks. There’s nothing more romantic than the pain-filled shrieks of an adult male. Am I right, ladies?
I could have enjoyed my gourmet meal in peace, had I invested in the Cool Touch Oven Rack Guard (Vat19, $19.95). This set of two oven rack guards snap onto the front of any standard sized oven rack to help protect your wrists and arms (you know, the parts that are still exposed even if you’re using oven mitts) from skin-torching oven burns. Safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees, these guards can be left on the oven racks between uses and really only need to come off when they or your oven need to be cleaned. I’m not gonna tell you how to clean your oven (I’m pretty sure most of you out there just have to push a button that says “clean”), but you’ll be glad to know that you can throw these guards right in the washing machine.
Now the only thing standing between you and a home-cooked meal is…your cooking skills. Good luck with that.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 18″ across
-Set of 2 oven rack guards
-Fits any standard oven rack
-Snaps into place
-Safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees
-Can be left on rack between uses
-Remove during oven cleaning cycle
-Machine washable
-Made of flame and heat resistant Nomex
One of the great things about cooking at home is that you know exactly what goes into your meal. I was reading a story online the other day about a person who ordered a sandwich from a local deli and ended up chewing on a staple halfway through the meal. I can guarantee that I’ve never had anything close to that type of problem when I’ve cooked at home (I’ve probably ingested more than a few strands of my own hair, but who hasn’t?). Another advantage, besides the fact that you’re not eating inedibles, is that you’re also saving money by not eating out every meal. So then why do so many people shy away from cooking for themselves? Because it’s hard, at first. There are measurements and cooking times and technical jargon to get through – and even after all that, you still might suck at it.
I’m not saying that the Upside Down Apron with Cooking Guide (Perpetual Kid, $29.99) will make you a professional chef, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction. Let’s start with the basics: an apron. Yes, you should wear an apron. Why? Because cooking is messy (if you’re doing it right) and you’re bound to be covered in flour/sauce/grease by the end of it. The great thing about this apron is that it has all the helpful little tips printed on it that beginners need to know while also serving as a handy reference guide once you get more experience in the kitchen. And the piece de resistance? Everything is printed upside down so you can just pick up the bottom of your apron and read it while you’re cooking.
The important thing to remember is to start slowly, maybe heat up some soup or boil an egg. If you can’t master those tasks, just order a pizza.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Measurements, cooking times, and more
-Printed upside down for easy reading
-One size fits most
