Cooking appliances are the engine of any kitchen. Wimpy burners, a wonky oven, and a microwave with a mind of its own can get in the way of efficient meal prep. Our latest tests of kitchen appliances found plenty of first-rate models with true timesaving enhancements. That includes high-powered cooktops that will bring water for pasta to a rapid boil and double ovens that let you simultaneously prepare two dishes at different temperatures.
But not every speed claim from manufacturers pans out in our labs. Case in point: the infrared oven broiler we tested that cooked burgers only a minute faster than the brand’s standard broiler. We also see gas burners with high Btu/hr., or British thermal units per hour, that don’t deliver faster cooktop heating.
Read on for our picks of appliances that will help keep your kitchen running at top speed, including steam-enhanced technology. Professional chefs have embraced the technology for years, and it’s just starting to catch on in homes. We’ve also included our take on steamable frozen dinners and provided a bunch of tips for maintaining a clean and tidy kitchen—before, during, and after the mealtime rush.
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