Anybody who spends a whole lot of time within the kitchen has a pet peeve that immediately makes them cringe. For some cooks, it’s watching you waste meals. Others can’t stand seeing you hack away at proteins with a boring knife. I requested trade professionals to share the kitchen habits they need house cooks would lastly go away behind in 2026 — and chances are high, you’re responsible of 1 or two of those culinary crimes. Learn on to be taught the 5 habits cooks need you to go away behind this yr, plus 27 merchandise that may assist you keep away from them.

Depart Behind: Overcrowding Pans

Do As a substitute: Use a Bigger Pan

“One kitchen behavior that must be left behind in 2026 is overcrowding pans. Whether or not roasting greens or searing proteins, stuffing an excessive amount of right into a single pan prevents correct browning and causes substances to steam moderately than caramelize. The repair is straightforward: Give substances house, absolutely preheat your pan, and select cookware that retains warmth properly. You’ll get higher texture, deeper taste, and extra constant outcomes. One other behavior value dropping is defaulting to excessive warmth for each job. Studying when to dial the warmth down — particularly for eggs, fish, and delicate sauces — permits for extra management and produces cleaner, extra assured cooking.” — Justin Ferrera, govt sous chef, Thompson Savannah

• Lodge 17-Inch Pre-Seasoned Forged Iron Skillet, $60, initially $79 at amazon.com
• HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Quart Sauté Pan, $199, initially $229 at amazon.com
• Koch Systeme CS 14-Inch Frying Pan with Lid, $50, initially $80 at amazon.com 
• Rachael Ray T Cucina Arduous-Anodized Nonstick Skillet, $55, initially $60 at amazon.com 
• Granitestone 14-Inch Frying Pan with Lid, $40, initially $50 at amazon.com 

Depart Behind: Selecting the Fallacious Olive Oil

Do As a substitute: Give attention to High quality

“Typically, individuals select to purchase olive oil with a cool bottle or a cool design or with a squeeze methodology as a substitute of shopping for a good-quality additional virgin olive oil that isn’t rancid. As a substitute, I give attention to the standard of what is inside — my favourite is Corto Actually.” — Silvia Barban, chef, LaRina Pastificio & Vino

• Tulivya Early Harvest Additional Virgin Olive Oill, 17-Ounce, $36, initially $40 at amazon.com
• Ina Garten-Cherished: Olio Santo Additional Virgin Olive Oil, $25 at amazon.com
• Graza Drizzle, $13, initially $18 at amazon.com 
• Martha Stewart’s FavouriteFlamingo Property Heritage Additional Virgin Olive Oil, $48 at flamingoestate.com
• Cobram Property Strong 100% California Additional Virgin Olive Oil, $17, initially $21 at amazon.com
• La Tourangelle Natural Clean & Fruity Additional Virgin Olive Oil, $16, initially $30 at amazon.com
• Estoublon Picholine Additional Virgin Olive Oil, $65 at williams-sonoma.com 

Depart Behind: Utilizing Uninteresting Knives

Do As a substitute: Get a Good Sharpener

“The most important one for me is placing sharp knives within the dishwasher. Not solely is it unsafe, however extra importantly, the dishwasher dulls knives extra shortly — and there may be nothing worse than a boring knife. To not point out the truth that boring knives are literally simpler to chop your self with as a result of it’s important to apply extra strain on the knife to chop via issues. Individuals typically ask me what sort of sharpener they need to use to maintain their knives sharp, and I believe it’s best to use whichever implement is the best for you. I’ve an electrical knife sharpener at house, the Chef’s Selection 15XV, and love how briskly and straightforward it’s to function.” — Katie Button, chef and co-founder, Cúrate, Asheville

• Chef’s Selection 15XV EdgeSelect Skilled Electrical Knife Sharpener, $160 at amazon.com 
• Chef’sChoice Guide Knife Sharpener, $48, initially $68 at amazon.com 
• Longzon 4-in-1 Knife Sharpener with Minimize-Resistant Glove, $14, initially $21 at amazon.com 
• Hibwa Excessive Carbon Stainless Metal Rolling Knife Sharpener Equipment $30, initially $50 at amazon.com 
• Presto Electrical Knife Sharpener, $48, initially $55 at amazon.com 

Depart Behind: Undercooking/Overcooking Proteins

Do As a substitute: Use a Meals Thermometer

“One of many kitchen habits that annoys me most is just not utilizing a thermometer! It is the best method to undercook your poultry (are these juices actually clear?), which could be harmful for meals security, and it is also a straightforward method to overcook a pleasant steak — that is the worst. You should utilize a thermometer for different issues apart from meat, too! Perhaps that is the yr you enterprise into candies like fudge, toffee, or caramel, that are finest made following particular temperature tips. I have been utilizing the identical one for 20-plus years, many a number of instances per week — properly definitely worth the cash for all of the guesswork and wasted meals it is saved.” — Katie Vine, founder, Dinners Performed Fast

• Taylor Immediate-Learn Digital Meat Thermometer, $11, initially $12 at amazon.com 
• ThermoWorks Thermapen One, $75 was $115 at thermoworks.com 
• Alpha Grillers Meat Immediate-Learn Meals Thermometer, $15, initially $20 at amazon.com 
• Meater Professional Good Bluetooth Wi-fi Meat Thermometer, $130 at amazon.com 
• ThermoPro Sweet Thermometer with Pot Clip, $20, initially $26 at amazon.com 

Depart Behind: Losing Meals

Do As a substitute: Compost

“Residence cooks not utilizing the entire product from ‘from nostril to tail’ is a typical kitchen behavior and a straightforward repair. For instance, [use] vegetable scraps to make a broth, in addition to bones and different components of the protein which are normally scraps, to make a inventory. When you develop a backyard, attempt composting any leftover greens, eggshells, fruit, and low grounds. This can assist your backyard develop quicker and extra absolutely, permitting you to economize on the gadgets you’d usually purchase on the retailer. Use leftovers creatively, as this may lower your expenses through the use of meals gadgets which will in any other case go to waste. Fried rice is a superb instance of repurposing leftover substances.” — Patrick Scully, nationwide director of meals, beverage, and culinary expertise, Esplanade by Taylor Morrison

• Ouaken 4-Liter Electrical Composter, $240, initially $315 at amazon.com 
• Joseph Joseph Compo 4 Straightforward-Fill Compost Bin, $17, initially $23 at amazon.com 
• Reencle Prime Electrical Composter, $399, initially $499 at amazon.com 
• Joseph Joseph Stack 4 Kitchen Compost Bin, $29, initially $40 at amazon.com 
• Kibaga Odorless Kitchen Compost Bin, $27, initially $30 at amazon.com