Be it French onion soup or shortbread cookies, our recipes undergo many rounds of testing earlier than they get to your palms. Every single day, Severe Eats editors are within the check kitchen measuring, chopping, and whisking, they usually couldn’t get it completed with out 11 important instruments. From spider strainers to bench scrapers, these instruments streamline kitchen workflows as they assist excellent a whole bunch of recipes each month.

Editor-Cherished Check Kitchen Necessities, at a Look

OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless Metal Locking Tongs

Metallic kitchen tongs are my must-have. They do not need to be fancy however they have to grip tightly. I take advantage of them for turning meats, greens, and tofu slabs throughout roasting, or for fishing scorching meals out of the broiler. I’ve additionally been recognized to make use of my tongs to seize issues off of excessive cabinets after I do not feel like getting the step stool out. I bought mine at a restaurant provide retailer in New York’s Chinatown, however they appear identical to this OXO pair. — Megan O. Steintrager, affiliate editorial director 

Hiware Stable Stainless Metal Spider Strainer Skimmer

A spider skimmer is an indispensable kitchen device. It is nice for transferring blanched greens into an ice tub or fishing fried meals out of scorching oil. However what I take advantage of mine for probably the most is transferring pasta straight from the pot of water into the sauce to complete cooking. — Megan

OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Metal Scale

I will be trustworthy: I would not be capable to check kitchen gear with out a scale. Simply right now, I used mine to weigh potatoes for a potato masher check. I additionally weigh almost each merchandise I check, since how hefty one thing is could make a distinction. This scale from OXO is my go-to: It might probably deal with weights as much as 11 kilos and encompasses a pull-out display in case there is a massive bowl blocking the view. — Grace Kelly, editor

Escali Primo Digital Meals Scale

My Escali digital scale is my journey or die. It is light-weight, correct, and might weigh in ounces, kilos, and grams. — Genevieve Yam, culinary editor

Misono UX10 Chef’s Knife

Simply kidding! My Misono chef’s knife is my real-or-die. It has an asymmetrical carbon metal blade that stays sharp and is simply an all-around nice knife. — Genevieve

OXO Good Grips Bench Scraper

It doesn’t matter what recipe I am creating, I’ll all the time have a scale, a superb chopping board, and a bench knife for transferring components off the chopping board simply. This OXO one which I take advantage of is certainly one of our examined favorites. Mixing bowls, good knives, Y-peelers, thermometers (probe and instant-read), and kitchen timers are additionally usually important. — Daniel Gritzer, editorial director

O-Cedar Scrunge Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges, 6-Pack

I am writing a cookbook(!), and if there’s one factor I can let you know about recipe testing, it is that it’s important to clear plenty of dishes. Even with a dishwasher, I am sudsing up within the sink on the finish of daily. These dishwashing sponges are the very best—they’re scrubby however nonabrasive, they usually’re low-cost! — Rochelle Bilow, editor

Zero Japan Salt Field

Correct seasoning is essential to a scrumptious recipe, so I be sure that my salt is all the time shut at hand. (In fact, I additionally journey with a tin of emergency flaky salt.) However for each day cooking, I take advantage of a salt cellar. This one has a big capability and a hinged lid to maintain it free from mysterious kitchen particles. — Rochelle

Le Creuset Stainless Metal Measuring Spoons, Set of 5

Each time I am making a recipe, I attempt to be as correct as potential. Whereas this may imply breaking out the kitchen scale, I additionally flip to a superb set of measuring spoons. Consider it or not, not all measuring spoons measure the identical. My favorites from Le Creuset are tremendous correct and I like that the set comes with 1/8 of a teaspoon. The numbers are stamped, too, so they will not fade over time. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, affiliate editorial director

Hedley & Bennett Smock Apron

Within the curiosity of preserving my clothes, I attempt to put on an apron after I’m within the kitchen. This smock is my favourite. It is easy to slide on and off and by no means rubs or itches. It is excellent for lengthy stretches within the kitchen. — Riddley

Lane Kitchen Cotton Dish Towels, 6-Pack

If I’m testing a recipe, there can be loads of splashing and spillage. Fortunately, my trusty kitchen towels come to the rescue each time to sop up messes of all styles and sizes. Whereas our favourite dish towels are out of inventory, these comparable ones are solely $10 for a pack of six. The cotton materials and effective weave make them tremendous absorbent and sturdy. — An Uong, author

Why We’re the Specialists

• An Uong is a author for Severe Eats.
• An has been testing kitchen gear for Severe Eats for 2 years.
• She’s additionally a recipe developer who’s engaged on a recipe sequence of weeknight Vietnamese meals.