Kitchen Essentials

Duo, Duo Plus, RIO and Pro decoded: what actually changes as you pay more, what stays identical, and which Instant Pot to buy.

Instant Pot review: which of the seven functions are worth using, and whether to buy the RIO, RIO Mini or Duo.

Instant Pot vs Crock-Pot compared on speed, functions, simplicity and price — with a clear pick for each kind of cook.

Stainless, glass or ceramic mixing bowls? Weight, durability and microwave safety compared, with our picks from OXO and Pyrex.

Is a rice cooker worth it? Zojirushi, Cuckoo and Aroma compared — fuzzy logic vs basic, capacity and which one fits how often you eat rice.

The best instant-read meat thermometers: TempPro TP19H, Thermapen ONE and a ThermoPro wireless set compared — plus a safe-temperature chart.

The complete kitchen essentials list for a first apartment: what to buy first, what it costs, our picks for each item, and what to skip.