Best Kitchen Tools Under $15 | Gear Heads

[@SusanBinks]

Hannah and Lisa are two of my favorite presenters. Hannah, I just want to thank you for taking that champagne stopper test for the team. Your sacrifices don't go unnoticed around here.

[@hannahcrowley2030]

You're welcome, Susan. I do what I can :)

[@nitaweitzel822]

My 2 favorite ATK people

[@davidhalldurham]

I love Lisa and Hannah together. Great chemistry and they're intelligent and make great suggestions.

[@hannahcrowley2030]

Thanks David! We've worked together for 10 years at this point and are friends as well as colleagues. We have a good time!!

[@YoSpiff]

I have a ball whisk that seems to be the one I reach for before the usual kind. I bought it a few years ago when either myself or my wife had run across mention of it, and it really is nice to use.

[@jrchef45502]

The tiny loop next to the blade of the veg peeler is also part of the tool. It’s sharpened and can dig out the eyes on a potato or even gouge out small rotten bits of vegetables. It makes a good impromptu channel knife in a pinch.

[@sabaof8]

I am never disappointed with ATK recommendations.

[@getoffmydarnlawn]

Sheet pans are my go-to house warming gift, especially for young people moving into their first homes. Half, quarter and eighth sheets, multiples of each -- it's almost like you can't have too many. The quarter sheets are great for food prep, not just oven use, and the eighth sheets are great for organizing --- my counter top bottles of oils, vinegars and soy sauces are on them.

[@therealnancycarol]

Great ideas! They are nice little trays and great for TV dinners, sheet pan dinners and so many other things. 🙃

[@jase_allen]

The quarter size are great for countertop ovens and toaster ovens. Plenty big enough for a sheet pan dinner for 1 or two, or for fresh baked cookies for desert without having to heat the whole house up.

[@hannahcrowley2030]

hard agree!!!

[@roscocsa]

A set of mixing bowls with the rubber grippy bottom too.

[@no_peace]

If you give things like this, make sure to write a note. I would probably donate them because I don't bake or use the oven that much. I wouldn't get why they're useful

[@mddell58]

There it is. THAT is exactly what I NEED! Not want.... NEED. I'm purchasing that paring knife! I've needed a good, sharp paring knife for about a year. Yep. I'm getting that veggie peeler, too. Thanks, y'all! Have a beautiful weekend.

[@josephgaviota]

I always enjoy hearing what Lisa has to say.

[@rebeccanater]

i use my milk frother as a mini whisk. its skinnier with a longer handle to get into taller jars

[@tthomas501]

I've had the same vegetables peeler for over 30 years 😂 It is the best gadgets ever and it's still as sharp as day one!

[@denisenilsson1366]

These also make great gifts for birthdays, holidays, weddings, etc! And if your budget is somewhere in region of negative numbers. . . AWESOMENESS!

[@purplegill10]

I cannot recommend that paring knife enough. I just wanted a cheap one to cut through some packaging and do small stuff but it's now one of my go-to kitchen tools for so many things.

[@barcham]

I mix my marinades and vinaigrettes in jars as well, but I simply put the lid back on and give it a good shake. It will mix things up better than any whisk will ever do.

[@daala6698]

and she was using the Bonne Maman Jam/preserves jar. They are my drinking glasses, mixing and storing jars.

[@cristrivera]

@@daala6698 me too😁 I use them for storing salt, sugar, lard, pennies and many more things.

[@courtneyboyle3467]

I love gear heads! You are both so much fun! Sometimes I nod my head and sometimes I add to the cart😂

[@jtsholtod.79]

Another neat feature of the Kuhn Rikon peeler: the built-in potato eye remover. Also good for blemishes in other fruits and vegetables. Seems simple, and there are other ways to do it, but having it right on the peeler is handy.

[@anyaheinimann2018]

YES!!!!!!! I was peeling potatoes at my in-laws with their dull as all get out peelers and knives and missed it sooooo much! I grew up with nothing but the Kuhn Rikon peeler and didn’t know they made vegetable peelers without the eye remover until I began cooking at other people’s houses

[@deborahadeen7582]

Mine always rusts

[@LondonEE16]

@@deborahadeen7582 It's carbon steel so that is it's natural color.

[@sallycapotosto6927]

I use my quarter sheet pan and mini whisk all the time! They both are just so versatile - you will constantly be finding new ways to use each.

[@anyaheinimann2018]

I can attest to the peeler’s blade’s durability as I used my grandma’s probably almost 10yr old one for an additional 6yrs after she passed away. It still worked pretty well so I passed it down to a family member starting out on their own and treated myself to a new one for my birthday 😁💕

[@hannahcrowley2030]

Sounds like a great gift, happy birthday!!!!

[@noracharles80]

Use the veg peeler and I love it. Works wonderfully for asparagus. Never thought about using it for chocolate. Thanks ATK.

[@spfisterer3651]

The victorinox pairing knife looked familiar so I went into my kitchen.... Yep, got one. And I love it.

[@EmyliMotivation]

Great creative ideas. Love your channel. You are great. Love you.❤❤🥰

[@davestelling]

Appreciate your putting these quick links to Amazon so it's easy just to pop over there and pick up something new for the kitchen. If Lisa recommends it, then it's good...

[@susanhartnett7062]

My bench scraper is an every day tool in my kitchen. I use it to deposit chopped veg or whatever into my cooking vessels, but it's a VIP for cleanup. All my waste cut offs and stuck on schmoo that ends up on the countertops or cutting boards just scrape right up and into the trash. Can't believe I even tried to cook or clean without one of these in the past.

[@donnaokoniewski3761]

I have two of those paring knives. Use them on the daily. Absolutely Love, Love, Love!!

[@wayne00k]

Speaking of small sheet pans and toaster ovens - these are my favorites for summer cooking. We have been in a long heat wave (again) and still enjoy baked and roasted foods simply by moving the oven to a table on the patio. Helps to keep the old house cool and bellies full :)

[@andersonomo597]

I *LOVE* my Breville toaster oven and use it far more than my big oven - heats up quicker, more economical, doesn't heat up the kitchen BUT my next favourite toy is a little pizza oven - it's round, has elements top and bottom, built in pizza stone, has a little window to see when it's done. We make pizzas with flat bread and they're done in 5-7 minutes and you can use it for frozen pizzas and regular dough pizzas. It heats up in minutes, keeps the kitchen cool, cost was equal to 3 decent pizzeria pizzas, so it's paid for itself very quickly. Highly recommend one if your family likes pizza.

[@daala6698]

She wasnt clear but the 1/8 sheet is the size for a toaster oven.

[@wayne00k]

@@andersonomo597 I actually use my Hamelton Beach toaster oven for pizza both thin crust and deep dish (both recipes from ATK). The oven holds my Lodge 10 " cast iron skillet and I cook the thin crust directly on a pizza stone on the bottom rack. The stone will also help keep the oven temperature stable when cooking casseroles and baking bread in a cloche as well as cakes. ** My gas oven is used more storage now than anything else :)

[@wayne00k]

When using mini whisks in small narrow containers - try spinning back and forth quickly between your palms like a scout starting a campfire with a stick. This will mix and emulsify ingredients quickly and can even whip small batches of cream.

[@daala6698]

I do that. It's a good trechnique. Still, in mugs that fit eithersize the regular beats out the small, even though the small has more loops.

[@marilynturcotte5304]

Hannah, you are so funny!! Love the champagne one.

[@lattetown]

Lisa makes me smile! I totally have all those! I use my scraper/smasher all the time! I also liked Hannah's seafood shears, and her 🍾 saver tasting made me laugh.

[@thirteenthhour370]

Those jar spatulas are actually my go to spatula when using my kitchen aid stand mixer, especially for making cakes. The head is narrow enough to fit into the gaps in the paddle really easily when I need to scrape it down, and the long handle keeps my hands clean.

[@SKG-d2t]

One of my favorites is a serrated peeler (oxo) I don’t find it wasteful. Sometimes you want a thicker slice, think cheese or citrus zest for marmalade.

[@rosechagnon1173]

I have most of these recommended gadget and verify they are great.

[@anareich]

Thank you thank you thank you- from the bottom of my heart- this is the video of my dreams at last!!

[@crabcrabhathat]

the recipes and personalities are great on this channel but group testing for kitchen gadgets and tools are so very appreciated, i have been on the lookout for a good bench scraper for a while, thanks for the recommendations!

[@ninamoler1880]

Messermeister silicone bowl scraper, $10.95 on Amazon. I bought it after my kitchen sink clogged beyond my skills with a plunger, and I had to call my plumber. I think my nemesis was DOUGH. I bought this lovely curved scraper (silicon over steel, like your jar spatulas) and now scrape every bit of dough from my bowls before washing. I haven’t had it long but love it so far. It’s shaped like a half-teardrop so it conforms to many bowls and flat surfaces. Love your videos!

[@therealnancycarol]

Excellent video, so informative, clear and easy to understand. Thanks! 💕💕💕

[@jtamsmom5]

Love this, I'm always looking for kitchen gadgets for my grandchildren for Christmas or birthdays. Thanks for the great info.

[@deniseaber9985]

Love these two!!!

[@deanmar9002]

Yes to the Kuhn Rikon peeler. It's everything Lisa says it is. And I bought a 4-pack of the Nordic Ware quarter sheets pans at Costco many years ago. They sell them every fall/holiday season for about $20.00. All of my different size sheet pans are Nordic Ware. It's an excellent company. Their basic bundt pan is the best, too; deep crevices, cake removes easily, and their bundt pans come in so many designs. Nordic Ware is a great American company.

[@candismith4080]

Agree with everything you said. I also bought my Nordic Ware at Costco, can't say enough about the great quality and reasonably priced sheet pans.

[@janetking1316]

I used my quarter sheet pan as my scrap bowl. I set it on the lid of my step can at the end of my kitchen cart where I prep. Dump when finished, it's a one and done. Also good to store meats in fridge. Catches drips through the plastic wrapping.

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

These two presenters are the stars of America's Test Kitchen. They need their own channel.

[@susanst.82]

Especially, as Lisa states in the video, she is a home chef, not a trained one. I like that. There are enough culinary schooled chefs on ATK, but a knowledgeable home chef is a facet to compliment the culinary schooled ones. Kinda of bookending the two elements towards the middle, those of us watching.

[@DSmith-gs4tr]

I'm a gadget junkie and I love these. I have a similar pairing knife to the one shown here, which is one powerful little knife. I use it for all sorts of fruits and vegetables. I've had it for years and it's just as reliable as the day I received it.

[@renees766]

My fav kitchen item was the paring knife. I've been looking for a good one n I know you guys do a lot of testing!

[@benlearnsgraciecombatives]

You know what's awesome in a kitchen but almost never talked about? Kitchen tweezers. They're like $9 and I reach for them way more than I reach for tongs. They're just so versatile and precise.

[@thepedanticcreature680]

Ah, yes. I saw Alex's video on those and got the exact same ones that he had since they seemed so well-designed. A lot of the time, the tweezers are a grip strength exercise but the Pentole Agnelli tweezers are just such a delight.

[@quinn3334]

+1 to this theyre so much more useful than tongs for so many things

[@GatorAidMedical]

My kitchen is starting to look like an ATK advertisement - boos blocks, vitamix, kitchenaid, victorinox knives, I'm going crazy

[@jacobprince6602]

And everything OXO 🤣 I love my victorinox knives a little too much tho.

[@BigBluesMom]

And now I buy the gadgets for my friends so I have decent gadgets when I cook at their homes! 😂

[@LemanoftheRussVI]

@@BigBluesMom hahaha

[@asadb1990]

yeah i have slowly bought stuff as it came across my local stores. often online stuff in canada costs a fortune.

[@djstout]

Ditto.

[@tarjei99]

For speed peeling carrots I go with the 'Jonas' peeler from Sweden. For potatos my choice is the 'Peik' potato peeler from my home country Norway. Incidentally, the Peik design will be 100 years in 2027. These used to be standard issue in Norwegian homes. They are known as 'the carrot peeler' and 'the potato peeler'. Hardly anybody knows the product names. Both of these have an element of knife work in the way they are used.

[@ralphbalfoort2909]

When I took a job out of state and had to do all my own cooking, I went to the local discount store, I bought standard swivel peelers, the kind your push, not pull. After throwing out four that failed for whatever reason, I found one that worked. 15+ years later I'm still using that same peeler. Four throwaways plus one that works at $1 each means I spent only $5 for a good peeler.

[@anthonyw5261]

Extremely practical observations 👏👏👏👏😁

[@cloudyview]

Huge proponent of the Victorinox knives. I love the pairing, but also the 5" and 8" chef knives.

[@VintageFLA]

Boning knife is great too.

[@ladycafall]

Thank you! Great gadgets for a great price! Sold!

[@cozycoffee3831]

I LOVE these shows!!! Can't get enough, keep up the great work!!!

[@hhdunlap]

I got a Kuhn Rikon original Swiss peeler once and hated it. It was hard to hold. The 90 degree edges on the handle hurt my hands after peeling many vegetables. Add to that, the blade rusted after its first use. It went right into the trash. My preferred peeler is GoodCook available at Safeway supermarkets. The 4-1/2”long black plastic handle feels slightly rubbery, soft and ergonometric. It feels good in the hand. The handle is big enough to give you leverage through difficult jobs. I can use it for hours without hurting my hand.

[@movingforwarddespiteeverything]

My favorite wine is Moscato d’asti and I’m also a lightweight, so my wine always goes flat before I finish it. No surprise, then, that my choice is the champagne savor. i’ll have to give that a shot!

[@jperez8194]

I love these two ❤️😂

[@noracharles80]

Lisa is great

[@daala6698]

@@noracharles80 I have been a Lisa-fan for-evah.

[@noracharles80]

@@daala6698 me, too! No complaints. Perfect.

[@jtsholtod.79]

One of my favorites not listed here is the StarPack Spoonula. It's only $9 for the basic model or $11 for the premium high-heat version. It's stiff for mixing, has a nice shape for ladling, but with soft edges that are perfect for scraping down the sides of pots, pans and bowls. It's nonstick silicone that won't damage finishes and goes in the dishwasher. We use it more than anything else in my kitchen.

[@terrihandal6610]

I have the star pack cleaning brushes, and starpack reusable fruit bags. Love all their stuff!

[@ks7343]

HOme cooks! Hooray! I knew that's why I like you both so much! Great tools! I use that paring knife more than any other knife! And I love the quarter sheet pans!

[@auapplemac1976]

The mini whisk: I hold it straight up and down and roll the handle between both hands - if you get the picture. It's great for scrambled eggs and other things you need to combine and emulsify. Gets the eggs frothy. Almost like a mini hand mixer.

[@sxd-215]

Those who have watched the original Karate Kid knows ;) haha

[@benjaminshepard]

@@sxd-215 Or Castaway. 🙂

[@TheHrb1234]

I must admit I love a ceramic blade on a peeler.

[@LindaKuwahara]

That bench scraper is awesome!! One chef called it her third hand in the kitchen, and I will tell ya, it has become mine too.

[@mmlo9927]

Thank you…love it! Champagne saver A MUST!!!

[@LaurelthenPark]

The sheet pans are absolutely fantastic…they are always in use at my house. I’m getting the whisk and the spatulas. I’ve been dying to find those spatulas.

[@VintageFLA]

Aldi has good ones on occasion.

[@noracharles80]

Lisa, I just used my new peeler on 10 pounds of carrots for freeze drying. Amazing! What a difference. Thank you. Great review.

[@msr1116]

Good Cook has a three piece serrated paring knife set I like a lot which Walmart carries. Aldi has full and mini sized silicone spatulas on a seasonal basis. The best type for me is a somewhat flexible square blade with rounded edges for its efficient ability to conform to the contours of bowls, cookware and jars. The only scissors in my kitchen are a pair from Dollar Tree for cutting bags open.

[@XzTS-Roostro]

I mentioned the Microplane® rasp-style grater to my mom last year, and how it initially started in the woodshop, then made its way into the kitchen, and then into a pedicure toolset. She bought the Microplane® Colossal Pedicure grater, and she loves it.

[@Divediva84]

Could you review reusable paper towel alternatives please?

[@stylishoversixty9459]

All the kitchen tools the two of you featured are fantastic however my favorite would have to be the champagne bottle sealer great video thanks for sharing!

[@carrioncrow8191]

I love this series. Always look forward to new episodes, but this has been one of my favorite episodes so far

[@hannahcrowley2030]

❤❤❤

[@Lunadelle23]

Just want to say the wrong paring knife is linked! While i love the 4inch one i bought on accident i will be buying the 3.25 for a better fit still a great knife!

[@sweets4mimi]

Half sheet pan with cover. I just bought one ☝️

[@TheAureliac]

This is the first reference I've ever heard to air cutting, my preferred method.

[@millieblue5014]

Does the champagne saver cork work for wine aswell?

[@Zenivore]

Just when my husband thought I had every tool I needed for the kitchen, I found this channel. 🤣 Here we go again.

[@millieblue5014]

Love the videos by you two, thank you for sharing them with us!🙂👍👌

[@stephen129]

Really useful video. Thanks for all your research into the best products.

[@SheilaArkee]

ATK team - this is the first time one of your recommendations has steered me on the wrong path. I eagerly bought the Kuhn Rikon peeler and upon the first few uses it was great! However the blade has quickly rusted terribly and I had to throw it out! After reading recent reviews on Amazon it seems like this is a recurring phenomenon with others who have had their peeler rust after one or just a few uses.

[@paulschreiber]

The Dexter-Russell V-Lo paring knife (w/ scalloped edge) is fantastic.

[@porcorosso4330]

The bench scraper reminds me of the Chinese kitchen knife... because it shares so many of the same functions... of course, I will still get one for dough.

[@dakkonfury]

Bench Scraper - great callout. Chopping onions for meals never bothered me, but moving them into the pan always gave me some trepidation, I either had to pick it all up with my hands and drop a bunch on the floor on the way to the pan, or have to make 5 trips picking it up with a chef knife as a bench scraper, or try the whole pick up the cutting board and swipe in which still made a mess on the stove. Bench scraper (I got the oxo one) took all that away.

[@winc06]

My favorite cheap tool has been a sandwich spreader with the near oval blade and the serration on one side which I thought would be handy for a picnic and is used all the time in the kitche.

[@scottydoggymama]

love these videos I always go shopping after

[@mgfroyo]

The seafood scissors are so handy! We were visiting our family in Alaska and we had a big King Crab feast and everyone at the table had a pair of either these style of seafood scissors or kitchen shears ready to go. We were so used to getting the stupid cracker tools when we'd go to a seafood place and were like "oh my gosh this is so much easier!"

[@hannahcrowley2030]

This is very validating to me!! They blew my mind as well. A sleeper hit of a tool!

[@nancyquan491]

What about long chop sticks? Flips small pieces of food, tortillas, etc. Easily picks up a strand of noodle to test whether it is done.

[@jordanas3750]

Add to list the small jar/makeup jar thin spatula. Works for small openings like mustard, spice jars, garlic paste tubs. They come in packs 4 for $10ish (approx) on Amazon. Baking sheets/grill sheets These hooks the swivel for hanging utensils also on Amazon and from Japan

[@johnhpalmer6098]

I can verify the Kuhn Rikon peeler, have a red one I've had for years and it is exactly what it says. Agree on rimmed baking sheets. I have a Qtr sheet pan I bought oh, a year or so ago for those times when I need to do a small batch of something in the oven, or to freeze say, separate thighs in the freezer before bagging and it gets used quite often. Same with my half sheet pans too, though I've had those for a long time. Agree on bench scrapers, and dough scrapers in general, they get used quite often for more than scraping flour and dough off the counter. Been known to smash garlic with my two stainless scrapers, one came from IKEA years ago, and the other from Dollar Tree. They aren't fancy tools, but oh so versatile and inexpensive.

[@therealnancycarol]

I picked up a Wilton cake lifter that I use to transfer chopped veggies to a pan. It certainly holds a lot!

[@saphire82]

I have a white oxo jar spatula and love it too because I just used it to mix up my tahini, which if you use regularly you’ll know how it separates and gets tough at the bottom. I don’t think the GIR spatula could’ve handled it as well because it’s not as stiff.

[@HypatiaK]

I don’t peel carrots and similar hard veg. . I keep a metal pot scrubber for prepping veg~don’t let it get mixed up with the one you use on dirty dishes. Fast, easy, almost no waste.

[@automaster209]

Awesome video. Thank you. Love you two

[@richardg8651]

I prefer the 4 inch (10 cm) Victorinox Paring Knife over the 3¼-Inch (8 cm) version . BTW, isn't the metric system great !

[@halsaleh]

Love your videos ❤️

[@jeffb5798]

The Nordic Ware sheet pans now have their logo embossed on them, and that's a deal breaker for me. (I don't want it in the first place, and it makes cleaning more difficult) ATK, what's your second favorite sheet pan?

[@GlennC789]

That $7 bench scraper is now almost seventeen bucks on Amazon. The peeler you can still get direct, but if you don't want to double its price with shipping charges you still have to pay double by going through Amazon. (By the way, never assume Amazon is the best for anything. Five minutes of research can save more than you or I would make in an hour, if not a whole day.

[@darylsteele6773]

Personal experience I have found a dinner fork blends most food better than a whisk for anything except whipped cream. The more broad and solid tines blends and breaks up food more effectively.

[@lcusatis]

Lisa is so cool. So is Hannah.

[@jeremyhenderson57]

I am normally not a fan of ceramic blades in the kitchen, but I swear by ceramic vegetable peelers. The Kuhn Rikon are cheap and effective, but the blades have to be meticulously cleaned and dried every time or they will gather rust at an alarming rate. Ceramic peelers don't have that problem, and a decent one isn't that much more expensive.

[@allythearts5439]

I enjoy using the mini wisk more

[@timothyhoekstra2604]

Forget the bench scraper. Go to home depot and get a 10" drywall taping knife/scraper. It's an amazing kitchen tool!

[@TheMadsVolta]

Are the materials it’s made with food safe?

[@jcwoods2311]

@@TheMadsVolta Stainless steel? Of course it is. Use your head.

[@logicisuseful]

@@jcwoods2311 and what about the handle?

[@eathomelive]

The whisk is for real. I use mine way more than a regular sized wisk. Same with mini rubber spatulas.

[@gamerjunction5335]

My advice is to do your kitchen stuff and even dining table stuff shopping at a Restaurant Supply Store. Prices are low, quality is great, and things you buy last forever.

[@evilganome]

cherry pitter. It sounds kind of silly, but it also works great on olives and if you ever have to get the pits out of a pound of cherries it's worth every penny.

[@janicefields251]

Love the video. These will make great stocking stuffers. In the video, you said Checkered Chef is the sheet pan brand, but when I clicked on the side bar to purchase, it was a Nordic Ware pan. Which is your recommended pan?

[@cristrivera]

The checkered chef is the brand of the cooling rack.

[@daala6698]

I want a better scissors for poultry. Will this one work. You didnt mention that. I think it will. I have a strong 2" blade (good leverage wtih a longer handle) that I bought for $1 but after 10 years it snt quite as good as before and one of these days I might want to replace it.

[@mastring1966]

I searched and found the 4 piece victorinox from your link and the 3 sheet pan set from the quarter sheet pan (there was a drop down from the link for all the other options). Getting those and the scissors.