heavy-duty

Here's an apron that ain't for the weak of heart. Emblazoned with skulls and well designed: heavy-duty rivets and stitching, plenty of pockets with internal dividers, 2 utility hooks, carpenter loops, and a bottle opener! Big enough for a man but easily adjustable for hardcore ladies who want to rock the skullz.

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You wouldn't think that picking a dough scraper would be such a difficult task, but it was. Some have rulers (either etched in or painted on) while others don't, some have sharp edges while others have blunt edges, and some are stiff while others are flexible... decisions decisions. In the end, the scraper that appealed to me the most was the one made of the highest-quality stainless steel, with a wide AND tall blade, and a sturdy ergonomic textured handle. It doesn't have a sharp edge, or a ruler, but I don't need those things. (If those qualities are important to you, I suggest looking at the OXO Good Grips Pastry Scraper.)

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We looked around, and this is really the best springform pan we could find. While other spring form pans have flaky and potentially toxic non-stick coatings, this one has a special heavy duty steel/enamel non-stick coating that is PTFE and PFOA-free. The base is cut-resistent and the body has a 10-year guarantee. The buckle has a lifetime guarantee, and can be used left-or right-handed by simply flipping the ring. Comes in several sizes and shapes.

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Oh I do want one of these! I actually romanticize about it every time I dust a pan. I only learned about these recently, and now that I know they exist, and work splendidly at dusting a fine even layer of flour or sugar using just one hand, I scoff at how ineffective my flour-in-strainer-in-one-hand and tapping-spoon-in-other-hand technique feels. Where's my third hand to hold and tilt the pan?!

Learn more about this great little utensil here and be sure to check out the rave reviews.

This heavy-duty glass Pyrex bakeware set is solid and functional. Non-toxic, good heat distribution, even browning (you can even check on it), easy to clean, nice enough looking for table serving, and great value. Comes with 3 standard-sized essential pieces: large 9"x13" pan, small 8"x8" pan, and 9.5" pie plate. Made in the USA.

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There are a lot of good mixers out there, but this heavy duty beauty is exceptional. Available in a range of sexy finishes (including our fav Caviar Gloss), this professional-grade mixer can handle everything from whipping cream to heavy bread dough. Featuring all-metal gearbox construction (not found on the Artisan model), a powerful 575-watt motor (nearly twice the power of the Artisan), auto shut-off (saves the motor from burning-out), a Soft Start anti-splatter function, and KitchenAid's acclaimed no-hassle warranty to back it up.

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The ever-important cooling rack. Prevents cookies and goods from getting over-baked, soggy, deformed - keeps crusts crusty. Ever try cooling cookies on a plate? I have. Not good. I've tried cooling cookies on oven racks: the bars are too far apart - what a mess. I've balanced scones together on a plate to form little tipi-like structures... arg.

I checked-out many racks, and this is the one to get. Easy to clean (dishwasher-safe), sturdy and strong, oven-safe (you can roast on these), fits jellyroll and half sheet pans perfectly. The cheaper non-stick racks are flimsy, hard to clean and rust.

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