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Andrew Zimmern Says He ‘Can’t Live Without’ This Kitchen Tool That’s Only $4 Apiece

The chef and TV host says you don’t always need to go for the most expensive option.

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Published on June 21, 2024

andrew-zimmern-says-he-cant-live-without-this-kitchen-tool-thats-only-8-apiece.jpg — Photo:
Food & Wine / Francesca Fasciglione

We recently caught up with chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and asked him to share his thoughts on cooling racks after he used one in a demo he gave.

First, Zimmern points out that he relies on cooling racks for a wide range of uses. “I’m really into cooling racks — not just for cookies, but it’s how I rest chickens, or fried foods if I’m going to twice-cook them or before serving them,” he says. “If you take fried chicken fingers and you put them on a paper towel on a plate, they’re going to start to steam, and all the work you put into getting them nice and crispy goes out the window.” Zimmern loves this four-piece set from P&P Chef, which contains cooling racks ranging from 8.6 inches to 15.3 inches, and is currently 48% off.

P&P Chef 4-Piece Cooling Rack Set

$27 $14 at Amazon

When it comes to cooking gear, Zimmern is certainly somebody who appreciates nice things, but he says that overspending on a cooling rack is unnecessary. “Cooking equipment can get very pricey. I always check out what the low, low, low bottom price is,” he explains, pointing out that, sometimes, he’s happy surfing Amazon until he finds the right thing. “[Cooling racks are] so expensive at all of the baking shops, so I just go online to Amazon and get six, eight, 10 of them for $12. When they break, I throw them away, but I still have the same ones for, like, ten years.”

Zimmern also recommended this set of two from E-far, which, at 8.6 inches, are the perfect size for a few pieces of fried chicken, a small amount of baked goods, or a couple grilled items.

E-far Stainless Steel Cooking Rack, Set of 2

$14 $7 at Amazon

In the end, while shelling out for a shiny, new piece of gear can be exciting, when someone who can get pretty much any piece of equipment they want says to scoop an inexpensive option on Amazon, we’re ready to smash that “add to cart” button.