What could be better than the smell of a loaf of bread baking? The answer is as simple as it is obvious: the smell of two loaves of bread baking. Yet, in home kitchens everywhere, there is a major stumbling block hindering this wonderful and enticing experience. Alas, the bread machine can only handle one loaf at a time. The answer, again, is as simple as it is obvious: use two bread-making machines. Or just double down on one.

The Cooks Essentials Dual 1 lb. Bread Maker w/12 Programmed Settings ($99) is a double-barreled bread maker that can bake … Read more

America has fallen behind in the space race, folks. Oh sure, NASA may have little dune buggies rolling around up on Mars, but can Curiosity or Opportunity pop a bag of popcorn? Didn't think so. That makes it kind of hard to watch such outer-space classics such as "2001: A Space Odyssey" or "Spaceballs." There is only way to settle in with a bag of popcorn for a true sci-fi experience, and that is with a space-age microwave. And it's the U.K. that has it.

The Fagor Spoutnik is a microwave on its … Read more

In a world of cookie-cutter cookie cutters, it is not uncommon to find uninspired shapes. But then again, who cares? Cookies are delicious; it doesn't matter how they are cut. End of conversation. Except it does kind of matter; cookies not cut into circus animal shapes may taste the same, but don't tell that to the kids (or the adults who lamented the near death of that classic cookie). But even more unforgivable than carbon-copy cookie cutters, is when they become unrecognizable shapes. That is unless they combine to form a new whole.

The 3D Dinosaur Cookie Cutters from Suck UK … Read more

Do you like to listen to music while taking a shower? For me, doing so is a bit of a chore since I usually have to lug the speaker dock in from the bedroom, unplug the electric toothbrush from the outlet, and -- I know, I know, total first-world problems. Regardless, the whole setup process really soils the act of turning on tunes spontaneously.

Kohler recently announced Moxie, a showerhead that solves my problem by adding some useful tech: Bluetooth and a speaker. … Read more

The level of sophistication in both professional as well as in home kitchens keeps increasing at a seemingly exponential rate. Part of this acceleration is perhaps due to increased specialization and availability of kitchen gadgets and accessories. Certainly interest in new recipes and procedures seems to be at an all-time high. No matter what one can dream up, equipment as well as online instructions are never very far away. And of course, that goes for booze, too.

The craft cocktail movement of recent years has brought with it the need for specialized tools -- or at least constantly accessible familiar … Read more

Contrary to common perception, New Year's resolutions do not actually start on January 1. The idea is instead created some time between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. Perhaps the inception happens while chowing down on the umpteenth turkey-and-cranberry sandwich or maybe the spark of the idea comes while staring at yet another plate of mashed potatoes and gravy. No matter when it starts, it is probably safe to say that the bulk of these New Year plans involve eating healthier. Or, as the case may be, drinking healthier.

The Cuisinart CJE-500 Compact Juice Extractor is a low-commitment … Read more

It's time to talk turkey. A lot of turkey. As in turkey sandwiches. It is that time of year, after all. However, as high as the leftovers may be piled up in the refrigerator, that doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to figure out what to do with them. One can only eat so many sandwiches. Unless of course, there can be found new ways of constructing them.

The Frigidaire FPPG12K7MS Professional Panini Grill (about $120) takes an old classic and smashes it -- in a good way. But panini sandwiches are just the start. The indoor grill … Read more

The art of roasting a bird with a flashlight requires much more than the typical yellow shiner found at your parent's house; in fact, you need something more than a hundred times more powerful.

While we don't know exactly how many exact lumens -- a standard of measurement used for lighting (where 1 lumen usually equals the power of one candle) -- you need accomplish the zany task, we do know through an informative YouTube video that cooking a turkey with a flashlight is possible.… Read more

It's that time of year again when things are about to get real busy in the kitchen. The holidays usher in an endless stream of grocery bags being hauled into the kitchen, most filled with recognizable favorites of food-to-be. Tradition may dictate turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy to be on the table come dinnertime, but that doesn't mean a soon-to-be classic can't get thrown in the mix.

Watching a cooking video and following along with the steps is a natural use for tablets and mobile devices. The Williams-Sonoma Smart Tools Bluetooth Speaker ($149.95) offers an easy … Read more