The most wanted gifts for home cooks

Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Wanted for Embarrassing knives that cost five times as much.

A sharp, no-frills knife with a grippy handle that professional cooks and reviewers have been recommending for years. It's the best kitchen upgrade you can give at this price.

Why it's here Long recommended by cooks for its value. An excellent gift, whether they already own good knives or not.

Let it slide if They already have a knife they treat like a family member.

Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Wanted for Outliving the person who bought it.

A pre-seasoned cast iron pan made in the USA that's cheap, tough, and useful for nearly anything. It's a great gift for a new home, and it only gets better with use.

Why it's here It will outlast nearly everything else in their kitchen, and it only gets better with use.

Let it slide if They already own one. Cast iron people tend to.

MEATER Plus Wireless Meat Thermometer

Wanted for Taking all the guessing out of the Thanksgiving turkey.

A wireless probe that sends the meat's temperature to a phone app while it cooks. It's a great gift for anyone who loves the grill or smoker and likes a gadget to go with it.

Why it's here A great gift for cooks who roast and grill, and one they'd probably not buy for themselves.

Let it slide if They're proud of cooking by feel and will tell you all about it.

Ooni Koda 12 Gas Pizza Oven

Wanted for Reaching temperatures that a home oven only dreams about.

A compact gas-powered outdoor oven that cooks a pizza in about a minute. It's a big-ticket gift that turns into a whole hobby, plus it gets everyone invited over to their place.

Let it slide if They've got nowhere safe to use it outdoors.

Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker

Wanted for Blending frozen pints into ice cream with alarming ease.

A countertop machine that turns frozen bases into ice cream, sorbet, or high-protein treats. It's a real splurge, but also a popular one for people who want to control what goes in their dessert.

Let it slide if Their kitchen has no counter or freezer room to spare.

TRUFF Original Hot Sauce

Wanted for Putting truffle on things that didn't ask for it.

A black truffle hot sauce in a bottle that looks more like a cologne. It's an easy upgrade from everyday hot sauce, and it looks expensive enough to feel like a real present.

Let it slide if They think truffle tastes like gasoline. Some people do.

Dash Mini Waffle Maker

Wanted for Making tiny waffles that nobody needs but everybody wants.

A small, cheap waffle iron that comes in cheerful colors and takes up almost no room. It's perfect for dorm rooms and first apartments, and also for the person who finds it hilarious.

Let it slide if They've got no spare kitchen space at all.

Click & Grow Smart Garden 3

Wanted for Growing fresh basil indoors in the dead of winter.

A self-watering countertop garden with a built-in grow light and pre-seeded pods. It's a good fit for apartment dwellers and anyone with a history of accidentally killing plants.

Let it slide if They don't have an empty spot near an outlet on the counter.

Cocktail Smoker Kit

Wanted for Making an old fashioned look like a magic trick.

A small torch-top smoker that adds wood smoke to a drink right at the glass. It's a fun bit of theater for home bar owners. Lots of brands sell these, so check reviews and whether a torch is included.

Let it slide if They don't drink, or there's no home bar in sight.

Solo Stove Mesa Tabletop Fire Pit

Wanted for Bringing a campfire to the patio table with minimal smoke.

A small stainless fire pit that burns pellets or wood and sits right on an outdoor table. It's an easy way to make an ordinary night outside feel like an occasion, and s'mores are hard to argue with.

Let it slide if They don't have an outdoor space to use it in.