Investing in kitchen gear is one in all my favourite pastimes. Having the precise knife for any activity, reducing boards in a number of configurations and dimensions, and low makers of each brewing type sparks pleasure in my gear-loving coronary heart. However as a result of my kitchen is basically, actually stocked, there’s inevitably some nice objects that fall by the wayside…and that I endeavor to make use of extra. 

I assumed different Critical Eats editors may really feel the identical manner, so I requested them: What kitchen gear do they resolve to make use of extra this 12 months? Under, you’ll discover our 13 picks.

I desperately have to be higher about sharpening my knives, which I am admittedly lazy about. I will even pay another person to do it quite than sharpen them myself. I’ve no excuses, as a result of I each know methods to sharpen knives and personal our profitable electrical knife sharpener, which makes the duty even simpler. This factor seems like an influence device and, appropriately, may even sharpen scissors and mower blades. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, affiliate editorial director

Okay, I don’t at present OWN a kitchen scale, however I wish to make extra bread and pizza in 2026, and a exact kitchen scale is basically useful for that. So, I’ve my eye on this mannequin that topped Critical Eats’ checks. — Megan O. Steintrager, affiliate editorial director

That is so dangerous, however though I’ve reviewed dozens of espresso makers and espresso grinders, I now not grind espresso at dwelling. I am all the time too grumpy within the morning to take care of the (admittedly very straightforward!) chore earlier than brewing a pot. As an alternative, I ask my boyfriend, who owns a espresso store, to grind baggage at work. I retailer the grounds in an hermetic canister, however I do know they don’t seem to be as aromatic and flavorful as they might be if I floor them contemporary. I resolve to care extra about my morning espresso in 2026! — Rochelle Bilow, editor 

I received this meat grinder stand mixer attachment just a few years in the past for Christmas, then promptly by no means used it. I had desires of home made sausage and freshly floor beef for burgers, however I did not have the resolve to truly do it. No extra! This 12 months I am committing to utilizing it—not less than a handful of instances. Now I simply want to search out some sausage casings… — Grace Kelly, senior editor

I retailer my many additional kitchen knives in a magnetically locked drawer to maintain my children out. That lock can also be simply sufficient of a barrier to maintain me out of it lots of the time. I might like to succeed in into it somewhat extra typically to fish out my deba and honesuki knives, that are the Japanese blades designed for fish and rooster butchery, respectively. I discover them a lot simpler to make use of and more practical than the usual Western filleting and boning knives, and I am all the time so pleased once I do keep in mind to make use of them. Let this 12 months be the one the place I do this extra typically. — Daniel Gritzer, editorial director

My husband purchased me a recipe field final 12 months and, in 2026, I wish to file my favourite household recipes, like my mother’s five-cheese macaroni and cheese and my grandma’s vegetable soup that is tangy from pickling spices. — Riddley 

I have not used my forged iron skillet in… months? A 12 months? I will admit I’ve gotten lazy and attain for my easier-to-clean stainless-steel skillet anytime I wish to prepare dinner one thing on the stovetop. However nothing beats forged iron in terms of golden-brown sears, and my Discipline Firm skillet is sort of as mild as my favourite Le Creuset metal one. I am vowing proper now to make use of it for steak night time quickly. — Rochelle

I dusted off my waffle maker on New 12 months’s Day to make a particular brunch for my children after not utilizing it for over two years—and instantly puzzled why I ever stopped utilizing it. The waffles had been crisp, quick, and an on the spot hit. Plus, I noticed there are such a lot of savory, weeknight-friendly meal concepts for waffling, similar to hash-brown waffles to tacky dinner variations. In 2026, I am resolving to deal with my waffle maker much less like a novelty and extra like a weekend staple. — Leah Colins, senior editor

I assumed I had sworn off countertop blenders once I removed our secondhand one years in the past. Absolutely, I assumed, an immersion blender alone could be higher than one thing I dreaded hauling out and despised cleansing? That reasoning saved me staunchly loyal to my stick blender till I noticed that I had simply began avoiding issues that may clog up its blades, just like the spinach within the inexperienced smoothies that was once my go-to breakfast. So, I splurged on our favourite Vitamix blender when it went on sale just a few months in the past, and I have been relishing how highly effective it’s—and the way a lot simpler it’s to clean than each my outdated mannequin and my immersion blender’s wand. Working by means of my blender trauma has introduced me higher smoothies than ever, and I am wanting ahead to many extra in 2026. — Ashlee Redger, author

I purchased the KitchenAid pasta maker set two years in the past and, to my disgrace, have solely used it a handful of instances. Recently, I have been craving contemporary pasta, so I am making a small promise to myself now: Extra home made noodles in 2026. If I preserve the attachment inside attain as a substitute of tucked away, I believe I would really stick with it. — Laila Ibrahim, affiliate culinary editor

Mill isn’t actually one thing I’m resolving to make use of extra—that half takes care of itself once I’m cooking extra greens. And that’s the actual aim: To prepare dinner contemporary meals extra typically at dwelling. Mill simply removes the annoying elements. It handles meals scraps quietly, with out odor or fuss, making the entire technique of cooking from scratch really feel lighter and extra doable. – Jessie YuChen, visible editor

A Critical Eats basic choose, I lastly lugged mine dwelling from the workplace. One in every of my New 12 months’s resolutions is much less takeout, so whereas it is nonetheless chilly and unhappy outdoors, I will be warming my condo and abdomen with some good, roasted dinners – Amanda Suarez, affiliate visuals director

I have been getting by with a small superb mesh strainer for making cocktails, however after too many messy pours, it is time for me to up my mixology sport and get a Hawthorne strainer. — Grace

Gear for the New 12 months

Why We’re the Consultants

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the affiliate editorial director for Critical Eats.
• She’s been with the location since 2021, and has been testing gear for greater than seven years.
• Shopping for kitchen gear is one in all her favourite hobbies.