It seems there's always one cook on your Christmas list who has collected every gadget and kitchen appliance thought possible through the years. But wait, there's always room for more.
(PHOTO GALLERY: Six new kitchen products of 2022 for the cooks on your gift list)
"Culinary innovation knows no bounds, and as long as there are kitchens to be transformed and cooking experiences to be enhanced, the relentless pursuit of improvement ensures that kitchen products will continue to evolve," says Dawn Evans, a trends expert for the International Housewares Association.
The kitchenwares industry is constantly looking at generational needs. Baby boomers, who make up slightly more than 20% of the population, according to statista.com, appreciate multiuse products in the kitchen that simplify their lives, Evans says.
Those multiuse products, such as toaster ovens that also do the job of convection ovens and air fryers, and cookware that smartly stacks, are also good for those looking to maximize space.
The desire to create new experiences at home is clear for those in the Millennial and Gen X generations. According to a survey from Market Watch, 82% of respondents said they plan to entertain more at home this year.
"Millennials and Gen X'ers are not only embracing technology and functionality but are also seeking items that resonate with their individuality, emphasizing unique design, form and color to enhance their aesthetics," Evans notes.
The International Housewares Association found an interesting trend among Millennials, identifying distinct products that resonate most with them, from artists to those who enjoy a natural look and others who prefer contemporary decor for their kitchens. They are inspired by the "new, now and next" with a creative edge, wrote IHA consumer trend analyst Tom Mirabile in his Insight Trend Index for 2023-24.
Here are a few suggestions to fit most everyone on your list, from those seniors needing a little help with cooking tools to help with dexterity and vision issues to Millennials and their parents, the older Gen X'ers, looking to put a little spice in their kitchen duties as well as adding some pop to their kitchen decor.
Photo by Anne Braly / Saki's new electric kettle will boil your water in seconds for that all-important first cup of coffee.— Saki's Luna variable-temperature electric kettle
For those on your list who always seem to be rushed in the mornings, an electric kettle is the perfect gift, heating water to the ideal temperature for brewing coffees — including French press, teas, hot chocolate or whenever hot water is needed.
Saki's new kettle is made entirely from stainless steel and features seven preset temperatures ranging from 100 to 212 degrees F, along with a 60-minute keep-warm function. Its look is sleek and chic, making it not only functional but good-looking, too. Better yet, it's made in America (California).
Price: $95 at sakiproducts.com (with free shipping over $50), $110 at amazon.com
Photo by Anne Braly / Viking's new roasting pan is pretty enough to put on the table but heavy-duty enough to handle all your roasting needs.— Viking's nonstick roaster
Almost every family has that one cook who does all the heavy lifting — from roasting the Thanksgiving turkey to the Christmas ham and Easter lamb. Viking's new roaster, made in the tradition of all Viking products, will be a welcome sight beneath the tree. It's heavy-duty and made with anodized stainless steel, a process that hardens and strengthens the aluminum, making it a long-lasting roaster that will provide years of perfectly roasted meats and vegetables for generations to come. It's also handsome, with a gunmetal finish and sturdy copper handles — the kind of roaster you won't mind placing on the table as a centerpiece crowned with a beautiful roast. And as a bonus, it comes with a two-piece Viking carving set.
Price: $160 (marked down from $220) at vikingculinaryproducts.com
Photo by Anne Braly / Priced at $7, Kuhn Rikon's easy clean peeler makes a handy stocking stuffer.— Kuhn Rikon easy-clean peeler
Leave it to the Swiss to come up with a peeler that's ergonomically correct, fitting in the palm of your hand perfectly for easy peeling no matter which hand you use. Endorsed by America's Test Kitchen, these peelers have razor-sharp blades that will tackle even the toughest jobs, like those dreaded sweet potatoes. The company also integrated a dedicated potato eye remover in the design — quite clever. Amazon sells the peelers in a set of three for under $20, making them affordable as stocking stuffers. Some models come with convenient attachable brushes to clean the blade.
Price: $7 each with brush at kuhnrikon.com, $17 for a set of three without brushes at amazon.com
Photo by Anne Braly / For the cook on your list who has limited cabinet space, Kuhn Rikon's compact cookware set is the answer.— Kuhn Rikon smart and compact cookware set
If there's someone on your shopping list whose kitchen is lacking in space, Kuhn Rikon's new cookware set is the answer, with all the pots and lids needed to create a fabulous meal followed by easy cleanup thanks to ingenious storage that allows the three different-size pots to nest inside each other with lids that have a vacuum feature that seals the food inside so that it can be refrigerated — no need to dirty another dish for storage — and lets you reheat in the same pan. Clever. This is a thoughtful gift for adult children just starting out in their own small apartments or even a dorm room, as well as seniors who are downsizing and need all the space they can get in their smaller kitchens.
Price: $199 at amazon.com and kuhnrikon.com
Photo by Anne Braly / Dragon Glassware diamond glass cocktail stemware will give your bar a much-needed facelift with its modern design.— Dragon Glass diamond cocktail glasses
Is your bar in need of a facelift? Add some pop to it with new cocktail glasses from Dragon Glass. This will hit high on the list for Millennials, who, according to the International Housewares Association, prefer a more contemporary look for their kitchens and bar areas than those old-fashioned glasses of yore. These glasses will sparkle and really catch the eye of guests as they make a toast to the new year.
Price: $40 for a set of two at dragonglassware.com and amazon.com
Photo by Anne Braly / Kenmore's food processor is lightweight for seniors but heavy duty when it comes to slicing, dicing, shredding and mixing. The cheery red adds a pop of color to your kitchen.— Kenmore's 11-cup food processor
This food processor, priced at just over $100, does the job of much pricier food processors, and it's something every cook can appreciate for its ability to slice and shred much faster than by hand. If the foodie on your list is in need of an updated processor, or one that can handle larger amounts of food, this product from Kenmore will be much appreciated. It's a heavyweight when it comes to kitchen duty, but is lightweight enough to stow away in the lower cabinet and bring up to counter level without a lot of muscle, making it ideal for senior citizens who still enjoy cooking. It comes in black and stainless, or red for a pop of color.
Price: $104-$109 at Amazon.com, $110 at Target
Contact Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com or annebraly.com.