Some folks will tell you that, no matter what, functionality is the most important aspect of kitchen products. After testing hundreds of them, from mini Dutch ovens to beverage refrigerators, for my job, I beg to differ. A great kitchen tool, gadget, or appliance is functional, but also fun and attractive, meeting you where you’re at in terms of budget, aesthetic, and cooking needs. This month, I came across several kitchen products that are reasonably priced, highly functional, and irresistibly chic — like this Le Creuset fruit cocotte. Here are all my top finds of June, including a Lodge Dutch oven, a King Arthur Baking dough whisk, and more items I tested and love.
Best Amazon Kitchen Finds of June
I’ve begun keeping this tiny Dutch oven on my stovetop at all times. Its cast iron construction and nonstick-like enamel perform on par with larger Dutch ovens. I find it handy for smaller tasks, like cooking grains, blanching a handful of vegetables, and quick-frying.
For a long time, I was using a plastic countertop sink caddy that would collect gunk and stink up the entire kitchen. I ditched it for this diatomaceous earth tray, which absorbs water from dish soap containers before it soaks the edge of the sink and becomes a harborer of bacteria.
My current dish rack is fairly large, but I still crave extra room sometimes, whether it’s for mugs that didn’t dry completely in the dishwasher or on a night when I’ve used multiple mixing bowls and gadgets for dinner. This drying rack would satisfy that need: It features an extendable rack that stands over the sink, offering space for more dishes or larger tools like sheet pans. When you don’t need it, simply collapse the extension back into the main rack to keep things tidy at your kitchen workstation.
I came across these on my search for reusable ice cream containers that are shaped like the classic pint tubs. The polypropylene container is thick to resist cracking when frozen, and many shoppers say the tight-fitting silicone lids “do a great job sealing the freezer out of the ice cream inside.” The containers are also color-coded and come with labels, so I’m adding them to my cart to buy ASAP.
I don’t believe much needs to be said about this ceramic marvel. Le Creuset released it with strawberry and peach siblings, and each 16-ounce dish is multi-functional. When you’re not baking pot pies or fruit cobblers, make the mini cocotte your new salt or sugar cellar, candy jar, or sauce server.
Unlike a wire whisk, this Danish dough whisk is fitted with heavy-gauge stainless steel that sits relatively flat. Its durable build and wide openings are ideal for bringing together a sticky bread dough, as well as making delicate batters and mixtures containing lots of add-ins, like fresh fruit or chocolate chips. I’ve been using mine to keep freshly mixed bread dough away from my hands and in the bowl where it belongs, and I’ll never go back.
Growing vegetables is difficult in an apartment with limited sunlight, but I am finally making it happen with this indoor garden. In my opinion, this model wins over other systems because the grow lights function independently of the planting tray, meaning you can place your own planters under the lights when you’d like.
After a bit of a hiatus, Wagner Cast Iron is back in the manufacturing game with a reissue of its vintage 1950 griddle pan. The 19.88- x 9.88- x 0.75-inch pan fits over two burners or a comal burner for meals indoors, though it also handles the heat of open fires or your outdoor grill without issue, thanks to its hardy cast iron construction.
After using this wireless meat thermometer to smoke beef brisket and venison shoulder, I’m sold. It has multiple probes for accurate internal readings, plus an outer probe for sensing ambient temperatures in the grill. I also love the standalone base that magnetically attaches to your refrigerator, so I can check on my food without opening the lid.
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