Kitchen Tools: When to Save, When to Splurge
We put nine to the test to find out which pricey items pull their weight and which ones should stay on the shelf.
By Lynn Andriani
Instant-Read Thermometers
This is an important tool for cooks of all levels of experience to have: No one wants to overcook a beautiful piece of steak. There are differences between the $6 version and the $96 model—silicone materials, bright colors, the ability to fold up—but the most significant difference really comes down to about 57 seconds: The pricey one will give you a readout in three seconds, while it can take up to a minute for the temperature to register on a cheaper model. If you're okay with that, save your $90 for some really nice rib eyes. (And calibrate your thermometer periodically.)
Published 10/13/2011