9 Pieces of Kitchen Equipment I’ve Upgraded Since Joining the ATK Reviews Team

Wooden spoon: One of my favorite first few tasks in the Test Kitchen was getting to help Lisa McManus review wooden spoons. I loved the feel of one of our new co-winners, the FAAY 13.5” Teak Cooking Spoon, in my hand. It offers the perfect combination of a comfortable, soft handle and a nimble head that makes stirring, scraping, and scooping easy.

Squeeze bottles: I have always loved the idea of an heirloom ceramic olive oil bottle nestled beside my stove. But after years of being frustrated with their ill-fitting spouts and unnecessary bulk, I’ve switched to our winning squeeze bottles for my cooking oil and will never look back. They make dispensing oil into measuring spoons or cups—or directly into pots and pans—a breeze, and they double as condiment containers. One note: Olive oil lasts longer if it is stored in opaque or dark glass bottles, so I keep just enough in my squeeze bottle to last a week or two.

12-Inch Nonstick Skillet: When social distancing started, it became clear very quickly that eating out was a no-go and takeout was going to be a rarity. We got into a routine—cooking lots of dinners on the grill and establishing a weekly stir-fry night. Our winning 12-inch nonstick skillet is, without doubt, the best replacement I’ve made since working at ATK. It’s light but sturdy, making it both easy to maneuver and durable—perfect to use with our recipe for Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. If you are in the market for a new nonstick skillet, this OXO model will never fail you.

Nonstick-safe spatula: I got the opportunity to test a set of nonstick skillets in my first few weeks at work, and frying and flipping dozens of eggs was made manageable by our winning nonstick-safe spatula. Now stuck at home, my fiancé and I have looked forward to weekend breakfasts of omelettes, pancakes, or scrambled eggs—and this agile but sturdy tool ensures that they all make it to our breakfast plates safely, without threatening to scrape up our skillets.

Dry measuring cups: I’ve always had a mismatched assortment of dry measuring cups taking up space in my drawer; they didn’t fit together well and they were barely getting the job done. Then I started using our winners in the Test Kitchen, and I realized they were better than my old collection for a few reasons: their markings are easy to read, they fit together nicely, and they have magnets on the end of the handles that keep the stacked cups tidy in a drawer or cabinet.

Bread knife: I’ve been lucky enough to have bread from a local bakery delivered during these past few months, and after a week of destroying loaves with my old, blunt bread knife, I knew it was time for a replacement. The Reviews team adores our winning large serrated knife; its handle is grippy and comfortable, and its sharp blade bites into loaves with ease to slice them cleanly. I can’t wait to use this knife during tomato season later this summer.

Grill tongs and spatula: We just received a grill as a housewarming present in time for grilling season, and I knew I needed to stock up on my team’s favorite grilling tools. The OXO Good Grips 16” Locking Tongs feel like an elegant extension of my arm; their comfortable grip and precise pincers make for a great grilling experience. And the Char-Broil Comfort Grip Grill Spatula  is great for moving and flipping burgers without getting your hands too near the flames.

Gripper mat: For years I’ve gotten by with the old trick of slipping a damp paper towel under my cutting board to keep it from sliding around while I chop, dice, and mince. It never worked as well as I wanted it to, and after a few days in the Test Kitchen with this spacious and dependable gripper mat, I was sold. Now, my board stays in place whether I’m scoring an onion, breaking down a chicken, or sectioning a butternut squash.