Cool Stuff: October 2022
I decided to wander away from my audio gear and found myself in the kitchen, of course! Here are three best-in-class products you’ll find in our area and use almost, if not, every day!
Vertical Rabbit Corkscrew
While I love a screw cap, most wines are still corked. Honestly, though, I just want my wine with as little work occurring as possible. The first time I used the Rabbit, I was astonished—and I created a bit of a problem. My wife came home to find me in the kitchen with 11 bottles of wine open. When she asked me why, I just stood there, babbled “…so easy to open…” If you drink wine and don’t own one, the question is, “wine not?” $59.99, available at Total Wine & More
by Terry Carroll
Philips 4300 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
Philips 4300 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
I’m now a barista, and a pretty darn good one, according to my wife—all because I bought this machine. From coffee to cappuccinos to espresso and more, the Philips 4300 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine delivers. It also stores your drinks in its memory, grinds beans, and creates coffee shop-quality drinks at the push of a button; it even foams milk! (Use 2% for the best foam, IMO). Best of all, it will pay for itself and keep you out of those long coffee shop lines. $899, available at Crate & Barrel
I’m now a barista, and a pretty darn good one, according to my wife—all because I bought this machine. From coffee to cappuccinos to espresso and more, the Philips 4300 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine delivers. It also stores your drinks in its memory, grinds beans, and creates coffee shop-quality drinks at the push of a button; it even foams milk! (Use 2% for the best foam, IMO). Best of all, it will pay for itself and keep you out of those long coffee shop lines. $899, available at Crate & Barrel
Vertical Rabbit Corkscrew
Vertical Rabbit Corkscrew
While I love a screw cap, most wines are still corked. Honestly, though, I just want my wine with as little work occurring as possible. The first time I used the Rabbit, I was astonished—and I created a bit of a problem. My wife came home to find me in the kitchen with 11 bottles of wine open. When she asked me why, I just stood there, babbled “…so easy to open…” If you drink wine and don’t own one, the question is, “wine not?” $59.99, available at Total Wine & More
Zyliss Easy Pull Chopper
Zyliss Easy Pull Chopper
OK, I love to cook, but I don’t like to prepare everything. I’m always looking for shortcuts when it comes to chopping but cleaning a food processor takes longer than cooking a meal! A friend mentioned this little device, and now I give them out as gifts: It’s the BEST KITCHEN GADGET EVER! Pull the string and chop anything. Buy one—you’ll thank me! $39.95, available at Sur La Table
OK, I love to cook, but I don’t like to prepare everything. I’m always looking for shortcuts when it comes to chopping but cleaning a food processor takes longer than cooking a meal! A friend mentioned this little device, and now I give them out as gifts: It’s the BEST KITCHEN GADGET EVER! Pull the string and chop anything. Buy one—you’ll thank me! $39.95, available at Sur La Table