Author: Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

As someone who’s tested more than her share of stand mixers, I can tell you a lot of them are made with plastic parts. They’re simply not built to last—and some even shudder (literally) under the strain of a simple bread dough. 

Not KitchenAid stand mixers, though. Under their hoods, they have actual metal gears. They’re countertop machines that are meant to be used (and repaired, if needed) for many, many years. It’s no surprise then that when we tested 11 stand mixers, two out of three of our favorites were from KitchenAid. Right now, one of our top picks—the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer—is nearly $100 off for October Prime Day. 

Why It Won Our Review

We tested stand mixers by making whipped cream, pound cake, cookie dough, pizza dough, and more. The tilt-head stand mixer breezed through our tests, struggling a bit more with the super-sticky, stiff pizza dough, but still getting the job done. It also couldn’t be easier to use: It has an adjustable speed dial and a head that flips upward to allow you to add ingredients, scrape down the bowl, or remove the paddle or whisk. 

For most home bakers, the Artisan will be the perfect pick. It doesn’t take up too much counter space either and easily fits underneath overhead cabinets. Plus, for October Prime Day, several colors are on sale—so pick the one that best matches your kitchen. 

Good to Know

• Weight: 19.4 pounds
• Stated bowl capacity: 5 quarts
• Attachments: Paddle, dough hook, whisk, plus splash/pouring guard
• Warranty: 1-year limited

FAQs

What’s the best stand mixer? 

After testing nearly a dozen stand mixers, we named top picks from KitchenAid and Wolf Gourmet.

Can you clean a stand mixer’s attachments in the dishwasher? 

The KitchenAid’s paddle and dough hook attachments are dishwasher-safe, but the whisk must be hand-washed.

I’ve been using the Breville Barista Touch Impress for about four months and can say it is, unequivocally, the easiest espresso machine I’ve yet to try.

For starters, it has a large, bright touchscreen. Scroll through it and you’ll select the drink you want to make (espresso, latte, cappuccino, babycino, tea, etc.) and the screen walks you through it. The Touch Impress has a built-in grinder with 30 grind settings (it uses Baratza burrs, which is a first for Breville espresso machines) and an assisted tamping lever, both of which work together for the machine’s coffee dosing system. When your coffee puck’s at the right level, a green check mark shows up by the portafilter image on the espresso machine’s digital screen. To start the espresso shot, just tap the correlated icon on the screen—the Touch Impress even times your shots for you, letting you know if your shot is just right or too fast or slow and telling you how to adjust your grind setting accordingly.

When you’re ready to steam your milk, the included frothing pitcher has minimum and maximum lines etched onto the outside of it to make measuring easier. The Touch Impress also has different temperatures and settings for non-dairy milk, to better achieve microfoam even if you use almond or oat milk. The steam wand auto-purges after frothing, too, to prevent it from clogging up. (See? Easy!)

There are other handy usability features with this model, like a pop-up tab that tells you when it’s time to empty the water catcher and a removable tank for easy filling. Its one con is, of course, its cost. The Touch Impress is no small investment—however, it is $300 off for October Prime Day. That and the delicious coffee it produces help to lessen the blow of its price tag if you ask me. (She says, sipping a latte.) 

Good to Know

• Grind settings: 30
• Comes with: Stainless steel milk jug, 1- and 2-cup single and dual wall filter baskets, water filter holder with filter, water hardness strip, the Razor precision trimming tool, cleaning tablets, steam wand cleaning tool, cleaning disc, cleaning brush, descaling powder
• Warranty: 2-year limited 

FAQs

What are the best espresso machines? 

After testing 14 espresso machines, our favorite models include machines from Breville, Gaggia, and more. Breville espresso machines are extremely user-friendly, which makes them easy to recommend. 

Are there any coffee deals for October Prime Day? 

We rounded up our favorite coffee deals for October Prime Day here—which include coffee makers and grinders.

That adage about the way to someone’s heart being through food feels…conditional. What kind of food? Was it cooked well? Did they follow a recipe from a reputable website (like, ahem, Serious Eats) or go rogue, adding ingredients willy-nilly? 

See, conditional! But what is certain is that everyone appreciates excellent food—and pricey pantry ingredients are a surefire great gift. I’ll warn you, though, that the list below is very much a buy one for you, one for me, sort of deal. As in: These vetted ingredients are all so highly awesome that you’ll want them, too.

Tie a ribbon around the neck of this bottle and you’re done. A tablespoon or two of it is incredible in a latte (or a matcha latte or steamer). It tastes like real-deal vanilla, with none of the cloying sweetness you get from artificial flavoring.

Siesto Co. makes some of our favorite tinned fish. Everything is sustainably sourced, delicious, and best paired with good bread and marinated olives. The variety 5-pack will give you a little bit of everything, but gifting a 500-gram (over a pound!) tin of anchovies is really fun too. 

This ceremonial-grade matcha makes a great stocking stuffer. It’s also a good all-arounder and nice in both hot and iced preparations. For a fleshed-out gift, you can get it in a kit that includes a whisk, too.

I’ve heard numerous Serious Eats staffers proclaim their love for Burlap and Barrel. And with good reason: The single-origin spices are uber-fresh and truly fantastic. For a gift, the Fundamentals Set comes with six spices for under $55. It’s housed in a nice box, too—built-in gift wrap!

This has been one of my favorite coffees of late. For a real treat, the barrel-aged coffee is delightfully spicy and tastes like rum. 

Aesthetics! Taste! This olive oil has it all! The set comes with robust and smooth olive oils. For easier pouring, add in this equally eye-pleasing gold spout.

This is one of my favorite olive oils and for a gift that keeps on giving for literal months, you can buy this 3-liter box. It has a spout so you can easily decant the olive oil into a dispenser.

Nothing quite says “I’m treating you” like five-and-a-half pounds of pasta. Gustiamo sells several behemoth bags in different shapes, including bucatini. Print out this recipe for spicy tomato sauce and you’re good to go in gift land.

I try to go booze-free during the week and having alcohol-less, pre-mixed drinks like this on hand helps me do so. Coincidently, they’re pricey enough that they make for a great gift. There are a number of flavors available, but I like the No. 1, which is inspired by a Negroni Sbagliato and has pomegranate and orange.

I’ve extolled my love for Ghia before, and it’s another great booze-free bottle. Maybe pair it with some nice stemless wine glasses, huh?

This is one special dessert, which I gifted to my dad once and he now asks me to re-order regularly. It has layers of pecans, caramel, and sugar dough. Every slice is enrobed in chocolate and has a chocolate Andre’s logo on top (stunnin').

These packets of spices are single-origin from Vietnam and can be rehydrated and used in place of fresh herbs. For example, the sliced Northern Mountain Garlic would be excellent in this fried rice.

Twelve months, 12 bottles of hot sauce, and everlasting, fiery joy: This is the ideal gift for the hot sauce lover in your life. With this subscription, you get three bottles every four months for a year. The first box even includes a “hot sauce log”—a journal for hot sauce tasting notes.

Freshly made tortillas are a gift in and of themselves. This set includes white, yellow, blue, and red heirloom masa. You can even pair the flours with one of our favorite tortilla presses (perhaps our top colorful option, also from Masienda?). 

There’s a huge difference between great honey and the supermarket stuff. A jar of lavender honey from France and some nice tea and your gift is done and done.

Instant coffee is an excellent gift for the friend who’s always running out of Joe and having to rush out in the early morning hours to buy a bag. It lasts a really long time, so it’s smart to have some packets on hand for an emergency stash of caffeine. And guess what: There’s some great instant coffee out there! Like one of our favorites from Verve Coffee Roasters, which is bright and balanced. 

Compartes always has fun flavors, like this donut chocolate bar or this one with brownies. This box of 20 ganache-filled truffles is no different. They have a real Art Deco vibe.

These frozen dough balls have been my savior as I’ve tested pizza ovens. They’re supremely easy to work with: just thaw them in the fridge overnight, proof at room temperature, and then stretch and top them. The dough is so supple and easy to work with. And for someone who makes pizza regularly (or has been wanting to), they’re a real time-saving treat.

A salami bouquet! Cute! You can choose between a three- or six-stem bouquet. It’s not just playful either: Olympia Provisions makes incredible salami, be it their chorizo or Cacciatore, which has spices like caraway, coriander, and red chili. 

The Cheesemonger’s Picks club comes with three to four cheeses and is available via 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscriptions, depending on how much you want to spend. The cheese arrives in pristine condition, with each one wrapped in Murray’s emblazoned paper.

Great vanilla extract is…expensive. Which also makes it an excellent gift. Heilala’s vanilla bean pasta has more vanilla bean seeds than most other brands, and they even have a vanilla extract packed with flecks of seeds!

My local wine shop sells these giandujotto chocolates by the piece near the checkout counter and I always grab a handful. They literally melt in your mouth and are so wonderfully hazelnutty. For any of my friends reading this, buy me a bag! (Please?!)

FAQs

What food gifts are best for beginner cooks? 

A beginner cook can surely use a good bottle of olive oil. We also have this gift guide dedicated to cooking gifts for beginners.

What are the best mail-order food gifts? 

Any of the above gifts can be ordered by mail, be it a one-off bottle of vanilla extract or a cheese subscription.

Why We're the Experts

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the senior commerce editor at Serious Eats.
• Riddley's reviewed kitchen equipment professionally for more than five years and previously worked at America's Test Kitchen and Food52.

When I started reviewing gear professionally more than five years ago, I thought: A career that combines my cooking experience, love of shopping, and enjoyment of repetitive tasks? Sign me up! It takes a special person to fry 50 eggs back-to-back to test a pan’s nonstick properties. And that’s me!

Over the past five years, I’ve tested hundreds and hundreds of kitchen items. And I’m now a notoriously picky person. This means even if something’s deeply discounted if it’s not good, I don’t want it (and you shouldn’t either).

In this spirit, I went through the early Prime Big Deal Days (also called October Prime Day) sales to find the discounted items I thought were worth the cash.

The Best Kitchen Towels: Zeppoli Classic Dish Towels

Kitchen towels may not be the most exciting purchase, but they’re undeniably useful. These ones are cheap (about $1 a pop) and have an extremely high absorption rate (141%!). Just make sure to clip the 20% off coupon.

The Easiest-to-Use Espresso Machine: Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine

As soon as we reviewed the Breville Barista Express Impress, I knew I had to have it. It streamlines the parts I found trickier about making espresso, including the grinding and tamping. I also love the green smiley face that illuminates when you reach the correct amount of grounds. (See? Easy!) Right now, it’s 20% off.

The Best Dish Rack: KitchenAid Stainless Steel Compact Dish Rack

There are so-so dish racks, and there are great ones. The great ones not only hold a ton of dishes without wobbling but look good doing it. (Stainless steel!) Right now this one from KitchenAid is 43% off.

The Best Sheet Pans: Nordic Ware Half-Sheet Pans

You may think you have enough half-sheet pans, but you don’t. In every test kitchen I’ve worked in, there are literal stacks upon stacks of them—and for good reason. They’re infinitely useful for roasting, baking, toasting, and food prep. The best ones are undoubtedly from Nordic Ware.

The Most Powerful Immersion Blender: Vitamix Immersion Blender

The most powerful immersion blender award goes to this model from Vitamix. It blitzes! It purees! It pulverizes! It also has a non-slip grip and multiple speeds, which you can toggle between using just your thumb.

The Best Sous Vide Machine with an On-Board Display: Anova Precision Cooker 

Sous vide is one of the easiest ways to avoid overcooking meat and seafood—and it’s really as simple as setting up a water bath with an immersion circulator. This one from Anova has an onboard display and is app-compatible, so you monitor it from afar or just forgo the smart stuff for fear of your WiFi connection cutting out and ruining dinner.

The Best Cast Iron Skillet: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

A cast iron skillet is one of my favorite things to give someone. It’s literally the gift that keeps on giving and only gets better with time. You can sear a steak, bake a pan of cornbread, and even shallow-fry in one. Our favorite cast iron skillet from Lodge is a steal, too, at just $25.

The Best Bread Knife: Tojiro Bread Knife

The most agile, sharpest bread knife is 13% off right now. It easily slices tomatoes, cuts through the crustiest and softest bread with ease, and can even peel butternut squash (that’s nimbleness for you!). 

The Best Vaccum Sealer: Anova Precision Vaccum Sealer Pro

For sous vide or food storage, a vacuum sealer is the kind of purchase you might not use all of the time, but you’ll be mighty grateful when you do need it. I own this model from Anova. It features built-in bag and cord storage, wet and dry settings, and no refractory period (that’s the time between sealings).

An Excellent Drip Coffee Maker: Breville Precision Brewer with Thermal Carafe

With a thermal carafe and tons of adjustable settings, this Breville brewer has been a Serious Eats staffer favorite for a long time. Plus, it's programmable, for those who like their coffee maker to wake up before them.

FAQs

When are Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days? 

According to Amazon, the sale will be on October 10 and 11, 2023.

There’s an upper echelon of our equipment reviews: The long-standing winners. That is the gear that has withstood years of constant evaluation, re-testing, and use in the Serious Eats test kitchen and our homes. 

The OXO food scale is one such product. It’s simply the best kitchen scale there is—and we say that after testing 13 of them. The OXO scale has remained our favorite for five years and counting. 

Its greatness starts with its display: Its backlight and numbers are high-contrast, which makes the measurements easy to read. The display also pulls out, so you can easily see it even when the biggest mixing bowl you own is on the platform. Regarding accuracy, it’s spot-on and measures in grams, pounds, ounces, and kilograms. It’s smart too and supremely intuitive. As we explained in our review, “It’ll remember what [unit] you previously used, which will save you from having to reset it constantly. What’s more, there are only two buttons now: the on/off button, which also is what you press to tare, and the unit conversion toggle.”

What’s more, the platform comes off for easy cleaning too (yes, scales need disinfecting, too). Like if you were to weigh raw chunks of meat right on it before grinding the beef for smash burgers—you’d just pop the stainless steel platform off and sanitize it in the sink.

Now, there are a number of ways a kitchen scale can make you a better cook or baker, which we won’t get into here. However, we will say this: If the kitchen scale you’re using isn’t accurate, doesn’t have various units, and isn’t exceptionally easy to use, you’re missing out on how great a scale can be. And if you don’t own a kitchen scale? Just buy the OXO already.

Good to Know

• Units: Ounces, grams, pounds, kilograms
• Maximum weight: 11 pounds
• Features: Pullout display, battery life indicator, max weight indicator, auto shut-off, tare/zero
• Price at time of publish: $56

FAQs

What is the weight limit on the OXO kitchen scale?

The OXO kitchen scale’s weight limit is 11 pounds. If an item is more than 11 pounds, it will read as an error. 

What’s the best kitchen scale out there? 

The best kitchen scale is, unequivocally, the OXO kitchen scale. You can read more about how we came to this conclusion (and the other kitchen scales we tested) here.

If you’re mourning the passing of this year’s Prime Day (still regretting that Vitamix blender you didn’t get, huh?) we’ve got good news. Amazon just announced the dates of its Prime Big Deal Days sale.

What are Prime Deal Days, you ask? Well, you can think of them as a second Prime Day: A chance to get seriously discounted deals on some great stuff—particularly, as is relevant to us, kitchen gear. It’s coming up soon, too, so mark your calendars for October 10 and 11. 

We think October’s a great time for a sale: You can buy things for yourself and get some early holiday shopping done. To that end, if you’re already ready to shop (same), we rounded up some of our favorite sales happening right now. You can find them, and answers to your burning Prime Big Deal Days questions, below.

The Best Steak Knives: Messermeister Avanta Fine Edge Steak Knife Set

Our favorite steak knives are beautifully constructed, incredibly sharp, and so well worth the price we’re surprised they don’t charge more for them. Right now, they’re $20 off (that’s a little over $12/a knife—not bad in the slightest).

The Best Budget-Friendly Stainless-Steel Skillet: Tramontina Fry Pan

We tested 29 stainless-steel skillets and named just two favorite pans, which means our top picks are indeed incredibly good. One of them is this model from Tramontina, which features a strong performance, a comfortable handle, and an incredibly reasonable price point (even better now that it’s 36% off)

The Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Calphalon Performance Air Fry Convection Oven

Our favorite air fryer toaster oven (which even beat out the likes of Breville for a top spot), is handsome and high-performing. It produces crispy, crunchy food, and it air fry, toasts, bakes, roasts, broils, and then some. Right now, it’s nearly 20% off.

The Best Kitchen Towels: Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels

You can’t beat the price of our favorite kitchen towels, which are about $1 a towel at their current price (be sure to clip the 30% off coupon). They’re sturdy, thick enough to use as pot holders and have a stellar absorbency rate (141%!).

The Best Budget Waffle Maker: Krups 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker

Clip the coupon for $15 off our favorite budget-friendly Belgian waffle maker. We liked its performance and usability features in our tests. It produced waffles with deep divots and had locked handles for upright storage and removable, dishwasher-safe plates.

One of Our Favorite Woks: Mammafong Pre-Seasoned Blue Carbon Steel Flat-Bottom Pow Wok

One of our favorite woks is: 

1. Beautiful 
2. Heat responsive
3. Lightweight
4. Pre-seasoned  
5. Currently 15% off

Incredibly Useful Sheet Pans: Nordic Ware 1/8 Sheet Pan

We think it’s worth buying a literal stack of eighth sheet pans, and Nordic Ware makes the very best. For mise en place, seasoning meat, or just baking a single chocolate chip cookie, it’s an incredibly useful size to have on hand. It also easily fits in a toaster oven.

The Best Meat Grinder: KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment

Our favorite meat grinder fits onto the hub of a stand mixer and lets the machine do all of the hard-cranking work for you. There’s a whole lot else to like about it, including the fact its all-metal parts can be placed in the freezer for chilling and optimal meat grinding. (Note: A couple of our other favorite stand mixer attachments, including the pasta roller and cutter and shaved ice maker, are also on sale.)

The Best Stand Mixer for Casual Bakers: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Our favorite stand mixer will suit most bakers just fine—as long as you’re not kneading gobs of bagel dough regularly. It performed well in our tests and a number of its pretty hues are 16% off right now.

The Best Plastic Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance BPA Free Food Storage Containers

Our favorite plastic food storage containers are leak-proof, with latches that securely snap the lid closed and a rubber steal all the way around. Right now, a set of five of the medium size (3.2-cup) containers are on sale.

The Best Citrus Juicer: Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer

If you want to squeeze the daylights out of citrus, this is the press for you. It has a dual-hinged press and star-shaped perforations that direct juice downwards—keeping it off of the counter and (worse!) preventing it from spraying upwards into your eyes.

FAQs

When is Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days? 

According to a press release from the company, Prime Big Deal Days will be happening on October 10th and 11th, 2023. 

What are Amazon Prime Big Deal Days? 

During this two-day sale event, Amazon will be offering discounts on a wide, wide range of products (everything from home to beauty to food). If it’s like Prime Day, there will be deals that last the entirety of the two-day event and Lightning Deals that are offered for a limited time. 

Do I need to be an Amazon Prime member to shop Prime Big Deal Days? 

Yes, to shop Prime Big Deal Days you must be an Amazon Prime member. If you're not already a Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial. (Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.)

What’s on sale for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days? 

While we don’t know what’s on sale yet, Prime Day included a lot of kitchen-related sales, including discounts on air fryer toaster ovens, blenders, coffee gear, and more.

A sad moment in my professional career was when I broke my KitchenAid stand mixer testing one of the brand’s attachments. (For those who are curious, it was the pasta press—you can read more about what happened below.) Of course, my stand mixer was about 20 years old and so far out of warranty it was a definitive “no” when I called the company to ask about a replacement. 

This anecdote serves two purposes: 

1. While KitchenAid stand mixers are undeniably expensive, they’re the kind of countertop centerpiece that lasts for a really, truly long time.
2. Despite being made for their stand mixers, not all KitchenAid attachments are worth their salt.

Throughout this site's many years of reviewing gear, we’ve tested KitchenAid attachments alongside standalone versions of whatever they are (for example, meat grinders and ice cream makers). While these attachments are usually more compact than buying XYZ standalone gadgets, that doesn’t mean all that much if they don’t work well. Below, you’ll find our three favorite KitchenAid attachments, as well as ones we don’t recommend buying.

The Best KitchenAid Attachments, at a Glance

• The Best Meat Grinder: KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder Attachment
• The Best Pasta Maker: KitchenAid Stand Mixer Attachment Pasta Roller & Cutter
• The Best Shaved Ice Maker: KitchenAid Stand Mixer Shave Ice Attachment

The Best KitchenAid Attachments

What we liked: For making burgers, meatballs, and sausage, a meat grinder is helpful to have on hand. After all, freshly ground meat offers vastly better flavor and texture than the (when was it ground?) pre-ground stuff. When we tested eight meat grinders, we used each to grind beef chuck, pork butt, and mirepoix. The KitchenAid grinder proved particularly advantageous here (especially compared to hand-cranked models), as the stand mixer’s power did all of the hard processing work. 

As we said in our review, this KitchenAid attachment produced “textbook ground beef and pork” in our tests. We also appreciated its large tray, which held a substantial amount of meat. Its all-metal construction meant it could be pre-chilled, too (we recommend both chilling the meat and grinder pre-grinding, as this will yield the best texture).

What we didn’t like: Once affixed to the stand mixer, the whole setup is really tall since the meat grinder juts upward. We found this height meant sausage-making was more difficult too, explaining that “the elevated height makes it difficult to manage feeding uncased sausage into the hopper with one hand while controlling the casing process at the other end.” For those curious about the plastic version of this attachment, we much preferred the all-metal option for its studier parts and the aforementioned ability to be pre-chilled.

Also great: If you’re looking for a standalone, electric meat grinder, this model from Weston excelled in our tests.

Key Specs

• Materials: Steel
• Comes with: Removable food tray, fine grinding plate, medium grinding plate, coarse grinding plate, cleaning brush, food pusher, sausage stuffer tubes, sausage stuffer plate
• Compatible with: All KitchenAid stand mixers
• Price at time of publish: $100

What we liked: This attachment is a longtime Serious Eats test kitchen favorite (I’ve owned mine for the past five years and have been immensely happy with it). The roller’s eight settings are easy to toggle between and thanks to the stand mixer doing all of the cranking work for you, you can feed the pasta sheet in with one hand and catch it with the other. The set comes with two cutters: one “spaghetti” and one “fettuccine”—though the spaghetti isn’t tubular and more like thinner fettuccine. All three pieces are easy to affix to and swap out of the stand mixer’s hub and the stainless construction is simple to clean, mostly requiring you to just dust off excess flour.

What we didn’t like: Well, it’s expensive. You could argue the KitchenAid meat grinder is well-priced in its respective category, but the pasta roller and cutter are a splurge.

Also great: For a manual, hand-cranked pasta maker, you can’t do better than the Marcato Atlas 150, which is less than $100.

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Comes with: One roller, two cutters
• Compatible with: All KitchenAid stand mixers
• Price at time of publish: $199

What we liked: For Halo Halo, cocktails, or a bed of ice for shucked oysters to rest on, the best way to describe shaved ice is FUN. It’s plushy! It’s pillowy! It’s definitely not a snow cone! To find the best shaved ice makers, we tested eight of them. The KitchenAid attachment includes four cylindrical molds, which you can freeze most any liquid in and then pop into the hopper and shave. We preferred the shaved ice from the fine blade for eating and the coarse blade for things like cocktails and drinks (it even makes a standard ol' soda better).

What we didn’t like: The attachment only comes with four molds, so a shaved ice party won’t be happening unless you purchase more.

Also great: For a standalone shaved ice maker, we were happy with the results of the Hawaiian HomePro S777 Shaved Ice and Snow Cone Maker.

Key Specs

• Materials: Plastic
• Comes with: Ice shaver, 4 ice mold cups with lids, two blades
• Compatible with: All KitchenAid stand mixers
• Price at time of publish: $95

KitchenAid Attachments We Don’t Recommend

• KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment: The square paddle on this model resulted in a whole host of issues, including ice cream that was both over-churned and under-churned (the paddle pushed the ice cream around the bowl instead of folding it).
• KitchenAid Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment: Following the manufacturers’ instructions for operating this attachment at max speed while extruding pasta quite literally caused my stand mixer to short circuit. It was also finicky to use, requiring the dough texture to be just right to extrude properly. The numerous parts were frustrating to clean, too.
• KitchenAid Spiralizer: I bought this attachment, used it once, and then put it in my cabinet for it to languish for eternity (dramatic!). It worked all right, but not as well as manual models that cost far, far less.

FAQs

How do you put a KitchenAid attachment onto a stand mixer?

To use a KitchenAid attachment, flip up the hub’s cover, loosen the black knob/screw, then insert the attachment into the stand mixer’s hub and tighten the screw. To turn the attachment on, use the stand mixer’s controls.

Are KitchenAid stand mixer attachments dishwasher-safe?

This depends on the attachment. For example, our favorite KitchenAid meat grinder attachment features some dishwasher-safe parts (like the food pusher) and others that must be hand-washed (such as the grinding plates). We always suggest double-checking the manufacturer’s care instructions.

Do KitchenAid stand mixer attachments fit all models?

The KitchenAid stand mixer attachments that affix to the hub of the stand mixer are compatible with all models. The ice cream maker, however, only fits some tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers. You can read more about that here.

Why We're the Experts

• We independently tested the KitchenAid attachments against popular versions of their standalone counterparts. You can read more about how we tested each product in our reviews of meat grinders, pasta makers, shaved ice machines, and ice cream makers.
• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the senior commerce editor for Serious Eats. She's worked for the site for the past two years and has been testing gear professionally for the past five, having come from America's Test Kitchen. For both work and personal enjoyment, she's used many, many KitchenAid attachments and has written Serious Eats' review on KitchenAid stand mixers.
• We will continue to test KitchenAid attachments, both as part of our reviews and separately. We will update this story with our findings.

Whisky should not be swirled, nor taken as a shot. It can also be written as whisky, whiskey, or whisk(e)y—depending on whether it’s Scottish, Irish, American, or Japanese. 

However, regardless of the lack of an “e,” added “e,” or “(e),” the fact of the matter is there’s a wide wide world of whisk(e)y out there. Boundless, really (in Scotland, alone, there are 11 million barrels of Scotch—that’s more than double the population of the entire country). This makes not only knowing which whisky to buy, but how best to enjoy it—particularly if you spend money on the single-malt stuff—rather nebulous. 

To learn more about tasting whisky, selecting whisky, and even the glassware you should get, we talked to Ewan Morgan, brand ambassador and head of whisky outreach (and former master of whisky) for Diageo. 

How to Taste Whisky

To taste whisky, first, grab a Glencairn glass. This type of glass features a bulb and a fluted upper portion, which serves to concentrate the whisky’s aroma up toward the nose. After pouring whiskey into the glass, tilt the glass slightly, so that the whisky’s depth is in the bulb. Then, rotate the glass three or four times before turning the glass upright to observe the liquid’s viscosity (a light source is particularly helpful for this). “If it's fast, then you'll get what we call alcohol flash or bloom because it's typically a higher strength,” Ewan says. (Hinting that it’s about 80 proof.) You should also observe the color. A lighter, golden hue indicates the whisky comes from an American cast, while darker notes signal European influence. 

Now, it’s time to smell. If the glass “is a clock face, you start your nose just above the 12 position,” Ewan says. “Then, keep your mouth open and then move down to the six.” Don’t shove your nose in the glass, though: this is how you go “nose blind,” making it challenging to discern smells. (If you do find yourself with nose blindness, Ewan recommends smelling the crook of your arm—as long as it’s cologne/perfume-free—which resets your senses.) Instead, you want your nose to go on a journey—what Ewan calls a “nasal amuse bouche” of what you’re going to taste. Whisky has lighter notes that get carried up by the alcohol vapor (what you’ll smell at the 12 o’clock position) and heavier notes that you’ll be able to detect as you move your nose downwards.

After viscosity, color, and smell, you’ll embark on retronasal olfaction. Or, more colloquially, actually tasting the whisky. To do this, take a small sip and hold the alcohol in the center of your tongue. Then, gently move your head from side to side. “I want you to wash the spirit on both sides of your cheeks because you've got receptors on both sides of your tongue,” Ewan says. Tilt your head forward and let the whisky flow in front of your teeth. Finally, slowly swallow, closing your mouth and breathing out of both nostrils for as long as possible. “This is the retronasal olfaction portion of it,” Ewan says. “We're circulating air in the back and it's going out of your nostrils and going over your olfactory bulb. And as it’s doing that it's pulsing signals and your cerebral cortex is saying this reminds me of this, that…it should be evocative like wine.”

How to Cheat—and Know What a Spirit Is Made From

While this trick isn’t essential, it’s pretty dang fun. To know what a spirit is made from, pour a drop into your palm (truly!). Then rub your hands and “keep rubbing them until you feel the heat, which means the alcohol has burned off,” Ewan says. Then, cup your hands and inhale. You’ll smell the whisky’s grain (for example, malted barley). 

Should You Dilute Whisky? 

The short answer: yes—especially if it’s cask strength. Dilution can not only make whisky easier to drink but also alter the flavor of it. “Within whisky, 0.1% makes up 100% of the flavor, but within that .1% you have all these things, they’re called congeners,” Ewan explains. “Congeners are the impurities in the spirit that make whisky whisky.” They can taste like smoke, vanilla, caramel, and so on. “Some of these are free-floating, and they just sit there in the liquid and you can smell them and you can taste them. And then there are others that are trapped in bonds called ethanol micelles,” Ewan says. Once you add dilution and take the whisky below 47% alcohol, these bonds are released, allowing you to smell and taste more. To dilute whisky, you can use a pipette, teaspoon, or even just a bottlecap to add a little water. If you don’t have a steady hand, a pipette might make things easier.

Whisky to Try

As far as what makes a “good” and a “bad” whisky, the answer is less concrete. “If you like it, then it’s a good whisky,” Ewan says. “It’s as simple as that.” And price doesn’t always map with quality: “There are some very, very good value whiskies out there that I drink also and people within the whisky industry see as industry-standard liquids that are a very affordable price point and haven’t really moved,” Ewan explains. “They’re almost like the Costco hotdog, where they won’t budge on price.” (This includes one of Ewan’s favorites, Johnny Walker Black Label.) In essence, changing the price of these bottles could make them inaccessible for long-time drinkers. 

However, if you’re looking for a range of single-malt scotch whisky—an entry-level tasting experience, if you will—Ewan has some suggestions. These five bottles are great ones to try, representing a solid gamut of flavors.

Ewan describes this as a “grassy light Speyside style with no smoke.” On the nose, it smells like orchard fruit (Granny Smith apple) towards the top and honey and toffee at the bottom.

A recreation of whisky that came out in 1992, this is a “quintessential Sherry bomb and Scotch nerds love to use that phrase,” Ewan says. It’s rich and slightly tannic. It has tasting notes of honey, apricot, and caramelized sugar. “It has almost a slightly savory, umami characteristic to it as well, especially underneath the tongue,” Ewan explains.

This maritime whisky (just a tiny bit of brine here) has a whisper of smoke to it. It has notes of ginger, biscuit, and cereal, as well as some wonderful citrus and oaky vanilla.

A new Distiller’s Edition comes out every year and is done batch by batch. “Basically what they do here is they take Talisker 10-year-old,” Ewan says, “and then re-cask it into these Amoroso casks” (a type of sherry cask) for about six months. This makes the color much deeper and transforms the spirit into something with a “sherry cloud,” softening the edges of the whisky. On the nose, it smells like sea air at the top and salted, candied nuts on the bottom (and “European fruit cake,” Ewan says). Tasting it, it has notes of dark chocolate, brine, pepper, and espresso. In fact, it makes for an excellent addition to hot chocolate.

“Probably one of the most iconic Islay single malts ever,” Ewan says. “It came out in 1988 and has been going strong ever since. I also describe Lagavulin as having a beach bonfire and throwing fruit cake on it.” Thus, you’ll smell floral, sweetness, smoke, and brine. On the palate, it may taste like soft smoke and black tea. “Everyone gets something different from it,” Ewan says. “And that for me is one of the most wonderful things about whisky—it's a different experience for everyone.”

FAQs

What else should you have on hand for tasting whisky? 

Ewan recommends having good, still, spring water from a bottle to dilute your whisky and sparkling water to help cleanse your palate. (If you want to be really extra, Vichy Catalan is wonderful.) And, of course, have something in your stomach. 

What’s the best glass for tasting whisky? 

You can’t go wrong with a Glencairn glass (or three). There are other whisky-nosing glasses out there that are great, too, like the long-stemmed glass from Wonders of Whisky and wide-based Tom Dixon glasses.

Serious Eats has historically been anti-knife blocks. They eat up countertop space. They have slots that are too small and don’t accommodate various knife types. And if you get a knife block set? Woof, you’ll probably buy a few blasé blades or ones you’ll never use. 

For all of these reasons, we typically recommend a magnetic knife strip. However, there are universal knife blocks out there: ones that, while still counter space hogs, can accommodate your own collection of knives and have (for the most part) open, magnetic sides that can handle blades of all sizes (from paring knives to cleavers).

We also acknowledge that, while we prefer knife strips, some home cooks might not have the option to screw one into their kitchen wall. Or perhaps they’re looking for additional storage because, you know, knives, the proverbial potato chip, you can’t have just one (or five), etc, etc.  

So, to find the best universal knife blocks, we tested nine models—priced from $25 to $350—and evaluated their magnetic strength, capacity, stability, and more. 

The Winners, at a Glance

With a heavy, flared base that keeps this knife block ultra-stable and the ability to rotate 360 degrees, this knife block also had one of the strongest magnets of the bunch. Its long sides accommodated a variety of sizes, and we didn’t find any significant magnetic dead zones (read: wherever you placed a knife, it stuck). 

For those with lower cabinets, this knife block’s nearly an inch shorter than the 360 Knife Block and also rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to easily access any knife. It lacks the flared base of our overall top pick, which means it can better accommodate longer blades, like a slicing knife. At over two-and-a-half pounds heavier, though, we did find it harder to maneuver. 

With two acrylic plates that sandwich an acacia knife block, this model fit a good amount of knives (11) and had a long, heavy stainless steel base that kept the whole thing sturdy. The acrylic panes kept your hands away from the blades, too, which made the whole thing feel safe to use.

The Tests

• Magnet Strength Test: We used a Gauss meter to measure the magnetic strength at various places on the knife block. 
• Max Capacity Test: We loaded each knife block with as many knives as it could fit (using the same order and knives from block to block) and evaluated how easy it was to add and remove the blades.
• Durability Tests: We put on and took off a chef’s knife from each block 25 times, seeing how easy it was to do so and if further use marked or scratched the block.
• Cleanup Test: We cleaned each knife block per the manufacturer’s instructions.

What We Learned

The Best Knife Blocks Had the Strongest Magnets

To test the intensity of each block’s magnetic field, we used a Gauss meter. We’ll admit: the Gauss meter was tricky to operate and readings jumped around a good bit depending on location. However, one thing was clear: overwhelmingly, the best universal knife blocks had the strongest magnetic fields. For example, our favorite, the 360 Knife Block, clocked in at 23.5 mT (Tesla), whereas a poor performer measured 7.55 mT. 

The magnetic field strength had a clear practical implication: the blocks with the strongest magnets kept knives in place even when the blocks spun around or were accidentally jostled or even just when we removed a knife, while the weaker magnets resulted in blades literally not adhering to the block—falling off, tilting, or knocking into one another. 

Lightweight Knife Blocks Were Problematic…and Dangerous 

Our favorite knife blocks were the heaviest, with the biggest (the 360 KB) clocking in at 16.61 pounds and the lightest-of-the-heaviest (the Schmidt Bros) weighing nearly seven pounds. Quite the range! However, the Schmidt Bros was heavy enough and had a long, sturdy metal base, so it didn’t even shudder when we removed a cleaver. Lightweight knife blocks (weighing about three-and-a-half to five-and-a-half pounds) shook and even tipped over when we removed even just a standard 8-inch chef’s knife. 

A Well-Made Knife Block? Shockingly Hard to Find

All we wanted, truly, was a universal knife block that: 

1. Fit a sizable amount of knives (at least 10)
2. Didn’t tip over when we added or removed knives
3. Had a strong all-over magnetic field (no magnetic dead zones where paring knives just lolled to the side)
4. Was actually easy to clean

But, surprise, surprise: these four points eliminated five of the models we tested, and some had designs that promised to be better! And different! But, well, weren’t.

For example, the Zone Denmark block had hundreds of plastic straws that, according to the product listing, allowed you to drop a knife “right in, anywhere you please.” In reality, these needles scratched at our blades and swallowed small paring knives.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Universal Knife Block

The best knife blocks have strong magnetic fields and hold a variety of knives of all lengths and widths (chef’s knives, paring knives, slicing knives, cleavers, etc). They’re ultra-stable, too: they don’t shift around when you add or remove blades. Plus, they should be easy enough to clean, requiring a quick swipe of a damp cloth. 

The Best Universal Knife Blocks

What we liked: With a design that rotates 360 degrees—allowing you to easily access any knife—and a super-heavy flared base, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more stable knife block. It had one of the strongest magnetic fields and knives felt secure wherever we put them.

What we didn’t like: The flared base means that longer blades, like a slicing knife, stick up a little more. They still fit, though. Of course, it’s expensive—but it’s also handmade and manufactured in America. 

Price at time of publish: $360.

Key Specs

• Materials: Bamboo (available in other materials)
• Dimensions: 11 x 7.25 inches
• Weight: 14 pounds
• Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry; replenish as needed with food-grade mineral oil

What we liked: Similar to our overall top pick but with slightly wider sides, no flared base, and a shorter stature, this stable block had the second strongest magnetic field of the lot. It seamlessly rotated 360 degrees, too, and better accommodated longer knives. For those with lower cabinets that want a rotating knife block, this is a great option.

What we didn’t like: This was the heaviest knife block we tested and was harder to maneuver. It’s also expensive.

Price at time of publish: $289.

Key Specs

• Materials: Bamboo (available in other materials)
• Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.15 inches
• Weight: 16.61 pounds
• Care instructions: Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry; replenish as needed with food-grade mineral oil

What we liked: With two acrylic panes that sandwich an acacia knife block, this model held 11 knives and did so well. It was stable, had a strong magnetic field (not as strong as the 360 models above, but close), and was a safe option. With the acrylic buffer, it never felt like a knife could be accidentally bumped and fall off the block. 

What we didn’t like: Because there’s a thin space between the panes and the block, you had to be precise about how you inserted knives. The block scratched a bit during our durability test and while you can unscrew and remove the panes to deep-clean things, this is tedious.

Price at time of publish: $125.

Key Specs

• Materials: Acacia, acrylic, stainless steel
• Dimensions: 9.25 x 3.5 x 13.5 inches
• Weight: 6.87 pounds
• Care instructions: Wipe down the exterior; remove acrylic panes to clean the block

The Competition 

• 360KB MAX: The knife block is tall and has slots on the top for additional storage. However, unless you have high (or no) overhead cabinets, it may well be too tall. If you’re buying it, we just suggest measuring your space first.
• KITCHENDAO XL Bamboo Universal Knife Block Holder: Allegedly universal, the plastic slots of this model did not fit a cleaver. It was also lightweight and far too unstable. 
• Home Kitchen Magnetic Knife Block Holder: Also unstable, we can’t recommend this model.
• Material Knife Stand: This was another tippy knife block. It shook, it shimmied, it scared us. 
• Kitchen Seven Knife Block Magnetic Knife Holder: When we tried to remove a cleaver, the whole knife block almost flipped over.
• Zone Denmark Modern Danish Knife Block: The plastic needles swallowed smaller knives and the block had a small capacity (it could only fit five knives).  
• Made In Knife Block: This knife block was unstable and half of one side was a magnetic dead zone: our chef’s knife fell off of it repeatedly.

FAQs

How do you clean a knife block? 

Most knife blocks only require you to wipe down their exteriors with a damp cloth. 

Are knife blocks sanitary? 

The knife blocks we recommend have open sides that can be wiped down, which makes them easy to clean (and keep sanitary).

Can you put a wooden knife block in the dishwasher? 

No, you shouldn’t put a wooden knife block (or anything wooden) in the dishwasher. This will cause it to warp and crack—no good.

It’s true: I literally own dozens of knives. Call it a hazard of my profession (as a gear tester), but when the opportunity to buy (or be gifted, to be totally honest) a beautiful blade presents itself, I have a hard time turning it down. 

You’d be absolutely shocked to know, then, that I have quite a few knife storage options as well. Magnetic knife strips, 360 Knife Blocks (gasp! I know—we’re anti-knife blocks, but these open-side knife blocks are a different breed, though they do still gobble up some countertop space) and cork-lined boxes. 

Today, we’ll focus on the latter: because while you might not have a suitable wall for a magnetic knife strip or the space for a knife block, you likely have a drawer to stash blades in. The box, from Knifedock, has long been a Serious Eats recommendation. As senior culinary director Daniel Gritzer describes it, “The cork protects the blade, and the dividers are thin enough to allow for maximum flexibility in terms of the number, size, and type of knives you pack into it.” 

The box can accommodate knives up to 12 inches in length, and I usually have a chef’s knife or two, a petty knife, and a couple of spare paring knives housed in it. For the non-knife collector, it’ll fit the essentials. And while I can’t speak for all kitchen drawers, the Knifedock’s slim, rectangular shape easily fits in every one in my kitchen. 

To buy: Knifedock cork-lined box, $35 at amazon.com

Key Specs

• Materials: Bamboo, cork composite
• Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Dimensions: 15 x 6 x 2.5 inches

FAQs

Can you store knives in a drawer? 

Yes, you can store knives in a drawer, but they should never be unprotected. Instead, opt for blade covers or a cork-lined box, like the one described above.