We Test Hundreds of Products a Month, and This November, We Can’t Stop Talking About These 10

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.

Each month, Food & Wine’s staff tests hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, appliances, hosting gear, and even grocery items. This month, as the holiday season approaches, 10 items became instant favorites, and some of them are currently on sale for Black Friday.

Below, we take you through the things we’re very into right now, like a new version of Dorai’s popular dish rack, as well as a Malin + Goetz candle that’s “perfect for cool, crisp temperatures and smells super nostalgic,” according to editor Danielle St. Pierre. Need some new knives? We recently acquired two absolute bangers: the Opinel No. 125 table knife and the Made In carving knife. Keep reading to discover the rest of our November obsessions.

November Editor Obsessions

• Avaline The Holiday Collection, $260
• Dorai Dish Rack, $136, originally $160
• Lodge Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet, $45
• Myrth Basso Bowl, $60
• Malin + Goetz Leather Candle, $64
• Opinel No. 125 Table Knives, Set of 4, $55
• Made In Carving Set, $159, originally $199
• 360 Cookware Large Cookie Sheet, $160
• Gevi Household V2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker, $350, originally $500
• Van Van Spices Variety Pack, $70, originally $75

Avaline The Holiday Collection

"Co-founded by Cameron Diaz, Avaline’s aptly named Holiday Collection comes with two bottles of Prosecco, two bottles of Riesling, two bottles of Beaujolais, two bottles of Grenache, and one bottle of Syrah. While wine is my drink of choice, I certainly do not choose the headache that can come along with some wines. All of Avaline’s wine is made from organic grapes with no unwanted additives, so they’re low in sugar. So you can enjoy a glass (or two) on Christmas Eve, then wake up bright and early Christmas morning to open gifts." — Phoebe Sklansky, Senior Editor

Dorai Dish Rack

“Dorai just came out with a new and improved version of its dish rack. The plates on the bottom magically suck up water, and the rack above includes convenient storage for every kind of item, including knives. I received a PR sample of the previous version, which sat directly on the counter and tended to get wet underneath, and I liked that one so much that I actually paid for the new one.” — Jason Horn, Senior Writer

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Skillet

“I recently went to Vermont for a weekend with friends, and the house we were staying at only had scratched-up and flaking nonstick pans. One of my friends saved the weekend by bringing his own Lodge carbon steel skillet. Throughout the weekend, he made us eggs and grilled cheese with ease, and I was amazed at how nonstick his pan was. He's had it for five years and has taken great care of it. This pan has been living rent-free in my brain ever since, and I am 99.5% sure I'm going to buy it right now.” — An Uong, Writer

Myrth Basso Bowl

“I was recently introduced to handmade ceramics brand Myrth and tested a few pieces, including their popular Basso bowls. These low bowls have a nice flat surface area and feel thicker and heartier than other bowls in my current rotation. They're my new favorite pasta bowls. I love the earthy sienna color and plan to use them to serve holiday sides.” — Danielle St. Pierre, Senior Editor

Malin + Goetz Leather Candle

“I've been looking for a vibey fall dinner party candle that doesn't overpower whatever I'm cooking. This leather candle by Malin & Goetz is woodsy and peppery with a touch of clove. It's perfect for cool, crisp temperatures and smells super nostalgic. I've been lighting it either during or after dinner most nights this fall and will have this one lit for Thanksgiving.” — Danielle St. Pierre, Senior Editor

Opinel No. 125 Table Knives, Set of 4

“This summer, I wrote about how I’d been seeing these gorgeous, rustic table knives in a bunch of nice restaurants. I’ve been fantasizing about them all year,  and as I get closer to the numerous upcoming holiday dinner parties I’m hosting, I decided it was time to dive in. I bought three different packs featuring slightly different colors, and I now have 12 ultra-sharp, mind-blowingly beautiful knives straight out of my dreams.” — Adam Rothbarth, Writer

Made In Carving Set

“I'm a huge fan of Made In's knives, so I was incredibly excited when they sent me this carving set in advance of Thanksgiving. Of course, it lives up to the hype. The knife is a stunning, weighty, full-tang piece that I've enjoyed using on chicken and tofu so far — and I can't wait to use it on Thanksgiving turkey, Hanukkah brisket, and all future big-deal slicing needs. I just realized that both of my selections in this story are knives, but for better or worse, that is very on brand for me, so I’m going to leave it alone.” — Adam Rothbarth, Writer

360 Cookware Large Cookie Sheet

“Whether it's their jelly roll pan or casserole dish, 360 Cookware's stainless steel bakeware is the most splurge-worthy in the game. This month, I was lucky enough to get my hands on their large cookie sheet. It's made of heavy-duty, 15-gauge stainless steel and a tri-ply construction so it heats evenly and does not warp one bit. Even if they do warp eventually, I'm not worried because these cookie sheets come with a lifetime warranty.” — Dillon Evans, Update Writer

Gevi Household V2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker

“My husband has been wanting a nugget ice maker for months, so he was ecstatic when this one arrived on our doorstep. It's easy to use, doesn't take up a lot of space on our counter, and makes a full batch of ice in about 4 hours. Plus, it's 30% off for Black Friday!” — Liv Dansky, Writer

Van Van Spices Variety Pack

“These Vietnamese spices and herbs have totally changed the way I cook. I especially love the dried garlic, shallots, ginger, and onion, which are easy to rehydrate when I haven't had time to buy fresh produce.” — Katie Brown, Writer