Kitchen Tools & Gadgets

Buying guide: Kitchen Tools & Gadgets

Silicone and nylon protect non-stick surfaces; stainless and wood suit everything else.

Look for the dimension that decides whether the tool works at all — the width of a grater face, the length of a spatula, the heat rating of a silicone head — and check whether the handle is dishwasher safe if that matters to you. Multi-piece sets are usually better value than buying the same items singly.