Palermo Instant Thermometer
2nd favorite thermometer. This thermometer is affordable and reliable, and it takes one AAA battery, which is very easy to get. The LavaTools style is closer to a Thermapen, which uses the CR2302 button-style battery. | Analog Thermometer
Do you always run out of batteries? Great as your everyday thermometer, or a backup to any of the digital ones I mention above. You'll need to calibrate this if you drop it; I'll show you how! | Probe Thermometer
You can pop the metal probe in a roast, a formed loaf of bread dough, or even a pot of soup you're reheating, and it will beep at you when it reaches the set temp. Can be used in an oven, in a crockpot, or on your stovetop. |
So... confession time: I don't own a Thermapen. I know all the pros swear by them, but I also have seen a LOT of ruined Thermapens.
I can't 100% endorse spending $100 on this thermometer when you could buy FOUR Lavatools or FIVE Palermos.
P.S. Avoid buying Taylor brand anything, it's like they're made to self-desctruct, they are consistently terrible products. |
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Oven Thermometer
This one got high marks from ATK, so it's the one I use at home. This has a two-way hanger for easiest viewing. Place it towards the middle of the bottom oven rack. (P.S. I won't buy Taylor-brand anything.) | Refrigerator Thermometer
The best ingredients in the world will still spoil in a refrigerator that's too warm. Wouldn't it be awful to invest all that time, money and energy into carefully preparing a meal, then have it go bad in your fridge? Keep your food cold and stay healthy! | Freezer Thermometer
Freezerburn is a terrible way to waste good food. The easy analog readout will let you know at a glance that your freezer is too warm. (If you can squeeze your ice cream container, your freezer is too warm!) |
Measuring Spoons
This one-piece design holds up well, and these narrow, rectangular spoons fit into most spice jars.
I suggest you to buy a second set in a different style, just for WET measuring, this set is nice. | Dry Measuring Cups
Just the basics, because it's easy to grab the wrong size cup. Stainless steel won't melt or warp if you accidentally leave it on your stovetop. Holds together with magnets! (TIP - Dollar store measuring cups are good for scooping pasta or rice out of a container, but that's about it.) | Liquid Measuring Cups
There are only a couple things made of glass that I'd recommend... and this set is one of them. Won't melt, warp, stain, or absorb odors. You can melt butter in your microwave, right in this cup, and it's heavy enough to not tip over if you leave a pastry brush in it. |
Size 40 Portion Scoop
Make perfect meatballs that are big enough to hold up, but small enough to cook through without drying out. Also good for dividing cookie dough, or for portioning mini cupcakes. I don't recommend for ice cream unless it's VERY soft. | Size 24 Portion Scoop
This is the right size for making standard-sized cupcakes turn out perfetly every single time. "Scoop" one of these up, if it's available, it tends to sell out fast! | Size 70 Portion Scoop
You will love this size portion scoop if you're making truffles or if you're going to make teensy little cookies for two-bite ice cream sandwiches. The smaller the scoop, the more you'll wonder how you lived without it. |
| Here's another section where I have strong opinions. (Big surprise, right?) Don't get the thumb-button one because you will ruin your hand. Full palm-grip is the only way to go. Don't get the cushioned fancy handles, they'll break or get icky and you'll be mad. Don't scoop anything harder than, say, chilled chocolate chip cookie dough, or the little sweeper thing will come apart and you'll be mad. It may sound like I get mad at these tools a lot, and I used to... but now I take care of them and they're great. I have one in every size that exists, but I'd admit, you'd never need more than these three. |
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Digital Scale
I use my scale on a daily basis, both for portioning and metric recipes. This one powers down to save battery, and it uses AAA batteries, which are easy to replace. I keep mine in a gallon-size ziploc bag to keep it clean. | Gravy Separator
I've had this for over 10 years! I do use it for measuring, which is why it's in this section. It's my favorite fat separator because it's SO EASY to clean. The strainer top is useful as a first step to remove large bits, but you still want to use a sieve to remove fine particles. | Stainless Steel Ruler
Three things that are important for this ruler: It has markings on both sides for inches and centimeters, it doesn't have gross cork stuck on with adhesive, and you can put stainless steel in the dishwasher. This is for two 6" rulers, but you can get a 6" AND a 12" for a bit more. |
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Specialty: Lava Lamp