10 Best Kitchen Supplies You Need To Cook Up The Perfect Valentine’s Day Meal For Your Better Half

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and if you’re in the mood to cook up a delicious and romantic dinner spread for your better half, then you’ve reached the right place. The key to preparing an amazing dinner is having a streamlined and efficient cooking process, which can be achieved with the help of the right kitchen appliances and tools. With the perfect kitchen accessories, you can create fantastic meals within no time, and with minimum hassles. And, we’ve curated a collection of unique, innovative, and functional kitchen tools for you. From a sheet pan that helps you prepare culinary masterpieces, to a pair of sleek kitchen shears – these are the useful tools you need in your kitchen with you!

1. Cheat Sheets

Called the Cheat Sheets, these oven-safe, non-stick silicone dividers are designed to transform oven cooking completely. They convert a single baking tray into a multi-compartment cooking surface, that allows you to prepare various dishes in one go while retaining their unique flavors and meeting their cooking requirements.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cheat Sheets segregate a single sheet pain into a multi-portion culinary canvas, holding up to six small or three large portions. They’re excellent for family meals or weekly meal planning; if you own multiple sets of these, you can have real control and efficiency in the kitchen. They’re also great to prepare a versatile and luxurious Valentine’s Day meal for your partner!

What we like

  • Supports cooking multiple dishes simultaneously on one tray
  • Accommodates various portion sizes, suitable for individual or family meals, so you can have a truly efficient and well-structured kitchen

What we dislike

  • Made using silicone which tends to attract dust and grease, leading to a sticky surface if not used regularly

2. Iron Frying Plate

Named the Iron Frying Plate, this unique kitchen design can be utilized to serve your food or as a frying pan with a removable handle. You can cook a delicious dish on it and then serve the food in it as well for a wonderful Valentine’s Day dinner with your loved one!

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

Why is it noteworthy?

The Iron Frying Plate is an innovative and super cool design as it merges both a frying pan and a serving plate. It is made using durable materials and provides a functional yet elegant solution for cooking and serving. It supports direct-from-the-pan serving and is a novel and ingenious way of cooking.

What we like

  • The wooden handle can be attached and detached when needed, creating a unique dual-functional product

What we dislike

  • Since the frying pan is made from iron, it is heavier than traditional frying pans and can be difficult to store and handle in smaller kitchens

3. Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors

Called the Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors, these sleek, black innovative kitchen shears cut through your food in a quick, easy, and efficient manner. They’re perfect to cut up some steak for your romantic Valentine’s Day dinner!

Click Here to Buy Now: $99

Why is it noteworthy?

The scissors are black and possess an image of power and style, which lets them occupy an intimidating and impressive position in your kitchen space. The scissors can cut through veggies, pizza, steak, and more with finesse and style.

What we like

  • Features a specially designed curved serrated blade that ensures the meat is cut safely and effortlessly
  • The scissors are a multifunctional tool that supports precise cutting, which is integral for food prep

What we dislike

  • There are no different color options, so not an excellent option for users who want diverse varieties of color

4. Volt 12

Called the Volt 12, this compact, kitchen-and-outdoor-friendly oven lets you make authentic New York and Neapolitan-style pizza pies for your special Valentine’s Day meal with your partner. It is the electric version of Ooni’s super successful pizza ovens!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Volt 12 eliminates the need for a massive brick oven, it even reaches temperatures of up to 850°F, letting you bake the perfect pizza pie in 90 seconds, much like your favorite pizzeria!

What we like

  • Doesn’t need firewood or gas to heat up

What we dislike

  • Has a small door opening and a cooking surface
  • Loses heat pretty quickly

5. Seer Perfecta Grill

This unique AI-powered grill uses an AI system called NeuralFire to identify up to 50 types of food items, allowing it to adjust the time, temperature, and other settings, with respect to the particular item.

Why is it noteworthy?

The user-friendly onboard display keeps you informed about the cooking progress, so you can kick back and relax while the magic happens.

What we like

  • Utilizes electricity and propane to power the infrared burners on the left and right

What we dislike

  • Currently, in the development phase, we will have to see how the final product turns out

6. Kurenai Kitchen Knife

This beautiful Kurenai kitchen knife is the result of storied tradition, craftsmanship, and sharp modern aesthetics. It is truly a far cry from the boring old kitchen knives you find on the market, owing to its mesmerizing flame pattern along its sharpened edge.

Why is it noteworthy?

The knife features a unique flame pattern which is a lovely tribute to the knife’s flame-forged origin, as well as the fiery passion and precision that were used to create it. The knife features a distinctive octagonal-shaped wooden handle that fits snugly into the user’s hand, irrespective of the size.

What we like

  • The knife perfectly combines functionality, craftsmanship, and aesthetics

What we dislike

  • It doesn’t have a ribbed knife option to support multiple cutting styles

7. Plate Grater

This revolutionary little design perfectly combines a plate’s functionality with a grater’s practicality. It is ideal for your Valentine’s Day dinner, as it lets you grate fresh ingredients onto your partner’s plate, adding a fresh touch to your V-Day meal.

Click Here to Buy Now: $65

Why is it noteworthy?

This grater/plate design stands out for its dual functionality, as it functions both as a stylish plate and an efficient grater. Its design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for grating fresh ingredients right at the table, adding a gourmet touch to your meals.

What we like

  • Allows you to grate fresh garnishes directly onto dishes
  • Elevates your dining experience by adding a gourmet touch

What we dislike

  • Users may not be used to its dual purpose, so it may require a period of adjustment

8. Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker

If you’re in the mood to prepare a delicious and healthy salad for your romantic V-Day dinner, then you may want to consider this shaker and pourer by OXO. It is an exceptional modern solution for creating some yummy dressing without making an absolute mess in your kitchen.

What we like

The shaker is equipped with a wide top that can be unscrewed to add and mix a variety of ingredients like oil, vinegar, garlic, onions, and mayonnaise. The cup has measurements in ounces and milliliters to facilitate easy measuring.

What we like

  • Has a leakproof design, making it easy to use
  • Can be used to mix, serve, and prepare sauces and marinades

What we dislike

  • Seems a bit fragile and easily breakable, so needs to be handled with care

9. xBloom

And of course, the perfect way to wrap up a delicious V-Day meal is with a hot cup of joe! And if you’re looking to make the perfect cup of coffee, then look no further, all you need is the Tesla of Coffee Machines – the xBloom. It has a unique Autopilot feature that assists you in the art of making coffee.

Why is it noteworthy?

The xBloom is designed by ex-Apple employees, and it identifies, grinds, dispenses, brews, and pours your coffee for you. It utilizes the finest beans sourced from the top roasters worldwide, offering you and your partner the finest cup of coffee ever.

What we like

  • Feels as if a professional barista has made you a cup of coffee
  • Amped with NFC technology

What we dislike

  • The xBloom does not accommodate instant coffee, which is inconvenient for instant coffee drinkers

10. Playful Palm Grater

Coined the Playful Palm Grater, this playful little product was designed to add some functional fun to your kitchen space, and dining experience. It fits snugly into the palm of your hand.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

Why is it noteworthy?

It is a charming and functional product that resembles a curled piece of paper. Made from a single aluminum alloy plate, it is available in different color options, so you can pick the one that suits your dining/kitchen space.

What we like

  • Features a unique and minimal form that provides a firm grip
  • Makes a simple act like grating fun and playful, as well as convenient and efficient

What we dislike

  • Since it is quite small in size, it isn’t the best option to grate large amounts of food

The post 10 Best Kitchen Supplies You Need To Cook Up The Perfect Valentine’s Day Meal For Your Better Half first appeared on Yanko Design.

Introducing Your New Kitchen Buddy To Help And Accompany You Through Your Cooking Time

In the fast-paced world of today, where time is a precious commodity, the desire to cook wholesome meals at home often takes a backseat. Many millennials express the wish to cook more frequently, but their busy lifestyles and lack of culinary expertise frequently obstruct their path. The availability of pre-prepared convenience foods and the allure of dining out as a social experience often leaves little motivation to change one’s cooking habits. However, a revolutionary solution is on the horizon: Chao, an AI-powered social cooking platform designed to minimize the hassle of meal planning and eliminate the uncertainty of cooking, making the experience more accessible and enjoyable.

Designer: Tom Shirley (Cambridge Consultants)

Chao recognizes the struggle that many millennials face when attempting to embrace home cooking. The product acknowledges that the pain points of cooking commence long before one even steps foot in the kitchen. As someone who lived through the trials of university life, I can personally relate to this challenge. The lack of culinary instincts and the tedious, often boring nature of cooking made it difficult to muster the motivation to prepare meals at home, especially when you’re a student on a budget. Chao’s mission is to change this narrative.

Chao is not just another recipe app; it’s a comprehensive solution that redefines home cooking in the modern era. Here are some key features that make Chao unique:

1. Machine Vision:

Chao employs intelligent machine vision to ensure the correct usage of all utensils, making it the perfect companion for novice cooks.

2. Social Collaboration:

Chao fosters user interaction, promoting social collaboration around a common goal – preparing and enjoying delicious meals together.

3. Remote Participation:

Chao breaks geographical boundaries, allowing users from all corners of the globe to actively participate in the creation of meals, thereby creating a global culinary community.

Chao has been meticulously designed to address the genuine concerns of its target users. The team behind this innovation took the time to understand and empathize with users, pinpointing and resolving key pain points to ensure that the final product seamlessly integrates into their daily lives. Co-creating the concept with users at various stages of development ensured that the user experience (UX) and feature set remained perfectly aligned with their needs and expectations.

How Chao Works

Chao simplifies the entire cooking process with a seamless user experience:

1. Planning: Chao recommends tailored recipes. Once a recipe is selected, the necessary ingredients are ordered and delivered right to your door, saving you the hassle of grocery shopping.

2. Prep: Chao divides the preparation into manageable tasks, whether for one person or a group, offering advice and time management tips.

3. Cooking: The AI chef utilizes computer vision and various sensors to provide context-based advice, making it easy to tackle advanced cooking techniques in a fun and approachable way.

4. Eat & Enjoy: Chao helps capture and share meal times and dinner parties with friends and family, turning every meal into a memorable experience.

Chao guides users through the cooking process, sharing their progress and key statistics on a dedicated social media platform. With a deep understanding of user behavior, Chao provides easy-to-follow recipe steps along with tailored tips, thereby eliminating the uncertainty that often plagues home cooking.

Chao seamlessly blends the physical and digital worlds of cooking. The charging dock also serves as a home for the physical components of the system, seamlessly fitting into the kitchen environment.

A collaborative approach played a pivotal role in bringing Chao to life. Designers worked hand-in-hand with software engineers, electronic experts, and culinary enthusiasts. They tackled technical challenges such as person identification through computer vision, constructing a robust cloud-based infrastructure, and tracking utensils, whether actively or passively tagged.

In conclusion, Chao represents a pivotal step towards redefining the way we cook at home. It empowers millennials and anyone with a desire to cook healthier, more delicious meals, providing a solution to the time and knowledge constraints that often get in the way. With its innovative features and user-centric design, Chao promises to make home cooking more accessible, enjoyable, and social. It’s a product that’s not just about food; it’s about creating experiences and memories around the dinner table.

The post Introducing Your New Kitchen Buddy To Help And Accompany You Through Your Cooking Time first appeared on Yanko Design.

This versatile kitchen aid will help you cook great meals without the mess

Nothing beats a home-cooked meal, made from fresh ingredients and with a sprinkling of care and love. That said, even the most seasoned home chefs dread the part that comes after the dish has been cooked, served, and consumed: the cleanup. Pots, pans, and cooking tools are pretty much a given, of course, but part of that process involves cleaning up the countertop, stove, or microwave, ready for the next use. Some of the mess could be avoidable if only oils and sauces didn’t sputter and splatter while they simmer, boil, or fry. Fortunately, that messy nightmare is now a thing of the past, thanks to this simple yet ingenious solution that keeps all that cooking goodness inside the cookware and off your stovetop. Best of all, you won’t even have to change a thing in your kitchen or abandon your favorite cookware.

Designers: Anna & Eric Lubomirski

Click Here to Buy Now: $30 $39.99 (25% off with coupon code “YANKO25”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Limit your Mess, Not your Cooking – SplatterDōm is a stovetop protector fitting 2 different-sized pots/pans. It helps keep your cooking area clean.

Cooking pots and frying pans come in many sizes, but they all have one thing in common: they’re just large enough to hold the food you’re cooking. Unfortunately, food has a tendency to splatter outside of these cooking vessels, adding to what you have to clean up after. While there are different types of “splatter guards” in the market, none of them can really live up to expectations. Mesh covers are only effective when they’re completely covering cookware and offer no protection the moment you need to stir the food inside. Metal walls around your stovetop protect everything else except the stove and yourself. Perhaps worst are those flimsy silicone cones that offer 360-degree protection but sit inside the cookware, which means the silicone is actually cooking in your food!

Continuous Access Without the Mess – SplatterDōm offers 100% access to your food without compromising the cleanliness of your stovetop.

SplatterDōm is a revolutionary kitchen tool that redefines what a splatter guard can and should be. This height-adjustable guard pretty much extends the sides of your pot or pan upward, ensuring that none of the mess ever jumps out to ruin your stovetop. What makes it different from regular splatter guards is that you still have complete access to the food that’s cooking inside, allowing you to continue stirring, adding ingredients, or watching your food turn into a masterpiece. SplatterDōm comes in two sizes to fit 8-inch & 10-inch or 10-inch & 12-inch cookware, so you can keep on using your favorite pots and pans without missing out on the mess-free goodness.

Microwave Safe – It’s 100% food grade silicone structure lets you use it as a microwave cover to heat up leftovers.

SplatterDōm is made of BPA-free, 100% FDA-approved food-grade silicone, and it can withstand temperatures of up to 450°F. This means that it is also designed to be used in microwaves to heat up leftovers or cook quick dishes, instead of buying those common plastic covers that are actually bad for your health. The ventilated lid itself can be used as a cover, in case you’re heating up shallow items.

Dishwasher Safe – SplatterDōm washes easily by hand or in the dishwasher.

Folds Flat for Easy Storage – It is height-adjustable to fit your cooking needs, and folds flat for easy storage.

Just as it helps keep your kitchen clean, the SplatterDōm itself is also easy to clean, whether by hand or inside a dishwasher. It folds flat as well, so it gets out of the way when you don’t need it, or you can hang it from its handle holes to proudly display your cooking helper. This versatile and innovative splatter guard helps cut down your cleaning time while providing complete access to your food, letting you enjoy cooking without worrying about the mess. So say goodbye to ineffective splatter guards that get in your way and say hello to a delicious meal from a splatter-free kitchen with the SplatterDōm.

Click Here to Buy Now: $30 $39.99 (25% off with coupon code “YANKO25”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

The post This versatile kitchen aid will help you cook great meals without the mess first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 kitchen appliances designed to turn you into a kitchen wiz with ease

If you’re a passionate lover of cooking, or you’ve recently kickstarted your cooking journey, and want to accelerate it even further then you’ve reached the right place. Having an efficient and streamlined cooking process is the key to preparing dishes that simply taste excellent! And the number one aid you need in having an effortless process is an arsenal of great kitchen appliances.  With the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be an increasingly fun and simplified process. The right products can reduce your prep time in half, make the little cooking tasks much easier, and help you with tedious and complicated techniques. From the ‘Tesla of Ovens’ to a multifunctional smart cooker that turns you into a kitchen wiz – these innovative and exceptional appliances are all you need in your kitchen.

1. The COit

Designed for LG, the COit is a robot that can serve as a hub in the kitchen ecosystem. Adequate for use by a novice (who can get cooking guidelines) and professional chefs (who can instantly share their prep), this is more of an autonomous device that brings your focus back from videography to cooking, which is primarily what you set out to do at the first place.

Why is it noteworthy?

Comprising a mountable rail with a circular display surrounded by a camera, projector, light, and a smart grip. All of these modules can move freely and independently on the small rail to cover the entire prep area or away from the fire and vapors.

What we like

  • These modules – that clip onto the rail with built-in magnets – can be customized in orientation, depending on user requirements

What we dislike

  • Food over the globe has such diversity, trying to standardise the recipe as per one instruction set would impact the diversity of that dish

2. Brava

Meet Brava, an oven that harnesses the power of pure light to cook food to perfection. Unlike radiant heat, which heats the entire oven chamber, light can be precisely delivered to specific zones within the oven chamber, allowing you to cook with precise control and no energy wastage.

Why is it noteworthy?

>With three dedicated zones on the cooking tray and lights above and below it to match, Brava can cook three-part meals at three different temperatures at the same time, on the same tray, and in minutes as opposed to hours on a grill or oven

What we like

  • The three light zones help focus the heat into three distinct categories, letting you cook meats and veggies on one tray, but at different temperatures
  • A camera built into the smart oven gives you a literal window into the oven’s interiors, letting you see your lasagna bake and your meat sear in real-time

What we dislike

  • Some people may prefer ovens with transparent displays

3. Porsche Pepper Grinder

Say no to tedious twisting or manual grinding. Enter, Porsche’s pepper grinder to freshly ground peppercorns and season your dishes in an instant!

Why is it noteworthy?

Are you a foodie who appreciates finer things in life and has a taste for uber luxe? This Porsche Pepper Grinder is a perfect kitchen gadget designed for your special interests. Conceived keeping a discerning auto enthusiast in mind, this gear stick-inspired pepper grinder draws timeless Porsche design elements to deliver an unparalleled grinding experience.

What we like

  • The intuitive one-touch operation ensures ease of use, making seasoning your favorite dishes a breeze
  • A standout feature of the Porsche Pepper Grinder is its unique rotor-like grind-level adjustment

What we dislike

  • There is minimal transparent/see through space to judge the quantity of material in the grinder

4. Pronto

Rather aptly named the Pronto, this relatively compact gadget handles every part of the cooking process, from weighing to sautéing, slow-cooking, simmering, reheating, and even air-frying thanks to its modular companion, the Alto.

Why is it noteworthy?

With its small footprint and multipurpose design, the dynamic duo of Pronto and Alto occupy a fraction of the countertop space and let you prep elaborate meals without all the messy dishes and dread-inducing clean-up. Pronto and Alto were designed to take the effort out of cooking, so you can focus on the most important part… eating!

What we like

  • Multipurpose design
  • Make meal prep easier, faster, and smarter

What we dislike

  • There is a learning curve involved in getting used to the design

5. The Affinitea Brewing System

Designed as an elegant tabletop device, the Affinitea Brewing System expertly makes you a fresh cup of luxury loose-leaf tea in just 90 seconds. The Clearview re-usable chamber takes care of every aspect from agitating, pressurizing, and steeping the tea brew, before straining and dispensing it directly into your cup.

Why is it noteworthy?

The patented chamber uses pressure and agitation to handle the steeping cycle perfectly, creating a brew that has fewer tannins (the chemical that creates that bitter aftertaste) while extracting the maximum flavor.

What we like

  • An LCD screen right above the control panel lets you view and confirm your choices
  • Has a subscription service allowing you to try different teas

What we dislike

  • Space-consuming and bulky design, especially in kitchens that are already crowded with appliances

6. Breeze

Breeze, designed for the South Korean coffee brand Dongsuh, drastically changes the appearance of a capsule coffee machine. This comparatively newer breed of coffee makers often have more stylish and less industrial designs, but they still can’t get rid of that shiny metallic luster common to kitchen appliances and tools. In contrast, Breeze applies a refreshing and softer color palette, favoring pastel variants of white, charcoal, and pink to convey a gentler personality.

Why is it noteworthy?

A ridged surface wraps around the base, contrasting with the smoother texture of the head. Another point of contrast is the tall water tank at the back, a transparent container that projects an image of clarity that, when taken together with the more subdued hues of the machine, seems to send a message of calm.

What we like

  • The design includes a more tactile interface to operate the machine, using clearly marked LED-backlit buttons at the top of the head

What we dislike

  • It’s a capsule-based coffee machine but there is no knowledge shared on how to make the process reduce wastage or make it more sustainable

7. Makit’s Portable Microwave

This cordless microwave uses the cordless XTGT system to help you heat your meals and snacks when you’re on the go. It has 40-volt rechargeable batteries and can use up to 500 watts for eight minutes and then 350 watts after that to save energy.

Why is it noteworthy?

When the batteries are fully charged, it will be able to warm up 11 meals or 20 drinks. It also has a USB port so you can also juice up your smartphone or a gadget, but of course, you’ll probably have to choose between your meal or your device. The microwave also comes with a handle and a strap so you can carry it around with you.

What we like

  • If you’re worried about safety, the design has safety measures in place for the user’s convenience
  • It also deactivates when it’s tilted or when the door is opened

What we dislike

  • If you’re warming up frozen meals, it might take up more energy so you’ll be able to reheat fewer meals

8. The SüpKüp

The SüpKüp is a travel mug that is not really a mug in itself but serves more as an alternative to the disposable paper coffee sleeves. It is able to hold the paper cups (medium and large at least) that most coffee shops provide, including the still pretty popular Starbucks.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is made from durable polycarbonate and has a pretty elegant and minimalist design that can still display whatever cup is snugly placed inside. This holder doesn’t need any liquid transfer or constant cleaning that’s why it’s more convenient.

What we like

  • Your hot drink can remain hot for longer, 50% longer, than when you just hold your paper cup
  • Has a double helix screw ejector that lets you eject the cup when you’ve finished just by twisting the rotating base

What we dislike

  • It helps retain your coffee drinkability rather than an alternative to disposable cups, leaving more scope for future sustainable improvements which we hope to see soon

9. Roll

Roll is an attempt to preserve not only the flavors of food but also their presentation. It eschews the traditional square or rectangular shape of food containers in favor of something round.

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes Roll different from bowl food containers (which do exist, of course) is that it wholeheartedly embraces the culture of using the lid or dish cap as a plate. That’s why the cap itself was made to look presentable, using soft and clean tones like ivory, sky blue, and terracotta. The idea is that you set the freshly cooked food on the lid itself and then later just cover it with the glass bowl when it’s time to put it away.

What we like

  • The next time you want to eat the food, you don’t have to rearrange the food again to make it presentable
  • Roll takes the food container concept upside-down, literally, by making it usable, whether as a bowl with a round lid or a plate with a bowl cover

What we dislike

  • Not the most shape-efficient design/shape for storage in a refrigerator

10. The Monolith

Designed by Italian kitchen brand Falmec and designers Studio Ferriani, the Monolith is an extractor hood that can be integrated into the benchtop, and also used as a nifty storage space for utensils.

Why is it noteworthy?

The extractor hood is a part of the Elements Collection and features a 90-centimeter-long suction element. It has also been equipped with differently sized storage units that can be placed and arranged in different custom configurations.

What we like

  • Integrates storage units
  • Sleek clean aesthetics

What we dislike

  • Occupies space in a premium location, the cooking hub. Would be great if there was a stand/alternate method of placing the hood

The post Top 10 kitchen appliances designed to turn you into a kitchen wiz with ease first appeared on Yanko Design.

The best grills and grill accessories in 2023

Cookout season is here, so now's the time to make sure you have everything you need for your ultimate grilling setup. To help you prepare to spend more time outside, we’ve compiled a list of the best grills and grill accessories for culinary adventures on the porch, deck, patio or backyard. We’ve reviewed and tested a wide range of grills and other devices, and we’ve selected our top picks to help you stay on top of your BBQ game. There are other outdoor cooking items too, with selections that should help you become a grill master, serving up delicious food all year long and expanding your skills in the process.

Traeger Timberline and Timberline XL

Last year, Traeger went all out for its smart grills. The company completely redesigned its high-end Timberline series, turning its premium pellet grills into outdoor kitchens. While the cooking chamber may look like any other Traeger grill, the company decided to put these new models on a rolling cart instead of four legs. Of course, this gives you more storage, but it also makes it easier to empty the pellet hopper. There’s a rail system on the front and sides of the grill to hold a range of accessories from paper rolls, to sauce, tongs and rub compartments.

In terms of tech, Traeger swapped out the basic controls from its previous WiFi-equipped D2 grills in favor of a color touchscreen. There are more sensors inside to keep tabs on the cooking process and added lighting to help you see the cooking surface better after dark. The new Timberlines will also work with a specially-designed version of the wireless Meater probes (Traeger bought Meater in 2021), so you’re not reliant on the corded version that comes standard. Perhaps most importantly, the company added what it says is the first outdoor-rated induction burner for sauces, sides and searing.

All of those upgrades lead to a starting price of $3,500. If you can forgo some of those niceties (I’d argue your grill doesn’t need a touchscreen, for example), the first-gen Ironwood has been a workhorse for me since I reviewed it in 2019. It still runs like a champ and works well with the company’s full-featured app. It’s a great option for someone looking to dive into pellet grills, offering a bit more than the entry-level Pro series from Traeger. The company still sells the original Ironwood even though it updated the model for 2023, and you can get the larger size for $2,000 less than the smallest of the new Timberlines.

Weber Genesis II EPX-335

In 2021, Weber introduced its first smart gas grills. After developing its Weber Connect platform for the SmokeFire pellet grills and the Smart Grilling Hub, the company brought its Wi-Fi-connected cooking to a more widely used fuel source. Last year, the company refined things a bit with PureBlu high-heat burners, sear zone, side table, expandable top cooking grate and "Nightvision" LED lighting. If the 2022 EPX-335 doesn’t suit your needs, there are other options that come in three- and four-burner configurations with porcelain enamel or stainless steel finishes. Plus, there are both propane and natural gas models, and some come with a side burner if you need it.

Of course, the main attraction here is the Weber Connect integration. Just like it does on the SmokeFire pellet grills and the Smart Grilling Hub, the technology can guide you through every step of the grilling process. A mix of instructions and videos inside the Weber Connect app offer assistance to grillers of all skill levels, right down to when to flip your steak. What’s more, the system offers real-time food temperatures and estimated readiness countdowns right on your phone so you can better time side dishes like veggie skewers (and keep the hangry crowd at bay). On its gas smart grills, Weber Connect can also keep tabs on fuel level so you’ll know when it’s time to swap tanks.

Weber has also introduced a host of grill tool sets and accessories that expand the capabilities of its gas grills. The company makes grilling gloves, searing grates, a grilling basket, rotisserie items and a pizza stone, as well as grill cleaning tools, like a scraper and brush. There’s also a griddle insert that allows you to make everything from breakfast to smash burgers. And if you want to transform the entire grilling area, Weber has a full-size griddle accessory that will do just that.

Ooni pizza ovens

Ooni has built a stellar reputation for its pizza ovens, and rightfully so. The company’s gear is easy to use and it helps you create restaurant-quality wood-fired pies at home. Its latest oven, the Volt 12, is an electric model that can be used indoors but still has the capability we’ve grown to count on from Ooni. In terms of solely outdoor ovens, the Karu 16 can accommodate multiple fuel sources and has room for larger pizzas. Out of the box this model can burn wood or charcoal, but Ooni sells gas burners for $120 and $150 (propane and natural gas versions).

In addition to overall size, the Karu 16 also has some conveniences that differentiate it from Ooni’s other ovens. First, a hinged door allows you to see what you’re cooking through a glass window. Second, there’s a front-mounted digital thermometer that shows the ambient temperature inside of the oven. Like other Ooni pizza cookers, the Karu 16 heats quickly, reaching 950 degrees Fahrenheit in about 15 minutes. And of course, the larger cooking area will allow you to make things besides pizza. If you can stand a smaller oven and analog thermometers, the company recently introduced the Karu 12G that still has the glass door, increased fuel efficiency and can be outfitted with a gas burner add-on ($100).

Thermoworks Thermapen One

Over the years, a Thermapen has become my most-used BBQ grill tool. I rely on it like a sous chef to make sure I’m cooking things to the correct internal temperature, especially chicken. It’s a versatile and sturdy tool at the grill and in the kitchen. ThermoWorks' Thermapen One is the follow up to its best-selling Thermapen Mk4. This new model shows temps lightning quick, giving you a reading in one second. ThermoWorks also improved accuracy and used a brighter display than the previous model. An automatically rotating screen makes the numbers easy to see no matter how you hold it, plus an auto-wake and sleep feature preserves battery life and IP67 rating protects it from accidental spills.

Meater Plus

A wireless meat thermometer may seem like overkill when there are so many great (and affordable) wired options available. I too was skeptical at first, but I can assure you that not having to avoid those metal cables when you’re flipping or wrapping a large cut of meat is definitely worth the investment. For the Meater Plus, the Traeger-owned company extended the Bluetooth range from the original model. Each probe has two sensors, so you can keep tabs on both internal food temp and the ambient temperature of your grill. Stats are sent to the company’s app, and you can set target temps, view an estimated completion time or get some help with a cook if you need it.

Anova Precision Cooker Nano 3.0

The latest version of Anova’s Precision Cooker Nano still offers sous vide in a compact form factor. It’s an updated version of the cookware device I’ve been using for a long time thanks most to its accuracy and reliability. The company has swapped Bluetooth connectivity for dual-band WiFi so you can venture further away from the Nano 3.0. This model also has a two-line touchscreen display, so time and temperature can be viewed simultaneously. Manual controls are ever present here too, if you want to bypass the iOS or Android apps. That software will provide you with recipes and step-by-step guidance, so it’s good to consult it even if you’re experienced with this cooking method.

In order to make the most of your sous vide setup, you’ll want to also invest in a vacuum sealer. I have the FoodSaver FM2000. It doesn’t have some of the flashy features of more expensive units, but it covers the basics just fine. If you prefer something more robust with options like automatic bag detection, retractable handheld sealer and a dry/moist setting, I’d recommend the FoodSaver V4400. With both, you can use them to seal leftovers for the freezer or store other goods you don’t want air to get to in addition to sous vide cooking. I’ve also found vacuum-sealed packs handy for reheating things like pulled pork. When you reheat with a sous vide, the meat doesn’t dry out like it would in the microwave. Sure, you could just use Ziploc bags, but I’ve done that, and a FoodSaver is worth the investment.

Stanley IceFlow Tumblers

I’d argue one of the most important grilling tools is a cold beverage. And as the days get hotter, you’ll need to plan your drinkware carefully so your monster cocktail or water supply remains at a frigid temperature. I’ve tried a number of insulated aluminum cups over the years, but Stanley has been the best. The company is known for its classic thermos, but its lineup of cups, bottles and more are affordable and do a great job of keeping drinks cold for hours at a time.

Stanley has a ton of options that serve as alternatives to popular brands like Yeti, but the IceFlow Tumblers have been my go-to this spring. The larger 30-ounce cup can keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours while the 20-ounce version can do so for up to seven hours. There’s a solid handle and the built-in flip-down straw means the drinking area isn’t exposed to the elements quite as much. At $25 and $30 each, these are a fraction of the cost of the most expensive options, and they have better ice retention than some of those too.

Brumate Hopsulator Duo and Trio

Brumate’s Hopsulator products are warm weather essentials for me. I originally got one for the beach, but it has become a staple in my grilling tool kit. The company’s Hopsulator Trio is a 3-in-1 option that holds 16-ounce cans or 12-ounce cans with a cold insert you keep in your freezer. It also comes with a lid so you can use it as a travel mug. The Hopsulator Duo also doubles as an insulated cup, but it’s designed for 12-ounce cans and doesn’t come with any cooling accessories. What’s more, Brumate has a third model for slim cans. So if hard seltzers are more your thing, there’s an option for you too.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-grilling-gear-143011296.html?src=rss

The best online resources for cooking at all skill levels

If you’re struggling to save money, one of the easiest ways to do so is to cook your own meals. Yes, we know that going to restaurants or ordering takeout is easier, but that can get expensive — especially if you’re doing it every day. Thankfully, there are plenty of great cooking websites that cater to home chefs of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or you know your way around a kitchen, we hope this list of recipe sites and YouTube channels will help you on your culinary journey.

Recipe sites

Serious Eats

If you self-identify as a nerd and you’re also into cooking, you probably already know about Serious Eats. The site rose to prominence several years ago under the helm of J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, who often takes a decidedly scientific approach to cooking. Lopez-Alt has since transitioned to a consulting role at Serious Eats (he has his own vlog, which is well worth following as well), but the site remains strong under new leadership. It offers tips on basics like food prep and storage, as well as a slew of how-tos and step-by-step instructions for everything from breaking down a chicken to kneading your own bread.

Try this: Quick and Easy Pressure Cooker Black Beans with Chorizo

NYT Cooking

This is the only recommendation on this list that requires payment — $1.25 a week or $40 a year — but I personally think it’s worth it. The site and accompanying app (for iOS and Android) is well organized and intuitive to use, with bright and colorful photos along with an ever-changing list of curated recipe recommendations and suggestions. I especially like the search function, where you can not only enter in the ingredients you have on hand, but also filter by the sort of meal you want to make iIs it for breakfast? A snack? Or dinner?) along with any dietary restrictions. If you don’t want to cough up the subscription fee, however, NYT’s YouTube channel is a great resource as well.

Try this: Spiced chickpea stew with coconut and turmeric (YouTube)

The Kitchn

The Kitchn is a daily food magazine that’s been around since the mid-2000s, and it frequently serves up not just recipes but also fun features like a celebrity recipe showdown (check out this one that compares the pot roast recipes between Alton Brown, Ina Garten, Taste of Home and the Pioneer Woman). Of course, The Kitchn also publishes plenty of tips and tricks to help readers be a better cook. 

Try this: Maple Corn Cakes

YouTube channels

Food Wishes

“Hello, I’m Chef John, from Food Wishes dot com” is the familiar refrain that you’ll hear at the beginning of every Food Wishes video, and it never fails to warm my heart. His tone is so welcoming and cheerful that it cheers me up every time I hear it. A YouTube favorite (he has over four million subscribers), he’s also a favorite among a few Engadget staffers, and for good reason. Not only is he goofy and charming, his recipes are also almost always geared toward the novice chef, with clear and concise instructions. He also encourages viewers to experiment, use their senses, play around with food, and to think of cooking as art as much as science.

Try this: No-Knead Country Bread

Binging with Babish

Binging with Babish is a popular YouTube channel (over 9.6 million subscribers) that’s primarily focused on recreating foods from TV shows and movies. Some famous examples include the Krabby Patty from Spongebob Squarepants and ratatouille from, well, Ratatouille. But host Andrew Rea can cook “normal” foods too, and the popularity of his channel led him to host a spin-off series called “Basics with Babish” that’s geared toward the beginner.

Try this: Chickpeas

Food52

The Food52 website can be considered a one-stop shop for cooking enthusiasts, as there’s an online store along with recipes and a community board. But the real highlight for me is its YouTube channel, which features excellent shows such as Sweet Heat by Rick Martinez (the former Bon Appetit editor showcases recipes with both a sweet and spicy element), Big Little Recipes (focuses on recipes with a short ingredient list) and Genius Recipes, which, well, shows “genius” recipes created by notable chefs.

Try this: How to Make the Easiest Beefy Mac Rice Cakes

Dessert Person

Have a sweet tooth? Then look no further than Claire Saffitz’s YouTube channel, where she bakes up everything from apple pies to oatmeal pecan cookies. Her personality is a combination of cranky and lovable, which I adore, but more importantly, her recipes are excellent. She gives very detailed instructions and the results are almost always delicious. She makes a lot of savory baked goods as well, such as sourdough bread and quiche.

Try this: The Best Oatmeal Cookies

Maangchi

Maagchi has been referred to by The New York Times as the Julia Child of Korean cooking, and the description couldn’t be more apt. Not only does she have a friendly and bubbly personality, she does a wonderful job of demystifying Korean cooking and making it approachable to beginners and advanced cooks alike. From Korean classics like kimchi jjigae and bibimbap to sweet treats like Korean doughnuts, she makes it all seem within reach. 

Try this: Korean Street Toast (Gilgeori-Toast)

Dietary concerns or special diets

101 Cookbooks

For a site that is entirely dedicated to vegetarian cuisine, I highly recommend 101 Cookbooks by Heidi Swanson, which has been an online favorite for decades. I’m a huge fan of her simple, straightforward recipes that are able to turn a carnivore like me into a lover of plant-based meals (a personal favorite is this cauliflower soup).

Try this: Chickpea and Rice soup with Garlic Chile Oil

Nom Nom Paleo

You don’t need to be on the paleo diet to fall in love with Nom Nom Paleo, a mini-empire that consists of a food blog, two award-winning cookbooks, and a podcast, among other things. The New York Times has referred to Michelle Tam, the creator of the site, as the Martha Stewart of Paleo, because of how accessible she makes it seem. After perusing her site and trying her recipes, you'll no longer think of the paleo diet as restrictive; instead you might find yourself eating more than ever. Tam has also tailored some of her recipes to fit Whole30 or keto diets as well.

Try this: Garbage Stir-Fry with Curried Cabbage

Clean and Delicious

If you’re not strictly vegetarian or paleo, but you still want a healthy diet, check out the Clean and Delicious food blog by Dani Spies. A wellness and weight loss coach, Spies believes in a balanced diet and “clean eating,” but without foregoing the foods you love. For example, there’s a recipe for lemon bars on her site, but it’s made with whole wheat flour and doesn’t have dairy or refined sugar. All of the recipes on her site reflect this philosophy; they’re either gluten-free, paleo, vegan or vegetarian and they are also often low-carb, keto, dairy-free or nut-free. I also like her Instagram and YouTube channel, where she also shares tips on mindful eating and healthy living.

Try this: Healthy Banana Bread Muffins (YouTube)

Staff recommendations

There are simply way too many food sites on the internet to list them all, but here are a few more that were recommended by our staff that you might find useful.

Chinese Cooking Demystified

This is one of the best YouTube channels for learning all the ins and outs of authentic Chinese cooking from people who actually live in China. It’s very detailed, well-produced and offers great advice on recreating these dishes in a Western kitchen. I also love that it teaches technique in addition to just recipes. To this day, I still come back to this video on how to stir-fry any vegetable.

Minimalist Baker

The blog Minimalist Baker features recipes that use 10 ingredients or less and only take about 30 minutes to make. Weekend Editor Igor Bonifacic is a big fan as well, mostly due to the site’s wealth of vegetarian recipes, like this curried cauliflower lentil soup.

Budget Bytes

Budget Bytes is a great resource for those watching their wallets, as each recipe gives you a breakdown of estimated costs for each ingredient. Commerce Editor Valentina Palladino said that the site is also really good for beginners.

Rainbow Plant Life

If you’re looking for vegan recipes, Rainbow Plant Life has a ton of them. Palladino loves the cashew cream recipe and appreciates that the site’s founder, Nisha, has a trove of vegan-friendly Instant Pot recipes to try as well.

Pick Up Limes

Another staple for accessible vegan recipes is Pick Up Limes. Palladino says that the Healthiest Ever Granola recipe is one of her favorites, and she likes that the Pick Up Limes website makes it easy to filter recipes by type of ingredients, preparation time, allergens and more.

Richard Bertinet’s White Bread Masterclass

Richard Bertinet’s video on white bread comes highly recommended for its sheer simplicity. It proves that all you need to make bread is bread flour, yeast and salt. Senior Reporter Dan Cooper says the video is also a sure-fire way of calming him down when stressed.

Half Baked Harvest

Editor-in-Chief Dana Wollman and Senior News Editor Billy Steele frequently trade Slack messages with dinner recommendations. (What’s for dinner? Ask a coworker, of course.) The answer from either person is often a Half Baked Harvest link. The site is home to a vast library of free recipes that, in our experience, tend to work as advertised. We’re fans of her nightly Instagram Story cooking demos as well, not to mention her tacos.

Joy the Baker

Wollman says she discovered Joy by accident through her warm, self-effacing Insta Stories, only to discover she has an equally clever blog offering a mix of sweet and savory baking recipes.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/quarantine-cooking-online-resources-163009672.html?src=rss

Drop colander lets you wash and spin salad ingredients easily

January is a time for most people to create their resolutions, challenges, and new things that they want to try. Probably one of the most popular things that people add to their list is to eat healthier. That means you’re probably stocking up on various vegetables and salad ingredients over the next few days, weeks, or if you’re disciplined and determined, maybe months. So if you’re adding various salads to your menu, salad accessories are also a must have.

Designer: Viviana Degrandi

A salad spinner is something that I’ve been wanting to add to my kitchen except that the ones I see in the market can sometimes have too many parts. You have to assemble it and then disassemble when you need to clean it and then put it together. Yes I know, that’s a bit lazy but that’s the kind of “cook” I am. So this thing called Drop colander seems to appeal to me because they say it has less parts than the usual salad spinners.

Because it has less parts, it’s also smaller than the usual spinners you find in the market. But if you’re like me and live alone, you don’t need something that can wash salads for a whole family. The Drop can hold lettuce, berries, tomatoes, and other herbs and greens. Once you put all the salad ingredients in it, you rotate the inner handle to close it and keep them from falling out. Through the hollow handle, you can run the water through it and wash your ingredients and shake and “spin” them as the water drains.

Of course I can just use a regular colander if I wanted something that’s easy to use. The Drop colander though has a better design and also lets me spin the salad ingredients without them spinning over onto the floor, which is what happens often when I just wash and mix it in a regular bowl.

The post Drop colander lets you wash and spin salad ingredients easily first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 kitchen appliances you need to elevate + accelerate your cooking journey in 2023

If you’re a passionate lover of cooking, or you’ve recently kickstarted your cooking journey, and want to accelerate it even further in 2023, then you’ve reached the right place. Having an efficient and streamlined cooking process is the key to preparing dishes that simply taste excellent! And the number one aid you need in having an effortless process is an arsenal of great kitchen appliances.  With the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be an increasingly fun and simplified process. The right products can reduce your prep time in half, make the little cooking tasks much easier, and help you with tedious and complicated techniques. From a tiny circular grater that turns cooking into a meditative activity to a compact induction cooker that fits every conceivable cooking method in its modular stackable design – these innovative and exceptional appliances are all you need in your kitchen in 2023!

1. The Cookmate

Designed for this new, ‘smaller than life’ home, the Cookmate is an all-in-one kitchen appliance that goes from prep to cooking to serving, in one device. Its modular design has stackable pieces that turn the cooktop into a pan, crock pot, and even a steamer. The induction coil on the inside works on electricity, saving the need to place a gas cylinder under the hob.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cookmate looks at the cooking process as something that goes from idea to ingredient to table. Rather than focusing on just the cooking, this induction cooktop (although it seems highly reductive to call it just that) considers every aspect of the cooking process. This isn’t just clever, holistic design thinking, it also helps the Cookmate be more universally applicable so you save effort, energy, and space with other utensils.

What we like

  • Features an integrated weighing scale
  • Can be split into 6 parts

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

2. The Cavdle WasteCycler

Working both as a garbage disposal system and a compost generator, the Cavdle WasteCycler isn’t the kind of device you’d hide away in the shed. Its cutting-edge design borrows from the aesthetic seen on washing machines, with a clear tinted lid that lets you see the Cavdle WasteCycler go to work at your food waste, breaking it down rapidly using aerobic decomposition.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cavdle WasteCycler relies on 5 parameters to help turn organic substances into compost – Time, Humidity, Temperature, Dry Organics, and Oxygen. It then goes to work, creating compost without the smell, the mess, or even the sound. Operating at just under 35 decibels, the Cavdle WasteCycler grinds down your food waste while heating it up to the exact temperature needed to help good bacteria thrive while killing off the bad bacteria. At the end of the day, you’re left with a natural fertilizer that you can then use to nourish your plants while resting assured that your food waste isn’t going into a landfill where it generates methane and contributes to global warming.

What we like

  • The kitchen gadget comes with a transparent-window lid that lets you see how full-empty your device is

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. The Electrolux Adapted

The Electrolux Adapted is the kitchen essential of the future – compact, sleek, and ideal for tiny homes, this masterful concept is for the ‘singletons’ who want to make the most of a small kitchen. If you want to use the countertop for some real cooking, and don’t feel like cramping it with a gazillion appliances, then Adapted is the product for you!

Why is it noteworthy?

Electrolux Adapted is a premium hub that utilizes the vertical space in a kitchen to organize and hold all the important appliances you need on a daily basis. The system is made up of standardized modules that are mounted effortlessly on a backplate, completely eliminating the need for tools usually required for installation. The backplate supplies all the modules with water and electricity, in an attempt to support highly customizable arrangments.

What we like

  • Can either be mounted on a wall or placed as a free-standing product with an add-on furniture frame
  • All the modules are connected via an Electrolux app, allowing them to be used simultaneously or in sync, and enabling users to create their own personal routines

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

4. Peleg’s Fries Clips

Meet Peleg’s Fries Clips, a set of adorable bag clips designed in the shape of crinkle-cut fries, the kind made popular by Shake Shack. While the clips look pretty delightful (and delicious) on their own, they look absolutely perfect when paired together in Peleg’s fries box, which models itself on the kind popularized by a certain fast food chain.

Why is it noteworthy?

The box acts as a perfect ‘stand’ for the clips and can be placed upright on a kitchen countertop. Armed with a magnet on the back, it can be easily affixed to a refrigerator too, making the bag clips handy when you’re snacking in the kitchen.

What we like

  • The clips can be reused multiple times
  • The clips seal the bags, keeping the items inside fresher for longer

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

5. The Irogami Grater

They say that every little thing matters, and that’s especially true for garnishes and grated ingredients. Quite appropriately, this grater is also little, small enough to securely fit in the palm of your hand, almost like a toy. And just like a toy, it is designed to add a bit of fun to your kitchen and dining life while you add a bit of cheese or lemon zest to your dish.

Why is it noteworthy?

The irogami grater is simple in all aspects that you wonder why home kitchen graters aren’t made this way, too. Instead of multiple pieces of metal bent and curved at different places, the grater is a single sheet of aluminum alloy that curls backward in one corner. The design makes it look almost like a sheet of paper, particularly a colorful sticky note or memo pad, that speaks to both its playful and serious demeanor.

What we like

  • Compared to those cumbersome graters that you have to hold tight at their handles, this form gives you a firmer grip
  • Using this playful grater is like a game itself. Simply move the piece of cheese or stick of cinnamon from left to right and watch the tiny pieces fall down on your food

What we dislike

  • Some people may prefer the form and structure of a traditional grater

6. NiNJA’s Knives

NiNJA’s fashionable kitchen knives are definitely attention-grabbing, particularly because of their black blades. A color that has always been associated with looking smart and sophisticated, it gives the knives a simple yet effective upgrade when it comes to looking cool and modern.

Why is it noteworthy?

There is almost no other embellishment on the blade other than the discreet “i” logo, removing any potential distraction. Like a ninja hiding in the shadows or a secret agent in a black suit, these knives stealthily move in for the kill, cutting ingredients with precision and grace.

What we like

  • Made of molybdenum vanadium steel, known for its highly durable sharpness
  • Each blade from this collection is made one by one by an experienced craftsman

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

7. Byrne’s AI-generated Appliances

Catalan Architect Antoni Gaudi has been one of the most popular and decorated names when it comes to modernist works. What if he also designed much more mundane but still useful things? That is the idea behind this series of designs of regular household appliances based on Gaudi aesthetics using artificial intelligence image generator software.

Why is it noteworthy?

The different appliance designs have various flowing shapes and textured surfaces that bring to mind natural things like trees, caves, and other organic formations. But they have splashes of various colors to add to the opposite of minimalist aesthetics. The designs are combinations of various art styles like neo-gothic, art nouveau, and modernist, creating some interesting looking appliances like a toaster, a mixer, a vacuum cleaner, a microwave, a coffee machine, a kettle, an iron, a hair dryer, etc.

What we like

  • Make interesting conversation pieces
  • The designs are a twist on the otherwise typical and traditional kitchen appliances

What we dislike

  • They’re AI-generated, and not actual products yet

8. The Maruzara

Shaped like a small round plate instead of the typical rectangular sheet of metal, this grater is meant to sit on the table rather than be held up in the air like almost all other graters. Its small design makes it perfect to be placed right on the table, and the unique pattern of the blades gives it a distinctive look even when it’s just sitting unused.

Why is it noteworthy?

That blade arrangement isn’t just for show, though. Unlike a regular grater with rows of blades, you make circular movements to grate ingredients. Rather than falling through holes, the grated pieces accumulate at the sides in full, fluffy lumps. The repetitive action, rather than being tiring and burdensome, becomes almost a mindful practice that puts you in the moment.

What we like

  • Comes with a silicon rubber base that stops it from slipping on the table while you make your circling motions

What we dislike

  • It’s designed primarily for wasabi and daikon radish, making it a bit limited
  • Some people may prefer the form and structure of a traditional grater

9. Roll

Roll is an attempt to preserve not only the flavors of food but also their presentation. It eschews the traditional square or rectangular shape of food containers in favor of something round.

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes Roll different from bowl food containers (which do exist, of course) is that it wholeheartedly embraces the culture of using the lid or dish cap as a plate. That’s why the cap itself was made to look presentable, using soft and clean tones like ivory, sky blue, and terracotta. The idea is that you set the freshly cooked food on the lid itself and then later just cover it with the glass bowl when it’s time to put it away.

What we like

  • The next time you want to eat the food, you don’t have to rearrange the food again to make it presentable
  • Roll takes the food container concept upside-down, literally, by making it usable, whether as a bowl with a round lid or a plate with a bowl cover

What we dislike

  • Not the most shape-efficient design/shape

10. Jodana

The name Jodana comes from the Hindi word meaning ‘to join’. It references not just the modular nature of the cooker, but also its user base, the lower-mid-income residents of Mumbai who gather from all over the country to make a living in India’s ‘City of Dreams’. The Jodana represents the literal melting pot that is Mumbai and offers a unique way to combine cooktops as well as cultures and cooking techniques.

Why is it noteworthy?

The modular cooktop features the induction cooker itself, as well as a control panel that attaches magnetically, quite similar to how the ROLI Blocks attach to one another to create an electronic musical interface. There are two cooktop styles to choose from, a flat-panel one that serves the role of a traditional induction cooker, as well as a curved surface that’s designed to work with the Kadhai, or the Indian equivalent of a wok. The kadhai plays an integral role in Indian cooking and is used for all sorts of stir-fries, stews, and curries, as well as for frying.

What we like

  • Designed for low-income households
  • Compact + versatile design

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

The post Top 10 kitchen appliances you need to elevate + accelerate your cooking journey in 2023 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Measuring cup and spoon brings you all sizes with just a slider

For those who love to cook (or even those who don’t love it but need to do it), measuring cups and spoons are an essential part of their tools. Unless they can actually estimate the correct quantity of ingredients, these are needed for those that follow exact recipes or at least estimate the correct mix of ingredients and flavors. Kitchens are often cluttered with all kinds of measuring tools along with the usual array of pots, pans, and other cooking devices and accessories.

Designer: Lékué

Kitchenware manufacturer Lékué has come up with something that can sort of declutter your kitchen. It’s a singular spoon that uses a slider to give you the different measures that you need when using your ingredients. All you have to do is slide it to the desired measurement, whether it’s a teaspoon or a tablespoon, or a specific measurement like 5ml, 10ml, or 20ml. It can be used for things like sugar, flour, grains, and even liquids like oil, vinegar, soy sauce, etc.

There is also a measuring cup that serves as the spoon’s storage. Using it is simpler. For half-cup measurements, fill it up until the colored portion.. And if you need a full cup, fill it up to the top. If you need to be specific, half a cup is 125 ml while a full cup is 250 ml. If you need something less than half a cup, then you’ll have to estimate what is one-fourth of the cup storage which should be pretty easy unless you need to be super exact with your measurements.

If you want to keep your kitchen accessories neat and tidy, this Measuring Spoons and Cups “invention” should be the perfect one for you. Not only will you get more space in your kitchen space, you also will have less things to wash and dry whenever you’re keeping. It comes in different colors as well like red, blue, and green so you can choose which one to match your kitchen aesthetics. The set sells for $13 and you have to buy them together and not just one or the other.

The post Measuring cup and spoon brings you all sizes with just a slider first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 kitchen appliances to kickstart your MasterChef cooking journey at home

If you love cooking but can never find enough time for it, or you’re completely terrified of cooking but you need to start, and don’t know where to start – then you’ve reached the right place. The first step towards having a streamlined and efficient cooking experience is to have an arsenal of functional kitchen appliances by your side. With the right kitchen tools and appliances, cooking can be a fun and effortless process. The right products can reduce your prep time in half, make the little cooking tasks much easier, and help you with tedious and complicated techniques. From a tiny circular grater that turns cooking into a meditative activity to a sustainable + easily repairable coffee machine – these innovative kitchen accessories are all you need to undertake cooking and become a MasterChef in the comfort of your own home. Happy cooking!

1. The Cavdle WasteCycler

Working both as a garbage disposal system and a compost generator, the Cavdle WasteCycler isn’t the kind of device you’d hide away in the shed. Its cutting-edge design borrows from the aesthetic seen on washing machines, with a clear tinted lid that lets you see the Cavdle WasteCycler go to work at your food waste, breaking it down rapidly using aerobic decomposition.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cavdle WasteCycler relies on 5 parameters to help turn organic substances into compost – Time, Humidity, Temperature, Dry Organics, and Oxygen. It then goes to work, creating compost without the smell, the mess, or even the sound. Operating at just under 35 decibels, the Cavdle WasteCycler grinds down your food waste while heating it up to the exact temperature needed to help good bacteria thrive while killing off the bad bacteria. At the end of the day, you’re left with a natural fertilizer that you can then use to nourish your plants while resting assured that your food waste isn’t going into a landfill where it generates methane and contributes to global warming.

What we like

  • The kitchen gadget comes with a transparent-window lid that lets you see how full-empty your device is

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

2. NiNJA’s Knives

NiNJA’s fashionable kitchen knives are definitely attention-grabbing, particularly because of their black blades. A color that has always been associated with looking smart and sophisticated, it gives the knives a simple yet effective upgrade when it comes to looking cool and modern.

Why is it noteworthy?

There is almost no other embellishment on the blade other than the discreet “i” logo, removing any potential distraction. Like a ninja hiding in the shadows or a secret agent in a black suit, these knives stealthily move in for the kill, cutting ingredients with precision and grace.

What we like

  • Made of molybdenum vanadium steel, known for its highly durable sharpness
  • Each blade from this collection is made one by one by an experienced craftsman

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. The Maruzara

Shaped like a small round plate instead of the typical rectangular sheet of metal, this grater is meant to sit on the table rather than be held up in the air like almost all other graters. Its small design makes it perfect to be placed right on the table, and the unique pattern of the blades gives it a distinctive look even when it’s just sitting unused.

Why is it noteworthy?

That blade arrangement isn’t just for show, though. Unlike a regular grater with rows of blades, you make circular movements to grate ingredients. Rather than falling through holes, the grated pieces accumulate at the sides in full, fluffy lumps. The repetitive action, rather than being tiring and burdensome, becomes almost a mindful practice that puts you in the moment.

What we like

  • Comes with a silicon rubber base that stops it from slipping on the table while you make your circling motions

What we dislike

  • It’s designed primarily for wasabi and daikon radish, making it a bit limited
  • Some people may prefer the form and structure of a traditional grater

4. The Yuanye

When you first see the Yuanye and it’s folded and you have no idea what it is, you might be forgiven for thinking it’s a portable projector that you can bring with you on your trip. It’s actually a portable, outdoor barbecue grilling pan you can bring on your outdoor adventures.

Why is it noteworthy?

When you open it up, you’ll see that there are two partitions where you can grill your meats on one side and your vegetable on the other. The device also comes with a gas tank, fire source, and oil storage module.

What we like

  • The design of this portable grill is inspired by the usual suitcases we bring when we travel
  • You can cook steak, barbecue, and all kinds of meats as well as vegetables so you get a well-rounded meal even if you’re outdoors

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

5. Float

At first glance, this product concept to help kids eat and finish their food seems to have no connection to picky eating. Float looks like regular food storage that kids can bring to school but upon closer inspection, it is a bit more interesting. It is made from sustainable materials with the body itself and the spork that comes with it made from CXP or Cellulose X-linked Polymer.

Why is it noteworthy?

The shape of the container is inspired by a ship and that’s where the helping picky eaters come in. Before starting to eat, parents are encouraged to talk to their kids about the perils of leftover food. After eating, you can then float the container in water, and depending on how much leftover food is there inside, the ship will lose its balance and sink or if they finished everything, it will float. This gives a bit of interactivity in trying to convince kids to eat all of their food.

What we like

  • Adds a playful element to mealtime

What we dislike

  • Not sure if this will actually convince kids to eat food that they may not always like

6. The Irogami Grater

They say that every little thing matters, and that’s especially true for garnishes and grated ingredients. Quite appropriately, this grater is also little, small enough to securely fit in the palm of your hand, almost like a toy. And just like a toy, it is designed to add a bit of fun to your kitchen and dining life while you add a bit of cheese or lemon zest to your dish.

Why is it noteworthy?

The irogami grater is simple in all aspects that you wonder why home kitchen graters aren’t made this way, too. Instead of multiple pieces of metal bent and curved at different places, the grater is a single sheet of aluminum alloy that curls backward in one corner. The design makes it look almost like a sheet of paper, particularly a colorful sticky note or memo pad, that speaks to both its playful and serious demeanor.

What we like

  • Compared to those cumbersome graters that you have to hold tight at their handles, this form gives you a firmer grip
  • Using this playful grater is like a game itself. Simply move the piece of cheese or stick of cinnamon from left to right and watch the tiny pieces fall down on your food

What we dislike

  • Some people may prefer the form and structure of a traditional grater

7. Roll

Roll is an attempt to preserve not only the flavors of food but also their presentation. It eschews the traditional square or rectangular shape of food containers in favor of something round.

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes Roll different from bowl food containers (which do exist, of course) is that it wholeheartedly embraces the culture of using the lid or dish cap as a plate. That’s why the cap itself was made to look presentable, using soft and clean tones like ivory, sky blue, and terracotta. The idea is that you set the freshly cooked food on the lid itself and then later just cover it with the glass bowl when it’s time to put it away.

What we like

  • The next time you want to eat the food, you don’t have to rearrange the food again to make it presentable
  • Roll takes the food container concept upside-down, literally, by making it usable, whether as a bowl with a round lid or a plate with a bowl cover

What we dislike

  • Not the most shape-efficient design/shape

8. The Retro Modern Espresso Machine

The product concept for the Retro Modern espresso machine brings back vibes of authentic American diners, old-school muscle cars and scooters, retro radios and toasters, and all the pastel goodness from the 60s and 70s. In fact, these are what inspired the designer to create something like this that brings together the retro design with the modern machine that supplies liquids to all the caffeine-deprived people who go to coffee shops.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pastel green and cream colors of the renders will look right at home at restaurants, coffee bars, or even kitchens that have a softer aesthetic. It’s very attractive for both coffee lovers and those that love old-school designs with a modern twist.

What we like

  • Perfect for those who love old-school designs
  • Minimal + soft

What we dislike

  • The added functionalities or any other “bonus” application of this coffee maker is unknown
  • It’s still a concept!

9. The Kokãir Cooking Curifier

The Kokãir Cooking Curifier is a device that you use with your desktop cookers if the room you’re cooking in doesn’t have proper ventilation. It is able to absorb the fumes when you’re cooking with oil.

Why is it noteworthy?

There is an internal fan cyclone that uses centrifugal force to collect the oil into a cup underneath for easy disposal and cleaning later on. The oil fumes go through the HEPA filter for cleaning. This will be a huge help especially when you cook a lot in your small space.

What we like

  • It’s small enough that it will not crowd your desktop cooker whether you place it on the side or above the cooker

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

10. Kara

Coffee machines might not be the most common consumer electronics in homes, but their widespread use and the way they operate make them ideal for a thought experiment. Kara is the result of one such process, resulting in a modular coffee machine that’s meant to last forever, even when the manufacturer has stopped producing replacement parts.

Why is it noteworthy?

The secret is that these parts can be 3D printed if access to the original is no longer possible. The more technical components can be replaced or substituted with other electronics, presuming those are still in production.

What we like

  • Unlike most designs that promote repairability, Kara doesn’t require advanced knowledge or skills to make that possible
  • Sustainable design

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

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