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11.11 Kitchen Upgrades Worth Waiting for a Sale
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items Singles' Day is the one sale I plan around for the kitchen, so I picked the pans, knives, kettles and coffee gear that I would actually replace or upgrade. These are widely known brands that regularly drop in price in November, and many of them are t...
I reach for this for soups, braises and no-knead bread when I want Le Creuset results on a smaller budget. The enamel needs no seasoning and it goes from stovetop to oven. I wait for a sale on it, since it is a regular markdown item.
Lodge Essential Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven
A good first big skillet for anyone who cooks eggs and weeknight stir fries. The Thermo-Spot ring shows when the pan is hot enough, which stops me guessing. It is a cheap upgrade worth grabbing when the price dips.
T-Fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan 12"
This is for the coffee drinker who wants fresh grounds without paying for an electric burr grinder. The glass jar holds enough for a couple of cups and the dial adjusts right under the burrs. I like it for travel and camping too, and it sells for les...
Hario Skerton Pro Ceramic Coffee Mill
Perfect for people who pay for iced coffee every day and want to stop. It brews hot concentrated coffee straight over ice into the included tumbler in a few minutes. I would wait for it to be marked down since it is a single cup machine.
Mr. Coffee® Iced™ Coffee Maker with Reusable Tumbler and Coffee Filter
I use these for leafy greens, berries and herbs that usually wilt before I get to them. A vent and a raised base keep moisture away from the produce. Pick up a couple when they are discounted, because one is never enough.
FreshWorks® Food Storage Containers
A forged German steel chef's knife for people who want something sharper than a block set without spending serious money. The short bolster makes sharpening easier and the grip stays secure with wet hands. I buy it when it drops in price.
Mercer Culinary Genesis 8-Inch Chef's Knife
This is the knife I suggest to a friend who is upgrading from a supermarket set. It has a balanced weight and a Japanese steel blade that holds an edge well. Misen runs sales on it, so I would wait for one.
Misen 8 Inch Chef Knife AUS-10 Steel
A reversible cast iron plate gives you pancakes on one side and grill marks on the other, spread across two burners. It suits campers and apartment cooks without a grill. It is cheap enough that I just grab one whenever the price is right.
Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle Pan
For anyone who bakes holiday cakes, this pan makes a bakery looking cake with zero decorating. The heavy cast aluminum bakes evenly and releases cleanly if you grease it well. I keep an eye out for discounts before the baking season hits.
Nordic Ware Original Bundt, 12-Cup, Silver
A slim, dishwasher safe board that will not warp or dull knives the way plastic can. It is made of paper composite, so it feels like wood but handles heat. It is pricey for a board, so I save it for a sale.
Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board
I put this on the list for the person who wants a long term German knife. The curved bolster encourages a proper pinch grip and the blade rocks nicely for chopping. It is a splurge, so I would only buy it on a markdown.
ZWILLING Pro 8-inch Chef's Knife 38401-203
A full set of tri-ply stainless pans that heat evenly and last for years, ideal for a first home or a kitchen refresh. It covers every pot size I use daily. Sets like this are a classic wait for the sale purchase.
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12-Piece Cookware
A plain, reliable kettle for tea, instant oatmeal and pour over coffee. It has an auto shut off and a window to check the water level. It is cheap enough that I buy it without waiting, but sales make it even easier.
Stainless Steel Electric Kettle - 40880
I like this for anyone who wants cold brew at home without a huge pitcher in the fridge. You steep the grounds for 12 to 24 hours and it drains into the carafe. Watch for a discount, since it is a niche gadget.
Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker
A big insulated bottle that keeps coffee or soup hot for a full workday, or water cold on a road trip. The lid doubles as a cup and the handle makes it easy to carry. I would wait for a markdown before buying.
40oz Stainless King™ Beverage Bottle
A slim pitcher that fits in a crowded fridge door and filters chlorine taste out of tap water. It has a filter change light so I do not have to track the date. I buy replacement filters in the same sale.
PUR PLUS 7 Cup Pitcher with Lead Reducing Filter
For people who want a ceramic nonstick pan with a hard anodized body and an induction ready base. The 11 inch size is the one I use most, and food slides right off. It is worth buying when the price drops.
Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 8", 9.5", and 11" Frypan Set
A full nonstick set for someone setting up a kitchen from scratch, with glass lids and measuring marks on the pots. It is oven safe and heats evenly. I would only buy it in a big markdown because the list price is steep.
Advanced Home Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set
A budget coffee maker that gives you a full 12 cup pot on one side and a single cup on the other. It is great for households where one person drinks coffee and the other does not. I pick it up on sale.
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker
A slim insulated mug that fits cup holders and keeps coffee hot for hours, ideal for commuters. The lid seals tight, so it travels in a bag without leaks. I like it for a gift, and it is worth waiting for a sale.
Zojirushi SM-SA48-BA Stainless Steel Vacuum
A compact burr grinder with 12 grind settings and a timer, good for people who want fresh grounds without paying for a big machine. The glass catcher is easy to wipe out. I would grab it when it goes on sale in November.
Bodum Bistro Electric Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
An immersion blender for soups, sauces and smoothies right in the pot, so there is less to wash. It stores in a drawer and suits small kitchens. I would buy it when Singles' Day or November sales bring it down.
Cuisinart CSB-179 Smart Stick Variable Speed Hand
A mid size nonstick pan for eggs, pancakes and quick weeknight meals, with a stay cool handle and a glass lid. It heats evenly on gas or electric. I would wait for a sale since this line gets marked down often.
Premier™ Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10-Inch Frying Pan
A garlic press that crushes unpeeled cloves and cleans out with a built in tool, great for cooks who use garlic daily. The soft handle is easy on the hands. It is cheap enough to add to any kitchen order.
OXO Good Grips Garlic Press with Built-In Cleaner
A classic French press for people who like a full bodied cup at home, with a heat resistant carafe and a plastic frame. It makes a simple, affordable coffee ritual. I would buy it on sale as a small gift.
Bodum 34oz Brazil French Press Coffee Maker