January marks a time for reflection on the past year, and even if you don’t believe in setting New Year’s resolutions, there are always a few things to improve upon over the coming months. Food & Wine editors are constantly seeking new ways to cook better and more efficiently, so it should come as no surprise that many of us are already swapping out old, tired kitchen products for new and approved essentials.
From plastic cutting boards to oversized air fryers, we’re leaving several kitchen items behind in 2024 — and replacing them with these trendy products. Read on to snag editor-approved tools and appliances for 2025, from a foldaway toaster oven and a refreshingly quiet coffee grinder to solutions for ridding your kitchen of plastic.
In: Glass Storage Containers
Pyrex Simply Store Mixed Sized Glass Food Storage Set, Set of 9
Out: Plastic Food Containers
“At the end of the day, glass food storage containers are not much pricier than plastic, and they’ve got a much longer life. They’re sturdy, genuinely dishwasher-safe, and microwaveable. Not to mention, I can put hot food directly into the containers without worrying about melting or warping them. I’m starting with a small set of Caraway’s new containers for small batches of leftovers and work lunches, then I plan to grab a set of Pyrexes for larger meal prep and freezing.” – Phoebe Sklansky, Senior Editor
Caraway Food Storage Set
“Goodbye, plastic deli containers! I’m trying to limit microplastics in my kitchen, and one step I’ve taken is to start using Caraway’s ceramic-coated glass food storage set. It’s easy to clean, seals super tightly, and keeps my food very fresh. The small ones are incredible for shaking a quick salad dressing.” – Adam Rothbarth, Writer
In: Teflon Pans
Made In Cookware 10-Inch Ceramic Frying Pan
Out: Ceramic Pans
“Pans with Teflon coatings, PFOAS, and other harmful chemicals are staying firmly in 2024. I’ve never really cared for nonstick pans because of the flaking and peeling they display after several uses. (Especially when someone in your household inevitably uses the wrong utensil on them.) I’ve been testing this Made In ceramic pan and it’s absolutely amazing. Nothing has stuck to it so far and all of the food slides right off; I cooked gyozas the other day and they cooked and released so easily. And eggs? Don’t even get me started! With just a little oil, the eggs cook and slide out of the pan almost too quickly.” – Joe Morales, Senior Editor
In: Wooden and Composite Cutting Boards
Epicurean Composite Cutting Board
John Boos Boos Block Wooden Cutting Board, 24 x 18 Inches
Out: Plastic Cutting Boards
“I got rid of all my plastic cutting boards at the end of 2024 after reading about the risks of the microplastics they release into our food and seeing how beat up my plastic cutting boards had become. I have a couple of wooden cutting boards, but I prefer to use something dishwasher-safe when I’m cutting meat or seafood. I bought an Epicurean cutting board, which is made from incredible durable paper composite material.” – Chandra Ram, Associate Editorial Director, Food
“Besides the microplastics issue, plastic cutting boards just aren’t good — sharp knives cut gouges in them easily, they warp in the dishwasher, and they slide around on the countertop. Wooden cutting boards (Boos Block specifically) just feel good to cut on. The hand-washing and periodic oiling you need to do is kind of annoying, but I’ve come around on them being worthwhile.” – Jason Horn, Senior Writer
In: Air Fryer Toaster Ovens
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven Air Fryer
Out: Large Single-Use Appliances
“I’m leaving my big, bulky air fryer in 2024. My tiny apartment is simply too small to store oversized appliances like my old air fryer. Not only is it hard to store, but it’s also hard to clean. I’m replacing it with the Ninja Flip air fryer toaster oven, which can also air roast, dehydrate, bake, and broil. It cooks so much faster than a regular oven and is large enough to feed a family. I love that it can still fit up to six slices of bread or a 12-inch pizza, but it also flips up and away to save significant countertop space.” – Katie Brown, Writer
In: Quiet Coffee Grinders
Fellow Opus Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
Out: Loud Coffee Grinders
“R.I.P. to my old and very loud, high-pitched coffee grinder. As I’ve learned after testing a few options, your coffee grinder definitely does not need to produce as much noise as a lawn mower to work really well. I’ve replaced my old coffee grinder with Fellow’s Opus Conical Burr Grinder. It has 40+ coarseness settings for a ton of versatility, and its compact build means it takes up less counter space than my previous model. More importantly, it’s super quiet. Since it’s the first kitchen appliance I touch in the morning, I appreciate its softer sound.” – Danielle St. Pierre, Senior Editor
In: Knife Sharpeners
The Original Tumbler Rolling Knife Sharpener
Out: Dull Knives
“I’ve accumulated a nice collection of knives over the past few years, but several of my blades have become dull because I’ve been intimidated by the sharpening process. I’m resolving to do better in 2025 with the help of this innovative tool that even pros are praising. Thanks to its diamond abrasive wheel and magnetic base that secures knives at correct angles, the Tumbler eliminates the guesswork of determining pressure or orientation — in fact, we called it ‘foolproof’ in our tests.” – Katie Macdonald, Director
In: Enameled Cast Iron Cookware
Le Creuset Braiser
Out: Flimsy Cookware
“I am trying to be mindful of my consumption of goods, so I’m leaving behind cookware pieces that don’t last in my kitchen! Like many folks, I want to invest my money in cookware products that stand the test of time. Specifically, I’m replacing my classic ceramic and aluminum nonstick pieces with enameled cast iron. This Le Creuset braiser is at the top of my list: Its shape makes it a perfect replacement for my nonstick skillet, whether I’m searing, sauteing, tossing, or steaming foods. The domed lid is extra important here for me because it leaves room for steam to build and accommodates any large-volume ingredients. I love all of my Le Creuset Dutch ovens, and this braiser is made with the same exact materials. Plus, I can pop it into the oven.” – Kristin Montemarano, Writer
In: Deli Containers
JoyServe Deli Food Containers, Set of 48
Out: Cluttered Container Cabinets
If full food container sets are too bulky for your space and ditching plastic isn’t top-of-mind, one of our writers has a solution: “I’m leaving behind complicated food storage container sets that get cluttered in my cabinet way too easily. These nesting deli containers are already saving my life in the kitchen. In my two-person household, the two storage sizes are more than enough to accommodate most foods we’re putting into the fridge. Plus, I am constantly baking, and these are perfect for labeling, pre-measuring, and also throwing in the dishwasher after a quick use. Confession: Sometimes, when we want a huge glass of ice water, we just grab one of the large containers and drink from that.” – Dillon Evans, Update Writer
In: Small Rechargeable Can Openers
Kitchen Mama Mini Plus Rechargeable Electric Can Opener
Out: Clunky Countertop Electric Can Openers
“I’m leaving behind the clunky electric can opener that wastes space on my counter. We’ve gone through three of them in the last year and they have all stopped working for one reason or another. We have a manual can opener in case of emergencies, but it’s not our preference. Going forward, we’re using the innovative Kitchen Mama Mini Plus. This type of electric can opener is rechargeable, compact, and removes lids with a push of a button. Once situated on the can, you press the button and the can opener works its way around the lid, cutting it open and leaving a smooth edge so you don’t cut yourself. When not in use, it sits nicely in the drawer out of the way and does not clutter the countertop or cupboard.” – Joe Morales
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