8 Surprising Kitchen Essentials That I Now Can’t Live Without

As a professional food journalist covering everything from restaurants and home cooking to shopping, I’ve had the opportunity to test out a ton of cool kitchen items. From things I’ve bought for myself to gear sent by brands for me to check out, my home has seen its fair share of cookware and gadgets come and go. And while many items get donated or given to friends after I no longer have use for them, occasionally some earn a permanent placement in my overflowing kitchen. 

I like to think I’m good at selecting the best tool for the job when it comes to cooking, but I’m not afraid to admit when something I love gets usurped by something better. Over the years, a few pieces of gear have tacitly infiltrated my regular rotation of kitchen essentials. From an unsuspecting Made In knife and a surprisingly superior nonstick pan to an Ooni pizza oven I use for all sorts of bread, here are eight things I didn’t think I needed, but ultimately fell in love with.

8 Kitchen Essentials I Can’t Live Without

• San Jamar Saf-T-Grip Plastic Cutting Board, $18, originally $20
• Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Stackable Lowball Mug, $20
• Balmuda Toaster, $299
• Viking Hybrid Plus 8-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan, $79, originally $89
• Made In 4-Inch Paring Knife, $69
• Gorilla Grip Heat and Slip Resistant Oven Mitts, $18, originally $30
• Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven, $899
• Dowan 22-Ounce White Ceramic Bowls, $20

San Jamar Saf-T-Grip Plastic Cutting Board

My ego kicked in big time when my fiancée unpacked her old plastic cutting board at our new apartment a few years ago. At the time, I thought I’d never want to cut food on something that wasn’t my gorgeous end grain wood board from Ironwood Gourmet, but I quickly came to love this cutting board. It’s the perfect size for quick prep, it’s incredibly easy to clean, and I actually really enjoy the safety hook, which makes it effortless to both carry and hang up. The board’s also super easy on my knives, and the grip-laden corners mean it doesn’t slide around.

Yeti Rambler 10-Ounce Stackable Lowball Mug

Yeti sent me a couple of these a long time ago, and at first, I wasn’t especially interested (though I’m a Yeti lifer regardless). I work at home and rarely leave my apartment in the mornings, so why would I need to take my coffee anywhere? But now, I absolutely love using these for bringing coffee on errands; I also bring them when I visit my family’s cabin in Michigan, as they’re incredible for keeping cocktails and wine cold out on the hot porch (and, you know, my hot coffee hot for hours). 

Balmuda Toaster

I tested this toaster years ago and initially thought the premise was silly. Using steam technology to make toast? People had been toasting bread for many years without this. But on its maiden voyage, it delivered the best piece of toast I’ve ever had, and I immediately became a believer. Sorry, but if you love bread even half as much as I do, I really do recommend getting this $300 toaster.

Viking Hybrid Plus 8-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan

My apartment is pretty decked out with pans of all sorts, so I wasn’t expecting this Viking nonstick pan to stick out in the rotation. I was wrong — it’s better than any of the flashy, hyped cookware you see on Instagram. The lightweight pan cooks food evenly, is extremely easy to clean, and  looks near mint after years of use. It’s now one of my go-to pans to recommend to family and friends who ask me for suggestions.

Made in 4-Inch Paring Knife

This paring knife is the real deal. The blade is adequately sharp, but what I like most here is the heft of the knife and how substantial and sturdy it feels in my hand. Too often, paring knives can feel flimsy and too lightweight, but not this one: It really feels like you’re holding a serious tool, and I enjoy that.

Gorilla Grip Heat and Slip Resistant Oven Mitts

My mom gave me these as a gift over the holidays about a decade ago, and I quickly ditched the other pair I owned. These heavy-duty silicone gloves are satisfyingly grippy and really don’t let heat through, making me feel invincible in the kitchen.

Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven

I can’t lie, I was excited to test this out when Ooni sent it last year. I mean, an electric pizza oven that I could cook with inside or outside? It seemed exciting, but also like something that I’d only use on an occasional pizza night a few times a year. Instead, it’s become a permanent staple on my patio and has upped my pizza party game immensely; I’ve also gotten into making pitas and other kinds of bread in it, as well as using it to roast veggies when I don’t feel like firing up the grill.

Dowan 22-Ounce White Ceramic Bowls

These have been my fiancée’s favorite bowls for many years. I had my own favorite bowls, but I have to admit that I’ve come to prefer these in some cases, especially for gumbo, chili, ice cream, and leftover Indian food. Now, we own at least a dozen of them.