This tapered pin rolls dough more efficiently than handled pins, works well for rolling both pies and cookies, and is one of the easiest rolling pins to clean. Plus, it’s good-looking and sturdy enough to last a lifetime.
This hand-turned, hand-finished rolling pin is manufactured by a true mom-and-pop business that has been around since 1991. The Whetstone Woodenware French Rolling Pin is made from kiln-dried hard maple that is sustainably grown and milled 10 miles from Whetstone’s storefront in Silver Lake, Indiana. This baking essential earns high marks for its smooth finish, ideal heft, and perfect length—all of which cut down on the grunt work of dealing with dough. We recommend the 23-inch version.
Nothing comes close to the soft, relaxed drape of this 100% linen tablecloth. Yes, it’s expensive, but it will last you a lifetime.
Smooth and absorbent, this luxurious napkin is perfect for those who love the soft and relaxed texture of 100% linen.
Impeccable quality never goes out of style. Of the 22 tablecloths we tested for our guide to the best napkins and tablecloths, nothing came close to the soft, relaxed drape of the Rough Linen Smooth Linen Tablecloth. It will lend your table a seamless look, and it’s equally beautiful when rumpled for a dressed-down family dinner or crisply pressed for special gatherings. We also like the company’s Smooth Linen Napkin; it was one of the most beautiful, absorbent, and luxe of all the linen napkins we tested.
Aprons made by small businesses
The favorite among our testers, this apron is comfortable, soft (yet sturdy), gender neutral, and adjustable (to fit a wide range of sizes).
This loose-fitting pinafore is absurdly comfy, and the thick linen keeps you protected yet cool.
Among the many aprons we tested, the Hedley & Bennett Crossback Apron earned our votes as the crowd favorite. This versatile apron adjusts to fit many body types, regardless of a person’s height, width, or curves. The straps are long enough to double around and tie in front, if you need. This apron hits above the knee on folks who are 5-foot-2 and taller, and the bib remains flush against the chest. We also love Rough Linen’s The Original Linen Pinafore-Apron, another apron that comes from one of our favorite small businesses. The Rough Linen pinafore has a comfortable, loose fit, and it’s so easy to move around in that testers forgot they were even wearing an apron.
High-quality meat thermometers
No other thermometer under $50 matches the ThermoPop’s combination of speed, reach, reliability, and an easy-to-read display.
The Dot probe thermometer stays in your meat while it cooks, allowing you to easily monitor doneness. It also has a strong magnet that keeps it securely attached to an oven door.
Few kitchen tools can level up your cooking game more easily than a high-quality meat thermometer. After testing more than 35 digital, instant-read, and probe thermometers this year, our guide writer picked two from ThermoWorks as the best for most home cooks. Both are fast, accurate, and reasonably priced, with clear, easy-to-read displays and a temperature range from -58 °F to 572 °F. The ThermoWorks Dot thermometer can attach to a grill or smoker, and its probe can stay inside a roast as the meat bakes. And the ThermoWorks ThermoPop is waterproof and designed for use by righties and lefties.
