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Sure, maybe early man got away with a fire and a stick, but any budding kitchen sleuth, or even a good home cook trying to up their game, knows that the right equipment can make life on the hot line a whole lot easier. None of the selections here are necessary, per se, to cooking a fantastic meal, but they happen to be the gadgets that I reach for most often in my own kitchen, whether I’m cooking 24 batches of the best chili ever, recipe testing, or simply packing lunch for my wife.
You may notice that I have not included measuring spoons or cups on this list. That’s because when I need to be precise, for the most part, I use a scale and rely on weight measurements, which are far more accurate than volume, though I do keep a set of spoons and cups on hand for when I’m feeling lazy. If you want the official Serious Eats recommendations, here are our reviews for the best measuring spoons and measuring cups.
So here we go, in no particular order: Our top 10 pieces of kitchen gear.