Buck Knives Stowaway Kit
For all of you who've arrived at your destination only to discover you forgot the knife or the cutting board, we bring you the Buck Knives Stowaway Kit ($60). This smart set includes a spreader with a roughly five-inch serrated steel blade that works great for slicing, chopping, or spreading, as well as a dishwasher-safe, eco-friendly 6" x 10" paper stone cutting board. What makes the set unique, however, is the recess in the bottom of the board that's custom-designed to fit the included knife, and the magnet that holds it in place. Now all you have to do is make sure you don't forget the whole damn thing.
S'more to Love
It's not summer without a few s'mores, and there's no better — or easier — way to cook up a bunch than with the S'more to Love S'more Maker ($15). This metal kitchen/campfire/grilling tool lets you make six treats at a time by locking them into place in individual holders. With metal legs, it's possible to use it not just over a fire, but in the oven, in a toaster oven, or even on the grill.
Bacon Press
We've all had it happen: your bacon curls as it fries, leaving you with scorched valleys and none-too-crispy peaks. If you want to alleviate this but keep that fried bacon taste, you need a Bacon Press ($12-$14). These two options from Nopro are made from sturdy, heavy cast iron, feature large press surfaces for handling multiple slices at once, sport wooden handles that won't get hot, and also work great for sandwiches, burgers, or anything else you want to cook evenly and don't mind getting a little squished.
Portland Press
The Mason jar: an iconic drinking vessel in much of the South, and at the very least a reliable form of food storage everywhere else. Now the Portland Press ($100) is here to turn the Mason jar into something else: a French Press. Made in Oregon from US-sourced materials, the Press includes a 24-oz. Mason jar, a wooden lid and handle, metal and plastic interior components, a custom grey felt cozy, and a lifetime warranty. We must admit — the cozy's are quite handsome, so much so that we'd consider ponying up the extra $50 to score two 12-oz. versions for use on our normal Mason jars.
Socks by Mack Weldon
So comfortable customers routinely claim they’re “walking on clouds” thanks to the cushioned footbed. The No Shows ($14.50/2 pack) have a “no slip grip” that stays put in low cut summer shoes, while the crew length styles actually stay up if you want them to. Get one or get them all - the Sock Drawer ($135) includes 16 pairs. But do get them soon, because like all things Mack Weldon makes, these are in high demand (and insanely comfortable).
HG One Grinder
Can your grinder really make that big of a difference in the quality of your coffee or espresso? Ask an owner of the HG One Grinder ($900), and they'll likely tell you "Yes." Designed to rival the quality of a commercial grinder in a hand-powered, household-friendly format, it features conical burr grinders that transform whole beans into an elegantly balanced blend of large and fine granules. And thanks to precise engineering, it should outlast your coffee maker for sure, and possibly even you.
Jura Giga 5 Coffee Center
It's not quite like having an automated coffee shop in your kitchen, but it's getting close. The Jura Giga 5 Coffee Center ($5,500) is a Swiss-made, self-contained unit that can make up to two drinks at a time. Features include a color display with 19 individually programmable specialty drinks, dual ceramic grinders, dual heating systems, and dual pumps. It can make espressos, cappuccinos, or lattes, so pretty much most of Starbucks' menu, minus the syrup.
Espresso Veloce V12 Machine
Just in case you've been wishing for an espresso machine that's shaped like a car engine, we bring you the Espresso Veloce V12 Machine ($TBA). Limited to just 500 pieces, this insane machine is handcrafted from common automotive materials like aluminum, magnesium, and titanium, and features a filter that resembles a coffee filter, dispensers that resemble tailpipes, and other little touches that tie the Veloce to its racing inspiration. Perfect for the garage, racing-themed man cave, or just a standard kitchen that happens to use a Ferrari as a dinner table.
Magmate Magnetic Blade Guards
Have a habit of slicing up your fingers when you grab the knife out of the drawer? These Magmate Magnetic Blade Guards ($25) are the perfect protection. Your blade is sealed inside a plastic fortress, with cushy foam to make sure you don't lose that sharp edge, and magnets you can count on to make sure it's closed. Which brings us back to the knives. You haven't cut yourself yet, right? [via]
Cut Brooklyn Knives
You won't be finding these in your nearby chain kitchen store. Cut Brooklyn Knives ($350-$575) are handcrafted in a Brooklyn workshop by owner/operator Joel Bukiewicz, who takes as much time as necessary with each piece to make sure it's worthy of the company name. While the selection of currently available knives might change from day to day, you can be sure that each one is made from high-quality steel and comes with a cutting edge sharp enough to cut through any food you want.
Uuni Pizza Oven
Up 'til now, wood-fired pizza ovens have been the domain of restaurants and the rich. The Uuni Pizza Oven (£160; roughly $250) is looking to change all of that. Made from stainless steel, it's compact, weighs just 5kg, and - most importantly - cooks a fantastic pizza, thanks to an integrated furnace that gets up to 800° F, or hot enough to cook a pie in just 3 minutes.
Hario Bonmac Siphon Coffee Pot
Feel like your kitchen isn't looking enough like a Mr. Wizard set? The Hario Bonmac Siphon Coffee Pot ($110) should be able to fix that. To use it, you fill up the lower bulb with water, and place your coffee grounds in the upper container. Place the alcohol lamp burner under the lower bulb to boil the water, which becomes steam, rises to the top, mixes with the grounds, and finally ends up back down in the lower bulb as one of the best cups of coffee you've ever had. Safety goggles not included.
WMF SmarTea Teapot
Do you like tea? Do you really like tea? Then you should consider picking up the WMF SmarTea Teapot ($135). This sleek set features a 1.5 quart glass teapot, a removable stainless steel infuser good for loose leaf, bagged, or flowering teas, and a stainless steel lid. The real highlight, however, is the stainless steel stand that has a tealight candle holder to keep your tea warm and ready to drink for hours.
