We Tested 75+ Kitchen Items in January—These Are the 8 We Can’t Stop Talking About

This post is part of our ‘Monthly Obsessions’ series, where we ask our writers and editors what products they’ve added to their kitchen that they now can’t imagine living without.

Here at Food & Wine, we have the opportunity to test countless kitchen products every month, including the latest and greatest appliances, tools, and pantry items. And when we find something that we truly love, we can’t stop recommending it to our families, friends, and of course, our readers. 

Here, our writers and editors share the kitchen and food things they currently can’t live without, and their picks include a gorgeous Smeg coffee machine, a life-changing olive oil cake mix, and a Solo Stove you can use indoors. Read on to shop our January Obsessions, starting at just $9.

January Editor Obsessions

• Smeg Fully Automatic Coffee Machine, $654 (originally $850) at amazon.com
• Takeya Airtight Pitcher, $17 (originally $20) at amazon.com
• Solo Stove Cinder Tabletop Bowl, $50 at solostove.com
• Beast Mini Blender, $99 at thebeast.com
• Elia Grecian Olive Oil Cake Mix, $34 at amazon.com
• Filthy Olive Brine, 6 Pack, $35 at amazon.com
• Avec Sampler, 12 Pack, $36 at avecdrinks.com
• Crate & Barrel Nick and Nora Glass, $9 at crateandbarrel.com

Smeg Fully Automatic Coffee Machine

“I have tested dozens of coffee and espresso makers, and after finally parting ways with one I've had for a while, I've been trying to fill the void. Several drip and espresso makers have made their case, but none have really stuck until I got this one from Smeg. It's sleek, easy to use, and makes a mean cup of coffee every single time. It has a built-in grinder, and I can't control much else other than whether I want an espresso or long coffee. But honestly, that’s fine by me.” – Daniel Modlin, Commerce Editor

Takeya Airtight Pitcher

“I just bought this Takeya pitcher, and I love it. It's much sturdier than my old plastic Rubbermaid pitcher, and it's slim enough to fit right on the door of my refrigerator, so it takes up zero shelf space. I have been drinking iced tea non-stop even though it's winter because I can make big batches of it that steep overnight in this pitcher. It's been great for helping me stay hydrated.” – Elisabeth Sherman, Commerce Writer 

Solo Stove Cinder Tabletop Bowl

“The Solo Stove has been one of the hottest items on the market for a while, both literally and figuratively, but not everyone has the outdoor space or the budget for a high-end fire pit. Enter Cinder, Solo's foray into miniature tabletop fire ‘pits’ that can be used indoors. It burns using a gel fuel that's smokeless and food-safe (marshmallows, anyone?). I was able to get my hands on one to test out and love the look of the materials — concrete and bamboo — just as much as the price point (under $50). Thanks to its compact size, it's great for traveling and camping as well as indoor and outdoor entertaining, especially if you don't have a fireplace.” – Taysha Murtaugh, Commerce Director

Beast Mini Blender

“I had the opportunity to test Beast’s new mini blender earlier this month, and I’ve used it everyday since. Unlike most personal blenders, the Beast is ultra-speedy, featuring a powerful motor that pulverizes ingredients in seconds. Plus, it has a small countertop footprint and features a visually stunning design.” – Katie Brown, Commerce Writer

Elia Grecian Olive Oil Cake Mix 

“This is one of the most luxurious cake mixes I've ever tried. Created by baker Candice Hunsinger, this dried cake mix comes with a bottle of high-quality, Greek extra virgin olive oil that is pre-portioned for the recipe. My favorite of the three flavors is made with almond flour and citrus — it takes no more than five minutes to prep, and the cake itself is moist, zesty, and just sweet enough. It makes for an impressive (yet, low-stress) breakfast or dessert.” – Amelia Schwartz, Associate Editor

Filthy Olive Brine, 6 Pack

“I started using Filthy olive brine because the bartender at Bemelmans Bar in NYC told me to, and I generally trust those folks on anything that goes in a coupe glass. Now, I always have a few squeezable packets of this incredibly flavorful, savory brine in my pantry for impromptu Dirty Martini sessions, and the cute branding makes them a nice host gift with a little bottle of my favorite gin.” – Oset Babür-Winter, Senior Drinks Editor

Avec Sampler, 12 Pack

“I wasn't fully committed to Dry January, but I've been making an effort to cut back on alcohol. So when my husband starts mixing his Old Fashioned on Friday nights, I grab one of Avec's artisanal mixers. Although they’re made for cocktails, I appreciate the brand’s complex flavors, like spiced mango and passionfruit, yuzu and lime, and hibiscus and pomegranate, right out of the can. They contain real juice and much less sugar than typical sodas, and taste so delicious that I don’t miss the booze. Right now, my go-to is the latest flavor, fuji apple and cardamom, which reminds me of a cozy, bubbly cider.” – Katie Macdonald, Editorial Director

Crate & Barrel Nick and Nora Glass

“My secret to sticking with my Dry (okay, let's be honest, "Damp") January goal this year was all in the glassware. I've been sipping nonalcoholic beverages from pretty stemware like the classic Nick and Nora glass. It helps make even the simplest mocktail feel instantly special.” – Taysha Murtaugh