Kitchen Gear Explainers: How It Works, in Plain Terms

Explainers

How kitchen gear actually works, answered in the first two sentences and backed by the figures our guides already publish.

Each explainer takes one question a buyer types into a search box and answers it with the published numbers from the products we have compared, then links to the guides that go with it.

What to look for when buying a rice cooker? Look at capacity in cooked cups, the pot coating and whether it is removable, the control type, and the wattage the maker publishes. Will meat cook inside of a rice cooker? Yes, meat can cook in a rice cooker, but only the makers' published features tell you which models are set up for it, and none of… Can you make orange juice with a blender? Yes, a blender will turn peeled orange segments into a drinkable juice, though the result is thicker and more pulpy than pressed juice because the blades… What is the use of different blender speeds? Different speeds let you match blade force to the job: low speeds fold and stir thick or chunky mixtures, mid speeds puree and emulsify, and high… What are the differences between coffee made with a French press or an espresso machine? A French press steeps ground coffee in hot water and strains it through a metal mesh, while an espresso machine forces hot water through a packed… What’s the difference in baking bread in a loaf pan vs. in a Dutch oven? A loaf pan shapes a loaf and holds it upright, while a Dutch oven traps steam under a heavy lid and bakes bread in a round,… Would a cast iron pot work well for chili? If so, why? A cast iron pot can work well for chili, and the reasons come down to how the material holds and spreads heat rather than to any… What are the advantages and disadvantages to using a griddle instead of a cast-iron skillet? A griddle gives you a wide flat surface and even, controllable heat for batches of pancakes or bacon, while a cast iron skillet gives you deep… Is it still possible to make cast iron skillets as good as the old ones? Yes. Makers still cast iron skillets in the same shapes and weights as vintage pans, and some publish a smoother cooking surface than other current brands. Why is a pressure canner needed when canning? A pressure canner is needed because low-acid foods such as vegetables, meats, poultry and seafood must be processed at temperatures above boiling water to be safe,… What are the benefits of fuzzy logic in a rice cooker? Fuzzy logic lets a rice cooker adjust cooking time and temperature on its own instead of running one fixed program, which is how makers describe steadier… What should I look for when choosing a Dutch oven? Look first at capacity, oven-safe temperature, cooktop compatibility and published weight, then at lid design and interior enamel, because those are the figures and features makers… How do you clean and maintain cast iron lids? Wash a cast iron lid by hand in warm water, dry it completely right away, and rub a thin layer of cooking oil over the iron… Is there a difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot? No. A Crock-Pot is a brand of slow cooker, so every Crock-Pot is a slow cooker, but not every slow cooker is a Crock-Pot. Is it ok to leave a slow cooker unattended? Yes, for the models whose makers describe set-and-forget cooking, provided you follow the maker's stated settings and keep the appliance on a stable surface. Why would a pressure cooker shorten a braise time? A sealed pressure cooker raises the boiling point of the liquid so the braise cooks hotter than an open pot can, which shortens the time meat… Why heat soup in a blender? A blender can turn hot ingredients into a smooth soup in the jar itself, and some models are built to hold heat while they work. How do you clean a burnt cast iron pot? Scrub off the burnt layer with hot water and a stiff brush, dry the iron completely on the stove, then re-oil the cooking surface so it… Is there a difference between a Convection Oven and an Air Fryer? Yes: an air fryer is a small convection oven that moves air fast in a tight chamber, while a convection oven is a full-size oven with… How do you keep dust and cat hair off cast iron pans? Store the pan covered or in a closed cabinet, wipe it down before each use, and keep the cooking surface seasoned so hair and dust lift… Can you can items using a deep fryer instead of a pressure canner? No. A deep fryer cannot be used for pressure canning, and none of the pressure canners compared here is a deep fryer. How do you grill a perfect burger? A perfect burger comes from high, steady heat, a clean grate, and a quick sear that leaves the inside juicy. The equipment you use sets the… How important is RPM in a blender? RPM matters, but only one blender on our compared list publishes a figure for it, so it is a weak way to compare machines. Why Are Most Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Ovens Only Rated to 400 or 450 F? Because the rating follows the weakest part of the pot, usually a resin lid knob, and the maker's caution about thermal shock to the enamel, not… Is a Cast Iron Skillet Suitable for Vegans? Yes, the pan itself is iron and the only animal-derived element it could carry is the factory seasoning fat, which the makers in our guide either… Can a Rice Cooker Make Amounts Much Smaller Than Its Rating? Yes, a rice cooker will cook far less than its rating as long as the rice-to-water ratio stays the same, though only two makers on this… Is It Necessary to Add Vegetables to a Slow Cooker Pot Roast? No. The roast braises fine in a little liquid on its own; vegetables add flavor, lift the meat off the hot floor of the pot and… Do induction cooktops increase the risk of cracking cast iron? Not by themselves, but fast localized heating makes thermal shock easier to cause; preheat on a middle setting and match the pan to the coil. What are the advantages of seasoned cast iron vs enameled cast iron? Seasoned iron takes unlimited heat and can be rebuilt forever; enameled iron needs no seasoning, never rusts, and handles acid and storage. How do you grill without an actual grill? Use a ridged grill pan on the stove, an electric indoor grill with a drip tray, or the broiler with a cast iron press; you get… How do you properly clean a cutting board and knife to prevent cross contamination? Wash both in hot soapy water the moment raw meat comes off them, sanitize, dry fully, and keep a separate board for raw protein. Does it take a special type of blender to make smoothies? No; any blender with a lid, a motor rated in the hundreds of watts and a blade at the floor of its container will make a… What should you look for when buying a blender? Pick the type and jar size for what you actually make, then read the motor rating as a label rather than a promise, and check the… How do you minimize splatter when using an immersion blender? Keep the blade head fully submerged before you press the button and until after you release it, blend in a tall narrow container, and start on… How do you reduce static in a coffee grinder? Mist the beans with two or three sprays of water before grinding, grind into metal rather than plastic, and let the grounds settle before you open… What happens if you put a cast iron skillet in the dishwasher? The seasoning comes off and the bare iron starts to rust within a single cycle, so the skillet comes out dull gray or blotched orange and… Is it safe to cook wine or vinegar in cast iron? Yes for a splash of wine or vinegar and a few minutes of simmering in a well seasoned skillet; a long braise or sauce strips the… What does a healthy cast iron skillet look like? An even dark black or deep brown cooking surface that is dry and faintly satin to the touch, with no orange rust, no gray bare patches,… How do you clean a seasoned cast iron skillet? Wash it by hand in warm water, scrape off anything stuck with a flat scraper, dry it completely at once, and rub on a thin coat… Why Do Bakers Weigh Flour Instead of Using Measuring Cups? Because a cup measures volume and flour's density is not fixed, so the same leveled cup holds different amounts depending on how the flour got in.… Why Does Mold Grow on Top of My Fermenting Vegetables? Because lactic fermentation is anaerobic and mold is not, so the only part of the jar mold can colonize is the part above the brine. The… Why Does Slow Cooker Food Come Out So Watery? Because a slow cooker is sealed and holds the pot below boiling, so steam condenses on the lid and runs straight back in, while the meat… Why Won’t My Pan Work on an Induction Cooktop? Because an induction cooktop has no hot surface. It throws a magnetic field at the pan and the pan heats itself, so a pan made of… What Is the Difference Between Honing and Sharpening a Knife? Sharpening removes metal to cut a new edge. Honing removes almost none and bends the existing edge back onto the centerline after it has folded over… Why Does Bread Go Stale Faster in the Fridge? Because staling is starch recrystallizing, not bread drying out, and that reaction runs fastest just above freezing. The refrigerator band of 39 to 44 F published… Why Does My Baking Sheet Warp in the Oven? Because the top face of a thin metal plate gets hot before the underside does, grows longer than it, and the plate buckles to absorb the… Does a Pizza Steel Heat Up Faster Than a Pizza Stone? No. A steel is the heavier of the two and its own maker asks for 45 to 60 minutes of preheat, where one stone in our… Sparkling Water Maker vs Buying Bottled Sparkling Water A maker carbonates tap water on demand at the fizz level you choose; bottles need no equipment, no cylinder exchange and give you real mineral water.