I buy cooking tools that will last a long time and perform reliably. Sometimes that means spending more initially, but I’m always happier with the product in the long run! Below are the items that I use time and time again.
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Vitamix Blender
This Vitamix Blender will pulverize anything that you put in it! I have tried other blenders in the past but have never gotten the results that I’ve gotten with this one.
Cuisinart Food Processor
Easily grate cheese, make doughs, chop vegetables, and so much more! This is such a versatile appliance that makes tedious work go fast.
Zojirushi Rice Cooker
Perfectly steam many different types of rice and even quinoa in this great rice cooker. You can make your rice ahead of time and serve it when you’re ready with the great keep-warm feature. The rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of your pan either.
All-Clad Slow Cooker
The feature that I like most about this slow cooker is that the insert can be placed on your stove, oven, and back into the slow cooker! Before I purchased this cooker, I had to use a separate pan to brown meats and all that flavor was left in the pan (not to mention I had to clean an extra pan). I also use this insert if I need a second dutch oven.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
This dutch oven is a dream if you need to brown meats first and then cook them in a stew or sauce for a long time. I would not want to make my beef bourguignon without this baby!
All-Clad Cookware
My go-to pans for searing meats, making caramel, cooking pasta, and so much more! These pans are so durable and will stay beautiful if you use Bar Keepers Friend to clean them (see below).
Bar Keepers Friend
Use this to clean your All-Clad pans.
Misono Knife
This is my favorite knife that I use more than any other knife in my collection! Make sure you keep it sharp with the sharpener below. Sharp knives are safer to use than dull ones!
Knife Sharpener
It’s important to sharpen your knife frequently. If you go a long time without sharpening, it’s hard to get it back to the sharpness it had when you first got it (even with a professional sharpening it).
Kuhn Rikon Shears
My favorite sharp scissors for jobs like taking the backbone out of a chicken, gardening, and so much more!
Pepper Mill
Grinding your own pepper tastes so much better than the pre-ground variety. This mill comes in all kinds of pretty colors to match your kitchen, too.
Microplane Zester
I use this to zest citrus in foods in foods; you can easily avoid the bitter pith with this great zester. I also use it to grate parmesan over pasta dishes.
Round Microplan
This is a handy tool to use for grating whole nutmeg or other spices. Many whole spice products are far superior in taste than the pre-ground varieties.
Thermapen MK4 Thermometer

Thermapen is the most accurate thermometer to ensure your food is the proper temperature to serve. I struggled with a lot of thermometers until I invested in this one.
Spice Organizer
I love to keep things very organized in the kitchen so that I don’t have to spend time looking for ingredients (plus I am irritated when I buy a spice at the grocery store that I already own). I like to put these right above my work station and label the spices on the edge of each spice drawer.
Plastic Wrap Dispenser
If you have been frustrated with plastic wrap, then this dispenser will be a dream for you! Simply close the lid on the dispenser, and it will never get tangled and twisted again. I have literally had guests gasp when they see me demonstrate this product.
Wrap for the Dispenser Above
This is the wrap you will need to use for the plastic wrap dispenser above. It does seem to be higher quality wrap than the typical wrap from the grocery store.