Over the years, Serious Eats staffers have accumulated quite the collection of tried-and-true kitchen tools. After all, we spend our days developing recipes and testing kitchen equipment. It’s no surprise that when we asked Serious Eats staffers what they loved this month, the gear recommendations didn’t disappoint. Be it a waffle iron that churns out perfectly crispy-fluffy waffles or a corn peeler that smoothly strips fresh corn from the cob, these are the kitchen gadgets and ingredients Serious Eats staffers couldn’t stop using this month.
What Serious Eats Staffers Loved This Month, at a Glance:
- An Efficient Corn Stripper: OXO Corn Prep Peeler
- The Best Instant-Read Thermometer: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
- The Best French Rolling Pin: J.K. Adams French Rolling Pin
- A Great Flavored Olive Oil: Partanna Agrumati Orange Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- The Perfect Tray for Salts and Oils: Nordic Ware Eighth-Sheet Pan
- Delicious Home-Delivered Ice Cream: Graeter’s Ice Cream
- A Subjectively Perfect Waffle Iron: Nordic Ware Stovetop Belgium Waffle Iron
OXO Corn Prep Peeler
While I normally eschew single-purpose kitchen gadgets, I use my OXO corn prep peeler all summer long. It's a safe, efficient, and relatively non-messy way to strip fresh corn from the cob to use in corn salads and other dishes. This isn't the exact model I have (it appears to be discontinued), but I trust most products OXO makes. — Megan O. Steintrager, associate editorial director
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
My boyfriend and I grill almost every night (we're taking advantage of the nice weather before the Vermont winter hits in about mid-September), so the Thermapen ONE is never far. It's a must for perfect steaks and juicy chicken thighs. We actually just gifted one to his parents, although I'll admit that was really because we can use it when we visit them! — Rochelle Bilow, commerce editor
J.K. Adams French Rolling Pin
I love summer pies (strawberry rhubarb being a personal favorite), and I've been reaching for my French rolling pin a lot this summer. Its tapered ends work the dough ease without any cracking or unevenness, and I can maneuver it with precision. After struggling with classic-handled rolling pins and marble rolling pins, I plan to hold onto my French rolling pin forever. Our favorite French pin from J.K. Adams, which perfectly flattened pie dough in all our tests, is on sale right now. — An Uong, commerce writer
Partanna Agrumati Orange Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I've been putting this Sicilian orange-flavored olive oil on almost everything, but I particularly love it drizzled on some creamy cantaloupe sprinkled with flaky salt. It's so fresh and bright and sings of sweet, floral orange. It's also sinfully good on good vanilla or chocolate ice cream. — Grace Kelly, commerce editor
Nordic Ware Eighth-Sheet Pan
This is so silly. For a long time, I've been trying to find the ideal "vessel" to hold my salt dish, pepper mill, and olive oil next to the stove. I've tried plates (circular and awkward), quarter-sheet pans sheets (too big), and other bits and bobs. And then I remembered eighth-sheet pans existed. They're lightweight and easy to clean, and I can easily transfer them to the kitchen counter (all together!) when I'm prepping. So yes, this month, I am obsessed with a tiny little baking sheet. — Genevieve Yam, culinary editor
Graeter’s Ice Cream, 6 Pints
My husband frequently mentions how much he loves Cincinnati-based Graeter's ice cream (he was born in Ohio, and his family still lives there). I finally got to try it and understand the hype: The custard-like ice cream is dense, creamy, and undeniably delicious. My favorite flavor so far is the black raspberry chocolate chip. I was also VERY impressed that the ice cream arrived frozen solid in the middle of a heat wave! — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, associate editorial director
Nordic Ware Stovetop Belgium Waffle Iron
One of my most prized possessions is this Nordic Ware stovetop waffle iron. I make waffles at least a few times a month, and this waffle maker turns out perfect waffles that are cloud-soft on the inside and super crispy on the outside. I love the interlocking hinges that let you take the iron apart in order to preheat both sides at once. Don’t be intimidated by all the nooks and crannies! It’s super easy to clean, thanks to the nonstick coating. — An
Why We’re the Experts
- An Uong is a commerce writer with Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
- She likes to think of herself as a kitchen gadget collector and is always on the lookout for the next kitchen tool trend.