Which Kitchen Tools Are Worth Splurging On?

Is that 17-piece knife set worth the $$$? What about a Cuisinart? The BA test kitchen looks at which tools should--or shouldn't--cost you a fortune.

September 20, 2013

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When it comes to kitchen tools and gadgets, it can be hard to decipher which are worth the splurge and which are good on the cheap—especially if you're stocking an arsenal from scratch. We asked the Bon Appétit test kitchen to give us the dish on whether to shell out or cut back on things like nonstick pans, thermometers, vegetable peelers, and more. Check it out in the slideshow above.

1/12
Nonstick Pans ($25): Save!
T-fal is way cheaper than All-Clad and it won the Cook's Illustrated test. Good enough for us! (Credit: Courtesy Amazon)
2/12
Prep Bowls ($11): Save!
Who has time to rearrange chic, color-of-the-moment (read: expensive) nesting bowls? Get cheap stainless mixing bowls instead. (Credit: Bed Bath and Beyond)

3/12
Knife Sharpeners ($50): Save!
Pricey electric ones take off too much metal. A sharpening stone and a few YouTube videos will do a way better job. (Credit: Peggy Gertner)
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4/12
Vegetable Peelers ($3): Save!
A $3 Y-shaped peeler will do the trick--and when it dulls, it's so cheap you can buy another one without cringing. (Credit: Food Service)

5/12
Knives ($200): Splurge!
You don't need more than three knives: chef's, paring, and bread. In other words, that 17-piece knife set is a no-no. Companies pad out sets with stuff that you'll never use, which will only clutter your counter. Get one wicked-sharp, kick-ass chef's knife and get Victorinox for everything else. (Credit: Courtesy Williams-Sonoma)
6/12
Digital Scale ($25): Save!
Go cheap! Escali makes one for $25--we've been using the same one for years. (Credit: Courtesy Bed Bath & Beyond)

7/12
Corkscrews ($10): Save!
Exotic, high-tech corkscrews take up loads of precious drawer real estate. You're better off with a $10 waiter's corkscrew. (Credit: CNP Digital Studio)
8/12
Heavy Gauge Steel Roasting Pan ($200): Splurge!
There's no excuse for those flimsy aluminum trays. Invest in a quality stainless-steel roasting pan with sturdy handles and a removable rack. It's not cheap, but you'll have it forever, and it's great for pork roasts and prime rib. (Credit: Courtesy Williams-Sonoma)

9/12
Thermapen Thermometer ($89): Splurge!
Temping a $200 piece of meat with a $5 thermometer that you don't even know how to calibrate? Come on. Go digital--it pays to be right. (Credit: Courtesy Amazon)
10/12
Cuisinart Food Processor ($130): Splurge!
It may cost as much as a two-hour Shiatsu massage, but think of all the no-brainer soups and sauces you can make in this baby--family-size batches, too. (So no-stress, you won't need the massage in the first place, eh?) (Credit: Courtesy Williams-Sonoma)

11/12
KitchenAid Standing Mixer ($350): Splurge!
It pays to fork over the KitchenAid price tag--a good motor makes for good cookie dough. This is a heavy-duty piece of machinery that comes with multiple attachments and a helpful customer service department. (Credit: Courtesy Williams-Sonoma)
12/12
Stainless Steel Pots and Pans ($1,400): Splurge!
Spend on a good set of pots and pans, and it will last you for life. It won't scratch, it will conduct heat evenly, and you will likely be able to hand it down to your first born. (Credit: Courtesy Williams-Sonoma)