ZDNET recommendations are based on hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We collect data from the best available sources, including supplier and retailer listings and other relevant and independent review sites. We carefully study customer reviews to find out what is important to real people who already own and use the products and services we evaluate.
We may earn affiliate commissions when you refer to retailers and purchase products or services on our site. This helps support our work, but does not affect what and how we cover or the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the authors have received any compensation for these independent reviews. In fact, we follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
The ZDNET editors write on your behalf, our readers. Our goal is to provide the most accurate information and actionable advice to help you make more informed decisions about the purchase of technological equipment and a wide range of products and services. Each article is carefully reviewed and reviewed by our editors to ensure our content is of the highest standards. If we make a mistake or post misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you find that our content is inaccurate, please report the error through this form.
Cooking isn’t just about mixing ingredients, it’s about expressing love. Whether you’re spending time in the kitchen with your family or hosting a dinner party for friends, food brings people together through the process of creating, sharing, and tasting.
Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Here is a collection of great gift ideas and resources to help you get started.
What better way to show your gratitude this holiday season than by giving away smart kitchen utensils? Deli boards, recipes, and bowl decorations are all great, but smart tools can make life easier (and more fun) for your family and friends. When it comes to the best smart kitchen appliances, touch-screen toasters and hands-free automatic blenders are just the tip of the iceberg.
To make the gift-giving process easier, I’ve rounded up the best kitchenware gifts this holiday season. I’ve personally tested many of these appliances, but I’ve also looked at different diets and price points to help you find the best culinary gift for your loved one this year.
The Kizen Digital Meat Thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking. Temperature measurement takes only a few seconds and the large LED screen is easy to read. Just turn on the sensor and connect it to your latest recipe.
And the device is not only for meat. You can also use a waterproof thermometer to check the temperature of liquids like frying oil, baby formula, or even a cup of coffee. But do not forget to wash by hand under running water, as this appliance cannot be washed in a dishwasher.
I use this Kizen thermometer every week to avoid food poisoning from undercooked turkey burgers. The pen comes with temperature charts for popular meats so you’ll never overcook poultry or fish again. Even my dad, the advanced grill guru, uses this equipment to perfect his roast pork loin.
This chic kitchen gift will suit anyone who cooks meat a lot, especially those who are afraid of undercooked poultry. Plus, it’s less than $20.
Save time in the kitchen (and avoid burning ingredients) with this unique automatic mixer. No need to manually stir soups, sauces, gravies, etc., just turn on the appliance and place it in the pot to keep it running. The rotary mixer has three heat-resistant legs and three speeds, so you can choose the speed that works best for your sauce.
The automatic pan blender lets you free your hands to slice, slice and whip the rest of your dinner in no time. In addition, the cordless device is powered by four AA batteries, and the removable plastic feet are easy to clean in the dishwasher.
The automatic pan mixer is the perfect gift for the pasta lover in your life. As long as fresh marinara, pesto and alfredo are simmering on the stove, they can multi-task.
Yes, the blender is worth the money. No, Nutribullet is not that good. I have personally used the Vitamix Professional Series 750 blender for years to make protein smoothies, thick salsa and my favorite zucchini soup. The best part? It is very easy to use.
After adding the ingredients, you can use the speed control to adjust the speed in real time from 1 to 10 (slow to fast). The blender also features a pulse button and five program settings for consistent results. In addition, stainless steel blades and a high-performance motor ensure that the blender will last you a lifetime – or at least one or two decades.
The self-cleaning unit saves lives. Just add a drop of dish soap and a few cups of warm water and the machine will mix into the soap mixture. Voila, you will never find large pieces of food stuck in the blade again.
The recipe options are endless, but my favorites are homemade nut butter, flavored hummus, and popsicle puree. Whether I’m making frozen margaritas or vegetable lasagna, Vitamix is my go-to companion.
Deep fryers were all the rage and it’s easy to see why. The Ninja AF101 air fryer has nearly 40,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.8 stars on Amazon. It can reach temperatures from 105 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit so you can quickly bake, reheat and dehydrate your favorite meals.
The deep fryer can give you the crispy fried food you crave without the addition of fat and oil. Whether you want to eat healthy or heat up a cold pizza in a fun way, the Ninja Airfryer will change the way you cook.
I use an air fryer to “boil” eggs, fry veggies, and fry leftover french fries every week. But there really is no wrong way to use an air fryer. You can drop the food and see what happens, or make special recipes – like chicken wings and buffalo cauliflower, just to name a few.
The Nespresso Vertuo Next is a great espresso and coffee machine, the latest model from a beloved brand. For each branded capsule, the machine automatically adjusts the brewing parameters, including coffee size, temperature, pressure and brewing time. Plus, the compact design is only 5.5 inches wide, so it doesn’t take up too much valuable kitchen space.
Capsule recognition and one-touch technology make it easy to prepare your morning coffee. In addition, the removable water tank facilitates refilling and occasional rinsing. The device is also compatible with Bluetooth. You can link your luxury coffee machine to the Nespresso app to get notified when something goes wrong, whether it needs an upgrade or a refill.
Want to come home to a slow-cooked stew after a long day at work? Then the Crock-pot 7-Qt is for you – and it’s very easy to use. You can set the appliance to high for fast cooking of hot food or to low for slow frying all day long. If you make a 7 pound roast, you can feed up to 9 people or leave the leftovers to cook meals for a week.
You can also use the warm setting to serve queso and other warm sauces to the appetizer table at your next meeting. The lid and removable ceramic dishes are dishwasher safe, and with one pot, you need to wash fewer dishes, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time relaxing. In addition, ceramic cookware is oven and microwave safe.
The Ooni Karu 12 multi-fuel pizza oven is the perfect party trick. Pizza ovens can be offered with a variety of fuel options for maximum flexibility, so you can choose between wood, charcoal, or gas (although gas provides maximum temperature control). Plus, the improved insulation helps regulate airflow and keep you warm without baking your pizza to a crisp.
The Ooni Karu 12 reaches 950°F in just 15 minutes and cooks a real 12″ pizza in just 60 seconds. Plus, the pizza oven is portable at just 26.4 pounds, so you can take it to holiday parties and feed your entire community.
With the Ooni Karu 12, you’ll never have to bake pizza in the oven again. It’s the perfect gift for pizza lovers who love backyard discounts and adventurous people who love tasting food at home.
The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker is a quick egg cooker for a quicker morning breakfast. The appliance can cook up to 6 eggs in any way: hard-boiled, soft-boiled, soft-boiled or even scrambled. It’s not just a gift of healthy, freshly hard-boiled eggs – it cooks them perfectly with minimal effort.
If you don’t want to give up valuable counter space with a $100 air fryer, the Dash Rapid Egg Cooker is perfect. Weighing just one pound, the device is small enough to fit in a kitchen or dorm room. Plus, it has over 100,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars on Amazon.
The Dash Rapid Egg Boiler is the perfect gift for the egg lover, the big family or the curious. Of course, it is easy to use and comes with a recipe guide.
The Mueller Submersible Hand Mixer is a kitchen tool you never knew you had. With a durable stainless steel S-blade, this versatile tool can mix just about anything. With this stylish hand mixer, you can quickly beat eggs, whip smoothies, mash potatoes and grind chickpeas into hummus.
The multi-purpose blender comes with a bubbler and blender head, and it also has nine speed options, so you have constant control over your blending process. The powerful motor is made of copper, and the device is covered by a one-year warranty, so your purchase will be protected. In addition, the detachable shaft is dishwasher safe, making it easier to clean than a solid body blender.
The Mueller Immersion Blender is a great gift for your friends and family who love to prepare food quickly and easily at the push of a button. Also, new parents will love the ability to mix baby food at home.
The Revolution Instaglo R180 toaster is no ordinary toaster. On the touch screen, you can choose from 60 toasting algorithms to start your morning with the perfect breakfast. The Instaglo R180 is 30% faster than a conventional toaster while using less power.
You can select the level of toast you want from 1 to 7 and the toaster will adjust the slot size and heat settings according to the type of bread. The toaster has a countdown clock so you know exactly when your English muffins, bagels or toaster pastries will be ready. Plus, it heats up the front and back, so you’ll have unevenly frozen waffles again.
The stainless steel construction looks stylish, and at 6.5 inches wide, it takes up almost no countertop space. When not in use, the touchscreen displays an analog clock. The Instaglo R180 also reminds you when to empty the handy crumb tray.
The Revolution Instaglo R180 is the perfect gift for any toast lover, aspiring influencer or extended family. If you can live with the high $350 price tag, the sleek touchscreen design is Instagram-worthy and sure to impress.
Watching the pot will never boil, and the Cosori electric kettle boils water in just 3 minutes. The teapot is made of high quality stainless steel and glass, which is heat resistant and durable. The wide neck makes filling and cleaning easier than conventional water bottles. The V-shaped spout helps avoid potentially dangerous hot water spills, so you can easily enjoy your favorite coffee or tea from a French press.
The pitcher holds 1.7 liters (7 cups) of water, so large families can enjoy oatmeal every morning with just a pitcher. Also, you do not need to worry about safety, because the electric kettle will automatically turn off 30 seconds after boiling.
The Cosori Electric Kettle is a great gift for avid tea drinkers, French press coffee drinkers and large families looking for a more convenient way to have breakfast.
Dash Mini Waffle Maker has over 200,000 reviews and an average of 4.7 stars on Amazon. In addition to making great waffles, this versatile tool also makes hash browns, cookies and even panini crunchy. It’s perfect for a variety of diets, and many keto dieters are thrilled with how the device fries keto “chafers,” which are egg-and-cheese waffles.
The 4″ non-stick surface is easy to clean and won’t take up much space in your kitchen. Plus, you can easily store it in a closet when not in use. An indicator light will let you know when the unit has finished warming up, and non-slip feet are an added safety measure.
Whether you’re looking to bake egg-sized waffles with your grandchildren or a pizza lunch on a busy schedule, the Dash Mini Waffle Maker is a great tool to make life in the kitchen more fun. This is the perfect culinary gift for families, ketogenic dieters and waffle lovers.
I chose these smart kitchen gift ideas using a variety of methods: I tested them myself, heard first hand reviews, and searched the market for niche tools, each with a unique value proposition.
I use a Professional Vitamix 750 weekly, a Kizen digital meat thermometer, and a Ninja Airfryer. Whether I’m trying out a new smoothie recipe, frying up another turkey burger, or quickly sautéing seasonal veggies, these smart kitchen tools improve my life by improving the quality of my food.
I have selected other smart kitchen gift ideas based on great customer reviews and feedback from family and friends who love these tools. The Nespresso Vertuo Next and the Crock-Pot crock-pot fall into that category, and last year I even gave my brother a Crock-Pot (she won). I chose other tools based on novelty and trends, such as the unique automatic mixer and the revolutionary Instaglo touch screen toaster. After all, who doesn’t want to open a new surprise gift?
I have also chosen gifts that are suitable for each price category. Not everyone wants to buy a $350 toaster, but a $17 egg cooker probably won’t do either. There are plenty of gift ideas in this gift guide so you can find the right smart kitchen tool for your gift recipient and budget.
Smart kitchen tools are kitchen appliances that use advanced technology in some way. The Revolution Instaglo 180 is considered “smart” because it has a touch screen interface that allows you to select levels of bread and toast selections. The toaster adapts to this data and works according to your input.
The Cosori Electric Kettle is a cordless way to boil water faster than conventional pots and stoves. A tool can be considered “smart” if it is a new power tool or if it simply works faster and more efficiently than previous technology.
Post time: Nov-01-2022
