But inch-long gaps between its small magnets made coverage uneven and forced us to find the magnetic hot spots in order to secure the knives. Glass containers can go in the microwave and the dishwasher, and while they’re heavier, they don’t discolor or warp like plastic can. I whip mine out on a Sunday and roast things one after another, sometimes with a quick wipedown in between, sometimes not if I’m just roasting with oil and salt. I love all of my knives—fancy and not-so-fancy alike—but I really appreciate a knife that’s good and sharp but not too precious to use how I please. One is rigid and sharp, the other is soft and flexible. The lids are clutch for holidays and parties because they turn your baking sheet into a large, stable, stackable, transportable storage container. A dull or uncomfortable knife is dangerous and slows you down. Working one at a time, dip balls in melted butter, allowing excess butter to drip back into bowl. ... How we use your email address America's Test Kitchen will not sell, rent, or disclose your email address to third parties unless otherwise notified. Another bonus I found when I switched to glass: a more organized kitchen. . I’m not lying when I tell you that my bench scrapers are my favorite pieces of kitchen equipment. For scraping, trimming, or cutting dough into smaller pieces, testers strongly preferred thin, deeply beveled edges, which made it easier to dislodge sticky pie dough from the counter and neatly portion off bread and pizza doughs. Beginning of dialog window. A bench scraper is an inexpensive—and indispensable—tool in the kitchen in more ways than you’d think. You can spend a lot of money on a chef’s knife but you don’t need to. This bench scraper has a deeply beveled edge that quickly slides under piles of chopped vegetables and doughs. There are other bench scrapers, but this cult favorite has a 4.8-star rating with more than 3,000 reviews from shoppers who commend this pick's quality and design. One model’s extra-long plastic blade was an advantage for speedy cleanup, but its ultrathin, slippery plastic handle made it unwieldy for much else. The truth is, I might still order a pizza for dinner, but at least I’ll have a healthy lunch the next day to get myself back on track. Then I got one for free in our company Equipment Giveaway. is comfortable, thin, and sharp, allowing it to excel at every task. Roll the dough in a log. But the truth is, when I take time to prep a few things for the week on Sunday, my life is measurably better. I test kitchen equipment for a living. A bench scraper is usually a six-inch metal rectangle with a handle. This handsome block was done in by its shape—a tippy, top-heavy quarter-circle that wasn’t tall or broad enough to keep the blades of three knives from poking out. But they are also incredibly handy to have at home—and not just for cutting dough and scraping the counter clean. Because we could only insert the knives vertically, longer knife blades stuck out; a cleaver was too wide to fit. When I was using plastic, I would save every takeout and old food container that came through our house—as long as it had a lid, it became a belonging of mine, requiring a home in my kitchen. The best multicooker on the market, this Zavor makes great food and has a clear, easy-to-use LCD interface. Pasta, too, is excellent in a pressure cooker, especially short chunky shapes like ziti that tend to break apart when boiled on the stovetop. In the end, a model that we’d liked in the past that had lost to our previous winner because of the latter’s sharp blade (now a nonissue) proved best of the bunch. I typically do a grain, such as brown rice or quinoa, plus hard-boiled eggs, beans or chickpeas, chicken broth, and sweet potatoes, all one right after another with a quick wipedown in between, if needed. (There’s a reason professional bakers love them!) Test cook Julia Collin Davison uncovers the secrets to making the perfect Grilled Fish Tacos at home. We … ... America's Test Kitchen, the home of … I stopped putting plastic in the dishwasher and the microwave after reading, . 99 This small, scratch-resistant model had a stable, rubber-lined base and could hold all our knives, though the blade of the 12-inch slicing knife stuck out a bit. With a base lined with grippy material, this block was very stable. Glass is nice and crystal clear, which I’ve found is really important for actually using the food you prep—I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stored something in an old yogurt container only to find it weeks later, covered in mold. Loosen the dough with a bench scraper. To make it less of a chore (and thus make you more likely to do it) you need the right equipment. Using your floured hands and bench scraper, shape dough into 12-by-4-inch rectangle, about 1½ inches tall. This is why I switched to our favorite glass storage container set, the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal 16 Piece Container Set, for storing prepped food and leftovers and packing lunch. I think there’s a lot we don’t know yet but I’d rather be safe than sorry. A good knife is your best friend during food prep. America's Test Kitchen It is important to work the dough as little as possible work quickly and knead and fold the dough only the number of times called for. I have frequently seen the chefs on the America's Test Kitchen show use a bench scraper. A bench scraper is a nice, flat surface. This is a modal window. As I read through the reviews, though, I was concerned at the mixed bag from reviewers, some commenting that this was a flat-bladed scraper, while others maintained it had a cutting edge. (There’s a reason professional bakers love them!) A pressure cooker is basically a really tightly-sealed cooking pot. Proof, America’s Test Kitchen’s own investigative food podcast is fantastic. I eat healthier, I'm less stressed, and I spend less money. They say an artist is only as good as their tools, and the same holds true for meal prep. x Toggle Nav Our winning bench scraper from Dexter-Russell is comfortable, thin, and sharp, allowing it to excel at every task. We’ve tested several over the years and favored those with steel blades and comfortable rubber, nylon, or plastic grips. And food stays super juicy is why I switched to glass: more! Our new favorite is a nice, flat surface of America 's Test Kitchen will not sell,,!, it got a bit of crowding can use it to excel every. 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