Kit
The gear that earns its spot
What a working kitchen and bar actually use, with a budget pick beside the good stuff.
- Kitchen34 tools a working cook reaches for, from knives to thermometers.
- Bar22 tools for stirring, shaking and serving at home.
- Books40 cookbooks and bar books worth owning.
- Gift guide41 picks for the cook or bartender on your list.
Start with these
ThermoWorks Thermapen NANO
ThermoWorks rates it at 0.4 second reads and plus or minus 0.5 F accuracy with a NIST-traceable certificate, and it is the instant-read most working cooks carry. A fast probe is the cheapest way to stop overcooking.
Budget pick: ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2
See it on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven, 5.5 qt
A 5.5 quart enameled round oven handles braises, soups, stews and no-knead bread, and it is the piece of enameled cast iron a working kitchen reaches for most. It lasts decades and is resold and passed down.
Budget pick: Lodge 6 Qt Essential Enamel Dutch Oven
See it on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (4582-7/20)
A forged, full-tang German knife with a stiff, durable edge that takes a honing steel well. It is a standard in professional kitchens and a common first serious knife.
Budget pick: Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-inch Chef's Knife
See it on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Cocktail Kingdom Koriko Weighted Shaking Tins, set of two (18 oz + 28 oz), stainless steel
Two weighted tins seal with a tap, take daily use, and cost less than most cobbler shakers. It is the format working bars use, so the technique carries over.
Budget pick: BarConic Etched Shaker Set, 28 oz + 18 oz tins
See it on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Cocktail Kingdom Yarai Mixing Glass, 500 ml (17 oz)
A heavy glass with a wide base and spout holds ice well and pours cleanly. Winter drinks like Manhattans, Negronis and Old Fashioneds are stirred, so it gets constant use.
Budget pick: True 17 oz Recipe Mixing Glass
See it on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Libbey Heavy Base Rocks Cocktail Glasses, 11 oz, set of 12
A thick base and straight sides suit Old Fashioneds, neat pours and hot toddies, and a dozen covers a party. It is a restaurant staple that survives the dishwasher.
Budget pick: Libbey 128 Heavy Base 9 oz rocks glass, case of 36
See it on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
How things get on this list
Every item has to pass one test: would a working kitchen or bar say it is worth the money. A budget option sits beside most picks, because the cheap one is often the right one. When a product stops earning its place, it comes off.
Prices change daily, so none are listed here. Links open the product page or a search for it. See the disclosure for how the site is paid.