Best Kitchen Products for the Home Chef

Taco Holders

Pros and Cons:

• Stackable, easy storage
• Durable
• A cinche to wash

Great for crunchy or soft tacos, these little holders are also convenient for when you're cooking/serving.

But, of course, they're also great for guests, family, or friends, cause they keep the tacos from spilling.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

Pros and Cons:

• Will last forever
• Lots of colors to choose from
• Fairly expensive

A huge bonus to this Le Creuset is it's pre-seasoned, so you can jump right into cooking with it.

Cast iron skillets are a nice addition to any kitchen, as they cook food perfectly evenly. And, you can cook at any heat, including putting into an oven.

Justin's Tip: To thoroughly clean this pan, I boil some water in it, then add baking soda. It cleans it to perfection.

Asian Soup Spoons

Pros and Cons:

• Inexpensive
• Use for more than just soup

I got the idea to buy these spoons after a trip to Japan. They are fantastic! In fact, for soups, I've completely given up on silverware spoons.

These are affordable, come in a pack of 12, and are useful for more than just soups, ramens, etc. I use them to scoop coffee in the morning, as they are the equivalent of 1 tablespoon.

Ninja 10-Cup Specialty Coffee Maker

Pros and Cons:

• Makes full array of coffee drinks
• Includes frother
• Fairly compact in size

I've had this Ninja coffee maker for about a year now, and as a person who works from home full-time, I can vouch for its superb functionality and variety of uses. Although I must admit, I don't make lattes or macchiatos everyday, I do however make ice coffees, hot brewed coffee, and cappuccinos on a regular basis.

Bamboo Cooking Utensils Set

Pros and Cons:

• Inexpensive
• Long lasting bamboo
• Scratch-free cooking
• Best to hand-wash

This 8-piece bamboo set looks great on your kitchen countertop. They are safe to use on pots and pans, are especially versatile, and are easy to clean. I would also say that they are a pretty compact size compared to some other kitchen utensils out there, so if you have limited countertop space, then these are a very good addition to your kitchen.

Vitamix E320

Pros and Cons:

• Powerful, well-made
• Easy to clean
• Simple to use
• Loud (like most blenders)

So, I researched a LOT of blenders from Ninja, Vitamix, and KitchenAid. However, after a few weeks of tirelessly reading reviews, I decided to go with the Vitamix E320. Vitamix makes a whole slew of different models to choose from, but I found this one to be the most practical and best value.

The size of this blender is 64oz, which is plenty for smoothies, soups, and everything I'll be using it for.

Justin's Tip: This thing rocks for shredding chicken!

Modern Innovations 16 Inch Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Bar

Pros and Cons:

• Easy to install
• Strong magnet
• Like myself, you may need 2

The magnet helps clear out your utensils drawer(s) and displays your knives wherever you choose. Easy to install into drywall. This knife holder can also be used for scissors, steak knives, a whisk (pictured) or anything else that you typically store in the "junk drawer" of your kitchen. Or, it makes an excellent replacement for having a full knife set on your kitchen counter.

WÜSTHOF Classic IKON 8-Inch

Pros & Cons:

• Doesn't rust
• Well-balanced weight

This knife is phenomenal! In addition to having a mid-range knife (the Imarku), we also have this beauty, which I still enjoy using each time I cook.

Wusthof makes some of the best knives around, and you won't be disappointed by this beauty. If you are going to buy 1 knife, this is the one to own.

Imarku Japanese Chef Knife

Pros & Cons:

• Beautifully constructed
• Easy to sharpen

We've had this knife for over 2 years now, and I use it daily. It still has zero rust, and is well balanced in its weight and size. The blade stays sharp for weeks, but we do use a Wustoff pull-through knife sharpener from Amazon about every 2 months.

I love cooking, and this is my go-to knife in the kitchen. Not too expensive either!

Marie Sharp's Habanero 10oz (3-Pack)

Pros & Cons:

• Hot, but not insane
• Great for breakfast, lunch, & dinner
• Somewhat expensive. Best to buy in a 3-pack

My friend visited the hot sauce plant down in Belize on his honeymoon, and came back and told me about this hot sauce. It's outstanding!

It's a carrot-based sauce, pretty fiery and hot, but super flavorful. To this day, I still buy a 3-pack about 3-4 times per year and can't get enough. Thankfully Amazon carries this stuff, as I continue to buy it.

CAROTE 11pcs Pots and Pans Set

Pros & Cons:

• Detachable Handles
• Versatile Usage
• Inexpensive
• Non-stick, Oven-Proof

These pots and pans come with a removable handle, so you can literally stack all of them together in your cabinetry.

I got rid of ALL my pots and pans after buying this set.