Five ways to look like you know how to cook
For some people cooking comes naturally. For the rest of us, even kitchen basics like using a knife are a struggle. That's why we've rounded up the week's best kitchen deals for beginners. Save $98 on a Whirlpool dishwasher, grab an 11-piece Cuisinart cookware set at a $69 savings, and score a ceramic knife sharpener for $2.
By the way, if you've graduated from boiling water to microwaving your own frozen foods, then you're ready for our kitchen must-haves guide.
Store: Sears
Price: $349.99 via coupon code "SEARS50" with free shipping
Lowest By: $98
Is It Worth It?: Before you start cooking, you want to make sure you're not going to be washing dishes for hours afterward. You could try to subsist on cheese and crackers, or you could save $98 on the Whirlpool Gold 24" dishwasher in Stainless Steel. Coupon code "SEARS50" drops this dishwasher to the Editors' Choice price of $350, so we think it's the obvious pick. (Click through to Sears to see this deal.) This energy-efficient dishwasher purportedly uses about half as much water as older models, can fit up to 15 place settings, and features automatic temperature control, six cycles including a sensor wash cycle, and heated drying.
Cuisinart 11-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Store: Macy's
Price: $89.99 via coupon code "FRIENDS" with free shipping with padding
Lowest By: $69
Expires: May 5
Is It Worth It?: It was Julia Child who said, "You can't cook without pots and pans." At least it sounds like something she'd say, because it's true and she was really good at cooking. Regardless, this Cuisinart 11-piece Stainless Steel Cookware set is a top-notch collection of essentials that includes a 2-quart saucepan with cover, a 3-quart sauté pan with cover, a 5-quart stock pot with cover, 8" and 10" skillets, a slotted turner, and a universal spoon. Use coupon code "FRIENDS" to drop the price to $90, then pad your order over $99 to bag free shipping. Excluding padding, that's an Editors' Choice savings of $69.
Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Store: Walmart
Price: $45 with in-store pickup
Lowest By: $10
Is It Worth It?: A cast iron Dutch oven, like this 6-quart Lodge model, is used to make a lot of one-pot dishes. You just throw everything in, cover it, turn the heat on low, and spend the next few hours wondering why everyone says cooking is hard. If that sounds like your style, you can pick up this Editors' Choice Dutch oven in four colors for $45. (Amazon offers it in Purple or Brown for the same price.) That's a $10 savings on on this pot, which features a chip-resistant porcelain enamel surface.
Rapala 2-Stage Ceramic Knife Sharpener
Store: Amazon
Price: $1.99 with free shipping via Prime
Lowest By: $1
Is It Worth It?: Letting your knives get dull is a rookie mistake that can send you to the ER. Keep your blades in top condition with the Rapala 2-Stage Ceramic Knife Sharpener. Perfect for fillet knives especially, this sharpener also makes a great fishing or hunting accessory. An Editors' Choice pick at $2, most stores charge $5 or more for this sharpener.
Note: This item ships in two to four weeks.
Fruit and Vegetable Twisting Slicer
Store: Taste For Life via eBay
Price: $4.24 with free shipping
Lowest By: $6
Is It Worth It?: If you don't have the time to chop up veggies and fruits, you can make quick work of your food prep with this Twisting Slicer. Just load the food of your choice into this device and twist away until you've got either spiral slices or shreds. No fancy cutting required! You can grab this Editors' Choice kitchen tool for just $4, a savings of $6.
