Author: An Uong

We’re steadfast in the belief that being able to take quick, accurate temperatures will result in better cooking. To achieve this, we’ve long stood behind the use of meat thermometers, wireless thermometers, and infrared thermometers—you name it, we’ve tested it. This includes, of course, the ever-handy instant-read thermometer, which should give any cook lightning-fast temperature readings that are accurate and consistent. No other thermometer does this as impressively as the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE, a favorite of ours for years that is on sale now for 30% off.

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

Why It Won Our Review

ThermoWorks already makes some of our favorite thermometers, including its leave-in probe thermometer, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s instant-read model is a top performer. During our tests, the Thermapen ONE delivered temperature readings in just two to three seconds, faster than the rest of its competitors. Time is of the essence, of course, as we know that the longer it takes to achieve a reading, the more heat is lost from your open oven or grill. We even compared it to our previous favorite, the now-discontinued Thermapen Mk4, and it performs just as well. As associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm puts it in her recommendation, “The Thermapen ONE is the very best money can buy. It’s one of my favorite things to gift any cook or baker.”

The Thermapen ONE also has a big, backlit display that rotates, making it easy to read from any angle—a feature that’s especially appreciated during quick temp readings over hot roasts in the oven. Not only was it the fastest thermometer we tested, but it was the most consistent and accurate when reporting on a sous vide bath set at 134°F, ice cold water (32°F), and boiling water (212°F). We also like that the probe can open up to 180 degrees, so it can be easily and quickly adjusted based on the angle of the reading.

Of all the thermometers we tested, the Thermapen ONE is the only model with a waterproof rating of IP67, which makes it easy to wash in case kitchen projects get messy. It automatically turns on the moment you pull out the probe (or when you pick it up, if the probe is already out). This cuts out any time you might otherwise waste fiddling with an on/off button. We simply think the Thermapen ONE is the best instant-read thermometer you can get your hands on, and right now, it’s an impressive 30% off. Don’t wait to pick it up ahead of preparing your Thanksgiving feast or as a holiday gift.

Key Specs

• Features: Backlight display, rotating screen, rubber nonslip grip edge
• Accuracy: +/- 0.5°F (+/- 0.3°C) from -4° to 248°F (-20° to 120°C)
• Probe length: 4.3 inches
• Measurement range: -58°F to 572°F
• Waterproof: IP67
• Battery life: 2000 hours
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.7 x 0.74 inches 

FAQs

Is the Thermapen ONE waterproof?

Yes, the Thermapen ONE has a waterproof rating of IP67, so you can wash it if you need to.

Does the Thermapen ONE have a 360-degree rotating screen?

Yes, it’s the only thermometer we tested with a 360-degree auto-rotating screen.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An has had her Thermapen IR (a sibling to the Thermapen ONE) for years and it’s one of her most treasured kitchen tools.

After opening 50 bottles of wine to test wine openers, we found that one emerged as the easiest and most efficient to use, so much so that it dethroned our previous favorite. Opening a bottle of wine should be quick, painless, and mess-free, which the Pulltaps waiter’s corkscrew can achieve in one fell swoop. It’s comfortable to hold and securely pulls out corks so you can do more celebrating and less wiggling. (Heads up: It’s selling out fast, so you might want to grab one soon.)

Pulltaps Waiter’s Corkscrew

Why It Won Our Review

A waiter’s corkscrew is the classic model you’ll see in the hands of sommeliers and bartenders. It works by twisting the worm (the spiral bit) into the cork, then pulling it out using the fulcrums and handle. Its strength is in its compact size and efficient process, which we experienced with the Pulltaps waiter’s corkscrew. It performed so well during our tests that it surpassed our previous top pick, the Trudeau turbo double lever corkscrew.

The Pulltaps model also has a serrated blade that slices smoothly through the foil at the tops of bottles. Most importantly, it has evenly spaced fulcrums which offer plenty of leverage to pull out a cork, even for smaller hands. The handle has a nice curve to it, making it comfortable to maneuver over the top of a bottle, and at 3.1 ounces, it’s among the lightest of the wine openers we tested. It also has nine worm curves—a decent amount to burrow deep into a cork so it doesn’t break. When folded up, the corkscrew can easily fit into an apron pocket, so you know it’ll be a cinch to store.

Before your home is overrun with holiday guests in need of a wine opener, grab this one while it’s still in stock. If you’d rather a lever-style corkscrew, we recommend the Rabbit Original lever wine opener, which smoothly removes corks with impressive ease.

Key Specs

• Style: Waiter’s 
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Overall length: 4.75 inches
• Worm length: 2 inches
• Worm curves: 9 
• Weight: 3.1 ounces

FAQs

What is the Pulltaps waiter’s corkscrew made of?

The body is made of chrome and should be hand-washed.

What are the best winged corkscrews or electric corkscrews?

We tested those, too! You can find our thoughts on all 20 tested models here.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• We’ve tested wine openers for years and periodically update our guide with new insights.

We’re committed to finding our readers the very best deals on the very best kitchen gear, so we’d be remiss to not bring your attention to Amazon’s secret kitchen outlet, a little-known section on Amazon filled with overstock and clearance items. We sorted through the pages of sales to round up the 10 best deals, including the most powerful Vitamix smart blender, the best Instant air fryer we’ve tested, and a festive fall Staub pumpkin baking dish—all for up to 48% off.

The Best Amazon Kitchen Outlet Deals, at a Glance:

• The Best Smart Blender: Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender
• The Best Air Fryer: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
• The Best Budget Food Processor: Cuisinart 9-Cup Food Processor
• A Festive Fall Staub Baking Dish: Staub 0.5-Quart Petite Ceramic Pumpkin Baking Dish
• The Best Budget Indoor Pizza Oven: Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven
• The Best Small Waffle Maker: Dash Mini Waffle Maker
• The Most Comfortable Ice Cream Scooper: KitchenAid Gourmet Ice Cream Scoop
• The Best Pepper Grinder: Peugeot Paris Manual Pepper Mill
• The Best Thermos: Zojirushi Insulated Stainless Steel Mug
• A Tried-and-True Paring Knife: Victorinox Serrated Paring Knife

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender

This blender delivers the powerful blending we know and love from Vitamix, but with additional bells and whistles like automated presets, an LED touchscreen, and a built-in timer. Right now, it’s $100 off.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer

Over years of testing, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus has been our favorite air fryer time and time again. Simply put: It produces the crispiest fries and the crunchiest chicken wings. This Instant Vortex Plus is on sale and even has an upgraded clear window for tracking your food’s progress.

Cuisinart 9-Cup Food Processor

When we tested food processors, Cuisinart’s 14-cup model was our top budget pick. It powerfully chopped through every test we threw at it and makes for a great affordable option. This similar 9-cup model is now on sale and is ideal for smaller kitchens.

Staub 0.5-Quart Petite Ceramic Pumpkin Baking Dish

We’re in the thick of fall and what better way to celebrate than with a pumpkin-shaped baking dish? Staub makes our favorite baking dish, and this lidded ceramic pumpkin offers the same even heat retention and distribution. Plus, it’s 40% off.

Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven

Already a fraction of the price of our favorite indoor pizza ovens from Ooni and Breville, this Cuisinart indoor pizza oven is now even more affordable at $100 off. It impressed us by getting up to 725°F and producing nicely charred pizza crusts.

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

We couldn’t help but shout out this $13 mini waffle maker in our waffle maker review. It’s ideal for casual waffle consumers who like an individual waffle every once in a while. 

KitchenAid Gourmet Ice Cream Scoop

Thanks to its extra-long and ergonomically designed handle, this was the most comfortable ice cream scoop we tested. The oval head also carved out beautiful scoops. Grab one on sale ahead of all the ice cream scooping you’ll do for those apple or pumpkin pie slices.

Peugeot Paris Manual Pepper Mill

This pepper mill is speedy, consistent, and comfortable to hold. It also looks great on a kitchen countertop and is now on sale for 35% off.

Zojirushi Insulated Stainless Steel Mug

This Zojirushi mug impressed us by keeping its contents piping hot (or ice cold) for over eight hours. It’s also easy to carry and smooth to sip from. Right now, it’s a whopping 48% off at Amazon’s kitchen outlet.

Victorinox Serrated Paring Knife

The humble-yet-mighty paring knife is essential to cooks. We’ve been fans of Victorinox paring knives for years thanks to their durability and affordability. This serrated version is on sale for just $12.

FAQs

What else can I get at Amazon’s outlet section?

Amazon’s secret outlet section also has deals on other product categories, like home and furniture, outdoor and patio, and more.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An has been testing kitchen gear for Serious Eats for nearly two years.
  

It’s true, we’ve put Yeti products through the wringer over the years. The brand’s lineup has proven itself every time, be it a soft cooler surviving a fall out the back of a truck or an insulated tumbler maintaining cold temperatures over a 16-hour period. Through our rigorous tests, quite a few Yeti products have emerged as tried-and-true favorites, and some of them are on sale right now for Prime Big Deal Days. Today and tomorrow, Yeti has a special October Prime Day discount running on select items and colorways. You can get 20% off one item, or bundle three or more sale items to get an additional 10% off. Now's the time to grab our editor-favorite tumbler, travel mug, and more.

The Best Amazon Yeti Deals

• A Great Travel Tumbler: Rambler Mug with Straw Lid
• A Compact Hard Cooler: Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler
• A Large Water Bottle: Rambler Insulated 46-Ounce Chug Water Bottle
• An Editor-Loved Mug: Yeti Rambler 14-Ounce Stackable Mug
• A Great Wine Tumbler: Rambler Wine Tumbler
• An All-Around Great Tumbler: Yeti Rambler Vacuum Insulated Tumbler
• An Insulated Beverage Bucket: Yeti Beverage/Ice Bucket
• A Rugged Wine Chiller: Rambler Wine Chiller
• An Excellent Cocktail Shaker: Yeti Rambler Cocktail Shaker
  

Yeti Rambler Mug with Straw Lid

During our tests of insulated tumblers, Yeti came out as one of our favorites thanks to its variable sizes, smooth sipping action, and nearly leakproof lid. We also love that there are so many fun colors to choose from. The discounted colorways include: Charcoal, Mug Power Pink, Seafoam, King Crab Orange, and Reef Blue.

Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler

Yeti makes our favorite hard cooler. This compact Roadie 24 is smaller and doesn't have wheels like our Yeti Roadie 48 top pick, but it offers the same excellent insulation and is portable enough for camping trips, and tailgates. Right now, the Agave Teal colorway is $50 off.

Yeti Rambler 46-Ounce Insulated Water Bottle

We thought this water bottle was a bit too big for everyday use during our tests, but we still like it for carrying water in a backpack during hikes or longer trips. The discounted colorways include: Charcoal, King Crab Orange, Power Pink, Reef Blue, and Coral. The 18-ounce bottle in Power Pink is also on sale.

Yeti Rambler 14-Ounce Stackable Mug

Senior commerce editor Phoebe Sklansky swears by her Rambler stackable mug (in Seafoam, to be exact). She loves that both the mug and its lid are dishwasher-safe. She bought hers last Prime Day, so here’s your own chance to grab these colorways on sale: Cosmic Lilac and Seafoam.

Yeti Rambler Wine Tumbler

During our tests, this wine tumbler kept liquid ice-cold for longer than any other. It also comes with Yeti’s leak-fighting Magslider lid to keep your beverage from sloshing out. You can snag Cosmic Lilac and Power Pink on sale.

Yeti Rambler Vacuum Insulated Tumbler

A classic Yeti silhouette and commerce writer An Uong's favorite Yeti product, this Rambler tumbler without a handle keeps contents hot or cold for hours and fits neatly into any car cup holder. It's on sale in Charcoal, Cosmic Lilac, King Crab Orange, and Reef Blue.

Yeti Beverage/Ice Bucket

For backyard cookouts or campground hangouts, the Yeti beverage and ice bucket can hold up to six longneck bottles of beer or three bottles of wine, in addition to ice. The stainless steel construction offers the same vacuum insulation as other Yeti products to keep your beverages chilled. During October Prime Day, this bucket will be on sale in Camp Green, Cosmic Lilac, King Crab Orange, and Power Pink.

Rambler Wine Chiller

If you're a wine expert who enjoys the outdoors, we recommend the Yeti Rambler wine chiller. It fits most wine bottles and has a stainless steel vacuum insulated design that keeps your wine bottled adequately chilled. The bottom also has a silicone landing pad so you won't have to worry about any clanging around. The Cosmic Lilac colorway is part of the sale event.

Yeti Rambler Cocktail Shaker

This cocktail shaker is super insulated—a boon for those who hate feeling their hands turn frosty as they shake drinks. When we tested it, we liked it so much we named it a winner.

FAQs

When is October Prime Big Deal Days happening?

This year, the October Prime Big Deal Days event is taking place on Tuesday, October 8 (that’s today!) and Wednesday, October 9.

How long will Yeti have deals for October Prime Big Deal Days?

While Yeti doesn’t often have sales, the brand currently has up to 30% off some of our favorites if you bundle, or 20% off select items. October Prime Day ends on Wednesday, October 8, but we’ll keep this Yeti story updated throughout the sale event for any changes.

Where can I find the best deals during October Prime Big Deal Days?

We have a roundup of the best kitchen deals on all our favorite kitchen gear right here. We will update it throughout the Prime Day-level sale.

Do I have to be a Prime member to get deals on October Prime Big Deal Days?

While only Amazon Prime members can access the Prime-exclusive deals during the shopping event, there will be plenty of other sales that you can grab. If you don’t have Prime yet, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to access the members-only deals.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• She has tested citrus juicers, vegetable peelers, and more for Serious Eats for nearly two years. 
• An has developed recipes for Bon Appetit, Taste, and other food publications.
  

If you haven’t heard, October Prime Day is finally here. After testing hundreds of kitchen tools, appliances, and gadgets all year, we couldn’t be more thrilled to see so many sales on our favorite equipment. There are millions of deals right now, so we sorted through pages (and pages and pages) to handpick the ones we’re thinking of grabbing for ourselves.

In true nerdy Serious Eats fashion, our staff shared its very opinionated recommendations on 13 deals worth scooping up, including a beginner-friendly Breville espresso machine, this longtime favorite Le Creuset Dutch oven, this set of tried-and-true All-Clad stainless steel skillets, and much more for up to 67% off.

Editor-Recommended October Prime Day Deals, at a Glance:

• A Beginner-Friendly Espresso Machine: Breville the Barista Express Impress
• An Easy-to-Use Instant Pot: Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
• The Best Stainless Steel Pans: All-Clad Stainless Steel Frying Pans, Set of 2
• The Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
• The Best Dutch Oven: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Dutch Oven
• Leakproof Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers
• The Best Grill Basket: OXO Obsidian Outdoor Carbon Steel 12-Inch Grilling Basket
• A Full-Featured Hand Mixer: Breville the Handy Mix Scraper
• A Customizable Rice Cooker: Cuckoo Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer
• A Great Nonstick Skillet: All-Clad 10-Inch Nonstick Skillet
• The Most Absorbent Dish Towels: Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels, 15-Pack
• The Best Budget-Friendly Chef’s Knife: Mercer Culinary 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
• The Best Portable Coffee Maker: AeroPress XL Coffee Press
• An Efficient Electric Grill and Smoker: Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker

Breville the Barista Express Impress

If I didn't already have this espresso machine, I'd be scooping it up while it's on sale. It couldn't be easier to use, with a built-in grinder and tamper. There's even a little smiley face that illuminates when the level of grounds is correct! I honestly think it's harder to make bad coffee with this Breville machine than it is to make good espresso. Everyone I've recommended this model to loves it for that reason. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, associate editorial director

Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

I was an Instant Pot skeptic for a while, and the Instant Pot Duo Plus I received for Christmas five years back collected dust for longer than I’d like to admit. But after an incident involving a friend and some dried beans (you can read about it here), I’ve become a convert. The Instant Pot has come in clutch. It’s helped me correct oopsie-daisies like forgetting to soak beans and makes my spur-of-the-moment dinner hankerings come to life (hello, braised beef poutine!). Now that our winner is on sale for Prime Day, I think I’ll upgrade. — Grace Kelly, commerce editor

All-Clad Stainless Steel Frying Pans, Set of 2

My stainless steel frying pans are my favorite cookware pieces. They can sear a golden brown slab of tofu just as easily as they can cook and release a delicate omelet as if they were nonstick. If I didn’t already have a set of 10- and 12-inch pans, I would definitely scoop up this duo from All-Clad that’s on sale for October Prime Day. We’ve recommended All-Clad stainless steel for years! — An Uong, commerce writer

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

I have a toaster oven. I have an air fryer. Why not get the best of both in one air fryer toaster oven? I'm always looking for ways to maximize my counter space and this Breville Smart Oven air fryer pro might just be the answer. I've been eyeing it ever since it out-fried the competition in our tests by churning out the crispiest fries and crunchiest chicken wings. Now that it's $100 off for October Prime Day, I might just have to commit. — An

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Dutch Oven

Le Creuset is pricey, but it really is timeless. As evidence of that, my mom still has Le Creuset cookware she bought in France when she was in her 20s, and it's in great condition. I have one tiny piece of the brand’s cookware, but this might be the year I finally treat myself to a big Dutch oven for making stews, no-knead bread, soups, braises, and more. — Megan O. Steintrager, associate editorial director 

Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers

I recently tossed out all my mismatched food storage containers and invested in a set of Rubbermaid Brilliance food storage containers after seeing that they took the winning spot in our review. But we all know that you can never have too many containers! A couple of mine have already gone missing, so I'm going to take advantage of the Prime Day sales and restock. — Rochelle Bilow, commerce editor

OXO Obsidian Outdoor Carbon Steel 12-Inch Grilling Basket

Did I buy this carbon steel grill basket roughly two minutes after seeing it in this roundup of early Prime Day deals? Did I make my boyfriend return the other inferior grill basket he had just purchased elsewhere? Have we used it every evening since? Do I deeply love the fact that it has a removable handle? Yes, you betcha, absolutely, and heck yes! — Rochelle

Breville the Handy Mix Scraper

I bought a very cheap hand mixer many years ago off of Facebook Marketplace, so it's time for a new one. I'll absolutely be going with our top pick from Breville, which is $30 off right now! As we said in our review, it's "the Cadillac of hand mixers" and has a ton of features, including a storage case, a built-in timer, and a light that illuminates the mixing bowl. — Riddley

Cuckoo Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer

I use my rice cooker at least three times a week. This October Prime Day, I want to upgrade to one of our longtime favorite rice cookers from Cuckoo. It has a range of customization options, including temperature adjustability. Plus, it's nice-looking and pretty small (a boon for my already-packed cabinets)! — Riddley

All-Clad 10-Inch Nonstick Skillet

I need a new nonstick skillet. My husband unknowingly got scratches all over my last one, and while All-Clad makes my favorite nonstick skillet, it can be a bit pricey. I'm planning on picking one up at a reduced price on Prime Day. — Leah Colins, senior culinary editor

Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels, 15-Pack

While I've never worked in a restaurant, my last three years in the Serious Eats test kitchen taught me you can never have enough kitchen towels. The number of times I've had to ask our equipment manager for a towel restock because Daniel and Genevieve managed to use every one in two hours is innumerable. I've got the red-striped version of these Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels in my cart for October Prime Day. We've been working on a slew of French recipes recently, and I want to bring a bit of bistro whimsy to my tiny apartment kitchen. — Amanda Suarez, associate visuals director

Mercer Culinary 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

It's been a minute since I treated myself to a good knife—I only have one chef's knife that gets more than enough love, so it wouldn't hurt to pick up another. There's nothing more satisfying than dicing onions or slicing into perfectly cooked chicken breast with a high-quality, sharp knife, and I'm excited to finally try this one from Mercer. I'm sure it won't disappoint! — Yasmine Maggio, associate editor

AeroPress XL Coffee Press

For years now, I’ve been on the hunt for a portable coffee maker to bring camping. The AeroPress has been our favorite single-serve coffee brewer for years, so I might have to grab the XL coffee press while it’s on sale this October Prime Day. That way, there’s enough coffee to share with everyone on the campsite. — An

Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill & Smoker

I'll be honest, Ninja products can be hit or miss (or sometimes they occupy a space I like to call single-use wonders). But sometimes, a new gadget captures my attention and doesn't let it go, especially if it's related to grilling. I currently live in an apartment with a small outdoor space, so the prospect of a smoker previously seemed utterly ridiculous. Enter the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill & Smoker. It's small, electric, and looks like something "allowed" in my tiny backyard. Adding it my wish list right now. — Kelli Solomon, senior social media editor

FAQs

When is October Prime Big Deal Days happening?

October Prime Big Deal Days is happening on Tuesday, October 8 (that’s today!) and Wednesday, October 9.

Where can I find the best deals during October Prime Big Deal Days?

We have a roundup of the best kitchen deals on all our favorite kitchen gear right here. We will update it throughout the Prime Day-level sale.

How long will deals last for October Prime Big Deal Days?

October Prime Day ends on Wednesday, October 9, but we’ll keep this story updated throughout the sale event for any changes.

Do I have to be a Prime member to get deals on October Prime Big Deal Days?

While only Amazon Prime members can access the Prime-exclusive deals during the shopping event, there will be plenty of other sales that you can grab. If you don’t have Prime yet, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to access the members-only deals.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• We test thousands of kitchen products every year and diligently keep an eye on our favorites for sales.
  

Le Creuset has been at the top of our recommendation lists for years. The brand’s time-tested cookware and bakeware have consistently seared, baked, braised, and roasted a notch above the competition. While we think Le Creuset is always worth the investment, it’s a thrill to catch discounts on our favorite items that have performed well in tests. During Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, Le Creuset is discounting its Dutch oven, cast iron skillet, braiser, and more cookware pieces that are worth grabbing ahead of peak roasting and stewing season, starting at just $25.

The Best Amazon Le Creuset Deals, at a Glance:

• The Best Dutch Oven: Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
• The Best Braiser: Le Creuset 3.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Braiser
• A Beautiful Baking Dish Set: Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Set
• The Best Enameled Cast Iron Skillet: Le Creuset 9-Inch Cast Iron Handle Skillet
• A Great Bread Baker: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Bread Oven
• A Large-Capacity Cast Iron Pot: Le Creuset 7.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Chef's Oven with Glass Lid 
• A Festive Fall Cocotte: Le Creuset Stoneware 12-Ounce Pumpkin Petite Cocotte
• A Fast Stovetop Kettle: Le Creuset Enamel On Steel Demi Tea Kettle
• The Sweetest Mini Cocottes: Le Creuset 8-Ounce Mini Round Cocotte with Flower Lid
• A Versatile Cassadou: Le Creuset 3.75-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Cassadou

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven

No, we’ll never get tired of recommending the Le Creuset Dutch oven. It’s been our top Dutch oven pick for years thanks to its impeccably even heating and proven durability. The classic 5.5-quart Dutch oven is on rare sale for $100 off. 

Le Creuset 3.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Braiser

This classic braiser shallow-fried the competition in our tests with its flared sides and wide bottom. It also has roomy handles that make it comfortable to carry from stovetop to oven to dinner table. During our tests, it was able to evenly sear meatballs across its entire surface.

Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Set

While the Le Creuset casserole dish was not our top pick, who can resist a baking dish set on sale? We still thought it was beautiful and it still offers the even heat retention that Le Creuset is known for, so this set of three baking dishes is a deal at 31% off.

Le Creuset 9-Inch Cast Iron Handle Skillet

Capable of reaching high, even temperatures quickly, the Le Creuset cast iron skillet is $20 off and a favorite of several Serious Eats editors. During our tests, it seared steak beautifully and cooked up perfect over-easy eggs.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Bread Oven

The Le Creuset bread oven is a unitasker that does its one task very well. In our review, we found it easier to load and unload loaves using this bread oven than in a traditional Dutch oven. It also browned crusts faster. 

Le Creuset 7.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Chef's Oven with Glass Lid 

Designed for handling larger batches of food, this 7.5-quart cast iron oven offers the same excellent heat retention and distribution that Le Creuset is known for but in a vessel with wide, sloped sides that allow for smooth stirring. It also has a glass lid so you can easily track the progress of your foods inside. Right now, it’s 28% off.

Le Creuset Stoneware 12-Ounce Pumpkin Petite Cocotte

As we enter peak fall season, it’s only fair to say that pumpkin-shaped cookware deserves a spot in any festive kitchen. Associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm confesses that she “wants one of these HORRIBLY” and we don’t blame her.

Le Creuset Enamel On Steel Demi Tea Kettle

A smaller version of one of our favorite stovetop kettles, this demi kettle from Le Creuset boils water at lightning speed thanks to its carbon steel construction. Right now, it’s on sale for less than $70

Le Creuset 8-Ounce Mini Round Cocotte with Flower Lid

Our commerce writer (that’s me, An!) has two of these and they are some of her favorite cookware pieces. These mini cocottes are essentially ramekins with handles and lids and add a touch of whimsy to your single-serve oatmeal, chocolate cakes, and bread puddings.

Le Creuset 3.75-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Cassadou

Half-pan and half-pot, this Le Creuset cassadou is similar to a braiser or Dutch oven, but it has a long handle on one side and a looped handle on the other for easy maneuvering around the kitchen. Similar to a sauté pan, the cassadou offers a wide bottom and shorter sides for searing a larger amount of food without trapping too much steam.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• She’s been testing equipment for Serious Eats for nearly two years.
• An has a burgeoning Le Creuset collection and is particularly in love with her little ceramic cocottes with flower lids.
  

Breville is often at the top of our recommendation lists for a reason. The brand’s espresso makers, coffee grinders, air fryer toaster ovens, and more have proven themselves to be built with performance and longevity in mind. After putting Breville appliances through our tests for years, we can confidently say that they stand up to the test of time. We’ve even used Breville coffee gear in the Serious Eats office, be it the Smart Grinder Pro or the Breville precision brewer. Before Prime Big Deal Days even starts, you can grab some of our favorites, including the best beginner-friendly espresso machine and the best air fryer toaster oven, on sale for up to $300 off.

The Best Breville Deals, at a Glance:

• The Best Beginner-Friendly Espresso Machine: Breville Barista Express Impress
• A Great Espresso Machine with a Built-in Grinder: Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine
• The Best Touchscreen Espresso Machine: Breville Barista Touch Impress
• The Best Toaster Oven Air Fryer: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
• An Efficient Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven
• An Accurate Immersion Circulator: Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide
• A Versatile Food Processor: Breville Sous Chef Pro Food Processor
• The Best Compact Indoor Pizza Oven: Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo Pizza Oven
• The Quietest High-end Blender: Breville Super Q Blender
• The Best Hand Mixer: Breville Handy Mix Scraper Mixer
• The Best Centrifugal Juicer: Breville BJE200XL The Juice Fountain Compact
• The Best Large Capacity Juicer: Breville 800JEXL The Juice Fountain Elite

Breville Barista Express Impress

With a built-in grinder, smart dosing system, assisted tamping lever, and powerful steam wand, this espresso machine is our top pick for espresso beginners, but it makes shots even experts admire. It's the machine associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm has at home and right now it's $200 off.

Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine

For the espresso-curious, the Barista Express is another great entry-level machine that produces flavorful espresso shots and silky smooth milk foam. With its built-in coffee grinder and steam wand, you’ll have everything you need to start making espresso at home. Grab it while it’s still in stock.

Breville Barista Touch Impress

Coined by Serious Eats editors as the espresso machine that “does 99% of the work for you,” the Barista Touch Impress features a clear touchscreen that lets you choose which drink you’d like to make. From there, the machine walks you through each step of the process, from grinding to steaming milk, to ensure the perfect drink of your choice. It doesn’t get much easier, and the machine is an astounding $300 off.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Air fry, toast, bake, broil, roast—this air fryer toaster oven can do anything. It produces crispy-crunchy fries and golden brown air-fried chicken wings. Its generous capacity also allows for cooking larger foods, like roast chicken or a pie. Snag it while it's $100 off.

Breville Smart Oven

For ten years and running, Breville’s Smart Oven Pro has been our favorite toaster oven. While that one’s not on sale, the Smart Oven is, and it’s nearly identical except for the lack of an interior oven light. It has the same fast, even heating that we know and love, so if you don’t really care about mood lighting for your toast, we recommend you grab this toaster oven while it’s 31% off.

Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide

The Breville Joule is 20% off and is a lightweight immersion circulator. It's accurate, compact, and fast. It also has a convenient magnetic base that can attach to a variety of vessels.

Breville Sous Chef Pro Food Processor

The Breville Sous Chef Peel & Dice is our favorite food processor. It comes with a wide array of attachments for slicing, dicing, chopping, and even peeling. It can easily slice paper-thin potatoes, knead pizza dough, and produce an evenly chopped mirepoix. While this exact model isn't on sale, the very similar Breville Sous Chef Pro is 40% off right now.

Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo Pizza Oven

This indoor pizza oven is a whopping $200 off and is just a tad bigger than a microwave. It reaches temperatures over 750°F, heats up quickly, and is easy to operate. The pizzas from the Smart Oven Pizzaiolo also come out fluffy with crispy, spotted bottoms. Snag one while it’s on sale.

Breville A Bit More 2-Slice Toaster 

Be it sandwich bread slices or oversized bagels, everything we put into this toaster was evenly toasted and golden brown. It also has a cheeky “a bit more” button (the toaster’s namesake) for additional toasting. Right now, it's 33% off.

Breville Super Q Blender

It’s hard to imagine that a quiet blender even exists, yet the Breville Super Q proves otherwise. It ranked the best during our decibel test and comes with five convenient presets and 12 variable speeds. Like other Breville appliances, it’s easy to use thanks to the clearly marked buttons. You can grab it for $60 off right now.

Breville Handy Mix Scraper Mixer

Called the “Cadillac of hand mixers” in our review, the Breville Handy Mix is powerful and designed with thoughtful features like a storage compartment and a built-in light. In our tests, it made easy work of whipping cream, beating meringue, and mixing birthday cake batter. You can grab it for $30 off during Prime Big Deal Days.

Breville BJE200XL The Juice Fountain Compact

We were impressed by how much juice the Breville Juice Fountain Compact was able to produce during our tests. The mesh strainer excels at separating juice from pulp and the large feed chute allows fruits and vegetables to be added whole. Its compact size also makes it easy to store. For only $80, this juicer is great value.

Breville 800JEXL The Juice Fountain Elite

For juicing large batches of fruits and vegetables, we recommend this juicer. It has high and low processing speeds, allowing for better control when moving between softer or denser produce. This machine thoroughly extracts juice, leaving behind only dry pulp. It's also easy to assemble and comes with a one-quart cup for collecting large amounts of juice. Right now, it's 25% off.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• She has tested citrus juicers, vegetable peelers, and more for Serious Eats for nearly two years. 
• An is the proud owner of a Breville toaster oven and it’s her favorite countertop appliance.
  

Halloween will be here sooner than you think. Before trick-or-treaters are on your doorstep and you have to rush out for a restock, we asked Serious Eats staffers what, in their opinions, was the best Halloween candy that you can buy online. Naturally, the team was very passionate about recommending treats, from nostalgic classics to modern takes on candies we know and love. This year’s candy haul includes Shaq A Licious XL Sour Gummies, Tony's Chocolonely assorted minis, Theo peanut butter cups, and more.

Editor-Loved Halloween Candy, at a Glance:

• A Fun Sour Candy: Shaq A Licious XL Sour Gummies
• An Nostalgic Classic: Nerds Candy
• An Assortment of Chocolate Minis: Tony's Chocolonely Assorted Milk Chocolate Pieces
• A Candy With Real Fruit in It: Sunmaid Vanilla Yogurt Covered Raisins
• The Saltiest Licorice: Katjes Salzige Heringe
• A Hometown Favorite: Oliver’s Sponge Candy
• A Modern Twist on Peanut Butter Cups: Theo Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
• An Editor-Loved Pizza Gummy: E. Frutti Gummi Candy Pizza
• A Divisive Candy: Candy Corn Pumpkins

Shaq A Licious XL Sour Gummies

I love gummies. I can easily eat a whole bag of Sour Patch Kids, Trader Joe's Sour Scandinavian Swimmers, or Swedish Fish, much to the chagrin of my gut bacteria. And recently I've found a new favorite sour gummy, peddled by none other than Shaquille O'Neil. They're called Shaq-a-Licious XL Gummies, and if that doesn't hook you, I don't know what will. It's a medley of green watermelon-shaped shamrocks, berry cacti, and pineapple-flavored diesel engines (at least, I think that's what they are)—all nods to Shaq's storied NBA career. They're the perfect gummy texture (not too chewy, nor too soft) and pack the perfect pucker-worthy sourness. I would say I'd give these out for Halloween, but I probably will just eat them myself, sorry kiddos. — Grace Kelly, commerce editor 

Nerds Candy

Nerds are an elite candy. I'll eat regular Nerds right from the box, but Nerds rope candy is the second-best iteration, in my opinion. The chewy rope is absolutely covered with the tiny, crunchy sugar balls. I'm literally munching on one as I type this. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, associate editorial director

Tony's Chocolonely Assorted Milk Chocolate Pieces

I love variety and this bag of Tony's Chocolonely assorted milk chocolate pieces offers six fun flavors, including pretzel toffee (my favorite), honey almond nougat, caramel sea salt, and others. I always have a bag of these in my pantry but it's an extra joy to give them away on Halloween. — An Uong, commerce writer

Sunmaid Vanilla Yogurt Covered Raisins

Am I going to be the "bad house" on my block this Halloween? Guess so. More for me! — Rochelle Bilow, commerce editor

Katjes Salzige Heringe

I don't have a big sweet tooth, but cover a piece of candy in a mind-bending amount of salt, and I'm in. The real allure of these candies is that nobody in my house steals them from me. — Rochelle

Oliver’s Sponge Candy

Oliver's is the candy store in my hometown. If you know anything about Western New York, you know it's home to sponge candy, which is kind of like an airier honeycomb covered in chocolate. This version from Oliver's is wonderful. Growing up, the trick-or-treating house to hit belonged to the owners of Oliver's because they gave out their full-size chocolate bars. If you're ever near Buffalo, NY, I highly recommend stopping by the shop. — Riddley

Theo Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

I love just about every brand of peanut butter cup I've ever tried, including the old standby, Reeses, but Theo's dark chocolate peanut butter cups are my absolute favorite. As you'd expect from a chocolatier, the actual chocolate is excellent quality, but these also have a really good peanut butter filling that's creamy, not overly sweet, and has just the right amount of salt. — Megan O. Steintrager, associate editorial director 

E. Frutti Gummi Candy Pizza

These tiny little gummy pizzas instantly bring me back to being a kid, leaving the library with my little sister, and stopping at the corner store across the street before walking home for lunch during the summer. They are so cute and so nostalgic! Plus, who doesn't love food shaped like other food?  — Amanda Suarez, associate visuals director

Candy Corn Pumpkins

Go ahead. Hate all you want, but SOMEONE has to love this timeless right-of-passage Halloween candy! (I know our executive editorial director, Tess, agrees with me!) I actually prefer the candy pumpkins over the candy corn because I love how there's more surface area for my teeth to sink into. They're slightly waxy and I love them. So go ahead and hate all you want, that just leaves more for me. — Leah Colins, senior culinary editor

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An’s favorite holiday is Halloween and every year she hoards her favorite Tony’s Chocolonely minis.
  

Any time a cooking show comes on, you can bet that our eyes are screening for Serious Eats tested favorites among the kitchen equipment, be it the most powerful blender or the best stainless steel skillets. That’s why we were simply giddy to spot so many of our tried-and-true top picks in this season’s opener of The Great British Baking Show (otherwise known as The Great British Bake Off in the UK). The talented bakers have already presented intricate bakes like delicate Battenbergs and Viennese whirls and we’re only two episodes into the season. They whip up all of this baking magic with the help of great kitchen tools, including the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer, Thermapen ONE, Microplane zester, and more.

Serious Eats Tested Favorites Seen on The Great British Baking Show:

• The Best Stand Mixer for Home Bakers: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
• The Best Food Processor: Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor
• The Best Instant-Read Thermometer: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
• A Super Sharp Zester: Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester/Grater
• A Great Adjustable Rolling Pin: GIR Rolling Pin
• An Efficient Bench Scraper: OXO Bench Scraper
• The Best Manual Citrus Juicer: Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer
• The Best Immersion Blender: All-Clad Stainless Steel Immersion Blender

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-quart stand mixer has been a constant on The Great Baking Show since the very beginning. Through every season, this stand mixer has helped bakers turn out dough, batter, frosting, and much more. It’s  one of our top recommendations for stand mixers thanks to its strong motor and tilt-head design. It’s also on sale for $80 off.

Magimix 14-Cup Food Processor

We spotted our favorite Magimix food processor on every baking island when bakers had to make marzipan for their Battenberg cakes. We’ve recommended it for about seven years thanks to its efficiency with slicing potatoes, grating cheese, and kneading dough. 

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

A favorite instant-read thermometer of ours for years, the Thermapen ONE is a friend to bakers. It’s accurate, and thankfully, for Baking Show contestants, it’s speedy. While Britain’s Thermapen differs from ours, the ThermoWorks model delivers lightning fast readings and we love that it has an adjustable folding probe to make temping from any angle possible. 

Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester/Grater

With the amount of citrus that shows up in Baking Show bakes, it’s not surprising to catch a Microplane zester being held over a cake batter or frosting. Zesters make quick work of adding brightness to bakes, and the Microplane does it best with its sharp blade and comfortable handle.

GIR Rolling Pin

For the precision needed in some of the technical challenges, an adjustable rolling pin is essential. We spotted quite a few inside the tent, and while we didn’t catch the brand, we recommend grabbing a GIR adjustable rolling pin if you want more accuracy in your own baking. The silicone rings slide on easily to ensure consistent thickness no matter what you’re rolling out.

OXO Bench Scraper

For cleaning, scraping, dividing, and shaping, a bench scraper is an essential baking tool that serves so many purposes. The bench scrapers we saw on this season of The Great British Baking Show looked a lot like our favorite OXO Bench Scraper, which has a comfortable handle and a stainless steel blade that easily slides under doughs and scrapes up sticky messes. 

Chef'n FreshForce Citrus Juicer

We saw contestants using a manual citrus juicer in quite a few bakes in the first episode of the season, and could help but think of our favorite Chef’n FreshForce citrus juicer, which juices lemons and limes quickly while also extracting fragrant oils from their skin.

All-Clad Stainless Steel Immersion Blender

An immersion blender is useful for so much in the kitchen, from blending soups to emulsifying sauces. We weren’t surprised to see one on the show this season, though it was a Braun immersion blender, which we tested but didn’t select as a top pick. Instead, we’d recommend the All-Clad immersion blender which is powerful and easy to use. Plus, it’s $50 off.

FAQs

Where can I find the best baking equipment?

Here’s our guide on the essential baking tools you should have at home, according to a chef.

How do I get started with baking?

We have a roundup of the best baking cookbooks that cover delicate pastries to hearty loaves of bread.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a Commerce Writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An has developed recipes for Bon Appetit, Taste Magazine, and other food publications.
• She bakes multiple times a week and hopes to one day open a little bakery.
  

As cast iron skillet aficionados, we knew we had to put Bobby Flay’s new cast iron skillet to the test when we heard he was launching one in collaboration with GreenPan. Part of GreenPan’s first-ever cast iron cookware line, the skillet comes in 10-inch and 12-inch sizes. Throughout weeks of everyday use, the skillet adequately maintained and distributed heat, and while it can’t top our favorite Lodge cast iron skillet, it’s a good budget option at $30 if you want a pan with sloped sides for easy stirring.

The Tests

• Heat Conduction Test: We set the 10-inch skillet on medium heat and used an infrared thermometer to take the temperature of the cooking surface (left, center, and right). We measured the temperature in 30-second increments for two minutes to see how quickly (and evenly) the pan heated up.
• Fried Egg Test: We cooked an over-easy fried egg on the skillet to see how easily the egg released from the pan.
• Tofu Steak Test: We seared a cut of tofu on the skillet and examined how well it browned.
• Cornbread Test: We baked cornbread in the skillet and noted how evenly it cooked.

What We Learned

It Fried, Seared, and Baked Without Trouble

With just a tad of neutral oil, the pan released eggs beautifully. We didn’t have to scrape any bits off after cooking and the eggs had a nice, crispy bottom. When it came to searing a cut of tofu, the pan gave the tofu a beautiful golden crust that came away easily from the cooking surface. When we added a bit of soy sauce to the tofu, it caramelized nicely and didn’t stick to the pan.

It Heats Up Quickly, But Not Evenly

When testing the pan to see how quickly it could heat up, we found that the center went from 80°F to 282°F within a minute and reached 453°F in two minutes. However, as we measured away from the center, we saw that it was on average over 50°F cooler towards the edges of the pan.

It Was Awkward to Maneuver

Undoubtedly, Bobby Flay’s cast iron skillet has a modern look. The clean lines are easy on the eyes, but hard on the hands. When it came to moving the skillet around the stovetop, the sharply angled handle, which is narrower than most, made it difficult to get a stable grip. Plus, at six pounds, it's quite a bit heavier than other pans we've tested. Thankfully, the helper handle made carrying it a bit easier.

The Verdict

Bobby Flay GreenPan 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Bobby Flay’s new cast iron skillet from GreenPan gets the job done. It releases fried eggs without a hitch and bakes golden brown cornbread. It performed well in all of our cooking and heating tests, but fell short when it came to comfortability and maneuverability. It’s a great budget option if you like sloped sides for easy stirring, but we still recommend our longtime favorite from Lodge, which is usually on sale for around $20 anyway.

Key Specs

• Weight: 6 pounds
• Diamater: 10 inches
• Pre-seasoned: Yes
• Helper handle: Yes
• Cleaning: Hand-wash, dry, and rub with high smoke point, neutral oil

FAQs

What is the best cast iron skillet?

We’ve recommended the Lodge cast iron skillet for years, through numerous rounds of testing.

Is cast iron cookware hard to maintain?

We have several guides on how to restore and maintain cast iron cookware so that it lasts you years.

What other cast iron cookware should I look into?

We have guides on our favorite cast iron grill pans, enameled cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens, braisers, and more.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An has been cooking with cast iron for years and continues to grow her cast iron cookware collection.