15 Timeless Kitchen Items That Won't Go Out of Style

Staub 5.5-qt Round Cocotte

$400 at Amazon $600 $400 at Target $130 at Williams Sonoma

As our top pick on our list of the best Dutch ovens we tested, this lidded round cocotte is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware. During testing, it allowed us to get a crisp sear on chicken skin and steam rice to perfection. With a high heat threshold of 900°F, it can go on any cooktop and at nearly any heat setting — its ability to achieve and maintain heat makes it the ideal vessel for searing, braising, simmering, or even baking bread. The nubs on the underside of the lid act as a self-basting feature, causing condensation to rain down on the pot’s contents and preventing food from drying out. It comes in a handful of gorgeous finishes, and it will last for a lifetime with proper care.

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

$41 $29 at Amazon $25 at Target $15 at Williams Sonoma

This classic skillet from Lodge comes pre-seasoned, which means it’s ready to use out of the box. We found it delivered consistent heat distribution during our tests, evenly browning and turning out perfectly cooked cornbread. A helper handle and two pour spouts made it easy to pour off any liquids with no spillage. We also like that it’s available in a variety of sizes, While you will have to give it some extra attention to maintain its seasoning, this affordable skillet (and essential tool for easy weeknight cooking, let's be honest)is very easy to clean, virtually indestructible, and can be used for decades (if not longer). 

KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

$450 $300 at Amazon $330 at Target $330 at Williams Sonoma

If you’re an avid baker, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a must. It quickly beats egg whites into stiff peaks and kneads bread dough, freeing up your hands to attend to other things. This model holds up to 5 quarts (which translates to around nine dozen cookies) at once. In our tests, the stand remained sturdy during tasks like mixing batter and whipping cream, but it may shake while kneading bread dough for a long time. We liked that it didn’t heat up or create too much noise. While it’s a hefty piece of equipment, its versatility justifies worth its price tag and countertop footprint.— Plus, it comes in a variety of colors that you’ll want to.

Made In 6-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$529 at Amazon $529 at Walmart View on Madeincookware.com

Made In designed this six-piece cookware set with input from professional chefs. It features essentials like stainless steel and nonstick 10-inch skillets, a lidded 2-quart saucepan, and a 8-quart stockpot. Each can withstand heavy use and gave a stellar performance in our tests — even heating, no sticking, and handles that stayed cool. The stainless pieces are oven-safe to 800°F while the nonstick pan is oven-safe to 500°F. Compatible with induction and a breeze to clean, this set is worth the splurge. But if you’re not ready for a set, you can opt to pick up any of these pieces a la carte and build your collection slowly.

Global Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife

$159 $125 at Amazon $70 at Williams Sonoma $125 at Wayfair

Mentioned by Anthony Bourdain in Kitchen Confidential, the Global chef’s knife is a favorite among professionals and amateurs alike. Its lightweight construction means that it’s easy to maneuver and is less likely to cause fatigue with prolonged use. The extra sharp Japanese- style blade cuts through most vegetables and proteins easily, but denser ingredients (think kabocha squash) may be better handled by a knife with a heavier Western-style blade. That being said, it’s a fantastic knife that feels very balanced in the hand, and comes in 6-, 8-, and 10-inch sizes.

Williams Sonoma Essential Marble Pastry Board

View on Williams Sonoma

For firm dough and pastries that keep their shape, nothing beats the smooth, cool surface of marble. Measuring 24 by 16 inches, this white and gray slab offers a good amount of space for rolling and cutting dough. But why limit this beautiful piece to baking? Keep it out on the counter and use it to serve cheese, charcuterie, appetizers, and desserts.

Teakhaus Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal

$134 $105 at Amazon $120 at Sur La Table View on Teakhaus.com

A hardwood cutting board is not only handsome but gentle on knife blades, allowing you to preserve your sharp edges longer. This board from Teakhaus is made from FSC-certified reclaimed teak, with its natural oils helping to prevent moisture from damaging the wood over time. It’s reversible: one side is a smooth cutting board surface while the other side is for carving. We were impressed with the functionality of the channel that prevented juices from spilling as during our carving tests. Measuring 24 by 18 inches, it’s a generous sized workspace for almost any cut of meat, and integrated hand grips let us maneuver the board easily, despite its fairly substantial weight.

Williams Sonoma Thermo-Clad Cookware Set

$1,500 at Williams Sonoma

People have cooked in copper for an estimated 10,000 years, and no innovation in cookware can replicate its beauty or heat conductivity. Williams Sonoma's Thermo-Clad copper cookware set topped our tests as the Best Overall for its quality and performance. It comes with two skillets, two saucepans, a stockpot, a sauté pan, and four lids, adding up to a price that, though high, should prove worth the investment as you use the set for years and years to come. Not to mention, copper cookware doubles as decor, whether hanging on a rack or sitting on an open shelf.

Peugeot Paris Salt and Pepper Mill Set

$110 $61 at Amazon $57 at Food52 $50 at Pottery Barn

The Peugeot name is most often recognized by auto enthusiasts, but this company actually produced coffee, salt, and pepper mills nearly 20 years before they manufactured their first car. This set features the brand’s patented milling system that allows you to select the exact grind you want, from course to superfine. The burrs are made of specially treated stainless steel that resists corrosion and stays sharp even with years of use. Available in a variety of finishes, including lacquer, natural wood, and stainless steel, these classic bistro-style mills are both functional and beautiful enough to leave out on display.

J.K. Adams Dowel Rolling Pin

$32 at Amazon $25 at Wayfair View on Breadtopia.com

If making pies, tarts, and quiches is in your wheelhouse, this rolling pin from Vermont-based JK Adams is a must-have. Made of solid maple, this 19-inch dowel-style pin is sturdy and easy to maneuver. Its unfinished surface holds onto a dusting of flour nicely, and in our tests, allowed us to maintain an even thickness when rolling out dough without straining wrists and forearms. The simple silhouette of this rolling pin is great for amateur bakers and professionals alike, and comes at price point that feels like a great value for its quality.

Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker

$90 $75 at Amazon $75 at Sur La Table $56 at Food52

Emile Henry bakeware pieces are crafted from high-fired Burgundian clay, a durable material known for its ability to retain heat for efficient, even cooking. It also has exceptional resistance to thermal shock, which means you can move the dish from freezer to oven without danger of it shattering. An excellent size for hearty casseroles and deep-dish lasagna, you can also utilize this baker for roasting and baking — it’s oven safe up to 520°F. A simple silhouette available in a handful of classic colors. You’ll also appreciate how easy this is to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher. It comes in a handful of classic colors.

Pyrex 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set

$19 at Amazon $17 at Wayfair $17 at Walmart

A good set of mixing bowls is a necessity for anyone who cooks, and this set from Pyrex is a great one to have on hand. It’s composed of three useful sizes: 1, 1.5, and 2.5-quarts, nesting easily for streamlined storage. Made of tempered glass, they’re very durable and have the advantage of being immune to staining and retaining odors, something that can’t always be said of plastic versions. You can use them in the refrigerator, freezer, and microwave without worry, and cleaning is a breeze since they can be placed in the dishwasher. We also love that this set is affordable — you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

Y YHY Pasta Bowls

$50 $36 at Amazon $34 at Walmart

A favorite pasta bowl set among our editors, and one of our readers' most-loved kitchen items, the Y YHY Pasta Bowls are elegant and affordable. You can pair them with many dinnerware sets, including your busiest patterned plates, and their shiny white finish showcases food nicely. We love how versatile they are, using them for salads, soups, snacks, and (of course) pasta.

Vitamix Propel Series 750 Blender

$630 $530 at Amazon View on Vitamix

When it comes to blenders, few names are as revered as Vitamix, a brand used in many professional kitchens and other commercial settings. Though the Propel Series 750 comes with high price tag, we can assure you, this one is worth every penny. This editor favorite has an extremely powerful 2.2-HP motor that pulverises and purees with ease. You can even turn chunky ice cubes into snow in a matter of seconds. This model has five presets: Smoothie, Hot Soup, Frozen Dessert, Dips & Spread, and Self-Cleaning so you can operate it at the flip of a switch. The variable speed control lets you manually adjust the texture of whatever you’re blending and a pulse feature lets you coarse chop to achieve chunkier soups and sauces. The base and 64-ounce low-profile container are made to fit under most standard cabinets so it can be stored on the counter for easy access.

Zwilling Enfinigy Electric Kettle Pro

$170 $150 at Amazon $150 at Target $130 at Williams Sonoma

An electric kettle heats water available in minutes for tea, pour-over coffee, topping off a simmering broth, or rehydrating beans and dried shiitakes. This model from Zwilling is efficient at heating water to the desired temperature, and features six preset temperature settings: 104°F for baby food, 140°F, 160°F, 175°F, over 194°F for coffee, and boil.  The illuminated LED display and beep signal are nice touches, as is the brushed stainless finish. We appreciated the stay-cool exterior in our tests, thanks to its dual-walled insulation, and love its sleek appearance on the countertop.