Kitchen

Kitchen

Why Wooden Spoons Stay Comfortable in Hot Pots

Wood conducts heat much more slowly than metal, so the handle of a wooden spoon does not rapidly become as hot as the food or pan it touches.

Kitchen

Instant-Read Thermometer or Leave-In Probe?

An instant-read thermometer is designed for quick checks near the end of cooking. A leave-in probe is designed to remain in the food while it cooks, usually with a cable or wireless transmitter that lets you watch the temperature without repeatedly opening the oven or grill.

For steaks, chops, fish, and other quick-cooking foods, instant-read is usually simpler. For roasts, whole poultry, and long cooks, a leave-in probe makes it easier to follow the temperature continuously.

Kitchen

What a Bench Scraper Is Good For

A bench scraper is a flat piece of metal with a handle, and that simplicity is exactly why it is useful. It can divide dough, lift chopped vegetables, scrape sticky flour from a work surface, and move a pile of ingredients into a bowl without using the edge of a good knife.

It is one of those kitchen tools that earns its space by doing several small jobs well. A broad stainless-steel blade with a comfortable handle is usually all you need.

Kitchen

What a Microplane Does That a Box Grater Doesn't

A fine rasp-style grater shaves ingredients into very small, light particles instead of producing the larger strands made by most box graters. That makes it especially good for citrus zest, hard cheese, nutmeg, garlic, ginger, and other ingredients where you want fine dispersion.

A box grater is more versatile for shredding larger amounts of cheese or vegetables. A microplane earns its place by doing one fine-grating job exceptionally well.