9 essential kitchen tools worth the splurge, according to our tests

best high power blender

Vitamix A2500 Smart Blender

Vitamix has a lot of great blenders, and in the course of our research and testing, we found a number of them worth recommending. The Vitamix A2500 Ascent Series Smart Blender was my favorite of the four Ascent models I tested. This is a blender for tech-savvy cooks who like lots of features like wireless connectivity and a variety of programs and settings. We love the large digital display on the Ascent blender, and it's easy to use and clean. As with many wide jars, the only thing I don't recommend this blender for is nut butter. This blender's motor base automatically recognizes which available container of your choice is fitted to the unit. A digital timer is built into the various programming, so you'll never over-blend or over-blend your recipes. For experienced cooks, this is great value for money.

best dutch oven

staub round cocotte

The Dutch oven is both a kitchen workhorse and an heirloom. We've tested many Dutch ovens on the market to find the best one for every kitchen and buyer. The STAUB Cast Iron Dutch Oven 5.5 Quart Round Cocotte ranked highest overall in our tests. This brand's products are so well made that our testers saw very few scratches on the outer glaze during durability tests. Overall, it's a better product than its competitors in every way. The heavy French lid has unique spikes to trap moisture in the roast and prevent it from drying out. Oven safe at temperatures up to 900 degrees. The knob is made of nickel, so it won't melt even if you make no-knead bread over high heat. Because they are handmade, slight differences add to their charm.

best food processor

Cuisinart Elemental 13 Cup Food Processor

Unsurprisingly, of all the machines we tested, the Cuisinart SFP-13 Elemental 13-cup food processor won. There are many good reasons why the Cuisinart brand is synonymous with food processors. When we pitted them against each other for ratings, Cuisinart's 550-watt motor and his 13-cup capacity took the top spot. The smaller 4.5-cup inner nested work bowl provides powerful food preparation, and the wide-mouth feed tube accommodates a variety of fruits and vegetables. Electronic touchpad control makes it easy to switch between high, low, off and pulse functions. The Cuisinart comes with an adjustable slicing disc, a reversible shredding disc (for medium to fine cuts), a stainless steel chopping/mixing blade, and a dough blade. All parts fit into the accessory storage case.

best roast pan

Cooks Standard Stainless Steel Roaster with Rack

Against stiff competition, we chose The Cooks Standard Stainless Steel Roaster with Roasting Pan Rack. The heavy gauge stainless steel is so well made that you may never need to buy another roasting pan. The V-shaped rack allows roasts and whole birds to cook more evenly, and you can toss everything in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. Wide riveted stainless steel handles allow you to easily move the pan in and out of the oven without getting burned. In the oven he can be used at temperatures up to 500 degrees, but since the bottom is flat, you can easily transfer it to the stove if you want to reduce the gravy, etc. This pan is not induction compatible, so if you need one that is, check out our roundup of the best roasting pans.

best wooden cutting board

John Boos Chop and Slice Maple Cutting Board

The best cutting boards come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it's only natural that we own a lot of cutting boards that are on our list. There are many reasons why we love the John Boos Block Chop and Slice Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board. First and foremost, it's a beautiful piece that you can keep on your countertop. Regular maintenance is required. Acrylic cutting boards are inexpensive and low maintenance, but this cutting board can be the centerpiece of many gatherings. The maple wood is hand-selected to have a beautiful grain. Although the cutting board is 1.5 inches thick, it has integrated hand grips on each end of the cutting board for easy handling. Both sides are flat, so both sides can be used. If you're still concerned about the use of wood and bacteria, this brand's boards are designed to prevent the growth of bacteria, certified by the National Sanitation Foundation.

best chef knife

Shun Classic Chef's 8 inch

The Shun Cutlery Classic Blonde Chef's Knife was awarded the best knife in our chef knife test for many reasons. Shun is known for its high quality Japanese cutlery. Many of their knives adorn our knife blocks. This chef knife is no exception considering its beauty and ease of use. It has a wide curved blade so your knuckles stay on the cutting board and you can swing the knife back and forth. The knives are handcrafted by artisans using centuries-old traditions from blonde pakka wood and 68 layers of stainless Damascus steel. The D-shaped handle is durable, comfortable for both left- and right-handed cooks, and is a breeding ground for bacteria. The knife is also corrosion and stain resistant, allowing you to handle any food without damaging it.

best stand mixer

kenwood chef kitchen machine

The Kenwood 5-Quart Chef Titanium Kitchen Machine was one of our favorites when we tested top brands. The European designed motor has twice the power and torque of other stand mixers. Dual motor ventilation prevents the machine from overheating and extends its service life. The mixer has four built-in speeds, so you can mix ingredients at your own pace. Kenwood includes a 5-quart stainless steel bowl, K beater, Flexi beater, whisk, dough hook, spatula, spanner, and splash guard with the machine. Attachments are easy to clean and maintain. You can also put everything in the dishwasher to preserve the base. I also appreciate the four easy hubs that allow you to attach parts depending on your activity. This is an incredibly versatile machine and easier to manage than its competitors.

best gratin dish

great jones hot dish

The best kitchen products and equipment should stand the test of time and practicality. For example, could he play a double or even triple role? The best casserole dishes have to manage their journey from counter to oven to table to refrigerator. Many of us use them several times a week, so finding the best one is essential. The Great Jones Hot Dish is both practical and beautiful. The casserole dish is made of ceramic, which is durable but scratch-resistant (be careful when using metal utensils like spatulas or knives). It can be placed in the microwave or dishwasher, and is oven safe up to 500 degrees. The large handle makes it easy to grip even with oven mitts, and any shape fits easily in the oven. The perfect baking dish for cooks who value bright colors. His five shades are named after foods such as broccoli and mustard, and you can even get a little wink.

best stainless steel frying pan

All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 3 Layer Adhesive Cookware

The All-Clad D3 triple-layer stainless steel frying pan is superior and will last a lifetime. I've been using this pan for over 20 years since I bought the full All-Clad set and it still works just as well. Our lab also liked this product while testing stainless steel pans. It's a classic for a reason. The entire construction is stainless steel, so it can be used from stovetop to oven. Stainless steel has excellent heat conductivity, so it bakes evenly. The name All-Clad guarantees consistency and durability. This pot is easy to clean and is also a dishwasher safe kitchen tool. It also supports IH.