Kitchen equipment How Tos - Cook's Illustrated

Tips for Better Stain-Fighting

Published March 1, 2015.

Maximize the effectiveness of stain-removal products with these five tips.

Explaining Canelé Molds

Published January 1, 2015.

These copper molds are used to prepare a French confection known as canelé de Bordeaux.

Carbon-Steel Knives: Why a Patina Matters

Published November 1, 2014.

Your carbon-steel knife's patina not only looks great, but is protective too.

Making the Most of Your Mandoline

Published May 1, 2014.

During our testing of mandolines, we came up with a few tips for use.

Minimizing Static in Burr Grinders

Published March 1, 2014.

When emptying the grind chamber of burr-style coffee grinders, ground coffee will often stick to the chamber and fly all over the counter. Are there solutions to this problem?

Knife Storage

Published November 1, 2013.

Wooden knife blocks are a traditional way to store knives, but will the act of sliding a knife into a slot day after day eventually dull its edge?

Does Cast Iron Work for Stir-Frying?

Published September 1, 2013.

We tested to see if a well-seasoned cast-iron pan could perform just as well as a nonstick skillet.

The Importance of Tube Pans

Published July 1, 2013.

Why do recipes for angel food cake and chiffon cake always call for a tube pan?

The Importance of Preheating Your Pizza Stone

Published May 1, 2013.

A proper pizza-stone preheating period is essential to produce perfectly browned pizza crusts.

A Truly Nonstick Bundt Pan

Published May 1, 2013.

A clean Bundt pan release can be a tricky thing to manage, but we've found a foolproof method that ensures an intact cake.

Cracking Down on Peppercorns

Published November 1, 2012.

Here are two other ways to achieve coarsely cracked peppercorns, each about the size of a halved whole one.

Deodorizing Cast Iron

Published July 1, 2012.

We discovered a better way to remove stinky fish oils from a cast-iron skillet.

Round or Oval Dutch Oven?

Published July 1, 2012.

Does an oval cast-iron Dutch oven cook as well as a round one?

Baking Pies in Disposable Pie Plates

Published July 1, 2012.

If one must bake a pie in a disposable pan, are there any tips to ensure success?

Cleaning a Sticky Salad Bowl

Published July 1, 2012.

Here's how to clean a wooden salad bowl to good-as-new condition.

Cooking with Aluminum Pans Controversy

Published January 1, 2012.

There are conflicting reports that cooking in aluminum pots and pans is risky because aluminum can leach into the food. Should aluminum cookware be avoided?

It's commonly taught that if you’re making a half batch of muffins or cupcakes and thus don’t fill all the cups in the pan with batter, you should fill the empty cups with water. Is this really necessary?