Monday, December 23, 2024

The best kitchen deals this week, according to a pro baker: Save up to 70%

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While bidding adieu to summer tomatoes and stone fruit is bittersweet, I, for one, am excited about it being cool enough to use my oven again. I’m already planning my apple orchard visits so I can use my haul to make pies, crisps, crumbles — all of that cozy fall fare. The start of a new season is the perfect time to swap out your old kitchen gear for some new tools that’ll make cooking and baking all the more enjoyable. And you won’t have to drop a ton of cash, either. I’m seeing a cornucopia of culinary deals worth checking out before holiday meal-prep madness is underway.

As a former professional baker turned shopping writer, I seek out noteworthy sales on the daily to share with you. And because I have years of experience — both in the kitchen and hunting for deals — I know what makes a quality product, and how to spot a worthwhile price in a sea of exaggerated markdowns.

With that in mind, how does a top-rated Cosori air fryer marked down to just $90 sound? That’ll come in handy when you’re watching the game and start craving some wings. I also spotted a best-in-class KitchenAid stand mixer marked down by $50 (pumpkin bread, anyone?) and one Yahoo editor’s favorite nonstick pan for a mere $29. There’s a lot more where those came from, so happy saving (and savoring!).

Amazon

These dishcloths went viral on social media thanks to their super absorbent nature. They can be used on everything from dishes and counters to mirrors and windows, and because they can be tossed into the washer, they’ll save you a bundle on disposable paper towels. This is as low as we’ve ever seen them on sale for. 

“You need these,” promised an emphatic buyer. “Amazing … They are a workhorse for what they do. Into chemical-free/product-free cleaning? I’m telling you, cleaning is what I do. Wet one of these and hit a mirror with just water … Throw them in the dishwasher or washer (I don’t put them in the dryer). And they last. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought these as gifts. I have them stashed everywhere. Bathrooms, laundry room, kitchen, car!”

$6 at Amazon

Amazon

If you spend lots of time in the kitchen, your feet deserve a cushy surface to stand on during all of that cooking (and dishwashing). This highly rated anti-fatigue mat is made from a comfy foam to help take some of the pressure off of your muscles and joints, and its nonslip bottom will stay put without sliding around. It’s waterproof and easy to wipe clean, and this is just about as low as we’ve seen it marked down to.

“Better than insoles,” wrote a reviewer. “I do a lot of meal prepping for the week on Sundays, so I am on my feet in the kitchen for 8-10 hours a day some weekends, and around an hour each day during the week. I used to wear my gym shoes with cushioned support when I was cooking for long periods, but even then the resulting back pain was on another level. These mats are a complete game-changer … I could stand on these mats for hours and still be comfortable.”

$14 at Amazon

Amazon

If you’ve been coveting the under-cabinet lighting that seems to be in every house on HGTV, there’s a near-instant way to achieve the effect without hiring an electrician. These bestselling battery-operated LED strips are magnetic and stick right onto metal surfaces, but included adhesive also allows you to attach them to wood, among other things. Oh, and they’re motion-sensor lights, which will come in handy when you go to get a midnight snack. Our price trackers tell us these haven’t dipped lower all year. 

“These are fantastic!” exclaimed a fan. “I have them in every closet that doesn’t have an overhead light and my pantry. They are charged right out of the box and hold a charge forever. Easy to install and the brightness is perfect — you can adjust that too. I love how you can pop them off the magnets and use them like a flashlight. My friends and family loved them so much that they bought them too.”

Save $15 with Prime and coupon

$15 at Amazon

Amazon

Not only am I a fan of Ina Garten’s approachable, homey recipes, I also love checking out her gorgeous kitchen and cookware. Some of her go-tos are admittedly out of my price range — Le Creuset, anyone? — but I was pleasantly surprised to discover this super-affordable skillet, a longtime favorite of mine, is also a staple in her kitchen.

Lodge has been in the cast iron business since 1896, so they know a thing or two about crafting sturdy pieces designed to withstand practically any cooking environment. This skillet is no exception; it can be used on all cooktops, is oven-safe and can even be placed over a grill or open flame. Lodge pans are so durable, people often pass them down to younger generations. I’ve only had mine for about 10 years, but it works just as well as the day I got it, if not better. Not bad for just 20 bucks!

Another thing I love about this pan? It’s made of iron and oil — no PFOAs or PTFEs, which gives me peace of mind about cooking without “forever chemicals.” No wonder it’s one of 12 pieces of cookware Garten links to on her website.

Check out my full Lodge Cast Iron Skillet review for more.

$20 at Amazon

Walmart

Butterfingers, unite! Stainless steel mixing bowls are where it’s at for clumsy bakers like me, since they’re shatterproof. What I love about this set is that each bowl comes with a lid — that way, if you’re making, say, bread dough that needs to rise, you’ll have a cover for it without having to waste plastic wrap. Plus, you’ll be able to pop any leftovers right into the fridge, and at $4 per bowl, this set is a steal — you’re saving over 70%!

“They are so much lighter than my regular mixing bowls and so much easier to handle,” said a home baker. “I used to feel I was jeopardizing my life whenever I took my ceramic bowls down. I highly recommend.”

$20 at Walmart

Amazon

These No. 1 bestselling containers are “clearly” doing something right if tens of thousands of shoppers gave them a perfect five-star rating. In addition to helping cut down on food waste, these bins allow you to group your food products and beverages by category for a more cohesive, easy-to-navigate fridge. Juice boxes, veggies, fruits, sauces, dressings — each can have its own designated space. Plus, if something happens to spill, it’ll be contained in the bin, which is much easier to clean than an entire sticky fridge shelf. It’s within a dollar of the lowest price we’ve seen, so grab a few sets for your pantry and under your sinks too. 

“Amazed at the difference these bins have made in my refrigerator and freezer organization and space,” said a satisfied shopper. “I have recently transitioned from a large French door refrigerator with lots of space to a side-by-side. I was very frustrated with the reduced space, and it was always a mess. Now, my clear bins are easy to organize and help me keep like-things together on both sides of the refrigerator.”

$20 at Amazon

Amazon

This versatile skillet ain’t no flash in the pan — it’s been a staple in one Yahoo Life editor’s kitchen for years. Among its many perks are its lightweight, 2-pound design, as well as the removable silicone grip on its handle, which will protect your hands while you cook. It’s also dishwasher-safe, but our editor says, “Cleanup is a breeze and only requires a few swipes with a soapy sponge, even around the rivets that secure the handle.” 

Check out our roundup of the best nonstick pans for a full review.

$36 at Amazon

Amazon

One Yahoo editor awarded this blade the title of best budget chef’s knife after testing a slew of them. She says, “When I started culinary school, I was issued a curated set of knives and tools we would need to work with through our 600 hours of training in order to graduate. This Mercer Culinary chef’s knife was the one we received that day and what we would use for 90% of our daily tasks. That should give you an idea of what this knife is capable of — and of its durability.

The Genesis may not be a flashy knife, but it is a real workhorse in the kitchen. This Western-style knife is forged from a single piece of high-carbon German steel and features a handle made from Santoprene (a rubbery material) that ensures a firm grip even in damp hands.” It only dropped lower in price once this year…

Check out her roundup of the best chef’s knives for more. 

$39 at Amazon

Walmart

Talk about a multitasker! This 6-in-1 smokeless indoor grill also functions as a toaster oven, air fryer, dehydrator and more, meaning you can use it to make practically any meal of the day. Pancakes? Yup, there’s a griddle pan for that. Fries and wings? That’s what the crisper basket is for. Roasted veggies? Throw ’em on the baking tray! At nearly 65% off, this is the lowest price we’re seeing for this bestseller — it rarely goes lower. That gets a “Bam!”

“Really nice indoor grill and air fryer,” wrote a shopper. “It truly is smokeless technology. We love the ability to use the oven portion to roast vegetables and grill burgers on top at the same time. The extra-wide capacity helps create a dinner for four in half the time with half the appliances and none of the kitchen heat or headaches. The appliance is super easy to clean up and care for.”

$60 at Walmart

Amazon

An 11-piece nonstick cookware set for 60 bucks? There’s gotta be a catch, right? Nope! This top-seller comes with two frying pans, two saucepans, a sauté pan, two silicone lids, two fridge storage lids and — wait for it — two removable handles to save space when storing. This is close to as low as we’ve ever seen this clever collection.

“I got these to make some more space in my cabinets,” said a buyer. “These take up a quarter of the space my old pots and pans used. They work great on my glass stove top. They are so easy to clean and have not scratched, dented or stained!”

Check out our roundup of the best pots, pans and cookware sets for more. 

$60 at Amazon

Walmart

Bring your crispy, crunchy culinary dreams to life with this Walmart bestseller. It can roast, reheat and dehydrate, all in one machine — and with little to no oil. Plus, it’s compact but can accommodate up to 2 pounds of fries in its basket. Eat your heart out, Mickey D’s. (Psst: This price is better than Amazon’s!)

Check out our roundup of the best air fryers for 2024.

$69 at Walmart

Amazon

Want something a little bigger? This top-rated air fryer heats up quickly and holds up to 2.5 pounds of fries or 14 wings at a time. Plus, it can be used to dehydrate food, proof bread and even bake desserts. This price isn’t quite as low as it was during Prime Day, but almost — and it’s still one of the best we’ve seen it marked down to.

“So easy to use!” gushed a fan. “Heats [up] fast and effectively crisps food without leaving it dry. Used with just a very small amount of oil, items come out with the taste and texture of a traditional fryer. Oil-free cooking is faster than the oven and doesn’t heat up the kitchen. Easy to clean.”

Check out our roundup of the best air fryers for more. 

$90 at Amazon

Amazon

This is admittedly for an outdoor kitchen, but it remains Yahoo’s best fire pit for cooking. If you’re envisioning a cozy autumn filled with spooky stories and, of course, s’mores, this is the one that belongs in your backyard. The grill grate swivels for easy access, and you can use the outer edge for holding drinks and more. There’s still plenty of backyard-worthy weather ahead of us, so grab it while it’s over 45% off. 

“This was fairly easy to assemble and it gives off great heat … enough to keep 6-7 of us warm with one bundle of wood from the grocery store,” said a reviewer. “I love the additional burner for grilling. We’ve cooked corn, burgers and steak on this thing, and so far, so good.”

Check out our roundup of the best fire pits for more. 

$95 at Amazon

Amazon

What sets this beverage machine apart from a manual model like the SodaStream (also on sale!) is the fact that it’s electrically powered — no work needed on your part aside from choosing your preferred settings. On that note, this machine lets you customize the amount of bubbles in your drink (if you want any at all) as well as the flavor.

It’s down to one of its lowest prices of the year, meaning the time to buy is now. And while it still might seem like a splurge, just think of how much money it’ll save you on canned or bottled soda and seltzer in the long run.

“This product has been great and has helped both myself and my wife cut back on our soda purchases!” exclaimed one happy user. “They give you a decent sample size of the flavors and they are all pretty strong. The customization options are really nice to have as well, in case you want more carbonation or flavor in your drink, or less. The option of mixing flavors is nice too!”

$113 at Amazon

Amazon

Henckels has been crafting knives for over a century, so the brand knows a thing or two about what makes a quality set. This bestseller comes with just about every type of blade a home cook could need: a 3-inch paring knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 8-inch chef’s knife and 8-inch bread knife. Also included: six 4.5-inch steak knives, a professional honing steel, kitchen shears and a hardwood knife block. Whew! 

This bestselling collection is majorly marked down from its list price of $345, though we’ve never actually seen it shoot that high. Still, this is a stellar price for a comprehensive set with such high ratings. 

“I had been used to ordinary knives until my brother, who is a chef, convinced me to upgrade to Henckels,” explained a user. “I must admit, I was a bit nervous at first, worrying about cutting myself, but the grip on these knives keeps my hands from slipping. They are extremely sharp and do a great job in the kitchen.”

Check out our roundup of the best knives and knife sets for more.

$128 at Amazon

Amazon

I used to bake for a living, and my trusty KitchenAid stand mixer is my go-to appliance. Cake batters, cookie doughs, breads, frostings, meringues — you name it, I’ve probably made it using this mighty machine. Unlike flimsier mixers, this one is built to last (there’s a reason KitchenAids are often passed down from one generation to the next). 

At 4.5 quarts, it can hold enough dough to make up to eight dozen cookies at a time, though it won’t take up much room in your kitchen. Oh, and you’ll get a beater, dough hook and whisk attachments for making practically any baked good under the sun. It’s only dipped lower than its current sale price a few times this year, and not by very much. 

$280 at Amazon

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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