What was popular in 2012 on ChefTools.com (plus a year-end contest!)
It’s the
season to look back on the year past. In our case, that means looking back at
some of the most popular cooking tools of 2012. There are many perennial
favorites on here (like spice jars and the Avo-holder), but there are some cool
new products that we added this year that have absolutely blown up. Most of
this year’s top products combine irreverent design with functionality – so these
products are not just beautiful, but also useful. In no particular order:
Charles Viancin: It’s not hard to see why these simple, beautifully designed products
are so popular. They basically eliminate the need for 1) plastic wrap, 2)
plastic storage containers, and 3) cleaning up after a big meal. Just plop a
pretty sunflower, banana leaf, or hibiscus down on your bowl or casserole dish and
it’s sealed and ready for the refrigerator. The silicone material is
eco-friendly (it’s just melted sand), flexible, reusable, and heat resistant.
You can even get one to seal your coffee mug to keep your drink hot!
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| Charles Viancin Sunflower lid |
The Fissler Vitaquick Series: These are hands down the best pressure cookers in the
world. Added to ChefTools.com in June, these pans didn’t blow up until a review
in Cook’s Illustrated last month (I can’t say what they said in the review, but
you should go pick up the most recent issue to find out). We’ve seen a 400%
increase in the sale of these in recent weeks.
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| Fissler Vitaquick pressure pan system |
HotSpot Honeycomb potholders: Another perennial favorite, but these really blew up in
2012. As soon as these interesting little things came in, we would sell out. It’s
no wonder – like the Charles Viancin lids, these silicone potholders are fun to
hold, heat resistant, and double as a trivet. Good design plus function!
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| Lamson & Goodnow Hotspot honeycomb holder |
DiCuonzo Orecchiette Farina Arsa Pasta: This “burnt
flour” pasta was featured in an Italian cooking magazine – and rightly so. The
little orecchiette shapes look like pieces of scrumptious dark chocolate and
have a slightly smoky flavor, like no other pasta you’ve tasted. The farina
arsa is the perfect choice for a special dinner at home.
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| Farina Arsa pasta - or, "burnt flour" |
Whiskey Stones: This product has it all. Bespoke little cubes of Vermont quarry stone
that keep your beverage cold (it doesn’t have to be whiskey) without watering
it down. They look good, they feel good, they’re extremely useful, and they’re
made in the USA. Unfortunately, supplies are limited and we may not be able to
get more for a long time, so hurry if you want some.
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| Whiskey stones: only 5 left as of this posting! |
Tramontina cookware: Another recent addition to ChefTools.com, Tramontina offers
beautiful, high-quality nonstick cookware (and some stainless steel) at an entry-level
price. I especially like the cooking system (pictured), which allows you to
bake (as in, brownies and bread) right on the stovetop. So, the same pan you
use for a pot roast can you can use for dessert!
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| Tramontina cookware system |
Marna home goods: Do you see that little piggy steamer lid? Do you need more evidence
to love it?
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| Marna Piggy Steamer lid |
Other perennial favorites: Norpro spice jars; the Evriholder Avo Saver; the Original Brown
Sugar Bear; Tovolo Ice Sphere Molds; Kai Pure Komachi Knife Block Set; Norpro
Easy Carrot Holder.
Bonus Year-End Contest: Post in the comments the best cooking tool
you bought (or inherited, or got for free, or whatever) in 2012 and why. We’ll
pick 4 comments at random and you’ll get a Charles Viancin product (we’ll let
you choose, but we have trivets, a cutting board, and a sunflower lid). No
purchase necessary to enter; must be 18 or older; contest ends Dec. 21, 2012.
