Odds are, you’ve spent more time in your kitchen in 2020 than ever before. Maybe you’ve embraced it—learning how to make bakery-quality artisanal sourdough bread—or maybe you’re over it, exhausted to the point that you never want to make another home-cooked meal again. Either way, new kitchen appliances can help make dinner prep a breeze—so take your favorite pizza joint off speed dial and consider bringing some of these into your life.
Ovens and instant pots
• Anova Precision Oven: When you think of steam power, you probably think of boats and trains from the 1800. But Anova utilizes steam in this new oven, allowing for precise temperature control for baking, cooking, crisping and more. If you’ve always wanted a professional-grade combination, consider the Anova at a fraction of the price. Anova: $600, bit.ly/2HrVev9.
• Zega Digital pot: This smart app-integrated cooking pot allows you to control the temperature of your pot with the Zega app on your phone, and involves no fussy cords. Using your stove, add the ingredients of your meal, heat up the pot and then turn the stove off once the Zega has hit its optimal temperature. Your meal will continue cooking for hours, freeing up your time for other important matters. Zega: $199, bit.ly/3ow14fp.
Air fryers
The humble air fryer has been one of the most coveted appliances during the pandemic, and there are a variety on the market that allow you to get crispy, crunchy results without the added fat and mess of a conventional deep fryer.
How does it work? An air fryer cooks your food like a traditional convection oven would, except that the circulation of extremely hot air into the “fry” basket gives your dishes a perfectly fried effect every time. It’s so great for frozen french fries, chicken nuggets, wings and more, you’ll wonder how you got by without one.
If you’re looking to stretch your dollar even further, opt for one that doubles as a dehydrator, so you can make healthy fruit snacks and chips at home. Amazon: $120, amzn.to/2JbL9D7.
Cookware
The award for the most Instagrammable cookware goes to the Always Pan, and if you haven’t already caved in to targeted ads and purchased this terracotta beauty, you’ll want to once you see what it can do. Braise, sear, steam, strain, sauce, fry, boil serve and store meals all in this pan, which is designed to replace your fry pan, saucepan, non-stick pan, saucier, steamer, skillet, spatula and spoon rest. Our Place: $145, bit.ly/2Ttk1B7.
Smart faucets
Home kitchens tend to be high-trafficked areas, so consider a smart faucet—which activate like the ones in public restrooms—to cut down on water usage and germs from touching them. Delta and Moen have perfected sensor-activated technology for home use, and some of their products are voice-activated or compatible with smart speakers like Alexa or Google Assistant.
Another bonus: Some smart faucets allow you to set the temperature before you even turn on the water, resulting in less water waste and less time fidgeting with faucet knobs. Delta: $627, bit.ly/31Laxpr; Moen: $692, bit.ly/3dVljOU.
Blenders, juicers and food processors
• Magic Bullet Kitchen Express: We love Vitamix, but the Magic Bullet is far more cost-effective. This Kitchen Express model combines the blending function for smoothies and shakes with an additional food processing component. That means more counter space for you and more money in your pocket. And if you’re new to the kitchen and aren’t sure if you need a food processor, consider how much time it takes to chop onions, garlic and peppers. A food processor takes the work out of chopping, so you can get to cooking faster. Nutribullet: $70, bit.ly/3e5jPSb.
• Vitamix TurboBlend 3 Speed: Yes, it’s a $400 blender, but have you ever used one? This bad boy can pulverize just about anything. Say goodbye to blueberry and kale bits in your smoothies and say hello to the creamiest, dreamiest shakes you’ve ever had. You can also whip up delectable soups, dips, fresh hummus and nut butters with this powerful three-speed blender. Vitamix: $400, bit.ly/2Tsne3W.
Food waste
Vitamix Food Cycler: The pandemic has increased our usage of single-use plastics and increased our garbage output. This kitchen contraption breaks your food waste down into fertilizer for your plants, reducing your carbon footprint. If you want to cut down on waste and composting isn’t an option, this is a great way to go. Vitamix: $500, bit.ly/31JpmZw.
