tools

A high quality professional-grade micro-torch perfect for the multi-talented DIY creative. Caramelize sugar on crème brûlées, sear a roast, then use it to work on your jewelry, repair your boat, solder in your workshop... some folks even use it as an uber-fancy James Bond-style cigar lighter! Not that we recommend that - but we do think it's a great gift for Father's Day. :)

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If the above torch is a bit too heavy duty for you, the cullinary-specific BonJour Pro Torch with Fuel Gauge is also a top quality torch that includes great safety features. Perfect for all the sugar caramelizers, meringue browners, cheese melters, and meat crispers out there.

For serious cake decorators and connoiseurs of quality baking tools, this revolving cake stand features a solid cast-iron base with a durable finish, and a smooth-rotating 12-inch aluminum platter. Made in the USA.

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Everyone including Cook's Illustrated raves about this amazing pizza peel. Solid white ash peel with a washable sliding pastry cloth makes transferring sticky dough a breeze. Great for breads too. Read the reviews to find out why this pizza peel is so highly regarded.

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Pitting cherries can be a messy and painful chore. Not any more. This Oxo Good Grips model takes the mess and the strain out of pitting cherries with a removable splatter shield and soft comfortable non-slip handles. Handles large and small cherries, and does double duty as an olive pitter (though it gets the most raves for being a fantastic cherry pitter).

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We're big fans of this type of citrus squeezer. Living in Mexico means we squeeze a LOT of limes, so having one of these handy tools is essential. For anyone looking to squeeze lemons, however (we can't get lemons here for some reason), you might be surprised to know that there is a difference in how the squeezer needs to be designed. This Amco Two-in-One Juicer/Squeezer accomodates both with a clever dual-sided center plate - up for lemons, down for limes. Brilliant!

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If you've ever dreamed of being able to decorate your baked goods like a pro, with fancy flowers, swirling scripts and spectacular star-bursts, this comprehensive set of decorating tips from Ateco will help make your dreams come true. (Of course a little practice will help too!) Comes with 52 high-quality stainless steel tips, including writing, star, leaf, rose, grass, and basket weave tubes, a coupler, and 2 flower nails. A handy box keeps everything neat and tidy. (Note, you might also need a good pastry bag. Cook's Illustrated recommends the 18" version.)

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For those of us who prefer to blend pastry dough by hand, this pastry blender features five sturdy stainless steel blades, an ergonomic grippy handle, and it's dishwasher safe.

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High-quality stainless steel round cookie cutters are an essential tool for serious cookie makers - and they're pretty handy for non-serious cookie makers too! (Also great for scones, pierogies, ravioli...) This CIA Masters Collection 11-piece set is a cut above the rest: built to last (they have a lifetime warranty), dishwasher safe, and includes a handy case.

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A cake knife needs to have:

a long blade
a slight curve
a pointed tip
a smooth edge

This one has it all, plus the slightly flared blade makes it perfect for serving small pieces of cake. Made of high-quality stainless steel and dishwasher safe, this is one sweet blade.

We also love this classic Yamazaki cake knife that carries a lifetime warranty.

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Lightweight and powerful, this mixer goes from super-slow to ultra-fast. Its electronic speed-control sensor ensures you get a steady speed whether you're whipping egg whites or beating cookie dough. Easy to clean, and has a clever cord that swivels for left or right-handed use. This mixer beat out all the others in a recent Cook's Illustrated shoot-out.

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