Yeah, this is a lot of stuff. Today we’re going to talk about the best appliances to keep on your countertop.
As you can see, it was a little tricky to try and Tetris all of the equipment in our kitchen, and especially at least in my home.
It can be incredibly hard to get all the equipment I want on the countertop without feeling like the space is overwhelmed.
That is why I decided to break down the bare essentials you actually need, plus a few extra fun items for anyone who recently won the lottery, got a bonus, or just feels like treating themselves.
Choosing the right appliances can feel like a big investment, especially when you’re considering something like a stand mixer or a food processor.
But with the right choices, the money you spend will go a long way.
These appliances can elevate your everyday cooking, help you prepare Serious Eats–style recipes, or simply make your daily kitchen routine easier and more enjoyable.
Vitamix: The Powerful Blender That Does It Al
The first piece of equipment worth discussing is the Vitamix. It may seem like an expensive purchase at first glance, but the power and performance it delivers make it truly exceptional.
The motors are extremely strong and capable of handling tasks that regular hand blenders or low-powered blenders simply cannot accomplish.
For example, if you want to mill flour at home, most standard blenders will struggle, but the Vitamix handles it easily.
While there are more affordable blenders available — and Serious Eats has an entire review on blenders under $200 — nothing quite matches the power and versatility of a Vitamix.
For everyday tasks or more advanced kitchen experiments, it is a beautiful and reliable piece of equipment.
The Benefits of Keeping an Electric Kettle on Your Counter
The next appliance that completely changed my routine is an electric kettle. I never owned one until Serious Eats insisted I try it, and now I use it constantly.
A precision electric kettle is especially valuable if you drink a lot of tea because it heats water to exact temperatures.
Different teas brew best at different temperatures, and this makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
It heats water incredibly fast and saves precious stovetop space by living on your countertop.
I especially love the Chefman precision kettle because of its glass carafe. Watching the water come to a boil through the glass is surprisingly calming and satisfying.
Why a Countertop Pressure Cooker Is Worth It
A countertop pressure cooker is another appliance I reach for constantly, especially for rice.
For reasons I cannot explain, rice on the stovetop has always been a challenge for me, but a pressure cooker makes it effortless.
It is also amazing for recipes that require tenderizing or breaking down proteins quickly.
For example, Kenji’s chicken, chickpea, and chorizo stew turns out perfectly in it.
You can even make risotto in a pressure cooker, including the bright and delicious corn risotto recipe that is perfect for summer.
The Instant Pot remains the most popular electric pressure cooker, and for good reason.
It is reliable, multifunctional, and great for everyday use. If you want something slightly more advanced and precise, the Breville Fast Slow Pro is an excellent upgrade.
Choosing the Right Food Processor
When Serious Eats reviewed the best food processors, the Magimix came out on top.
Many home cooks have never heard of this brand, but it is essentially the home-use version of the commercial Robocoup machines often found in professional kitchens.
It is incredibly durable and powerful but also on the expensive side.
If you prefer something more affordable, Cuisinart makes a fantastic model that remains a favorite among Serious Eats staff.
Stella uses hers for stable, fruity whipped cream, and with a strong food processor, you can even grind chicken to make homemade chicken nuggets.
That last one is a personal wish of mine because I want Serious Eats to release a homemade chicken nugget recipe someday.
The KitchenAid Stand Mixer: Beauty and Function in One Appliance
There is no appliance more visually stunning or universally adored than the KitchenAid stand mixer.
Beyond its beauty, it is incredibly functional. It is perfect for almost all of Stella’s cookies and cakes, and it works just as well for savory recipes like Daniel’s meatballs.
We recommend the KitchenAid Pro stand mixer because it has metal gears that last much longer than the Artisan model, which uses plastic gears.
The Pro model uses a bowl-lift mechanism rather than a tilt-head design, which also adds stability and durability.
KitchenAid mixers also offer a wide variety of attachments. The meat grinder produces excellent results for homemade burgers.
The whisk attachment is ideal for meringues. The dough hook makes bread dough easy.
And the pasta attachment might be one of the most enjoyable additions.
I often make the dough in the mixer with the dough hook, let it rest, and then feed it directly through the pasta roller for fresh homemade noodles.
A Modern Toaster Oven That Does More Than Toast
We have come a long way from the old toaster ovens that could only handle two slices of bread.
Today’s models are far more powerful and versatile. In the Serious Eats review of the best toaster ovens, the Breville model ranked highest.
This toaster oven has a bright LCD screen, multiple functions, and the ability to reheat leftovers, bake a frozen pizza, or get piping hot without overheating your entire kitchen.
Its build quality is excellent, its settings are diverse, and the temperature precision is impressive, as with most Breville appliances.
An Ice Cream Maker That Delivers Professional Result
Serious Eats is generally against unitasker appliances, but an ice cream maker is one of the few exceptions.
The Cuisinart ICE-21 is the favorite canister model. It produces smooth, consistent ice cream and is very easy to use.
The wide opening makes it simple to add mix-ins like cookies, strawberries, sprinkles, or even alcohol.
If you use a canister-style machine, remember to freeze the canister thoroughly and chill your base beforehand to ensure it freezes properly during churning.
If your budget allows, you can upgrade to a compressor-style ice cream maker. With these, you don’t need to freeze any canister or cool your base.
You simply add your ingredients, press start, and let the machine do the rest. This is ideal for anyone who wants to make ice cream quickly and without planning ahead.
Turning Water Into Seltzer with a Soda Stream
While we wait for someone to invent a machine that turns water into wine, a soda stream can at least turn water into seltzer.
If you drink seltzer frequently and are tired of buying and carrying heavy boxes from the store, a soda stream is a great alternative.
The model is slim and fits easily into a corner, and since it has no cord, it won’t use up any outlet space.
To save money on canister refills, you can exchange them at participating retailers for a discounted rate.
Just do not put wine in the machine.
A Waffle Iron for Everyday Use and Creative Cooking
If you’ve seen the Serious Eats column Will It Waffle?, you know a waffle iron can do far more than make waffles.
Everything from mac and cheese to grilled cheese and even stuffing has been waffled successfully.
For classic American-style waffles, which are thinner and crispier like Eggo waffles, the Breville model is the top choice.
For thicker Belgian-style waffles with a crisp exterior and soft interior, the All-Clad model performs exceptionally well.
The Breville Pizzaiolo: For Serious Pizza Lovers
The final item on the list is not an essential appliance, but it is undeniably impressive.
The Breville Pizzaiolo is one of the best ways to make pizza at home.
While traditional pizza steels and stones work well, this machine produces crisp, Neapolitan-style dough in a fraction of the time.
However, it is not cheap, and it takes up a considerable amount of space. It is best suited for people with both a generous budget and ample countertop room.
But the pizza it produces is outstanding. And if you own one, the Serious Eats staff might just show up at your house for a pizza party, which alone could justify the $800 price tag.
You were no help today. I forgive you.