Delonghi kMix Collection
Fans of colorful kitchen appliances, fear not: the Delonghi kMix Collection ($100-$300) has you covered. Available in a variety of colors — including black, white, blue, red, green, yellow, orange, magenta, and the ever-popular un-color stainless steel — the collection includes a toaster, tea kettle, 5- or 10-cup coffee maker, and an espresso maker, each of which features a durable die-cast aluminum exterior, high-quality components, and a simple, elegant, and perfectly-matching design.
Bodum Bistro Pour Over Coffee Machine
Unsatisfied with the quality of coffee created by your average drip machine, Bodum went about re-inventing it as only they can. The result is the Bodum Bistro Pour Over Coffee Machine ($250), which aims to replicate the tedious yet tasty pour over process. It uses a spiral heating element to get the water as close to boiling as possible before transporting it over to the fine-mesh, titanium-plated coffee filter. It then passes though a shower head to ensure even distribution, while the filter lets through all the flavor and none of the grit. Finally, the double-walled thermos ensures the stuff stays warm, yet still opens with a simple press of a button. [via]
Espro Press
Get all the flavor of a french press with none of the grit by brewing your coffee with an Espro Press ($85). This precision coffee brewer can make about 30 oz. of joe per pot, using a unique double-stage filter to keep grit and grounds out of your coffee, leaving only smooth, rich, flavorful coffee in its wake. If you're on the fence, consider this — the price will go up to $100 once the Kickstarter project ends in a couple weeks.
AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker
Coffee machines don't have to hide under the counter to make good coffee. Many of our compatriots swear by the AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker ($26), an affordable machine that beats the pants off more expensive models. The secret is its brewing method, which uses a combination of ideal water temperature and gentle air pressure to brew single cups of joe or double shots of espresso that are low in acidity and bitterness but high in taste. A great last-minute stocking stuffer for the Starbucks-addicted.
Timberland Earthkeepers Casco Bay Canvas Shoe
Prepare for casual summer days with Timberland's® Earthkeepers® Casco Bay Canvas Shoe. These lightweight, laid-back kicks will add a stylish pop of color to any no-sock, warm-weather look. Choose either a fun slip-on style or the one-eye moccasin style, with a choice of four colorways ranging from blueberry to poppy. See the entire collection here.
Frieling Ultimo French Press
Looking for a last-minute gift for the coffee lover on your list? The Frieling Ultimo French Press ($60) is a solid choice. Featuring double-wall construction of 18/10 stainless steel, the Ultimo keeps your coffee or tea warm after brewing, and also offers a comfortable, full-length handle, and an all-metal mesh plunger that works great with coarse coffee grounds or loose tea leaves.
Knuckle Meat Pounder
Beat your meat like it owes you money with the Knuckle Meat Pounder ($13). Fashioned after a set of brass knuckles, it's made from metal -- obviously -- and generally looks menacing while you use it to flatten your food or soften up your steak. May or may not be legal in your jurisdiction, so remember to keep it in the kitchen, okay?
[Scouted by Trent]
Scanomat Top Brewer
We've covered some minimalist coffee machines before, but damn. The Scanomat Top Brewer ($TBA) lurks underneath your kitchen counter or inside your island, using dual grinders to ensure your source is as fresh as possible, heating fresh water for every cup using a unique boiler system and cleaning itself automatically, all springing to life with a single tap on your iPhone. It takes just 15 seconds to deliver a cup of filtered coffee, 25 seconds for a shot of espresso, and likely even less time to empty your bank account.
[Scouted by Frederik]
Krups Espresseria Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
It might take a long time to recoup the money versus what you would have spent at Starbucks every day, but to have gourmet-quality espresso at home, it's well worth it. The Krups Espresseria Fully Automatic Espresso Machine ($800) aims for a perfect brew every time, thanks to a patented brewing chamber with a single thermostat for constant heat, a built-in grinder for the freshest possible taste, an integrated frothing unit, and a central one-touch button and LCD screen for simple operation. Good luck breaking the news to your favorite Barista.
Jerky Gun
Okay, so no meat product is going to look all that appetizing coming out of a customized squirt gun, but if you're looking to make your own uniformly-shaped jerky, the Jerky Gun ($45) can help. Made from quality, food-save materials, it features an easy-squeeze trigger, four stainless steel jerky attachments, an included funnel and stomper, and a brush set for cleaning our your Slim Jim remnants.
Wabi Nabe Cast Iron Pot
Lessen the number of pots and pans you're using — and thus your clean-up time — with the Wabi Nabe Cast Iron Pot ($150-$210). Drawing its names from Japanese terms for simplicity, naturalness, and one-pot cooking, the Wabi Nabe is a 1.5-quart pot designed for going straight from the stove, oven, or fire to the table, and features an optional matching trivet to protect your dining surface, as well as cast iron handles based on naturally-occurring forms of charred wood, adding an organic flair to the pre-seasoned pot. Pre-orders now open for holiday delivery.
Robot Tea Infuser
Some things were just meant to go together, like peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, tea and... robots? Judging by the Robot Tea Infuser ($15), it certainly appears so. This whimsical kitchen gadget holds your favorite leaves inside while using its arms to ensure that it stays below the water.
Fridge Monkey
In case you haven't noticed, most normal refrigerators just aren't built to hold lots of beer — especially beautiful, perfectly-balanced pyramids of beer. Enter the Fridge Monkey ($7). This simple, washable, rubber mat features perfectly spaced ridges that let you stack up to ten cans or bottles of soda or beer — or five wine bottles, or any combination thereof — in geometric harmony without fear of the whole thing tumbling down.
