tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021:/gadgets/30 2014-08-12T07:30:00Z Serious Eats Chapp tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.296595 2014-08-12T07:30:00Z 2014-08-12T07:30:00Z

Cast iron frying pans are versatile, durable, and remarkably cheap. While pans that have passed down for generations might have a whole lot of sentimental value, you can buy a brand new cast iron frying pan without shelling out much cash. But do you think of using one when you're not frying up bacon?

Donna Currie Cast iron frying pans are versatile, durable, and remarkably cheap. While pans that have passed down for generations might have a whole lot of sentimental value, you can buy a brand new cast iron frying pan without shelling out much cash. But do you think of using one when you're not frying up bacon? Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.193887 2014-07-17T07:30:00Z 2014-07-17T07:30:00Z

Realistically, you can make ice pops in paper cups with wooden skewers for handles, but that's probably not as fun&mdash;or as trendy&mdash;as using a <a href="http://www.zokuhome.com/pages/products-quickpop-maker" target="_blank">Zoku quick pop maker</a>. Either way, it's certainly not nearly as fast.

Donna Currie Realistically, you can make ice pops in paper cups with wooden skewers for handles, but that's probably not as fun—or as trendy—as using a Zoku quick pop maker. Either way, it's certainly not nearly as fast. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.262003 2014-07-10T14:00:00Z 2014-07-10T14:00:00Z

The <a href="http://www.cuppow.com/collections/bnto-jar-lunchbox-adaptors">BNTO from Cuppow</a> is very simple, but very effective. It's a dishwasher-safe plastic cup that nestles into a canning jar, allowing the jar lid to be screwed on to keep the cup and its contents safely separated from the rest of the jar.

Donna Currie The BNTO from Cuppow is very simple, but very effective. It's a dishwasher-safe plastic cup that nestles into a canning jar, allowing the jar lid to be screwed on to keep the cup and its contents safely separated from the rest of the jar. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.198076 2014-07-07T12:00:03Z 2014-07-07T12:00:03Z

Wooden spoons have been around... oh, since sticks were invented, probably. How many other kitchen tools do you use that have changed so little since your grandmother's time. But wooden spoons are useful for things other than stirring. Here are a few of my favorites.

Donna Currie Wooden spoons have been around... oh, since sticks were invented, probably. How many other kitchen tools do you use that have changed so little since your grandmother's time. But wooden spoons are useful for things other than stirring. Here are a few of my favorites. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.244603 2014-07-03T07:30:00Z 2014-07-03T07:30:00Z

Funnels are pretty basic items. I've got a few with openings of different sizes to fit narrow-necked bottles and to fit larger jars, but the new <a href="http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1550995" target="_blank">canning funnel from Progressive</a> ($15) has a few&mdash;actually, make that five&mdash;unique features that make it worth the storage space it takes up in my kitchen.

Donna Currie Funnels are pretty basic items. I've got a few with openings of different sizes to fit narrow-necked bottles and to fit larger jars, but the new canning funnel from Progressive ($15) has a few—actually, make that five—unique features that make it worth the storage space it takes up in my kitchen. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.299706 2014-06-26T14:15:00Z 2014-06-26T14:15:00Z

I've owned at least five waffle makers, not counting this one, maybe more. Which is crazy, considering that I don't make a lot of waffles. But hey, when I want waffles, I want good waffles.

Donna Currie I've owned at least five waffle makers, not counting this one, maybe more. Which is crazy, considering that I don't make a lot of waffles. But hey, when I want waffles, I want good waffles. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.200876 2014-06-19T07:30:00Z 2014-06-19T07:30:00Z

I'm not exactly sure what to call the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lekue-0200600M10M017-Silicone-Bread-Maker/dp/B007F6EN96/?tag=serieats-20">Lekue Silicone Bread Maker</a> ($35). I mean, <em>they</em> call it a bread maker, but it's really more of a bread pan that can be used as a bowl. That said, it does have some nice perks.

Donna Currie I'm not exactly sure what to call the Lekue Silicone Bread Maker ($35). I mean, they call it a bread maker, but it's really more of a bread pan that can be used as a bowl. That said, it does have some nice perks. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.281038 2014-06-17T15:15:37Z 2014-06-17T15:15:37Z

I love thinking outside the box&mdash;or bowl, or spoon, or whatever&mdash;when it comes to kitchen gadgets and tools. Many common gadgets have uses beyond what they're sold for, and it makes them so much more valuable than those one-trick gadgets that you seldom use. Silicone muffin cups are a prime example. Sure, we know they can be used for baking muffins and cupcakes. But what else could they be used for?

Donna Currie I love thinking outside the box—or bowl, or spoon, or whatever—when it comes to kitchen gadgets and tools. Many common gadgets have uses beyond what they're sold for, and it makes them so much more valuable than those one-trick gadgets that you seldom use. Silicone muffin cups are a prime example. Sure, we know they can be used for baking muffins and cupcakes. But what else could they be used for? Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.295012 2014-06-12T07:30:00Z 2014-06-12T07:30:00Z

Have you ever run into a recipe that required you to roll dough to a specific thickness? Do you actually measure, or do you eyeball it and hope for the best? Sure, with a lot of practice, you can probably gauge a 1/4 inch thickness, or at least get pretty darn close. Or you can do the sensible thing and cheat; put training wheels on your rolling pin, if you will.

Donna Currie Have you ever run into a recipe that required you to roll dough to a specific thickness? Do you actually measure, or do you eyeball it and hope for the best? Sure, with a lot of practice, you can probably gauge a 1/4 inch thickness, or at least get pretty darn close. Or you can do the sensible thing and cheat; put training wheels on your rolling pin, if you will. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.267995 2014-06-05T07:30:00Z 2014-06-05T07:30:00Z

Is there any fruit or vegetable that doesn't have its own special tool? (In case you were wondering, that's a rhetorical question.) And peppers have the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-International-Pepper-Corer-Pair/dp/B006MJJBW6">Progressive Pepper Corer Duo</a> ($9.69), which is actually a set of two tools, paired to core and seed peppers of all shapes and sizes. The larger corer works on bell peppers and the like, while the smaller handles jalapeños, serranos, and other diminutive varieties.

Donna Currie Is there any fruit or vegetable that doesn't have its own special tool? (In case you were wondering, that's a rhetorical question.) And peppers have the Progressive Pepper Corer Duo ($9.69), which is actually a set of two tools, paired to core and seed peppers of all shapes and sizes. The larger corer works on bell peppers and the like, while the smaller handles jalapeños, serranos, and other diminutive varieties. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.290605 2014-05-29T13:00:00Z 2014-05-29T13:00:00Z

If you're itching to make fancy zucchini fettuccine, but you don't want to commit to a spiral slicing machine, the <a href="http://www.shopmastrad.com/Spiral_Veggie_Slicer_p/a21718.htm">Mastrad Spiral Veggie Slicer</a> ($14.99) may just be your new best friend. Yes, okay, I'm sure Chef Morimoto could carve zucchini into ribbons with a chef's knife, but normal mortals probably need <em>some</em> sort of a tool. The advantage of this one over a spiral-cutting machine is that it's small and simple, and the pieces nest together for more compact storage.

Donna Currie If you're itching to make fancy zucchini fettuccine, but you don't want to commit to a spiral slicing machine, the Mastrad Spiral Veggie Slicer ($14.99) may just be your new best friend. Yes, okay, I'm sure Chef Morimoto could carve zucchini into ribbons with a chef's knife, but normal mortals probably need some sort of a tool. The advantage of this one over a spiral-cutting machine is that it's small and simple, and the pieces nest together for more compact storage. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.288734 2014-05-22T15:00:00Z 2014-05-22T15:00:00Z

Making wavy cuts in vegetables isn't an essential task by any means, but with Kuhn Rikon's Krinkle Knife ($14) knife, it's no more difficult than making straight cuts. And it makes presentation more fun.

Donna Currie Making wavy cuts in vegetables isn't an essential task by any means, but with Kuhn Rikon's Krinkle Knife ($14) knife, it's no more difficult than making straight cuts. And it makes presentation more fun. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.208267 2014-05-15T15:00:00Z 2014-05-15T15:00:00Z

Is there anything worse than reaching for that frosty glass of lemonade on a warm day, only to find a recently-airborne critter doing the backstroke in your drink? Well, yeah, I can tell you what's worse. Taking a gulp, then realizing there was a swimmer in the pool. A sports bottle or an insulated travel mug with a lid solves the problem when it's just you in the back yard, but when you're hosting a barbecue, maybe you'd like something a little more festive for the mojitos and margaritas. Enter the Sip &amp; Straw

Donna Currie Is there anything worse than reaching for that frosty glass of lemonade on a warm day, only to find a recently-airborne critter doing the backstroke in your drink? Well, yeah, I can tell you what's worse. Taking a gulp, then realizing there was a swimmer in the pool. A sports bottle or an insulated travel mug with a lid solves the problem when it's just you in the back yard, but when you're hosting a barbecue, maybe you'd like something a little more festive for the mojitos and margaritas. Enter the Sip & Straw Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.259982 2014-05-08T12:00:00Z 2014-05-08T12:00:00Z

Considering how many baking pans I own, paper bakeware was never really on my radar. But I thought it would be fun to test. Not only did they work like a charm, but they come in hard-to-find sizes and make for a bright and colorful way to package baked gifts.

Donna Currie Considering how many baking pans I own, paper bakeware was never really on my radar. But I thought it would be fun to test. Not only did they work like a charm, but they come in hard-to-find sizes and make for a bright and colorful way to package baked gifts. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.184117 2014-05-01T14:00:00Z 2014-05-01T14:00:00Z

If you've ever thought, "I really need a better place to put this spoon than in this hot pot," a utensil pot clip may be for you.

Donna Currie If you've ever thought, "I really need a better place to put this spoon than in this hot pot," a utensil pot clip may be for you. Read More ]]>