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

Dish Soap

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.

Inexpensive Saucepans

Can a $20 pan outperform one that costs nearly $200? Adam Ried shows host Christopher Kimball how eight inexpensive pans performed in the test kitchen when pitted against our favorite top-of-the-line saucepan.

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.

Essential Kitchen Gadgets

Adam Ried walks host Christopher Kimball through the test kitchen’s recommendations for the best kitchen gadgets and describes why each is essential for the serious home cook.

Grilling Gadgets and Gear

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

Nonstick Pan Alternatives

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.