Best Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools and Tableware of 2021 | Wirecutter's Review

2021-11-24 11:59:52 By : Mr. Ben Peng

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We have updated our selection for this holiday.

Whether you want to keep it simple for Thanksgiving or prepare an elaborate feast, you may need some supplies. Our team has invested hundreds of hours of research and testing to choose the following options. Some items come from longer complete guides; others come from research we have done specifically for this series. Thanksgiving can be very busy, but the right equipment can make it a breeze.

With its ultra-sharp edges, smooth tapered shape and comfortable handle, this knife will make your daily dicing and slicing tasks smoother and faster.

Every kitchen should have a chef's knife-it is the most versatile of any cutlery set, it can make food preparation for Thanksgiving and the next day faster and easier. Since 2013, Mac MTH-80 has been the top choice in our chef's knife guide. This choice is supported by 120 hours of research, interviews with experts and chefs, and tests involving shredding more than 70 pounds of produce. The Mac is generally comfortable, and it has been proven that it can stay sharp with regular use, even in our busy test kitchens. Other knives to consider when preparing a Thanksgiving meal: paring knives for delicate tasks, and serrated knives for slicing bread, root vegetables and even meat.

This plastic board resists warping, staining, and odor better than the other plastic boards we tested. Rubber feet keep it still, and the juice tank does an excellent job of collecting liquids.

*At the time of publication, the price was $28.

This beautiful, environmentally friendly teak board requires more careful cleaning than plastic boards, but it feels better under the knife and is easier to maintain than the other boards we tested.

For the large amount of preparations you will face on Thanksgiving, you need a good cutting board (or a few). After researching and shredding a large number of products for our cutting board guide, we spent more than 150 hours and we found that the plastic OXO Good Grips carving and cutting board provide the best functional balance. It is durable, does not slide on the counter, and is easy to clean.

If you want a heavy wooden cutting board (looks better and easier to use on your knives), we recommend Proteak TeakHaus rectangular edge grain cutting board with handle. It is thick enough to stay in place and prevent warping, but it is not so heavy that you cannot easily move it. It can also double as a cheese spreading plate before dinner. To carve a Thanksgiving turkey, check out the Proteak Teakhaus 24 x 18 inch plate, which is a larger version of our choice with a juice trough.

This apron is a favorite among our testers, comfortable, soft (but strong), neutral, and adjustable to fit various sizes.

A high-quality, well-fitting apron can make you cook more comfortably and confidently, and welcome guests who seem to be united. We tested 15 aprons with a group of Wirecutter staff. As our guide to aprons, Hedley & Bennett Crossback aprons are the most popular. The fabric is thick and soft, and the pockets are generous. Most importantly, the cross straps can be adjusted to suit various body types and will not pull your neck during cooking during the marathon holiday.

If you are looking for something different, we recommend some other different styles of aprons, including breathable, loose linen aprons, lightweight, waterproof wax aprons and cute half aprons suitable for entertaining guests.

This dish towel is made of terry cloth on one side and waffle woven on the other side, which is absorbent, practical and attractive.

*At the time of publication, the price was $22.

Although most people will no longer consider dish towels, they are one of the most important tools in the kitchen, everything from drying dishes to removing hot dishes from the oven. Especially when you are preparing a large festive meal, a sufficient supply will help. After testing about 25 options for our kitchen towel guide, we recommend Williams Sonoma's multi-purpose kitchen towels because they are large, thirsty, durable, and reasonably priced. They also have a convenient hanging loop, available in eight colors.

Homwe oven mitts with polyester and cotton lining allow us to place a cast iron frying pan at 400 °F for an average of 11 seconds. Its silicone shell is easy to handle and it is also waterproof.

This pot holder uses a silicone shell, which provides better thermal protection than ordinary towel cloth pot holders.

Whether you are preparing a ready-to-cook appetizer or a sumptuous holiday meal, a good set of pot racks or oven mitts can come in handy to handle many dishes in and out of the oven. After testing more than 15 sets for our oven glove and pot holder guide, we believe that Homwe's extra-long professional silicone oven gloves and OXO Good Grips silicone pot holders are the best choice for most chefs. Both are able to protect our hands from the heat of a 400°F cast iron frying pan for up to 10 seconds, while still being comfortable and easy to operate.

With only pulses and buttons plus a bowl, this is one of Cuisinart's most basic models, but it is always better than any other food processor we find in its price range to chop, slice and knead.

The food processor is the best tool to quickly perform various shredding, slicing and shredding tasks, which you will often do when preparing for Thanksgiving. We recommend Cuisinart's custom 14-cup food processor, which has been the first choice in our food processor guide since 2013. In our tests, Cuisinart handled a variety of shredding and shredding tasks excellently. Compared to models with more settings or multiple bowls, its simple, streamlined design makes it easier to use and clean, and we found it to be more robust than other processors in the same price range.

This economical and simple tool is equipped with a grid plate and comfortable handle to quickly break through the mash.

This spacious, easy-to-clean potato rice mill uses dual gears to combine power, so it requires much less physical strength than other models.

Mashed potatoes are always very flattering. To keep everyone full and minimize fuss, confusion and frustration, please use OXO Good Grips Smooth Potato Masher. When testing our masher and rice mill guide, we have mashed and smashed more than 75 pounds of food, and this affordable and simple tool is always among the best. Thanks to its grid-like plates, the OXO masher can smash potatoes quickly, and the chef hardly needs to make any effort.

If you want your mashed potatoes without lumps but still fluffy, choose Chef'n FreshForce Potato Ricer. Among the rice mills we tested, it requires the least effort, thanks to an ingenious design that can provide you with more leverage.

This set of sturdy, accurate cups is not unique—you can find several equally good clones on Amazon—but it is the most cost-effective, offering seven cups instead of six.

*At the time of publication, the price was $25.

These rectangular spoons are stronger than most spoons and very accurate. Even the largest spoon can easily fit into a narrow spice jar.

Measuring cups and measuring spoons are essential kitchen tools. If you can cook, you probably already have a set. But for large holiday meal preparations, there is no harm in having extras (if you are missing any cups or spoons, you definitely deserve more). To maintain consistency, most serious bakers use kitchen scales to weigh ingredients, but American recipes still rely mainly on dry measuring cups, so cups and spoons are useful for daily cooking. After hours of testing, we recommend the durable Simply Gourmet stainless steel measuring cup and Sur La Table measuring spoon.

These excellent heavy-duty aluminum bakeware bake evenly and can even be used as a general-purpose bakeware.

You should prepare at least a few rimmed baking sheets to prepare for Thanksgiving. In addition to making biscuits, they are also suitable for everything from roasting vegetables to drying bread cubes for fillings. When testing 15 models for our best bakeware guide, we found that the heavy-duty aluminum Nordic Ware Commercial Baker's Half Sheet can evenly bake biscuits at high temperatures without warping, and the price is only the price of some other sheets a small part. Even after years of heavy use in our test kitchen, the Nordic Ware pan still performed well.

This casserole is heated evenly and has a large capacity. It's not too fancy for daily use, but it is still beautiful enough to be brought to the holiday table.

A good bakeware is an indispensable multifunctional tool, you can use it to cook and serve various dishes during the holidays. Since 2014, we have tested 15 dishes. We recommend Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker because it bakes evenly and can hold a large amount of food. It can easily serve 6 to 8 people with Thanksgiving classic dishes, such as fillings. , Mashed potatoes or green beans. It comes in a variety of colors and is very suitable for formal table setting.

If you want something smaller or easier to carry, we also recommend the HIC lasagna bakeware. Although it can only hold 3 quarts when it is full (Emile Henry holds 5 quarts), its handle is larger and easier to grasp than Emile Henry. HIC also has a smaller 8½ x 5½ inch size.

With its large handle and durable design, this Dutch oven wins every test and is four times more expensive than other models.

A beautiful Dutch oven is essential for preparing a variety of hearty Thanksgiving side dishes. It looks good and can double as a dish. Since 2015, we have spent more than 68 hours researching and testing our Dutch oven guide, and we found that the Lodge 6-quart Dutch oven cooks food as effectively as the more expensive models. In our tests, Lodge kept pace with French-made pots that were four times the price of cooking, stewing, steaming and caramelizing food. For large gatherings, we recommend the 7.5 quart size.

With its excellent thermal conductivity, durable structure and comfortable handle, the All-Clad 12-inch frying pan is a durable workhorse equipment.

The 12-inch frying pan is an essential kitchen tool: it is perfect for stir-frying, frying, making one-pot meals, and grilling steaks and other large pieces of meat. On Thanksgiving, you can use it to make everything from roasted nuts to creamed spinach. After more than 70 hours of research and testing our frying pan guide, we believe that the three-layer all-inclusive stainless steel 12-inch frying pan with lid is the best value for money. It is evenly heated, does not deform, and is durable.

With its sturdy three-layer structure, this roaster cooks more evenly than other similarly priced pans.

May be out of stock

*At the time of publication, the price was $150.

In our roasting pan guide, after roasting more than 400 pounds of turkey and chicken and 30 pounds of vegetables in 14 pans, we recommend the Cuisinart 16-inch roasting pan with rack (MCP117-16BR) for holiday birds and more . This pan has a sturdy riveted handle and a three-layer structure, which has passed all our tests. It not only roasts the turkey to golden brown, juicy and perfect, but also performs well on the stove, making the gravy and scorching chicken golden brown. It is reasonably priced and serves one-pot dinners, roasted vegetables, etc. all year round.

The point probe thermometer quickly and accurately records temperature changes with unparalleled accuracy. It is affordable and easy to use, with powerful magnets to secure it to the oven door.

No other thermometer under $50 can match the combination of ThermoPop's speed, range, reliability, and easy-to-read display. It is also waterproof, and it has a long probe that can read deep dishes.

A high-quality thermometer is an indispensable tool for the home cook. It is essential to ensure that your turkey or any other meat is fully cooked but not dried out. A probe thermometer stays in the turkey while it is cooking, which helps you track how far the meat is from roasting, so you can focus on the rest of the holiday meal. In our probe thermometer guide, we recommend the economical ThermoWorks Dot because of its impressive accuracy and ability to read temperature quickly. Remember that different parts of the turkey cook at different speeds, so start checking the temperature in several places when the turkey is almost cooked.

If you want something smaller and more versatile, consider using an instant-reading thermometer. Although it cannot track the temperature of meat while cooking, it is faster than a probe thermometer, and it is more convenient in daily cooking when you want to quickly check the maturity of steak or chicken thighs. Our current choice, ThermoWorks ThermoPop, allows you to easily measure the temperature of the turkey in multiple places, ensuring that both white and dark meat are cooked perfectly. Be sure to start checking your bird at least 30 minutes before it should be done.

According to the National Turkey Federation, to measure the temperature of a turkey, you should insert a thermometer into the inner thigh close to the breast, without touching the bone (and look for it to reach 175°F to 180°F) or insert 2.5 inches into the inner thigh . The deepest part of the turkey breast (and look for it to reach a minimum of 165 °F). If you make stuffing in a bird, be sure to measure its temperature (it should also reach at least 165°F).

——Leslie Stockton and Michael Sullivan

The Messermeister Avanta engraving kit combines beauty, affordable price and high performance.

The carving knife and fork set has a practical purpose: to slice and plate large pieces of roast meat (such as Thanksgiving turkey). But it also has ceremonial purposes-such as bringing out the finest porcelain and using an elegant carving device on the dining table to show that you are starting a special meal.

After testing eight sets, decomposing and slicing five whole turkeys, two boneless roast beef and one ham for our carving knife and fork set guide, we believe the Messermeister 2 piece Avanta Pakkawood Kullenschliff carving set is best for most People people. It provides unparalleled value, beautiful appearance and outstanding performance combination. We also tested two electric knives, and the Hamilton Beach Classic was our winner.

The silicone plug of this 4-cup OXO fat separator does an excellent job of preventing fat from penetrating into the meat droplets. This model is also equipped with a depth filter and a protective splash guard.

We believe that the affordable OXO Good Grips 4 cup fat separator is the best fat separator for most people. Its spacious 4-cup capacity can hold a lot of water droplets, making gravy for festive feasts. The silicone plug prevents fat from entering the water outlet, while the depth filter is excellent at capturing solids (such as carrots, onions, and herbs) from raw materials or drips.

The first part of our suggested turkey frying kit is a 30-quart aluminum stock pot, which heats up quickly and stays warm in our tests.

The second part of our kit is the four-leg Bayou patio stove, which is stable and powerful enough to safely deep-fry your turkey to perfect crispness.

Fried turkey tastes great, and as long as you follow the safety precautions (video), it can be fun. In addition, a festive meal is like a dramatic work. There is nothing more dazzling than putting on gloves and pulling out a gorgeous, crisp, and glamorous bird from a bucket of boiling oil.

The best turkey fryer we choose is the 30-quart Bayou Classic Aluminum Turkey Fryer Stock Pot and the Bayou Classic Single Burner Patio Stove. In addition to oil, turkey, and heat, the economical, fast-heating soup pot kit has everything you need to get the job done. The individual furnace is sturdy, powerful (sufficient), and has the four-legged stability you want when handling 4 gallons of bubbling oil.

Frying turkey is a serious job, and before you start, you need more than just a fried turkey kit. Follow the instructions of your favorite professional. We found this Serious Eats guide, this Alton Brown video and this Sam Sifton recipe on Bon Appétit to be the most helpful.

At a depth of 2 inches, this dish can hold more than most glass plates we have tested. It is better able to handle drastic temperature changes, such as from the refrigerator to the oven, it bakes evenly, and allows you to easily see when the bottom of the pie turns brown.

May be out of stock

For holiday pies that bake beautifully and evenly every time, we recommend the OXO Good Grips Glass 9" pie pan. In our test on the pie pan guide, OXO Good Grips produced some of the most uniform Golden brown crust and evenly baked fillings. Its 2-inch deep plate is perfect for baking fruit tarts, but it won’t be so deep that the cream tarts look thin. Unlike some other glass plates, you can combine This glass plate is transferred directly from the refrigerator to the oven because it is made of borosilicate glass. Finally, its simple design will not distract you from the exquisite pie, nor will it conflict with other tableware.

In our tests, this tapered pin is easier to use than the handle pin. It is beautiful in appearance, easy to clean and durable enough to last a lifetime.

For occasional baking projects, wine bottles can make a difference, but if you aspire to make the perfect pies or make dozens of cookies, you need a good rolling pin. In our rolling pin guide, we tested 12 carefully selected rolling pins, and it turns out that the maple and oilstone French rolling pin is an excellent tool and good value for money. It is more flexible than a pin with a handle, does not stick to the dough like cheap models, and its weight is just right to do some work for you without crushing fragile dough. The cost of this beautiful American-made rolling pin is only a small part of other handmade rolling pins, and if properly maintained, it can last a lifetime.

This 5-quart stand mixer can handle almost any recipe without beating on the counter. It is one of the quietest models in the KitchenAid series.

*At the time of publication, the price was $430.

A good stand mixer will make your baking (and cooking) life easier. In our stand mixer guide, we recommend the KitchenAid Artisan series of 5 quart inclined head stand mixers, which have been our top choice since 2013. Not only is it more effective in adding cream and sugar to biscuits than almost every other model we have tried, but it can also knead whole wheat bread dough effortlessly without straining or walking around on the countertop (other mixers FAQ). This is a classic device, still the absolute best in terms of performance, versatility and price.

Looking forward to getting delicious coffee from a machine that is easy to use and clean. It can brew a 1-liter pot in 7 minutes.

After dinner, it is a good thing for your guests to linger on a slice of pie and a cup of good hot coffee. In order to make a large and delicious pot with the least effort, we recommend the OXO Brew 9 cup coffee machine to most people. After testing more than a dozen models for our drip coffee machine guide, we believe that OXO provides the best combination of great flavor and convenience, as well as a programmable start-up time and a well-insulated coffee maker. On the budget? Check out our guide to cheap coffee machines.

The classic design of this 51 oz coffee pot helped the beverage to stay piping hot (over 200 °F) for more than two hours in our tests.

*At the time of publication, the price was $50.

The coffee pot can keep the coffee hot while making room to brew a second pot in the machine. This is convenient if you want to serve a lot of people or want to provide decaffeinated coffee. The 51-ounce thermos vacuum insulated stainless steel water bottle is our preferred solid water bottle, which keeps the coffee hot for several hours. In our tests, it kept the beverage piping hot (over 200°F) for more than two hours and poured steadily without dripping.

These shatter-resistant, microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe plates made of porcelain are suitable for daily use, but are also elegant enough for formal dinner parties.

*At the time of publication, the price was $0.

If you have a lot of people on Thanksgiving, you may need extra plates—unless you have registered porcelain for the wedding or inherited a set from your grandparents. After more than ten hours of testing and research, we recommend Pottery Barn Caterer's Dinner Plate Set as an affordable spare for large gatherings. These plates are available in groups of 12 in stores and online, as well as groups of four (catalogs only). They have a bright white hue, and after we scratched their surface 50 times with a fork and knife, they were still not worn. They are also suitable for microwaves and dishwashers, suitable for daily use and formal dinners. They are packed in a reusable cardboard box, each plate has a partition, we find it particularly convenient to store.

The only disadvantage is that the glaze has some faint pitting. However, only when we carefully inspected the plate under the light, we found these small flaws on the plate, and not when we were sitting on the table in front of the plate.

This inexpensive porcelain collection is still suitable for entertainment.

*At the time of publication, the price was $45.

If you need more than just extra plates, we also recommend crates and buckets of poplar tableware as an elegant budget option in our tableware guide. Although we found some minor flaws, the overall quality of this suit far exceeds its low price. We like its clean lines and simple design. The Aspen series is completely open for sale, so you can choose a specific item in a single or eight-piece set, whether you need a mug, a teacup with a saucer, or a soup bowl or cereal bowl.

This cheap tulip-shaped glass has a wide range of uses and can well display red and white wines. It is durable but still thin and elegant enough for a dinner party.

We recommend the durable Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate multi-purpose wine glass for parties or to prepare a few more glasses for festive dinners. In our blind tasting test in our wine glass guide, this cheap tulip-shaped glass is very popular among wine experts. It displays the aromas of red and white wines well, and its design is perfectly balanced with thin lips, which will not distract the overall drinking experience. It can also be cleaned in the dishwasher, and the price is affordable, even if it is broken, it will not be sad.

This timeless tavern-style glass is durable, lightweight, and can be washed in the dishwasher.

Instead of using plastic cups for a large group of people, invest in a cheap set of drinking cups. After 60 hours of research and years of long-term testing, we recommend Bormioli Rocco Rock Bar as our favorite water cup. These durable tempered glass cups remained intact even after we dropped them on hardwood and marble floors many times. They also look beautiful and stack well, so they are easy to store once you have finished dinner. We like that they come in a variety of sizes, from wine glasses to 22 ounces, and a variety of colors, including ice, peach, and mint.

These cheap but attractive tableware are perfect to take with you during holidays or when the list of other guests is swelling.

Most people probably don’t want to run out and just buy a special set of utensils for the holidays. However, if you are hosting a large Thanksgiving party and don’t have a fork, then the Gourmet Settings Windermere Flatware Collection is a sturdy, attractive and super affordable alternative to plastic disposables. Although a complete 45-piece set will cost you about $100, these cutlery is also sold for a 20-piece set, which is less than half the price, or only a few dollars each. If you want to buy a better set, please refer to our guide to the best tableware.

Chefs all over the world like the brushed stainless steel Grey Kunz spoon because of its comfortable handle and the large bowl for serving plates. It can be used well for cooking and serving.

It won't be the most exquisite spoon you have ever used, but the Gray Kunz sauce spoon by JB Prince is a multitasking dream. This spoon is an indispensable tool for chefs and chefs in high-end restaurants all over the world, whether it is used for seasoning, plating, cooking or tasting. This spoon was developed by Chef Gray Kunz while he was leading the kitchen in Lespinasse in New York City and is standard equipment for every chef in the restaurant. Its brushed finish and ergonomic handle make it comfortable and attractive.

Crate and Barrel's Caesna tongs are suitable for casual and lavish dinners.

When it comes to serving sliced ​​meat or vegetables (such as asparagus or green beans), we think serving tongs are the best. Crate and Barrel Caesna Mirror Serving Tongs balances style and practicality. These clamps are versatile and easy to grasp. They are made of highly polished stainless steel, making them ideal for casual and dinner dinners.

If appearance is not your main concern, but function is your main concern, we like Winco’s 7-inch pliers set, it is the best choice for true multi-purpose tools, you can use it all year round to complete kitchen work and Leisure and entertainment. Winco produces pliers of different lengths, but we found that 7-inch pliers are the most suitable for serving dishes, and they are not too bulky or too big.

These soft and absorbent napkins have a deep hem and clean stitch design.

*At the time of publication, the price was $0.

This well-made tablecloth is available in 8 sizes and has a tightly woven design to create a structured drape.

If you want to set up a more formal table or you are interested in using something more sustainable than napkins, then you will need a tablecloth. We have tested 22 sets of the best napkins and tablecloth guides, and we think Williams Sonoma Hotel napkins and hotel tablecloths are the best quality tablecloths you can buy at this price. The napkins are made of 100% cotton, soft and absorbent, and the thick tablecloth looks smooth and elegant. There are 6 or 12 napkins in a set, red and three neutral colors to choose from. There are eight sizes of tablecloths, most of which have the same three neutral colors as napkins.

This table is easier to install and remove than any other table we have tried, and it doesn't shake so much. Its foldable design makes it more compact than a one-piece desktop.

*At the time of publication, the price was $118.

If you occasionally need a table—such as an uninvited guest on Thanksgiving—but don’t have the space or don’t want to set up a table permanently, a folding table is a great choice. After testing nine folding tables, we think the Office Star 6'resin center folding multifunctional table is the best choice. It is sturdy and easy to use, and can comfortably accommodate 6 people.

This unique folding chair can be shaped according to the size of the occupant, and is said to be able to withstand more than 1,000 pounds. We sat together comfortably for a few hours.

One of the worst problems encountered at the dinner party is the lack of seats for guests. This is where the folding chair comes in handy. In our folding chair guide, we recommend the MityLite FlexLite folding chair (set of 4), which is a durable, ventilated chair made of steel and flexible polypropylene that can be shaped to the shape of the occupant , It is said that it can bear more than 1,000 pounds. It is one and a half inches wider than your standard folding chair. It is thin enough when folded so that you can tuck it into a closet, and it is comfortable enough so that your seated guests will not feel like a second-class party participant.

If you are hosting a very large event, renting (rather than buying) about 50 chairs may make more sense. Check the list of your local party furniture rental companies. These companies offer a variety of chairs, with prices as low as $1 to $2 per chair, but they usually charge a minimum fee as well as delivery and pickup fees.

We have 42 items selected by home furnishing company OXO in our more than 30 guides. Read on to learn more.

When you host Thanksgiving for the first time, it's best to keep it simple. These basic knowledge are exactly what you really need, and they will serve you throughout the year.

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