A pair of grippy pot holders for handling blazing-hot cookware
What we like: The best bigger pot holder. Larger and more rectangular than our top pick from OXO, and the thick, ribbed silicone padding on one side provides better heat protection. The unique divided hand pocket gives you more control. Comes in a wide variety of colors.
Other things to know: Its thicker material and large, square corners make it a little more clunky than our top pick, but the corners can be helpful when you use it as a trivet. Set of two.
Read more: The Best Oven Mitts and Pot Holders
A sturdy grill press for ultra-thin burger patties
What we like: A staff-pick grill press. Made of heavy-duty stainless steel, with a 6-inch flat surface. Especially easy to clean. You can evenly smash foods without overexerting yourself. Fixed wooden handle sits a comfortable 2.5 inches away from the heat source.
Other things to know: Also makes a great, inexpensive gift. The handle’s glossy coating gets slightly slippery as oil splatters onto its surface. Hand-wash. Not the lowest price we’ve seen overall, but a solid in-season drop.
Read more: This $22 Grill Press Helped Me Finally Crack the Code to Ultra-Thin Smash Burgers
A set of bag clips to keep chips crispy for weeks on end
What we like: A durable set of assorted chip clips we like. Each clip is essentially a stick-like pole encapsulated in another stick-like pole that together create a seal when you fold a bag between the two. Keeps food fresh for days — or even weeks — on end. Small to store. Works on more than just chip bags.
Other things to know: There’s a small learning curve using these clips for the first time, but then it’s nearly always easy. Dishwasher- and freezer-safe. Comes in assorted sizes from 5 to 13 inches to fit just about any bag.
Read more: These Weird-Looking Clips Keep My Chips Crispy for Weeks on End
A citrus juicer to squeeze out every last drop
What we like: Our top citrus juice squeezer pick. Its smart design offers extra leverage, outperforming other models in ease of use and overall experience during our tests. Clever dual-pressure geared hinge makes it easier to squeeze. Built-in strainer keeps seeds at bay.
Other things to know: Made of heavy plastic, with an unpainted metal cup. Most of the bartenders we interviewed preferred hand press juicers to other models. Too small to fit an orange or a grapefruit. Deal on yellow and green colors.
Read more: The Best Citrus Juicer
A silly garlic crusher for the at-home chef
What we like: A Dracula-inspired kitchen gadget we like as a gift. Any cooking-inclined classic horror fan, kid, or year-round Halloween celebrant would vant this a gift. Plop a few cloves into the base (his cape), pop on the top (his head), and twist at the neck to mince.
Other things to know: Make sure to remove chopped garlic quickly — vampires can’t tolerate garlic for long (plus it’s a nightmare to clean when dried). Street price has dropped by a couple bucks since the beginning of the year. Deals rarely last long. Bleh!
Read more: 22 Gag Gifts (That They Might Actually Use)
A barista-style frother for fluffy cappuccinos
What we like: Our top pitcher-style milk frother pick. Straightforward controls. Nine temperature and froth setting combinations, including cold foam for iced lattes. Makes decadent, dense foam. Melts chocolate for hot cocoa, too. Magnetic whisk. Pours smoothly.
Other things to know: Stainless steel pitcher gets hot. Top-rack dishwasher-safe. Makes foam for one to two drinks at a time. Not as fast as other frothers. Works with both dairy and nondairy milks. One-year warranty.
Read more: The Best Milk Frothers
An all-in-one brewer for coffee on the go
What we like: A gift pick for coffee lovers who like convenience. An all-in-one ceramic burr grinder, brewer, and insulated mug. Works well anywhere — just add beans and hot water. Recommended by Yuki Izumi, coffee director at Hi-Collar, a café and sake bar in New York City’s East Village.
Other things to know: Comes with everything needed to brew and hold your java, including a kettle, stainless filter dripper, insulated tumbler, and lid. Clip the on-page coupon.
Read more: The 38 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers
A clever organizer for storing lids
What we like: Our top pick for a lid and container storage solution in our guide to small-kitchen organization ideas. Keeps food storage container lids organized and easily accessible with minimum human effort. Adjustable tabbed dividers for separating lid sizes.
Other things to know: Only as useful as your willingness to use it and organize. Needs large empty space to fit in cabinet.
Read more: 35 Small-Kitchen Organization Ideas That Make the Most of Tight Quarters
