These are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
Manufacturers: Contact Meathead for permission to use this award medallion and to get a high resolution version.
Shopping tip
When a product is available on Amazon.com, I often provide a direct link. Amazon.com often has the best prices anywhere, even better than many manufacturers' websites. That's because manufacturers know that if they undercut retailers, these important resellers may drop their products.
Full disclosure:Amazon.com pays me a small finder's fee when you purchase from them after clicking on a link here, so purchasing from them helps underwrite the cost of operating AmazingRibs.com. But low prices, fast delivery, and good refund policies are the real reasons to buy from Amazon.com. In fact, if you like all the info I give you for free and would like to help me buy charcoal, copy this url link and bookmark it: http://tinyurl.com/yazmwlq
It takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my code so I get that small commission. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay.
Once you have great knives you need to keep them sharp. Even the best commercial chefs send out their knives. Ask a chef where to send yours in the area or use one of these services to whom you can ship and they ship back promptly: Seattle Knife Sharpening, Epicurean Edge, and Truhone.
Rapala Soft-Grip Fillet Knife
This cheapo blade is called a fillet knife, but I use for a lot of kitchen tasks, and lately I find I reach for it more often than my expensive German knives.
It has a dangerously sharp 7.5" thin flexible blade, a wicked sharp tip, and it's cheap, about $16. It's great for slicing tomatoes, removing silverskin on meat, boning, cutting ribs on hot peppers, and, of course, filleting. It is not strong enough for cutting through bone, but there is nothing better for cutting things off bones.
I hone it with the cheapo V sharpener that came with it every month or so, and every six months or so I caress it across my fancy honing stones. Every year or so I trash it and get a new one. For discount pricing and direct ordering the 7.5" knife from Amazon.com, click here. To see all the different sizes available, click here.
KitchenAid Mezzaluna
This gizmo looks like another gadget to take up space in your drawer, but it is really handy. I use it often for mincing herbs. It is much easier to use for this task than a chef's knife. The KitchenAid model is the only one I have seen with a blade cover.There are cutting boards sold that are concave for use with a mezzaluna, but I have never seen the need for them. For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com click here
Knife honer. Diamond steels work best, and oval ones match serrations.
Knife sharpener.
8" Nonstick Frying Pan
8" Stainless Steel Frying Pan
12" Cast Iron Frying Pan
12" Nonstick Frying Pan
12" Stainless Steel Frying Pan
12" Cast Iron Frying Pan
12" Spatter Guard
4 Quart Saucepan
2 Quart Saucepan
1 Quart Saucepan
Bayou Classic 8.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
This is the cast iron pot used for cowboy cooking. Sit it on top of coals and shovel more coals on top of the flat lid with a raised rim, and you can cook classic chili, baked beans, cornbread, casseroles, and even cobblers. Indoors we use it for whole chickens, braising, and so much more. It is 13" wide x 7" high, and weighs 21 pounds. Includes perforated aluminum basket for steaming, frying, or boiling. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here. Click here for a complete list of all cast iron pots and pans available on Amazon.com.
Large pasta and stock pot.
6 quart wok.
Roasting pans.
Half sheet pans.
Large colander.
Fine mesh strainer.
Pepper mill.
Graduated stainless mixing bowls that can also be used for serving.
Wooden spoons.
Ladle.
Heatproof silicon spatulas.
Heatproof silicon pads.
Assorted jars and lids.
Labeler.
OXO Good Grips Nylon Balloon Whisk
A good whisk is an essential kitchen tool for mixing, whipping, and adding air to sauces. I like this one because it is nylon and I can use it vigorously on a coated frying pan without scratching the surface. This model is sturdy, comfortable to hold, and has a hole in the handle for hanging. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Trudeau Garlic Press
When a recipe calls for garlic to be crushed, minced, or pressed, I use a garlic press. A good garlic press releases more oils and flavors than mincing with a knife and pressed garlic coats the food more evenly than mincing. A good garlic press is an important kitchen tool. Get one that is sturdily built, that is easy to grip, that is easy to clean, and has a large hopper to hold big cloves. Avoid non-stick models. I have a well-used Trudeau Garlic Press and I recommend it. For discount pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com, click here.
Vacuum storage system.
Plastic storage containers.
Mallet.
Measuring cups.
Measuring spoons.
Microplane.
Mortar & pestle.
Box grater.
Peeler.
Rolling pin.
Silpat.
Blender.
Food processor.
Krups GX4100 Electric Coffee and Spice Grinder
Whole spices keep better than ground so buy stuff whole and get a coffee grinder for reducing peppercorns to crushed pepper, or for powdering celery seeds, anise, caraway, bay leaves, etc. Get one with a blade not burrs, and make sure it is easy to clean if you plan to use it for both coffee and spices ("Honey, why does the coffee make me cry today?"). For current pricing and direct ordering from Amazon.com click here
AmazingRibs.com is all about the Zen of Barbecue, cooking ribs, and all kinds of BBQ recipes and techniques: Barbecue baby back ribs, spare ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, smoked turkey, steak, lamb, barbecue sauces, rubs, and great side dishes, with the net's best buying guide to barbecue smokers and cookers. It is written, illustrated, and coded solely by Craig "Meathead" Goldwyn.
Product Reviews and Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards. Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
About links on this site. Other than clearly marked ads, links and recommendations on this site are all products, services, and websites I truly admire, and are never paid endorsements. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first.
My Privacy Promise.I promise to never sell or distribute any info about you individually without your express permission, and I promise not to, ahem, pepper you with email or make you eat spam. Click here for more about my privacy promise.
This link takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my affiliate code so I get a small referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. Low prices, fast delivery, and good refund policies are the best reasons to buy from Amazon.com, but clicking on that link before you shop helps me devote more time and money to you. Thanks!
Meathead's Faves
These recommendations are not ads. They are unsolicited endorsements.
GrillGrates Take Your Grill Into the Infrared Zone
GrillGrates are the best new product I have tested in years and the best thing to happen to beef since salt and pepper.
They sit on top of your current grill's grates. The hard anodized aircraft grade aluminum rail tops are flat and wide and make perfect dark crunchy grill marks. The base superheats yet eliminates hot spots and blocks flareups. This is the same concept behind the expensive new infrared grills.
Juices drip in the valleys between the rails and are vaporized and penetrate the meat enhancing flavor. I throw wood between the rails and they impart a delicate smoke flavor. I have made my best steaks and burgers ever with Grill Grates. This is a really great new product! Click here to read more and for ordering info.
The Smokenator
If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the amazing Smokenator and Hovergrill. The Smokenator turns your grill into a first class smoker, and the Hovergrill can add capacity or be used to get steakhouse steaks. Click here to read more and for ordering info.
These are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
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KitchenAid Mezzaluna
Bayou Classic 8.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven
OXO Good Grips Nylon Balloon Whisk
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Trudeau Garlic Press
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