Kitchen workhorses under $100

Plus: Today’s best kitchen deals [Cheap(ish) made-to-last kitchen essentials]( [An overhead shot of a breakfast.]( Connie Park When you’re buying something new, it can feel like you have to make a trade-off between cost and longevity. Sure, items that will last a lifetime are often investment pieces. But certain smaller investments can go a long way, too. [Kitchen workhorses under $100 (that you won’t have to replace)→]( We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Learn more ›]( [A sturdy wooden cutting board]( [An overhead shot of a person cutting produce on a Teakhaus wooden cutting board.]( Michael Hession Plastic cutting boards need to be replaced about every two years, or as soon as they develop scratches or cuts deep enough for bacteria to grow. A thick wooden cutting board, on the other hand, can last decades with proper maintenance since cuts in the wood tend to self-heal, and you can sand down the surface once it gets really rough. We recommend Teakhaus’s Edge Grain Professional Carving Boards, in either [small]( or [medium](. Both look nice enough to double as charcuterie boards or serving platters. Plus, the teak wood is gentler on a blade than plastic, so it’ll help extend the life of your knives, too. [More boards that made the cut here→]( [A near-indestructible baking sheet]( [A baking sheet with roasted potatoes on it.]( Michael Hession The [Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet]( is under $20 and almost impossible to destroy. It’s amazingly versatile—great for roasting meat and vegetables, baking cookies, or even making a grandma-style pan pizza. It also comes in a couple of smaller sizes ([quarter sheet]( and [eighth sheet]( that are handy for smaller tasks and fit most toaster ovens. And the longer you use your pan, the better it gets, as it develops layers of seasoning just like on cast iron. It may not look pretty, but a well-seasoned baking pan releases food more easily and absorbs heat better thanks to its dark color, producing more browning. [More on our favorite baking sheets→]( [An alternative to nonstick pans]( [An overhead shot of a steak cooking in a cast iron skillet.]( Sarah Kobos Pre-seasoned cast-iron skillets, like [the $40 Lodge skillet]( we recommend, are a great, inexpensive alternative that can last for generations. The nonstick seasoning, made from baked-on, polymerized oil, will only get better with time, allowing you to fry eggs or flip pancakes with ease. [Our beginner-friendly guide to cast-iron skillets→]( Another option is carbon steel, which can tolerate high heat and develop a slick surface as it’s seasoned with use. Kitchen editor Gabriella Gershenson has used the Made In Blue Carbon Steel Frying Pan since 2019, and actually prefers it to her cast iron. [The 12-inch version is currently on sale](. [Get cooking with these deals]( [A OXO Good Grips 3-Qt Glass Baking Dish with Lid.]( [A lidded baking dish we like]( [Deal price: $17]( | Street price: $21 This OXO dish is great for making baked goods, because you can see through the glass to monitor how a crust is browning. It also comes with a lid, so you can easily store leftovers or transport your dish to a potluck. [Buy now from Amazon]( [The GIR 5-Piece Ultimate Tool Set.]( [A handy set of tools]( [Deal price: $38]( | Street price: $51 This set includes five simple-to-clean, nonstick pan-safe tools, including two Wirecutter recommendations: the spatula and flipper. [Buy now from Nordstrom]( [Messermeister Knife Edge Guard 2x8]( ON SALE FOR THE FIRST TIME [An easy way to protect your knives]( [Deal price: $7]( | Street price: $10 With store pickup A knife edge guard safely stores your knife in a drawer without risking nicks or wear to the blade (or cuts to your hands). [Buy now from Sur La Table]( For more deals on our picks, check out the [Wirecutter Deals page](. [View email in browser]( You are receiving this email because you signed up for Wirecutter’s Newsletter. Getting too many emails from us? To stop receiving Top Picks, [unsubscribe](. 
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