You’re paying more for gas and groceries, but gifts? We’re here to help! We’re calling it Making Ends Meet: Holiday Gifts.
All week News4JAX is revealing affordable gift ideas that won’t fall flat. How do we know? Because all of them are tried, tested, and recommended by the experts at Consumer Reports.
Making Ends Meet: Tech gifts | Coffee gifts | Thrifty gifts | Returns
Today, we’re offering gift ideas for someone who likes to spend time in the kitchen -- with some as low as $15!
“The person on your list doesn’t have to be a professional chef; a lot of these ideas are just designed to help make life in the kitchen easier or elevate your cooking game,” said Paul Hope with Consumer Reports.
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Chef’s knife
With the right Chef’s knife, someone can slice, dice, chop, and mince with one tool.
In Consumer Reports’ tests, the Henckels Premio 8″ Chef’s Knife for $40 did just that, effortlessly.
Wooden cutting board
Hope says a wooden cutting board is perfect for serving food at large gatherings.
The TeakHaus Traditional Edge Grain Professional Cutting Board, a splurge at around $100, did well in Consumer Reports’ evaluations.
Dutch oven
You can also consider cookware that can multitask and last a lifetime, like a Dutch oven that can bake, brown, and slow-cook and is a great gift for someone with a new home or kitchen.
The Spice by Tia Mowry Savory Saffron Enameled Cast Iron for $60 earned a top spot in Consumer Reports’ tests.
Air fryer
If your foodie likes fried foods, you can help them turn out healthier versions of their favorites with an air fryer. The recommended Chefman Accufry RJ38-SQPF-5T2P-W for $100 features a decent-sized basket with a viewing window so they can peek in on those goodies.
Air fryer accessories
If you’re shopping for someone who already has an air fryer, add-ons are a great idea because they let you make things that you couldn’t in the regular basket.
- Loaf pan: The Crux x Marshmello miniature loaf pans for $20 can turn an air fryer into a breadmaker.
- Grill pan: Consumer Reports says air fryers with a pullout drawer often come equipped with a grill pan. But with models with a mesh basket, this $17.99 accessory will instantly make your fryer more versatile – and allow someone to grill whenever they want.
- See other air fryer accessories Consumer Reports evaluated here.
Stocking stuffers
If you need a last-minute stocking stuffer, consider some Consumer Reports-tested kitchen supplies:
- Cuisinart Neoprene Mini Mitts for $15
- Chef’n FreshForce Citrus Juicer for about $20
Friday on The Morning Show
We’ll also have expert advice to help you navigate those post-holiday returns, refunds and exchanges.