Amazon Prime Day has, at this point, weaseled its way into the American pantheon of shopping holidays alongside Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and that day before you throw a dinner party and realize you need eight more serving spoons. And so it goes that those of us who’ve succumbed to the Prime pressure find ourselves trolling the online retailer this week, looking for our next great score.
We at Eater are not immune, and many of our editors and writers have their eyes on some choice kitchen items that they just might add to our own carts over the next few days. We’re also eager to endorse some of our tried-and-true favorites that are especially discounted for the occasion. If you’ve been considering investing in a new appliance or giving the contents of your kitchen cupboards a full refresh, now is the time.
Must-have kitchen appliances
Prime Day deals usually include discounts on some big-ticket kitchen workhorses, like Vitamix blenders, KitchenAid stand mixers, and the Eater-beloved Zojirushi rice cooker with “fuzzy logic” technology that cooks rice, oatmeal, polenta, and more.
The clutch content creator
I’m lucky enough to have a corner in my kitchen that gets perfect natural light for food photos and the occasional food video. The downside is that I can only prep and assemble over there, not cook. I’ve been eyeing a portable induction burner, like all the TikTok cooks have, for months now and a good deal is the push I need to finally add it to my cart. — Bettina Makalintal, senior reporter
The Ticking Clock
I don’t actually need a kitchen timer. I have my phone, and a little Google Nest home pod thingy, and the small clock on my oven, and my microwave. But my kids do. I’ve decided they would definitely benefit from a big, fat, analog, easy-to-turn way of tracking length of time to, say, practice piano, or ride out a “time out” session, or finish up time, or even just help them establish some sense of how long a minute, a second, and hour takes to tick by. So they can stop asking me, “How much time is left?” — Lesley Suter, special projects director
The worth-it smoothie splurge
I have been using my Vitamix blender every day since I got it nearly a year ago, and I could never go back to life without one. Aside from morning smoothies, it’s been great for sauces made from leftover greens, frozen daiquiris, and even whipping eggs for a frittata. But most importantly it has never once wavered in quality. Nothing’s gotten loose, and the motor has stayed as powerful as the first day it came. It feels ever rarer to find kitchenware that’s actually made to last. All the more reason to invest while you can. — Jaya Saxena, correspondent
The weeknight meal saver
I was influenced by this very publication to buy the Cosori air fryer a few years ago, and it’s still going strong as one of my most-used kitchen appliances. Sure, all air-fryers can heat up frozen treats in a flash and make salmon cooking a breeze, but the ample space of the Cosori version allows me to cook a whole chicken to its crisp-skinned ideal in less than an hour. Beats the store-bought rotisserie every time. — LS
The ultimate mixer
My KitchenAid stand mixer is a point of pride in my home. Not only does it look sleek and adorable sitting on my kitchen appliances shelf (it’s pink!), but it does so much heavy lifting in my day-to-day cooking and baking. If I need to knead dough for a loaf of bread, make a fluffy cake batter, or whip up some whipped cream, I’m pulling the KitchenAid out. There’s a reason you see this mixer everywhere — it’s reliable, has so many functions, and is worth the investment. Plus, there’s a lot of fun attachments. I have my eye on the pasta roller attachment as the next addition to my KitchenAid universe. — Kat Thompson, associate editor
The only way to make rice
I’ve used my Instant Pot as my rice cooker for years now, but all the while I’ve been lusting after the apparent Cadillac of rice cookers by Zojirushi. I’ve heard nothing but raves, and with rice as a house staple, I think it may be time to invest. — LS
The coolest countertop addition
I recently visited some family in Oklahoma, where the temps were hot and the cold drinks were flowing. Their refrigerator ice maker couldn’t keep up, but no matter, their countertop ice maker churned out what seemed like gallons in mere minutes. But unlike some of my colleagues, I prefer a heap of crunchy pebble ice to any cube, and this Frigidaire model has impeccable reviews. — LS
The key to (almost) instant tea
I grew up with a water boiler and, being a tea fiend, I miss readily having access to hot water at all times to brew up my favorite blends throughout the day. And you don’t have to use it just for tea; having a water boiler makes instant ramen even more instant, and you can even easily make an onsen egg for your noodles, too. If I had more counter space, a Zojirushi water boiler (especially the Hello Kitty one) is definitely the first appliance I would add. — KT
The high-tech temp check
My prized probe meat thermometer bit the dust recently, and with grilling season well underway, I’m in the market for a replacement, stat. I gifted this exact thermometer to a family member last year and they love it, so I think it’s time to gift myself. — LS
Essential tools and prep staples
Not all kitchen miracle workers require a plug. Here are the mixing bowls, scissors, thermometers, and more that are sure to become our analog superheroes.
The No-Stick Secret
I already own one of these amazing silicone mats, which serves as an indispensable replacement for parchment or other non-stick liner for all my baking sheets. But when you’re baking, say, two or three dozen cookies at once, owning more than one means you can bake two sheets at once, which also means less time, and ultimately (and most importantly) more cookies. And more cookies is reason enough to buy just about anything, am I right? — LS
The perfect snip
I fair prefer a pair of kitchen scissors to a chef’s knife whenever possible — particularly when it comes to cutting food into bite-sized pieces for my toddler. I’ve long been curious about the cultishly beloved Joyce Chen scissors, which chefs often name-drop as their favorite for precision cutting; their diminutive size seems perfect for my diminutive task at hand. — Erin DeJesus, executive editor
The ideal prep vessel
File these under everyday use — I was gifted a set of these bowls 15 years ago for my wedding and the same set sits in my drawer today. The rubbery bottom holds them still during vigorous whisking, and the little pour spout makes pouring batter into pans an actual cinch. They nest together, have a handle for easy one-handed gripping, and just generally take the art of being-a-bowl to a whole new level. — LS
The indestructible blade
I have owned this knife for the last 13 years, and have absolutely put it through hell. It’s taken many accidental trips through the dishwasher, been banged on countless cutting boards, thrown haphazardly into many drawers, and yet it endures. The 6” blade is also, for my small hands, easier to handle than the more common 8” chef’s knife, which makes for more precise cuts that feel safer. This great deal also includes the 3” paring knife, an essential in every kitchen. — Amy McCarthy, reporter
The Slim Can Cooler
My partner is a devoted hard seltzer drinker. With his birthday coming up (not to mention temps on the rise), I think it’s time to upgrade his drinking experience with this fancy Yeti can insulator specially made for the slender frame of a seltzer can. We already have this in the standard beer can size, and there’s something deeply satisfying about screwing down the top onto your drink, locking in in place for what might just be a wild (or at least persistently cold) ride. — LS
The aluminum workhorse
Transitioning away from nonstick baking sheets is a learning curve, but Nordic Ware makes it easy. The natural aluminum baking sheets, available in quarter, half, and full sheets, are easy to clean and once a sheet of parchment paper is added on top, are practically non-stick. The best part is that you never have to worry about a scratched coating, or a top coat wearing down. These sheets will fit in almost any size oven, and are perfect for galettes, sheet pan dinners, or even a baked brie. Just remember not to put the baking sheet in the dishwasher; though it won’t damage the metal, the coloring will look a little funky forever. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor, Eater LA
The meal prep machine
I’ve been getting super into meal prep of late, and after gilding my fridge with every kind of storage container (yes, including, the ones that allow me to live out my The Bear fantasy), the simplicity of these standard Pyrex ones can’t be beat. The lids stay on and don’t accumulate any food odors, and I like that they’re clear so I can see what’s inside at an easy glance. I honestly can’t have enough of these on hand. — EDJ
The greens goddess
I live and die by my salad spinner to rinse lettuces, obviously, but also to quick-dry herbs, fruits, and more from the market. But my plastic version has started to show some wear and — I hate to say it — mildew I can’t get out. A stainless steel version like this one would be a worthy upgrade. — LS
The unicorn kids cup
My cabinets are full of children’s cups in every shape and form, but I still don’t feel like I’ve found my unicorn cup — has a straw, is insulated and leakproof, travels well, and is easy to clean. The hunt continues, and in a recent survey of colleagues who are also parents, Zak Designs and Contigo were two brands that came highly recommended. I’m going to try out the Zak Designs stainless steel sippy cup and Contigo Aubrey water bottle, in hopes of finding something that allows me to finally donate all my other toddler drinking vessels and reclaim my precious shelf space. — Stephanie Wu, editor in chief
The sustainable storage bag
I’ve been using the same set of Stasher snack bags since 2018. While I’ve flirted with other reusable containers in the last six years, I haven’t found anything nearly as durable or lightweight. The silicone bags are not cheap, but I’ll be snagging a set of the sandwich-size bags on sale. — Kaitlin Bray, director of audience development
The all-purpose pot
A great Dutch oven doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. While Lodge may not enjoy the name-brand status of some of its fellow cookware, this hard-working pot deserves celebration all the same. Whether making congee, roasted potatoes, or even sourdough bread, the Lodge Dutch oven heats up evenly and retains heat throughout the cooking process. The strong ceramic coating also makes it easy to clean and will stand up to years of use. — RR
The cleanup essential
I am not a clean cook, so there are a few things I need: an apron, a dish towel at the ready, and a steam cleaner to pick up any spills along the way. The Bissell Little Green Cleaner has lifted marinara stains off of my kitchen runner, red wine stains off my living room carpet, and even a soup stain from the passenger seat of a friend’s car (long story). In other words, it’s a lifesaver. — Jess Mayhugh, managing editor