29 Kitchen Products So Good, Reviewers Say They Bought Them For Friends And Family
A snap-on pasta strainer that saves you from that awkward, dangerous game of balancing a hot pot over the sink, trying not to spill boiling water everywhere. It can handle temps up to 400 degrees F and fits most pots and pans. And the best part? No more leaving a big colander sitting in your sink for days just because you wanted some Kraft mac 'n' cheese.
A set of fun, colorful vinyl coasters so your morning cup of joe doesn't leave a ring on your beautiful wood dining table.
A Loch Ness Monster–shaped ladle with little feet that keep it upright, which not only makes it look like Nessie's bobbing around in your soup but also prevents your spoon from slipping into the pot, getting stew all over the handle. Plus, this mini monster is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup!
A 12-piece Caraway cookware set so you'll have what you need to make all those saved recipes from your late-night scrolling. This set has a nontoxic coating and is oven safe — which makes cooking infinitely easier. And the fact that these last so fricking long (years and years!) makes them well worth the investment.
A veggie chopper for keeping your counter tidy while speeding up your prep time. If you love to cook but hate chopping (who doesn't, right?) this thing is a lifesaver. It chops just about everything — onions, peppers, zucchinis, potatoes, you name it! Plus, it comes with different blades for slicing, dicing, and even spiraling your favorite veggies.
A vampire garlic crusher (aka "Count Gracula") that makes mincing garlic much easier and more entertaining. It's the perfect silly yet functional gadget for any garlic fanatics.
A rectangular lazy Susan to save all that food from disappearing into the back of your fridge like it's the Bermuda Triangle. Now you might actually have a chance at finishing that container of Greek yogurt instead of finding it months later, covered in mold. Plus, its shape maximizes your fridge space way better than the traditional round ones!
An electric potato peeler that Dennis from It's Always Sunny would've loved for his apples. It's a hands-free operation, so you can prep other ingredients while this takes care of the potatoes, and the nonslip grip keeps it from tipping over, even when it's really working. Plus, it has two spare blades conveniently stored in the base, making sure you're always ready for your next round of peeling.
A heavy-duty ice cream scoop strong enough to go up against the rock-solid tub of "The Tonight Dough" that's been chillin' (pun intended) in your freezer for two months. Reviewers rave about its durability, amazing handle, and how effortlessly it scoops, forming a flawless sphere every time.
A two-pack of Dan-O's seasoning that went viral on TikTok for being so delicious without any added preservatives, MSG, or excess sodium. People use it to season a wide variety of dishes, including meats, vegetables, seafood, and even popcorn.
A mini waffle maker loved for its sleek design, super fast heat-up time, and nonstick surface that makes waffle-making (and cleanup) a breeze. It's super versatile; you can use it for other recipes like hashbrowns, brownie bites, or even egg dishes. Plus, it takes up very little space and comes in a variety of fun colors to fit your kitchen style!
A 14-ounce portable personal blender you can drink straight out of to avoid creating yet another dish to wash. You'll be able to make your morning smoothie while half asleep — just throw in the ingredients, press the button, and you're good to go!
A rapid egg cooker so you don't have to compromise between eating a decent breakfast or doing your hair. It cooks up to six eggs at a time in any style you like, be it soft-, medium-, or hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or even as omelets!
A stainless-steel pepper and jalapeño corer so those seeds don't take up residency in between your teeth (and, in the case of jalapeños, burn off your taste buds). This one is designed with a ribbed, scoop-like head that grips and removes the seeds with very little effort on your part.
A set of Bottle Bright tablets to turn cleaning your water bottle from one of the most laborious chores to the least. Just drop in a tablet, add warm water, let it soak while the tablet fizzes up, then rinse. Voilà — your bottle is sparkling clean without any scrubbing!
A set of "wine wands" if you love wine, but can't seem to enjoy it without your head pounding in the morning. This clever little device comes with filters that help remove histamines and sulfites — common culprits behind headaches and hangovers. It's super portable, so you'll be good to go for any spur-of-the-moment drinks!
A microwave pasta maker that lets you cook pasta quickly and easily without the need for a stove, or a pot, or a pasta ladle, or a colander. I never realized how many things are needed to make a simple spaghetti dinner.
A marble board wire cheese cutter for effortlessly slicing through cheese with precision — and when you're not using it, it'll just sit pretty on your counter, adding a touch of style to your kitchen.
A silicone baking mat so you don't have to break your arm scrubbing off the residue after your single-pan meal. These can handle temps up to 480 degrees F and can be used over and over (and over), saving you from spending on rolls of parchment paper. And just FYI, these go on TOP of your metal sheet pans.
A Mason jar-esque cold brew coffee maker because let's face it — this economy can't support daily iced coffee runs anymore. It's got a leak-proof lid that's easy to pour from and a mesh filter that keeps you from chewing your coffee. Just a heads up: Don't add boiling water!
A set of magnetic fridge spice organizers if you're in desperate need of more cabinet space or keep forgetting what spices you have because they're always getting lost in the back of the cupboard. No need to worry about them falling off — they're designed with heavy-duty magnets, and reviewers attest to how securely they stay in place!
A magnetic air fryer cheat sheet because it's all too easy to go on your phone to look up the cook time for chicken nuggets, only to end up scrolling through TikTok and completely forgetting what you were doing in the first place.
A set of reusable Gripstic bag sealers so your precious "Everything But the Bagel" chips from Trader Joe's don't go stale after a week. They slide across the entire top of the bag, ensuring an airtight seal, and will fit in even the most cluttered of drawers (unlike bulky chip clips).
A silicone muffin mold to replace your old rusting one that takes way too much effort to remove cupcakes from. In fact, reviewers say their muffins basically fall right out of this and that it's super easy to clean.
A bamboo beginner's sushi-making kit that's perfect for a fun date night, hanging with friends, or even just enjoying on your own. Reviewers say it's sturdy and has held up well over time, so you'll be able to make your own California rolls for years to come!
A nonstick stuffed patty mold so you can have cheese on top of *and* inside your burger. But you can let your creativity run wild and fill it with anything you want, like mushrooms, onions, peppers — anything your heart desires.
A terra-cotta garlic roaster that'll turn your garlic into a spreadable delight. It evenly distributes heat, softening the garlic and bringing out its rich, aromatic flavor. Just pop in the cloves, drizzle with a little olive oil, and roast away.
A ring can opener for anyone who's ever struggled to get that tab to lift. It's compact, easy to use, and gives you a smooth, safe way to open cans without making a mess or hurting your fingers.
A magnetic microwave cover that conveniently attaches to the microwave ceiling, ensuring it's always ready when you need it. Now when you reheat your lasagna leftovers, it won't look like an actual crime scene.
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Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Why does Thai Town love strawberry Fanta? The gods have the answer
I cannot shake the sense that Los Angeles is a city of supreme spiritual significance. Perhaps I feel that way because of what I see out of my car window. The estimated 15,953 religious organizations in the greater metro area take up quite a bit of real estate, after all. Or maybe it's that once this thought took hold, I noticed divinity showing up time after time in the aisles of grocery stores. At India Sweets and Spices, I'd pick up a bag of powdered tulsi leaves, only to learn that the tropical herb goes by another name: holy basil, considered a powerful Ayurvedic medicinal plant and a frequent sacred offering. At now-shuttered Papa Cristo's, I'd cock my head at a bag of buckwheat, unable to recall a Greek recipe that uses it, then discover koliva — sweetened wheat ornamentally adorned with dried fruit and nuts, prepared to honor the passing of a loved one. So imagine my simultaneous surprise and lack thereof when I learned the lore of Thai strawberry Fanta, known as Fanta nam daeng, or 'Fanta red water,' found at spirit houses. The small shrines — constructed outside of Thai restaurants, cafes, shops, homes and parks — honor spirits' claim to the land and provide them with a place to dwell. The red Fanta, almost always a spirit house offering, flows freely in Los Angeles, considering it is home to the most Thais outside of Thailand. My resounding 'Why?' is, I suppose, a fitting question considering the higher powers at play. The answer is, as it always seems to be, all but simple. In Thai culture, ghosts, broadly referred to as phi (ผี) are commonly believed in and tended to. The list of spirits is long, each with their own physical attributes, epic folklore and methods of appeasement. Much like those on this earthly plane, the way to a spirit's heart is through his or her stomach. The list of snack and drink offerings found at spirit houses is almost as long as the list of spirits themselves. At the spirit house outside of Silom Supermarket on Hollywood Boulevard, coconut water, rice, fruit, the fermented milk drink Yakult and desserts sprout up daily as if grown from the pavement below. But red Fanta is the most perennial of these offerings. Pip Paganelli, a cashier at Thai dessert shop Banh Kanom Thai, gives me an explanation. 'In the past when we would do offerings to ghosts, it would be an offering of blood,' he says. The bubbly strawberry nectar has since replaced animal sacrifice. He also posits that red Fanta toes the line of sickly sweetness and is beloved by ghosts because of just that. Most spirits have a sweet tooth, and will gladly gobble up fruits, sticky rice and coconut cakes. Some have other theories. 'Red soda specifically is for when you pray to the kid ghost,' Kira S., another Banh Kanom Thai employee (who preferred to provide only her first name), tells me. 'It's the spirit of a boy who's passed away. If you give him offerings like toys or red soda, you can ask for things.' She's speaking of Kuman Thong, a common household deity who can be of assistance when it comes to the protection of the home, help at school or, 'say I wanted a new phone from my mom, I'd pray for that.' An answer to the pressing question of 'Why Fanta?' is a bit fuzzier and most likely has to do with the giant soda brand's longtime presence in the Thai region. Coca-Cola, the beverage behemoth that sells its products, including Fanta, in more than 200 countries, did not respond to requests for comment. 'It can be any red drink, but the red Fanta is the most common,' Paganelli says. 'There are some gods where you'd offer any black drink, like Coca-Cola. It's a Thai Hindu belief that when there's an eclipse, the god that we believe slowly swallowed the moon has dark skin. So you'd offer any black drink, food or items.' Paganelli is referring to Phra Rahu, frequently depicted as a giant black creature, jaws eagerly wrapped around a glowing planet. Although Buddhism is the leading religion in Thailand, and by proxy Thai Town, the cultivation of spirit houses and the offerings that go along with them actually originates from animism mixed with Brahmanism (an early form of Hinduism), which subsequently made its way into Buddhist beliefs. Spirits can offer protection to homes and businesses, ensure a fruitful year or safeguard the health of friends and loved ones — a sip of the Champagne of fruit sodas lubricating these prayers of course. I encountered cases of the stuff at LAX-C, known to many as Thai Costco; saw it elegantly stacked at Bangluck Market; and at Silom it stood post next to the regional Thai flavor of Fanta 'green cream,' which tastes of bananas and citrus. However at Wat Thai, the massive Thai Bhuddist temple located in North Hollywood, I paced the lush red carpet puzzled to find a lack of soda with the same hue. It was then that I was pointed to the weekend food court, where a corner stall mixes up icy cups of Hale's Blue Boy with milk or sparkling water. Hales, a Thai concentrated syrup, comes in several flavors, including red-toned salak, or snake fruit. This, I'm told, does the trick. Belief system or sugar threshold aside, trips to L.A.'s Thai groceries should not be complete without a stop by their respective spirit houses, a welcome moment for reflection. Take a look at the daily offerings; in Los Angeles, the ingredients for pious pie grow abundantly, and they might just be right in front of you.
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Buzz Feed
36 Sensible Things Anyone In Their Thirties Should Own
A TikTok-famous Little Green upholstery cleaner from Bissell — this spiffy (and portable) system uses warm water and a special formula to save the day when slips turn into spills, which turn into stains. A Baseboard Buddy that'll basically work like an eraser. This has an extendable handle that'll make cleaning tiny corners and often-ignored areas not just simple, but suuuper satisfying. A splurge-worthy 12-piece Caraway cookware set so you have everything you need to finally start cooking in your kitchen. These are all nonstick and work with induction, gas, and electric stovetops, they're oven safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, are made with a non-toxic coating, and feature non-stick ceramic with an aluminum core and stainless steel handles. Whew! Sorry for all that, I really got Caraway'd away! And a *lavender* baking set made with heavy-duty aluminized steel and a ceramic finish for all your adventurous baking ahead. A stuffed waffle maker — this applause-worthy appliance is designed with a deep, bowl-like griddle that allows you to cook the batter with fillings (we're talking chocolate, fruit, cheese, works). Upgrade your morning routine from frozen waffles to a homemade meal that looks straight off a "best of" brunch menu. A set of reusable microfiber mop pads so you don't have to worry about running out of disposable pads right when you need them most. Save some time and money with these extra-thick microfiber versions! A ChomChom pet hair remover roller — this is gonna pick up fur and lock it inside the roller, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, it doesn't lose its effectiveness with heavy use. We love our pets but woof, shedding in the springtime is their greatest skill. A jar of The Pink Stuff (the internet's favorite cleaning product) that'll clean everything from pots and pans to blotches in your bathtub. Move over firefighters, I want a calendar of THIS sexy stuff and its shiny results. And The Pink Stuff All-Purpose Floor Cleaner for folks who know The Pink Stuff could be the *only* stuff. Try out their floor cleaner and transform your brown grout into the white grout it actually is. A TBH *too* nice Tineco 2-in-1 cordless vacuum and mop created to both vacuum and mop at the same time. Unlike our old dummy mops, this robot has a separate tank that stores the dirty water, and it retains 90% of the stuff, so your floors will be clean and dry in just minutes. A handy portable car vacuum so you can clean your car without the extra effort of bringing your vacuum outside. (Because honestly, when do we ever actually do that?) A plastic bag dispenser for organized souls who are proud of their excessively type-A personality, because who wouldn't want to keep their lunch and snack bags in their own size-appropriate slot?! Snag one of these and eliminate packaging clutter in your drawers. A 39-piece toolkit so you have what you need when watching YouTube videos on how to tighten a faucet, hang a shelf, or finally put together the headboard that's been living in a box beside your bed. A pack of two Downy fabric sprays — with this, you're *finally* gonna rid your caftans and pants of those stubborn crinkles and creases. A jewelry cleaning pen so you can rid your rings of buildup and cloudiness. A Scrubbing Bubbles toilet cleaning stamp that's easy peasy to put on *and* makes cleaning your toilet simpler than it's ever been! Mostly because, with this, you won't be the one cleaning your toilet. A "Shower Cat" for folks who spend half their time in the shower making hair art on the walls, which inevitably ends up clogging the drain. TMI? This makes catching your hair *much* easier and gives it a proper place while you finish sudsing up. A headlight restoration kit so you can hit the your high beams. Don't spend money on expensive replacements — just give them a good scrub! A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets designed to clean your machine while it runs naturally, makin' it sparkle and shine without you spending time scrubbing! A clip-on polarized sun visor that'll be a must if you're always squinting into the sun on your daily commute. Just clip the extender onto your existing sun visor! A bug remover for anyone who is ~bugged~ by the number of critters that end up creating crud on their car's perfect paint job. A digital food thermometer so you know you won't be giving your guests salmonella when having a dinner party. A WD-40 pen with the rust-preventing powers your cringey hinges need, placed in an applicator your less-than-handy hands can use without making a mess. Bless. A French-style marble butter keeper — this makes butter soft and spreadable so you don't find yourself destroying a piece of bread by trying to add cold butter to it. A non-toxic tennis shoe cleaner formulated with saddle soap and gentle conditioners that'll bring leather, vinyl, nubuck, suede, and canvas shoes back to life. If your longest lasting relationship is with your high school sneakers, give them some tender, loving care. A screen cleaner so you can actually *see* what's going on behind the fingerprints and buildup on your cellphone and laptop. Looks like you don't need to go to that eye appointment after all — you CAN see! A pack of 10 meal prep containers safe to use in the microwave, freezer, oven, and dishwasher. Get ready to become a meal prep pro. A car insurance and registration holder for keeping everything you need in one spiffy space because rushing to find your registration in the trash box you call a glove compartment can be even more stressful than getting pulled over in the first place. A foaming garbage disposal cleaner with a formula that clings to grime and buildup inside your pipes, preventing hidden smells from escaping through your sink and removing bacteria that may be lurking just out of reach. Use this so you can clean out your rental's sink before your landlord decides to dispose of your deposit. A lock bag that's both water- and fire-proof, making it the perfect spot for important documents because your scattered mind can forget where you put something two minutes later. If you randomly think, "Where's my birth certificate?" at 3 a.m. or seem to lose your passport days before a trip, this will give you peace of mind that everything's in one designated place. A fridge deodorizer to keep your fridge smelling fresh for up to six months and *not* smelling like last week's lasagna. Put it anywhere in your fridge or freezer and it'll de-funk it in hours without using any fragrances or perfumes. A magnetic microwave cover that'll stick to the top of your microwave and easily pop off when you have something particularly saucy and sloppy that definitely needs to be covered up while heated up. Lookin' at you, lasagna. A roll of self-fusing silicone tape — a temporary solution for rescuing your pipes when they get totally over-dramatic and start turning on the waterworks. A U-shaped shelving system to give you so much usable storage space you just might finally find the spices you actually need to cook with. The ToiletShroom, a flexible unclogging tool that's gonna move deep into your pipes, getting those pesky clogs *and* squeegeeing things clean at the same time. A stackable deviled egg carrier that'll make everyone's favorite side *much* more travel-friendly. If the stress of transporting these bite-sized beauties has you so worried you think you might ~crack~ then get yourself this helpful holder!
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business Insider
At 14, I chose a high school based on my interests at the time. I regretted it for years.
"The scientific lyceum would be the perfect fit for you," my math teacher said. My Italian teacher disagreed. She noticed I was interested in writing, so she suggested the classical lyceum. Nevertheless, subjects like Latin and Greek, at the core of the classical lyceum, were anything but appealing to me. I felt confused and pulled in two different directions. I grew up in San Marino, the third-smallest country in Europe, landlocked by Italy. I had the option to attend high school in San Marino or Italy. In both countries, at around age 14 you have to pick a high school with fixed subjects, which would set you up for your later studies. At that time, I barely knew which dance style I wanted to learn that year, yet alone what I possibly wanted to do for the rest of my life. The choice wasn't easy There are three categories of high schools: lyceums, technical institutes, and professional institutes. Lyceums prepare students for a wider university choice, while the main goal of technical and professional institutes is giving students a more practical education. If you choose a lyceum, picking the perfect one can be burdensome. While the scientific and the classical lyceums are deemed as the best ones in preparing students for the toughest university degrees, you can choose something more specific, as I ended up doing. My parents let me choose freely, pointing out that if I realized I had made the wrong choice, it would be quite easy to change schools during the first year. After much consideration, I chose the high school of human sciences, following my own interests instead of my teachers' recommendations. In addition to the core subjects of Italian, English, and math, there were also courses in theater, Spanish, political economy, law, and social sciences for me to take. As a bonus, this high school didn't have lessons on Saturdays, as many others did, so my choice was finalized. My high school allowed me to pursue artistic interests For me, high school was easy compared to junior high. I was able to maintain high grades while cultivating artistic interests like playing the guitar and singing. While I enjoyed this, it did make me worry a bit about my future studies. When I was ready for college, would I be properly prepared if I wanted to pursue, say, a scientific degree? I wasn't sure. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. What is your job title? (1 of 2) Entry level position Project manager Management Senior management Executive management Student Self-employed Retired Other Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . At some point, I realized that my focus on escaping the scientific versus classical dichotomy made me neglect considering other choices. As someone passionate about foreign languages and visiting new places, maybe the linguistic lyceum could have been the perfect place for me. Socially, I was concerned about my choice as well. As a shy person in a small school, I made a few friends, but I was the complete opposite of popular. I pondered if going to a bigger school would have meant more opportunities to find people with the same artistic and cultural passions. As you can see, my mind was all over the place and I was anxious about the decision I had made for a long time. After years of doubt, I have made peace with my choice In the end, I stayed at the high school I chose. I later attended University to get my bachelor's degree in information, media and advertising and later a master's in communication and information sciences. Today I am a writer, with a background in copywriting and social media planning. My high school prepared me adequately for my life and I'm at peace with the choice I had to make as a 14-year-old. It took me a long time to completely shake off the feeling that I could have made a different choice. Therapy was helpful to reaffirm that choosing at such a young age is challenging and I made the best choice for me at the time. Nowadays, I am proud of sticking to my guns and being guided by my interests and not what other people thought I should do.
