The Best Kitchen Gear of 2021 | Gear Heads
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- Every year, the Reviews team tests hundreds of products. This year, we tested an especially interesting range of products. Lisa and Hannah are here to give you a rundown of their favorites.
Hannah's favorites:
Spicy Shelf Deluxe: bit.ly/4c0rDS8
Expandable Kitchen Spice Rack Organizer: bit.ly/3yDnlkZ
Aarke Carbonator III: bit.ly/3V6vpSS
Solo Stove Bonfire: bit.ly/3V6fbJG
Williams Sonoma Mini Muffin Pan: bit.ly/4dZfOxh
Wilton Mini Muffin and Cupcake Pan: bit.ly/4e5Fjgf
Lisa's favorites:
Zojirushi 5.5 Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer: bit.ly/3yGoMiN
Lodge Chef Collection Cast Iron Grill Pan: bit.ly/3V3x3on
Jonathan's Spoons Lazy Spoon Original: www.woodspoon.com/spoons/spootle
Faay 13.5" Teak Cooking Spoon: bit.ly/4dVCZsl
Tovala Smart Oven (Best Buy): bit.ly/452BfJM
Follow Lisa on Instagram: / lisam_atk
Follow Hannah on Instagram: / hannah_crowley8
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I’d love to see ATK go do a Chinese restaurant supply store and buy some items to test - like steamers. Aluminum stacked steamers? Traditional bamboo? Steamers in Instant Pots? Test with steaming Chinese buns, soup dumplings, whole fish. Another item to test are stove vents! And don’t forget the Asian brands! I have a PacAir and I swear it works better than any other brand.
Then they might have to put more POC on camera and that doesn't seem on-brand for them
There would be some backlash I bet if they did it that way. I think they have done one on steamers in general.
We have tested both metal and bamboo steamers and the reviews are on our website.
We also tested woks and the winners are from small Asian-owned companies.
@@lisamcmanus6656 I was going to say this as the wok review was the first one I watched. I love when even the smallest bit of research proves the assertion wrong.
Keep it up, I quit an accounting job for a change to being a chef and turning up with a well thought out knife roll went a long way to getting me my first job. My process was basically - I need this thing what do you guys say about the subject.
By the way victorinox now have the same blade as the fibrox but with a slightly more wa shaped handle that makes it more comfortable to pinch grip in my opinion, called the 'modern'. It might be a contender in your next knife video.
Regarding wooden spoons, the first one you showed, with a little groove on the handle, can also be used to pull an oven rack out when it’s hot just to check on things you don’t need an oven mitt.
That’s a good idea, because holding a toothpick with an oven mitt just doesn’t work lol!
That would be really handy for us short people. I can handle pulling out the lower racks safely, but not so much the upper oven racks. My arms are just not long enough.
Our fire department in Peoria Arizona, gave away "the oven stick. Looks like a ruler, sort of. Push, pull, meat temp guide. 50¢
I don't need to buy any of the products but the FREEBIE TIPS given in the video are priceless - use COLD water in the sodastream to get more bubbles AND oil the food item and not the grill so there's less smoke! NICE thank you!
I know right? These are such excellent tips! The grill one just saved me a lot of headache :)
I love my Zojirushi. I have an older version of your winning model, which has been going strong for over a decade.
However, people need to know that it is also an excellent steel cut oats cooker. I use the usual 3:1 water ratio for steel cut oats & the porridge setting. I use the delayed cook feature so I can wake up to perfect oatmeal every morning. It probably cooks more oats than rice as I don’t have rice every day, but I do have oatmeal almost every morning in the winter. Lots of times it even runs almost 24 hours a day, overnight for oatmeal and while I’m at work so I can come home to perfectly cooked brown rice.
It was splurgey, but turned out to be one of my best kitchen purchases. Glad to see it get some love here.
I love my Zojirushi smart rice maker as well. Some of my friends though it was overkill as they just use a regular pot to make rice. After seeing it operate and eating the resulting perfectly cooked rice my friends were singing a different tune. And, yes, it makes perfect oatmeal as well.
I purchased a 25 pound bag of premium jasmine rice and now I can "stretch" almost any meal by adding rice with various toppings and seasonings. Now we can eat better for less with less effort.
Absolutely love Zoji stuff
I’ve had my Zojirushi rice cooker for more than 20 years. It works flawlessly. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
We've had a Zoji for 5 years now. Still going strong.
Hey, if it's something you're going to use every day, it's worth the splurge. Takes a little less hassle each day and saves you from having to replace one that breaks down
All I want for Christmas is more countertop???
I have no intent of buying any smart oven, but I am pretty impressed by what you showed there. UI and functionality seems on point.
Same
Well, I broke down and bought a Zojirushi rice cooker at the suggestion of...yes, Uncle Roger. Best purchase I've made in a LONG time. Instead of having rice once a month or so, I now cook rice two or three times a week. It makes the best brown rice I've ever had. It also makes excellent oatmeal and, with a little practice, can be used as a steamer.
Are you making fried rice with left overs? I hear Jamie Oliver has a great recipe.
Remember the finger rule. Uncle roger would not approve of using the measuring cups.
@@Nevyn42 you make uncle roger sad
I upgraded to a Zojirushi a while back, no more burned rice on the bottom. 100% worth getting.
Buy once cry once!
I've had this model for 17yrs now and it's still going strong.
Perfect rice every time (not brown rice): Add a cup of rice and a cup and a half of water to a pot. Season with salt. Turn the burner onto high, when the water boils, turn it down to low and put a lid on, let it simmer for 12 minutes. When the 12 minutes are up, leave the rice for another 12 minutes. Fluff up with a fork. Never fails :)
I’ve never used a rice cooker. My rice is awesome!
I look forward to your segments on ATK and Cook's Country. So glad you post here on You Tube. Jack Bishop, you need to do a Gear Heads segment more often on ATK.
Such a pleasure to see ATK continue rising in subscriber count.
For mini muffin cook time, I've found that they cook roughly twice as fast. So for a recipe that says 20 minutes, start checking at about 10.
Lisa and Hannah have knocked it out of the park again! Happy Holidays!
I thought I had reached the point where I had everything I needed in my kitchen when I picked up a SodaStream a few weeks ago but you come along with that beautiful grill pan and mess up my mind again! Now I have something to hunt for during the Boxing Day sales after the holidays.🤓
I have a variety of wooden utensils in my kitchen and I use the same oil and wax that I use on my cutting boards and find it makes a huge difference when it comes time to clean them after cooking. It really is worth the minimal time and expense if you have good quality wooden utensils.
Thank you ladies for another great year.
Keep it up for 2022 !!
I just love this channel. And I don’t really cook. When I do I think I find it easier by using your recommended pieces and I find it super handy when it comes time to buy gifts for the cooks in my life.
In my George Forman grills, I have wet paper towels ready. Remove the completed food to a plate, insert and arrange wet paper towels, close lid, UNPLUG the grill.and let it set while you enjoy your meal..After eating,, the presoaked grill plates clean up easily.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
I love your show! Have made some satisfying purchases based on your testing and advice!
I had my heart set on the Breville air fryer toaster oven you guys reviewed... how do you guys feel it compares to something like this smart oven?
I love you ladies & ATK as well. ♡♡ You provide extensive reviews, great recipes & fantastic tips. Happy Holidays to you & your famiky. Continued success in 2022. Be well.
Lisa dancing to kitchen tools is a win
Such a great lineup! Will I ever have enough room on my kitchen counters? When I see those items, I don’t care! I’ve been watching ATK for decades and it never fails to offer up new delights.
Hands down, the best segment on ATK. Also, I want your job. 😁
I'm a bit OCD about my spice storage, can't buy the wall hugging option soon enough (my family thanks you). I like that you can see the inside measurement on the rice cooker. Also, can't go wrong w/Lodge as a cast iron choice for a plethora of reasons. Thanks ladies.
I love making polenta in my Zojirushi Rice cooker. You only have to stir once during cooking. 👍🏻
Great show thank you!! Lisa, yay! smart ovens rock. Hannah you and me can go camping right away 😎
@10:15 - you mention that the Zojirushi clear and green measuring cups are for white or brown rice. This is incorrect. The green cup is for measuring “rinse-free white rice only” - while the clear cup is for measuring everything else. Other than that, great review!
Suggestion to think about : wood is porous. It absorbs things. Never want it soaking in soap 🧼, much less dishwasher soap . Why? 1. Wood warps 2. Ruins the wood 🪵 as mentioned in the video. I clean my wooden tools before I even plate the food. They are precious, generational hand me downs. (In my family). I use the same beloved spoon from 1997 when I cooked for my mother. It’s my most valued kitchen item.
I agree, I always was mine before plating at well. I have my Grandmothers wooden spoon to make my Sunday “gravy” She passed in 1974 so I understand the heirloom value of them
Lol
I’ve had my Zojirushi rice cooker for about 15 years. Love it! I liked mine so well when I bought it 15 years ago that I bought the same exact one for my bestie for Christmas and she loves hers too 👍🏼
Edit to add that I just looked at the link you provided for the Zojirushi rice cooker and it told me that I purchased that item on Dec 18, 2006, so yep almost exactly 15 years ago!
So happy been waiting on this video!!
Loved seeing the can of ‘One-Pie’ pumpkin in the first segment. Best canned pumpkin EVER!!!
I adore my Zojirushi rice cooker…it’s the basic model, about $50 on Amazon, and it just cooks and warms, but it cooks my beloved Kokuho Rose Japanese rice perfectly, and I love it. I’ll upgrade at some point, but I love the one I have. I’ve had basically the same results with the Kokuho Rose and rinsing or not rinsing…it foams up a little more without rinsing, but tastes the same to us. Because its so simple, basically, just a non-stick pot (thank you!) and a non-sealing lid with a vent hole, it’s never made a mess. But, I haven’t tried using one of the more high priced ones. For those who can’t afford the high priced, the lower priced one does a really good job with white rice (never tried anything else in it.)
Great job! Thank you for all you do! I have learned so much (and my shopping list keeps growing 😳😂).
I have a Zojirushi rice cooker and it is great. It does a very good job on both brown and basmati rice, both of which can be tricky to get right. Just an FYI, you rinse but don't soak the rice, the soak time is built into the cooking time. On my cooker regular rice takes 60 minutes, basmati 70 minutes and brown rice 90 minutes. If you are in a hurry there is a 'quick' setting, but I've never used it.
Oh yes, mine annoyingly played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Start" when the rice finished and the first thing I did was change it to a normal chime.
I never soak my rice, and I do the stove method. I should rinse the rice, but frequently forget to. When doing that, it takes around 20 minutes max for white rice, near 30 minutes for brown and about a full hour for wild rice.
Thank you for all this great info.! You rock!
I absolutely love this channel
The tip to store the rice cup in the rice cooker… why haven’t I heard of that before? Perfect.
I am really intrigued by the June smart oven, but was it as good at air frying as the best air fryer models? Was the thermometer accurate (remembering how many weren't in the chef thermometer video!)? Would love your thoughts on this all-in-one vs dedicated tools, especially considering Lisa bought one!
Thanks for now having actual, real captions for the Deaf
Washing rice is easier if you get one of those plastic sieves with a bowl underneath that are made for that purpose (and you can also wash other things). The sieve holes are small enough to make sure the rice doesn't go through, and when you are done you can leave the sieve full of rice to finish draining in the bowl.
I have that "Spicy Shelf" product, 3 shelves high, and I LOVE it!
I’ve never thought of rice cookers as a kitchen gadget….it’s just a necessity
Not as much of a necessity if you know how to do it right on the stove. I know a lot don't understand the stove method.
@@johnhpalmer6098 it is if you make rice every single day, even more so if you're feeding a family. I can do the stove method flawlessly ("first knuckle technique" has never failed, no matter what the vessel or heating method), but there ain't no way I would ever go without a rice cooker.
Lol. My rice cooked is a pot with a lid.
@@johnhpalmer6098 I think about 1.5 billion east Asians would disagree with you but ok.
@@Phlegethon Well, I'm not Asian so there is that. Also southern by proxy as both of my parents came from the US south where it's been cooked that way for eons.
Thank you, thank you, ATK ... for superimposing the brand names of your "winners," on the screen. Some of your shorter segments that go in search of the perfect tool, or best tasting foods, are announced verbally, but not shown. Of course there a very common brand names that almost anyone would recognize, but that's not always the case.
Other overlooked benefits of a Zojirushi rice cooker:
-Can be used to make more than rice! There recipes online (especially through Tasty Japan) that allow you to make soups, stews, desserts, 'baked' goods, and just general steaming. With steaming, you can cook vegetable side dishes &/or seafood,
-Some Zojirushi rice cooker models have a separate button to cook brown rice in a way that increases the GABA amino acids in the rice, making it more nutritious! (I sought out this function specifically when I bought mine.)
So having a Zojirushi is not just for making rice; it can cook a whole variety of things, even entire meals. Think of putting in rice, veggies, boned chicken, then go about your day before sometime later having a full hot meal waiting for you!
Thanks ladies.
I love the Faay spoons! I’ve purchased many of them. I never thought I could have an opinion about wooden spoons, but all other wooden spoons suck in comparison.
That spoon from Jonathan Spoons reminds me of a wooden utensil Julia Child used in her oven. It was a long flat 'stick' (think ruler) with a notch in it and a forked tongue at the end (think weed remover). The notch she used to pull out her oven wrack & then used the forked end to pull it in. I was going to try and make one but this spoon will do nicely. Thank you! 😊
This video came just a few days late. Still waiting on deliver of a spinning, tiered spice rack. (Smoked paprika and cumin were my cabinet multiples.) Looking forward to having the cabinet more organized. Hoping this purchase, while not the one mentioned here, will help.
If you like cooking, chances are you enjoy making things yourself. Look up your local spoon maker, woodworker, bushcrafter and learn to make your own spoons. Financially completely superfluous, but oh so satisfying!
Gear heads is still awesome, really need to pick up the book!
Love this video ❤️
I wish you would cover the cleanup on the ovens. I detest using these great ovens, only to have to spend more time cleaning after each use than the actual cooking time.
You guys are awesome 👏
Great recommendations! Question, when testing the cast iron grill pan, what countertop gas burner were you using? I would really appreciate getting a recommendation for that type of appliance. I’ve had no luck with convection cooktops.
They probably use it on a wide range of stoves, both gas and electric in their testing. Not sure what Lisa uses when she's at the little island cart in her home kitchen, but I can say the black (and they've come in other colors) older Max Burton and it's quite good, and uses the 8 Oz canisters of butane for fuel. Often sold with camping gear in most places that sell that kind of stuff.
@@sandrah7512 Yes, am aware of where Lisa's stove is, it's opposite the sink counter in a corner of the kitchen, and electric. That said, I know she uses the cart and has used a gas burner, but did not see what she used. Just listed what I have, and it's an older one I bought at the GoodWill almost 15 years ago, new, never used. Basically, that same style is made by one company but sold under different brands, like Max Burton.
In my area, they are sold at the local Asian supermarkets, usually for about $20.00 or so. They also sell the refill canisters there for pretty cheap as well.
love your reviews!!! Have you tried rice in the instant pot? Fantastic!
The best review duo 👍
Lisa will you ever do tests on ranges or dishwashers ? I’m a long time fan of ATK !
@@sandrah7512 Thanks Sandra, that's basically what I would have said. :)
I got the mDesign rack in white and I love it. I finally have an easy way to store all my spices, although it's hard to see the labels on 0.3 oz mini jars if you don't get the clear model. My shelf has room for a row of short bottles in front of my rack, but it's something to keep in mind.
That June smart oven! 🤤
Thank you for your videos ladies but I have one question for Lisa. The stove you demonstrated the grill pan on…can you share some info on it please?
My father-in-law several years ago made a version of the “spicey-shelf” out of woods that then would hand on the adjustable shelf pegs so no legs to get in the way. I have have as well. In fact it was nice a cabinet maker that saw it said he was going to start to offer that in his custom designs.
Great information. I do wish you would have shown the bottom of the Lodge grill pan though. I wanted to see If it would work on my glass top stove. I know everyone says you can't use cast iron on a glass top but I've been doing it for 20 years and it works just fine. As long as you don't scoot it on the glass or drop it of course but that's most any pan.
Huge fan of ATK & Cook's Country! You guys are awesome! Merry Christmas to you all 🎄 🎅
I have the non-grill version of the lodge skillet and it works great on my induction burner.
I keep my spices in bins and pull a bin out when I’m cooking and it works great for me and my cabinet looks neat and clean..
I do too. One for sweets and one for savory.
Who knew! So amazing! I loved this! Quick question - what is the spatula Lisa used for flipping the panini?
Fosh spatula.
I'm a bit leery of ATK reviews because of their review of the Breville 800 toaster oven. Unreliable and expensive--what a combo.
Yes, that's understandable, as they don't always get it right. Who does? But ATK'S a good place to start. Then go and do your own research and read customer reviews.
4:40 what a coincidence! I got my Aarke (but in copper) last summer ^^
Happy holidays to you and yours
What grill press was Lisa using to make that panini?
Where do you get the cooking crown and cast iron grill?
Thanks
Haha I love the Homer Simpson bottle opener on the fridge
That was super informative, thank you! My wooden spoons and wood boards look like a Beautiful Nantucket house 😬 The June looks amazing... teen son may even take to cooking with pics and apps to post on IG...hmmm it could be a real winner!! 😁
for the countertop carbonators, did you guys try Drink Mate? The biggest think that makes me like it over the Soda Stream style is the carbonator is a bottle cap style so you can fizz things other than water, and if you over fizz and it bubbles over you can just wash the fizz lid
Throw the cast iron pan in the oven for 5-10 minutes @ 350F prior to cooking steaks. Leave the oven on and sear the steaks then place in the oven to complete the cooking.
Please make a how to video, on how to
Maintain and season that cast iron grill you reccomended. Also how to maintain that wooden spoon
I moved to keeping spices in magnetic tins that stick on the fridge. Everything is visible. I can move them around, or pick out the ones I'll be using for a recipe and stick them in a special location...say move them to the freezer door. I can understand why Hannah likes that curved 2 tier shelf arrangement, but my kitchen is too small to sacrifice that empty space within the system and putting something there will block access and visibility of the spices defeating the purpose of arrangement.
What counter oven did u like with steam. I like the anova
Just clicked on your Amazon link to the June oven and it is $849.00. I’m still interested but how difficult is it to clean?
PLEASE test the new Tokit vs the Thermomix TM6
Also wondering about the longevity of the new plastic gear on the tm6 blade assembly vs the metal gears on the tokit
would you mind telling me what is the best meat grinder in your opinion?
thanks in advance
I have had the same rice cooker for several years now. It is smaller than these and less costly so I eat alone most of the time and it's perfect for me. When I need to feed more people I do it in a pan on the stove which is always been very easy for me to get perfect rice that way as well. I just can't justify almost $200 for a rice cooker but I do love my little rice cooker and it will make several servings but who eats a measured serving?! :-)
All of the reviewed spice racks seem to put things in visible positions, but leave most of the volume of the cabinet empty. I decided several years ago to go with Vertical Spice brand racks, which still allow decent visibility but maximize the usage of the cabinet volume.
Lisa, Can you comment on cleaning the June? I have a Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster oven and it is impossible to clean! Of course, the crumb tray comes out and is easy, but the sides and top and back are coated with baked on sticky grease!!! Impossible to clean! I‘m actually concerned that the oven will have a grease fire. Help! I am considering getting the June, but really would like some guidance on how to clean it and is it easy? Why aren’t they self-cleaning like a regular oven???? Thank you in advance! Love watching your videos. So helpful!
I would like to know if you have any suggestions on can openers both electric and manual thank you both
I'm curious about the smart oven. How easy is it to clean inside? If cooking bacon, it's going to splatter all over. Do they sell accesories to fit the oven like a grease splatter screen?
I use the clear expandable spice rack to display my unboxed Funko Pops.
Thought the Breville was the toaster oven of choice?
Have you tested the COSORI?
I don't see how the other smart ovens are confusing. I have a Brava and I love it. It walks you through step by step. You cannot go wrong with it.
What is the best portable induction burner? I notice that cooking lessons and demos are usually done using them now.
Never thought I would need a rice cooker. Have lived with having some burnt rice but what would convert me is if it can cook cous cous. Can it?
Nice video fun and informative
The "crown" as Hannah calls it, that goes on top of the Solo Bonfire for cooking. Where can I find that?
I'm going to tell my friends they're going gray "like a Nantucket cottage". (we live in California)
Rice cooker is a must have in Asian people kitchen.
I have a zojirushi induction rice cooker and everytime I cook brown rice all the grains are burst. Is this because the cooker is over cooking the rice?
I love my Anova oven!
Can anyone advise me on whether I would be best served to get the June oven or the Instant Pot Vortex? I am interested in "air frying" but also want the versatility of the smart oven. But, if the Vortex air fryer does a better job and is easier to clean, I may just get both. Thank you.
Lisa, you look great!!!
Yes i love this rice cooker i have one of this rice cooker
Aside from the app, what is the point of a smart oven if I already have a good oven and air fryer?
I have to agree with Hannah's choice of spice organizers. I bought that one about a year ago and it has saved my spice cabinet not to mention my spice purchasing habit when at the grocery store.
As of 12/17/2021, the Lodge 11" cast iron pan at Amazon is....are you sitting down? $72.00
LSRG3 reversible grill griddle, 25 on amazon
A purchase like that grill pan will last years.