In an era flooded with cutting-edge, smart kitchen gadgets, a select group of kitchen essentials has proven their timeless value. After rigorous testing since 2015, Bon Appétit's expert team has identified 14 products that consistently outperform their peers, earning the first-ever \"Forever Award.\" These selections, ranging from a versatile chef's knife to an enduring Dutch oven, represent smart investments that promise reliability and superior performance for years to come, affirming that some classics simply cannot be improved upon.
Revealing the Culinary Mainstays: Bon Appétit's 'Forever Award' Honorees
In the dynamic world of culinary technology, where new, feature-rich products constantly emerge, some kitchen items demonstrate an unparalleled staying power. Since 2015, the dedicated team of Bon Appétit's Test Kitchen editors and review specialists has meticulously evaluated countless pieces of kitchen equipment. Their extensive head-to-head testing has culminated in the inaugural \"Gear of the Year Awards,\" specifically recognizing a core collection of 14 products with the esteemed \"Forever Award.\" These honorees are not merely functional; they are foundational, embodying durability, efficiency, and timeless design, ensuring they remain favorites for the foreseeable future.
Among the celebrated items is the Mac MTH-80 Pro Chef's Knife, hailed by food director Chris Morocco for its exceptional balance, sharpness, and comfort, blending Japanese precision with German power. This knife stands out as an affordable, indispensable tool, capable of handling everything from delicate slicing to breaking down a whole chicken. Its reliability makes it a desert island essential for any culinary enthusiast.
Another standout is the Benriner Super Slicer Mandoline. Despite its reputation for requiring careful handling, this tool transforms tedious prep work into a swift and precise task. Its adjustable blades create uniformly thin slices, from potatoes for a hasselback dish to translucent radishes, making it invaluable for recipes demanding meticulous cuts.
For perfect grains every time, the Zojirushi NP-HCC10 Rice Cooker receives high praise. Deputy food editor Hana Asbrink enthusiastically endorses this induction-heated model, noting its consistent ability to produce fluffy, perfectly cooked rice without supervision. Even after 15 years, her Zojirushi remains a cherished kitchen companion, consistently outperforming newer, more expensive models in blind taste tests.
Coffee aficionados will appreciate the Fellow Aiden Coffee Maker. Following the Technivorm Moccamaster's achievement in elevating drip coffee to pour-over quality, the Aiden further refines the experience. It offers extensive control over brewing time and temperature, making gourmet coffee accessible and effortless, even for those without the time for elaborate pour-over rituals.
The Escali Primo Kitchen Scale proves that simplicity and functionality can coexist with affordability. Senior Test Kitchen editor Shilpa Uskokovic champions this digital scale for its unwavering accuracy and durability. Capable of weighing in grams and ounces, its clear display and robust design make it an essential tool for both home cooks and professional bakers, enduring years of heavy use.
In cookware, the Lancaster No. 8 Cast-Iron Pan distinguishes itself by harking back to vintage designs. Lighter and smoother than modern counterparts, it offers superior nonstick properties and quick heating. Staff writer Wilder Davies highlights its potential as a cherished heirloom, combining a delightful cooking experience with lasting quality.
For everyday frying, the All-Clad D3 Stainless-Steel Skillet remains a top choice. Professional chefs and culinary schools alike rely on All-Clad's pioneering multi-layered design. Uskokovic praises its consistent thermal conductivity and easy-to-clean surface, deeming it the only pan she would choose if limited to just one.
The Vitamix 5200 Blender, a powerhouse with a motor robust enough for professional kitchens, is celebrated for its sheer unvarnished power. Hana Asbrink values it for its ability to effortlessly prepare everything from marinades and batters to milkshakes and even pie crusts, proving its versatility beyond conventional blending tasks.
The Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half Sheet, despite the consumable nature of baking sheets, stands out for its impressive combination of rapid and even heating, coupled with remarkable durability. Test Kitchen editor Rebecca Firkser attests to its reliability for a multitude of baking and cooking tasks, calling it an unparalleled bargain.
Two Dutch ovens earned the \"Forever Award\": the Le Creuset Dutch Oven and the Staub Cocotte. Le Creuset is a Test Kitchen staple for stewing and braising, praised by Firkser for its versatility, light weight, and even heat distribution, making it suitable for pasta, searing meats, deep-frying, and baking bread. The Staub Cocotte, favored by Senior Test Kitchen editor Jesse Szewczyk for its chic design and unwavering quality, handles baking bread and braising meats with ease, maintaining its pristine condition even with vigorous cleaning.
For breakfast perfection, the Presto Flipside Waffle Maker wins hearts with its simple yet ingenious design. Its ability to create superbly crisp and fluffy waffles, coupled with a manual timer and space-saving upright storage, makes it a superior choice over more complex models, especially for a less frequent kitchen appliance.
Finally, the Weber Kettle Grill remains an iconic and unmatched choice for outdoor cooking. Its compact design belies a large cooking area, and its ease of transitioning between searing and smoking, along with simple cleanup, sets it apart. The Weber kettle brilliantly balances performance and value in a market often skewed towards either low-quality or ultra-premium options.
The enduring selections for Bon Appétit's \"Forever Award\" highlight a fundamental truth in the culinary world: while innovation constantly pushes boundaries, true excellence often lies in the refined simplicity, robust durability, and consistent performance of well-designed tools. These 14 kitchen mainstays, spanning knives, blenders, and cookware, stand as testaments to lasting quality. For any home cook or professional chef, investing in these proven essentials ensures a foundation of reliability and efficiency, making cooking a more enjoyable and successful endeavor, rather than a constant pursuit of the next new gadget. Ultimately, the best tools are those that seamlessly integrate into our routines, deliver flawless results, and stand the test of time, proving their worth season after season, year after year.