The Kitchen Gear Our Editors Resolve to Use More This Year

Investing in kitchen equipment is one of my favorite pastimes. Having the right knife for any task, cutting boards in multiple sizes and shapes, and coffee makers of every brewing style sparks joy in my gear-loving heart. But because my kitchen is really, truly stocked, there’s inevitably some great items that fall by the wayside…and that I endeavor to use more. 

I thought other Serious Eats editors might feel the same way, so I asked them: What kitchen gear do they resolve to use more this year? Below, you’ll find our 13 picks.

I desperately need to be better about sharpening my knives, which I’m admittedly lazy about. I’ll even pay someone else to do it rather than sharpen them myself. I have no excuses, because I both know how to sharpen knives and own our winning electric knife sharpener, which makes the task even easier. This thing looks like a power tool and, appropriately, can even sharpen scissors and mower blades. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, associate editorial director

Okay, I do not currently OWN a kitchen scale, but I want to make more bread and pizza in 2026, and a precise kitchen scale is really helpful for that. So, I have my eye on this model that topped Serious Eats’ tests. — Megan O. Steintrager, associate editorial director

This is so bad, but although I’ve reviewed dozens of coffee makers and coffee grinders, I no longer grind coffee at home. I’m always too grumpy in the morning to deal with the (admittedly very easy!) chore before brewing a pot. Instead, I ask my boyfriend, who owns a coffee shop, to grind bags at work. I store the grounds in an airtight canister, but I know they’re not as fragrant and flavorful as they would be if I ground them fresh. I resolve to care more about my morning coffee in 2026! — Rochelle Bilow, editor 

I got this meat grinder stand mixer attachment a few years ago for Christmas, then promptly never used it. I had dreams of homemade sausage and freshly ground beef for burgers, but I didn’t have the resolve to actually do it. No more! This year I’m committing to using it—at least a handful of times. Now I just need to find some sausage casings… — Grace Kelly, senior editor

I store my many extra kitchen knives in a magnetically locked drawer to keep my kids out. That lock is also just enough of a barrier to keep me out of it a lot of the time. I’d like to reach into it a little more often to fish out my deba and honesuki knives, which are the Japanese blades designed for fish and chicken butchery, respectively. I find them much easier to use and more effective than the standard Western filleting and boning knives, and I’m always so happy when I do remember to use them. Let this year be the one where I do that more often. — Daniel Gritzer, editorial director

My husband bought me a recipe box last year and, in 2026, I want to record my favorite family recipes, like my mom’s five-cheese macaroni and cheese and my grandma’s vegetable soup that’s tangy from pickling spices. — Riddley 

I haven’t used my cast iron skillet in… months? A year? I’ll admit I’ve gotten lazy and reach for my easier-to-clean stainless steel skillet anytime I want to cook something on the stovetop. But nothing beats cast iron when it comes to golden-brown sears, and my Field Company skillet is almost as light as my favorite Le Creuset steel one. I’m vowing right now to use it for steak night soon. — Rochelle

I dusted off my waffle maker on New Year’s Day to make a special brunch for my kids after not using it for over two years—and immediately wondered why I ever stopped using it. The waffles were crisp, fast, and an instant hit. Plus, I realized there are so many savory, weeknight-friendly meal ideas for waffling, such as hash-brown waffles to cheesy dinner versions. In 2026, I’m resolving to treat my waffle maker less like a novelty and more like a weekend staple. — Leah Colins, senior editor

I thought I had sworn off countertop blenders when I got rid of our secondhand one years ago. Surely, I thought, an immersion blender alone would be better than something I dreaded hauling out and despised cleaning? That reasoning kept me staunchly loyal to my stick blender until I realized that I had just started avoiding things that would clog up its blades, like the spinach in the green smoothies that used to be my go-to breakfast. So, I splurged on our favorite Vitamix blender when it went on sale a few months ago, and I’ve been relishing how powerful it is—and how much easier it is to wash than both my old model and my immersion blender’s wand. Working through my blender trauma has brought me better smoothies than ever, and I’m looking forward to many more in 2026. — Ashlee Redger, writer

I bought the KitchenAid pasta maker set two years ago and, to my shame, have only used it a handful of times. Lately, I’ve been craving fresh pasta, so I’m making a small promise to myself now: More homemade noodles in 2026. If I keep the attachment within reach instead of tucked away, I think I might actually stick to it. — Laila Ibrahim, associate culinary editor

Mill isn’t really something I’m resolving to use more—that part takes care of itself when I’m cooking more vegetables. And that’s the real goal: To cook fresh food more often at home. Mill just removes the annoying parts. It handles food scraps quietly, without smell or fuss, making the whole process of cooking from scratch feel lighter and more doable. – Jessie YuChen, visual editor

A Serious Eats classic pick, I finally lugged mine home from the office. One of my New Year’s resolutions is less takeout, so while it’s still cold and sad outside, I’ll be warming my apartment and stomach with some nice, roasted dinners – Amanda Suarez, associate visuals director

I’ve been getting by with a small fine mesh strainer for making cocktails, but after too many messy pours, it’s time for me to up my mixology game and get a Hawthorne strainer. — Grace

Gear for the New Year

Why We’re the Experts

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate editorial director for Serious Eats.
• She’s been with the site since 2021, and has been testing gear for more than seven years.
• Buying kitchen gear is one of her favorite hobbies.