Equipment Reviews

Our equipment testers rate hundreds of products every year so you can spend your money wisely. We test $1,500 standing mixers as well as $5 garlic presses. And we test equipment by using it the same way you do at home. This means slicing rustic breads, cakes, and tomatoes when testing serrated knives. We write opinionated, honest reviews of every product we test, and we update them regularly on this website as well as CooksCountry.com.

Current Season
Season 1

Plastic Wrap

Our tests showed that wraps either cling or keep food fresh—not both.

Stand Mixers (Inexpensive)

Our $500 stand mixer remains a test kitchen workhorse. But it’s hardly affordable. Can you buy a solid mixer for under $200?

Stovetop Griddles

Which models can take the heat, and which ones simply produce hot and cold spots?

Can Openers

Which model blows the lid off the competition?

Dutch Ovens

Our favorite Dutch ovens cost more than $200. Ouch! Fortunately there is a cheaper version that performs almost as well.

Ice Cream Makers (Inexpensive)

Could a $50 appliance make ice cream that tasted creamier and fresher than our favorite store-bought brand? Yes… and no.

Loaf Pans

Loaf pans range in price from $4 to $75. But are the higher prices justified?

Top Kitchen Essentials

We've tested thousands of knives, pots, pans, and gadgets over the years. Here's a list of the items that we feel are essential in every kitchen.

Liquid Dish Detergent

Liquid dish detergent is one of those household staples that most of us don’t give a lot of thought. After all, how different can dish detergents be? Adam Ried puts regular and environmentally friendly detergents to the test and discovers that some soaps are "cleaner" than others.

Indoor Grills

Indoor electric grills have become common kitchen appliances, with a variety of models on the market. Adam Ried tests seven indoor grills priced under $80 and shows Christopher Kimball which models lived up to test kitchen standards in a variety of cooking applications.

Pepper Mills

Only the test kitchen would measure the output efficiency—how much pepper is yielded per twist—of pepper mills. Adam Ried explains to host Christopher Kimball what to look for when buying a pepper mill.

Steak Knives

Do you really need a set of steak knives? If so, at what cost? Adam Ried sets out to prove to host Christopher Kimball that reasonably priced steak knives can cut it.

Top Kitchen Essentials

We've tested thousands of knives, pots, pans, and gadgets over the years. Here's a list of the items that we feel are essential in every kitchen.

Essential Grilling Gadgets

Host Christopher Kimball presents the test kitchen’s top recommendations for essential grilling equipment and demonstrates the benefits of each.

Cast-Iron Skillets

With recent reports about potential dangers surrounding nonstick skillets, the test kitchen decided it was time to investigate alternatives. Adam Ried demonstrates the pros and cons of cast iron and carbon steel pans for host Christopher Kimball.

Large Saucepans

Now that even low-cost manufacturers are offering fully clad cookware, do you still need to shell out $200 for a good pot?