I’ve Reviewed Hundreds of Kitchen Items—Here Are 13 October Prime Day Deals That Are Worth Buying

I test kitchen gear for a living, and just this year alone, I’ve tested (counts on fingers…), well, more gear than I can add up on two hands. With a calculator, it adds up to nearly 175 different items. Of that number, there are a few standouts, and several are on sale for Amazon’s October Prime Day: the cast iron skillet from Lodge, the inimitable Le Creuset Dutch oven, our longtime favorite blender from Vitamix, and an espresso machine from Breville that helps me get through the mid-day slump.

With Prime Big Deals Day here, many of my favorite pieces of kitchen gear are deeply discounted—up to 45% off. I’ve rounded them up and thrown in a sprinkle of other gadgets and thingamabobs that I also think are worth buying, especially when they're on sale. 

The Best Editor-Loved Amazon Deals, at a Glance

Breville Barista Express Impress

I’m no coffee aficionado, but I do enjoy a latte, and my husband enjoys a shot of espresso to get him through the 2 p.m. workday slump. So, this Breville espresso machine has enlivened our lives and made them a little less humdrum. Knowing how complex making coffee can be (just see some of our coffee gear explainers and reviews!), I was intimidated by espresso machines, but this one couldn’t be easier to use. It has a built-in grinder and assisted tamper, and it brews a balanced little shot of black gold in no time. It’s currently on sale at a significant $200 discount, so it’s worth grabbing.

Weber 36-Inch Gas Griddle

Commerce associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm and I tested flat-top grills in the sweltering summer heat, slinging smash burgers and flipping grilled cheeses and eggs to find the very best. Even though it was a sweaty endeavor, I fell head over heels for flat-top griddles. They make it easy to cook up enough burgers or brunch dishes to feed a crowd, and they get ripping hot, which ensures the crispiest, crustiest smash burger. This one from Weber is on my to-buy list for Prime Big Deal Days because it’s easy to use, spacious, and heated up quickly and evenly in our tests. 

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Signature Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven

I’d long heard the merits of this Le Creuset Dutch oven, and I was not disappointed when I got my hands on one during my review. It's not too heavy, has a grippy handle on the lid, and is coated in enamel so sturdy a dentist would be jealous. Plus, a Dutch oven is a super sound kitchen investment—it’ll last you decades and is super versatile, readily making a mean pot of meatballs or a crusty loaf of bread. I use mine weekly. 

Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

I’ve long sung the praises of cast iron cookware: It’s simple to use and easier to maintain than you’d think. When I reviewed 11 skillets, our longtime favorite from Lodge came out on top again. It’s quick to heat, gets a deep sear on just about anything, and comes pre-seasoned to help prevent sticking. I’ve been using my Lodge cast iron skillet for years and it’s still in fantastic condition. Oh, and it gets bonus points for its incredibly low price tag—made even lower for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. 

Vitamix 5200 Blender

I first used the Vitamix 5200 when I was a prep cook. I’d break it out day after day after day to pulverize spices and whip up silky sauces. The vortex created by the blending jar obliterated everything I put into it without a hitch. It’s also been our favorite blender here at Serious Eats for years, and whenever I turn it on and the powerful engine roars to life, I remember why. 

OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale

While a kitchen scale might seem extraneous, I'm here to tell you it's essential. While many recipes give ingredients by volume, great recipes (like the ones we develop here at Serious Eats, hehe) also give weight so you can drill down to exact amounts. This is especially useful when baking, given variations in the accuracy of dry measuring cups.

I've had this scale from OXO for years, and I have yet to change the battery. It's also fast, offers weights in grams and ounces, and has a standby mode that keeps measurements for 15 minutes in case you walk away to tend to other kitchen tasks. I'd highly recommend becoming a precision cook and snagging this scale while it's on sale for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.

Vitamix Immersion Blender

I fell in love with immersion blenders when I was a prep cook and had to make mayonnaise daily—the stick blender made it a cinch. I bought this one from Vitamix after we reviewed it and were impressed with its power and versatility. Suffice it to say, I too have been impressed. It's got a high-octane engine that sucks food into the blade head and pulverizes it with aplomb. I use it to make mayo, emulsify dressings, and, when I'm really lazy, blend smoothies (don't tell my full-sized blender). This do-it-all immersion blender is now on sale for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, and I highly recommend considering buying it.

KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

While I haven’t personally tested this stand mixer (though my team has and loves it), I grew up using it, and it’s still chugging along just fine at my parents’ house. It’s compact, so you can keep it on your countertop without taking up too much space, and the manual gear system won’t go kaput after a few years. Plus, if anything does go wrong, you can easily get it fixed by shipping it back to the factory. 

Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

While I haven’t officially reviewed Instant Pots, I have written a love letter to why this do-it-all appliance is still excellent, even if market enthusiasm has dampened. Mine is an older version of the Instant Pot Duo Plus, and I turn to it often during oopsy daisy meal prep moments, like when I forgot to soak some beans, or late-in-the-day hankerings—sometimes, all I want is some braised beef and poutine for dinner. It’s a fabulous, easy-to-use pressure cooker that cuts down cooking time massively—one could say, instantly, heh. (Ba-dum ching.) I’ll likely be upgrading to our winning Instant Pot this October Prime Day since it’s on sale. 

Le Creuset Classic Cast Iron Handle Skillet

I grew up using this 9-inch enameled cast iron skillet and it’s still in tip-top shape. It heats up quickly and evenly, and Le Creuset’s tough-as-nails enamel is chip-resistant. As a budding 12-year-old cook, I’m sure I used inappropriate utensils with it (cough—metal spatula—cough) but there’s nary a scratch or ding. If it can last some 30-plus years and still release fried eggs with ease and look nearly like new, then that’s one worthwhile piece of kitchen gear in my book. Plus, it’s nearly half off on Amazon right now. 

Rubbermaid Brilliance BPA-Free Airtight Food Storage Containers

I recently forced myself to organize (read: pare down) my container cabinet, which was chock-full of mismatched lids, containers with cracked bottoms, and too many takeout boxes. This durable Rubbermaid set was one of the few food storage containers that made the cut and wound up back in my cabinet. They’re watertight, tough, and come in a bunch of sizes. 

Messermeister Avanta 5-Inch Fine Edge Steak Knife Set

While a steak knife set seems like a luxury, trust me: When you want to show off at a dinner party by serving a beef tenderloin, it’s nice to have a sharp set of blades on hand for guests to slice. (They beat a dull butter knife any day.) This budget-friendly set from Messermeister won our tests twice and has a classic steakhouse look with wooden handles and wide blades. 

Duralex Picardie Tempered Glasses, Set of 6

I love these Duralex drinking glasses, and I’ve tested many, many drinking glasses. They’re functional and sturdy but also have an elegant, I’m-at-a-European-cafe-sipping-some-sparkling-water-vibe. The faceted sides make them easy to grip, while the fluted edge makes it pleasant to sip. Snag these while they’re on sale, and you’ll probably reach for them daily, like I do. 

FAQs

Amazon Big Deal Days are on October 8 and 9, 2024. 

We have scoured Amazon for fantastic deals on items we’ve tested and loved. You can find even more great discounts at Amazon’s October Prime Day deals hub.

Yes, Prime members have access to exclusive deals during these sale days, but there are plenty of non-Prime-exclusive deals as well. It’s easy to sign up for Prime, though: You can even get a 30-day free trial. 

Why We’re the Experts

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor at Serious Eats. 
• She’s been testing kitchen gear for more than three years.  
• This year alone, she’s tested almost 200 piece of gear. 
  

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