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Knives

Good knives are worth splurging on: A sharp chef's knife is one of the most important tools in the kitchen, and if you buy the right one it will hold its edge and perform well for many years. We prefer high-carbon stainless-steel because it will not stain or rust.

Knives should feel comfortable and well-balanced in your hand—you should choose a 6-, 8-, or 10-inch chef's knife (depending on the size of your hands) for slicing meats and poultry and chopping vegetables, nuts, and herbs. A 3- to 4-inch paring knife will be used for smaller, more precise tasks that require greater control (peeling, cutting, and carving fruit; mincing herbs or garlic; scoring meat), and a serrated knife for slicing bread and tomatoes. If you are on a tight budget, consider splurging on a chef's knife and saving when it comes to the paring knife and serrated slicer. Forged in Germany, Wüsthof cutlery is guaranteed to last a lifetime. A less expensive, but highly recommended, alternative are the knives from RH Forschner by Victorinox (the makers of Swiss Army knives).

Cutting Board

The right cutting board will protect the blades of your knives, prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, and simplify cleanup. There are many options, ranging from plastic and wood to glass and Corian. We found polypropylene, a nonporous, odor-resisting plastic, to be incredibly durable and to require little in the way of care. Ideally, you should look for a board with two usable sides, nonslip edges that will keep the board securely in place during prep, and a groove that will catch liquids and prevent spills. Other features to consider: Flexible boards make transferring prepped items a cinch; handles allow for easy lifting and carrying; color-coding helps prevent cross-contamination of ingredients.

蔬菜削皮器

Whether you are peeling three pounds of potatoes for your first Thanksgiving or creating some quick chocolate curls to decorate a friend's birthday cake, a good vegetable peeler should have a wide, durable blade. We find stainless-steel blades peel more smoothly than ceramic ones. Serrated blades are best with tough-skinned produce (like butternut squash); sharper blades will make cutting both easier and safer. A comfortable, no-slip handle is a must, and we prefer the Y-peeler to the standard swivel peeler, as it makes prepping large quantities of fruits and vegetables easy. An eyer (like a little scoop) will allow you to quickly remove small blemishes and bruises from fruits and vegetables.

Can Opener

Look for a can opener with a large, easy-to-grip knob—you want something that is simple to hold and turn, preferably nonslip. A good opener should latch onto the can easily and take all the effort out of opening it. A safe-edge can opener ensures that there is no sharp, hazardous edge left on the can or lid.

Salad Spinner

Washing leafy greens is easy, but drying them—especially in a small kitchen with a roll of paper towels at hand—is enough to convince many people just to buy packaged greens. A salad spinner makes the whole process seem more efficient and almost effortless. Look for one with an easy lever mechanism or pump for starting the motion and a sturdy brake function to halt it. Rounded, sloping sides will allow the water to drain to the bottom, while a no-skid base will keep the basket from slipping. Ideally, the base will do double duty as a serving or storage bowl.

Cheese Grater

You will use your grater to create coarsely grated carrots for salads, finely grated Parmigiano for pastas, and much more, so it should have multiple grating surfaces (fine, medium, coarse) and, ideally, a slicing surface as well. Stainless steel is durable, easy to care for, and dishwasher-safe. Many graters are sold with optional sliding trays that will keep grated foods in one place, preventing a mess and holding everything until you are ready to add or serve.

Immersion Blender

Immersion blenders do double or even triple duty, blending soups and smoothies, chopping fruits and vegetables, even whipping egg whites or heavy cream. They allow you to work right in the prep bowl or cooking pot, without dirtying additional bowls or equipment. Look for one with a push-button control for continuous or pulsed action.

Prices and availability subject to change.