Gadgets For The Food Geek In Your Life 2016
This year, get your food geek something they'll actually want to use
All December long, we're bringing you the recipes, tips and tricks you need to Feast your way through the holidays, no matter how you celebrate the season.
Though we like to avoid kitschy cooking gadgets in our Test Kitchen, we can't deny there's a certain allure to a few fun toys that have come out this year. Whether there's a gadget geek in your life or you're the one who likes to stay on the cutting edge of the food world, we've found some of the best high-tech products for the holidays.
Our only requirement: no novelty gadgets. If you're gifting them, the lucky recipients will actually use them in their daily lives. And if you decide to keep them for yourself? We won't tell.
Ember Tech Coffee Mug for $150
With a twist of its temperature dial, this coffee mug will keep your brew exactly as hot as you desire for up to two hours.
ChefSteps Joule for $199
Sous-vide cooking is becoming more widespread, and ChefSteps brings the magic to your kitchen with Joule, a small gadget that happens to look like a lightsaber. The mobile app features controls, guides and notifications to ensure your food is cooked to an insanely precise degree of preference.
Anova Sous Vide for $149
It may not be as svelte as Joule, but the Bluetooth version of Anova's venerable immersion circulator is a slightly cheaper way to get started in sous-vide cookery and can be operated without using the smartphone app.
Waring Pro Pistol Vac for $32
While many of the vacuum sealers available on the market are bulky countertop appliances, Waring Pro has shrunk down its version into a tiny and incredibly convenient form.
Fizzics Waytap for $130
New and improved from last year's version, this battery-powered tap gets inserted over your freshly popped can or bottle of beer, and sonic waves then actually create the perfect foam for a draft-quality pour.
Hiku: The Shopping Button for $50
A fridge magnet in disguise, Hiku doubles as a voice recorder and bar code scanner to help keep track of your grocery lists. Any item you record or scan is converted into a shopping list on your phone, eliminating those hand-scrawled "must buy eggs" notes you leave everywhere.
Infrared Thermometer for $30
Get an instantaneous reading of your grill or cast-iron skillet with this handheld device. Plus, you can channel your inner Alton Brown, which is a good enough reason as any to buy it
Aervana Wine Aerator for $100
The world's first electric wine aerator sits on top of your wine bottle and decants your wine directly into your awaiting glass at the push of a button.
iDevices Kitchen Thermometer for $80
The two separate probes in this thermometer sync to your smartphone to give you real-time updates on whether your rib roast and pork loin will both be ready in time for Christmas dinner.
The Smoking Gun Handheld Food Smoker for $77
File this one under the niche category, but this handheld smoker brings the taste of the barbecue to the backyard-less cook. It can also be used to lend cocktails mescal-esque background notes.
Amazon Echo for $180
Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa, can cue up your favorite playlist during a late-night cooking session, walk you through one of 60,000 recipes in Allrecipes' database and more.
iRobot Braava Mop for $170
Everyone's favorite robotic floor wizard got an upgrade and is now capable of cleaning up after Aunt Faye's second glass of spilled red wine. Now that's a Christmas miracle.