Thread by @asymmetricinfo

Okay, Twitter, this is the start of your annual Christmas gift guide, only live-tweeted. We begin with a reader request: air fryers. My pick is the unfortunately expensive Breville Smart Oven Air: amazon.com/gp/product/B01…

Why do I like this? Because it is an air fryer, toaster oven, convection oven, and slow cooker all in one.

Fair warning: the toast it makes is only adequate. But it is an awesome slow cooker and air fryer, which is what we mostly use it for. Like, every night.

We own this oven because we got one to test last Christmas and my husband, after sampling its air-fried vegetable output, informed me that I would have to pry it from his cold, dead hands.

I'll try to put some more recommendations up later. Meanwhile, if there are reader requests, hit me with them now.

Thanks to a recent renovation, I also have opinions on large appliances and cabinets, so this is your one-time opportunity to ask about those things as well.

All right, some of you are already complaining that the Breville is too expensive to lead with. So here's one of my favorite finds at the other end of the spectrum: Oxo egg poachers.

amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips…

Like many Oxo products, they rethought the thing from the ground up, and came up with something much better: a perforated silicone web that holds your egg in place while the water flows around it, without isolating it from the water so that you're basically steaming it.

They are easy to use, easy to clean, require no pre-greasing, and make a very fine poached egg.

Item: I love poached eggs.

You don't technically need these cups to make poached eggs. But they make the process brainless, which, early in the morning, is what I'm looking for.

Also new, on the very cheap end: blank dissolvable food labels.

Life changing.

amazon.com/Dissolvable-La…

I keep these in a drawer, and as I put something in the freezer, label it with what it is, and the date.

No more messing around with painter's tape and sharpies. No more wondering what the heck that mystery container holds. And they really do wash straight off.

A must-own for anyone with a deep freezer.

Next, by reader request: do I fancy an electric griddle?

Why yes, I do: the Cuisinart Griddler.

amazon.com/Cuisinart-Grid…

It has grill and griddle plates, and ours sees service regularly. I like to bring it to the table to make pancakes or french toast for brunch.

As a bonus, I've recently discovered you can also get waffle plates. We tried them out last weekend, and they were quite good. It's a very flexible appliance, at a very reasonable price.

They make more expensive models, but frankly, they mostly seem to be nicer exteriors.

Though I would never dream of trying to cook a steak on a contact grill, so claims of high temperature searing leave me flat.

(Also, you can't high-temperature sear on an electric contact grill).

That's it for now, but keep checking back, because I'll try to keep dropping new stuff throughout the day.

Okay, by request, my favorites in the field of kitchen storage:

1. Canisters for baking supplies: amazon.com/Progressive-In…

These are cleverly specialized--the flour bin has a built-in leveler, the sugar has a pour spout, the brown sugar has an insert to keep it from drying out

2. Spice jars: amazon.com/Encheng-Airtig…

Airtight and you can't lose the lid because it's attached. Also offers an airtight seal. Larger versions are available too:

amazon.com/Encheng-Airtig…

For maximum twee, these chalkboard labels can be added: amazon.com/VersaChalk-Rem…

Olive oil:

amazon.com/Ceramic-Oil-Vi…

We buy our cooking oil in bulk and dole it out to this dispenser a bit at a time. Works great and fits our decor better than the sleek modern dispensers mostly now available.

4. Tupperware: Honestly, I mostly use the screw-on Ziploc containers, and as fond as I am of practical gifts, a $3.99 pack of Ziplocs from the grocery store might feel a little ... pedestrian.

But I do have some silicone-sealed containers for larger jobs. They're great.

You have two choices with these sorts of containers: plastic or glass?

Glass is oven-safe and won't etch in the dishwasher. Plastic won't break. Choose what matters to you most.

Plastic: Lock and Lock amazon.com/Lock-Stock-Con…

Glass: Snapware affiliate-program.amazon.com/home/productli…

Next reader request: I quote.

"We are moving to a house with an induction stove. Using this as an excuse to buy new pots and pans.
Recommendations?"

Yes!

The answer sort of depends on whether you're budget constrained. If you want to stay under $100, I'd recommend this nice Lodge cast iron set:

amazon.com/Lodge-Seasoned…

And some adequate, induction-ready ceramic nonstick pan for things like eggs: amazon.com/Cook-Home-0240…

If the sky's the limit, I confess I'm intrigued by these: a good brand, and a marvel of space-saving design
amazon.com/Calphalon-Prem…

If you're in between, go to Costco and pick up one of their Kirkland induction-ready tri-ply sets

Either way, it's also a good time to invest in some enameled cast-iron, if you don't already have some, because it works beautifully on induction.

Lodge at the low end: amazon.com/Lodge-Enameled…

Le Creuset or Staub at the high end:

amazon.com/Staub-Round-Co…

Personally I am obsessed by these but can't justify owning them: amazon.com/Staub-1101025-…

If you're not looking for a set (and in general I recommend against, but "switching to induction and none of my pots work" qualifies as an emergency, the brands I'd recommend are the brands you'd expect: Calphalon, All Clad, Rosle.

If it were me, I'd buy emergency cast-iron just to have something to cook in, and maybe a couple of nice pieces of enamel for acidic braises that won't work in cast iron, and then assemble the rest of it by scouring sales.

That's all I can do for now, but keep the requests coming, and I'll pop in a few finds of my own!

Okay, time for one or two more recommendations!

Half sheet pan with cooling rack: amazon.com/USA-Pan-1606CR…

Theoretically, I could use this as ... a half sheet with a cooling rack. I might even do so this weekend. Mostly, however, I use it to roast stuff.

This was my answer to a husband who likes to make large batches of wings and other sticky stuff in our oven. Even coating the rack underneath with tinfoil never catches all of it. This does, while providing some air passage under the stuff you're trying to crisp.

Completely unrelated are these ramekins: amazon.com/Sweese-501-003…

Who doesn't need ramekins? They're snack bowls, prep containers, creme brulee bakers. I just got these to replace some that died, and love them--nice heft, pretty colors, look great on our open shelves.

Steam cleaner: I just got this McCulloch:

amazon.com/McCulloch-MC12…

It is bigger than my vacuum. Why would I have such a thing?

Because it degreases and cleans like nothing else. Mold in the grout? Gone. Hard-to-reach spots in your vent hood? Squeaky clean. Baseboards? Oh yeah.

Takes cleaning your house to a whole new level and yes I just said those words and dear heavens what is happening to me but [sorry/not sorry].

If you have open burners, as I do, it's an absolute godsend.

Note: a tweep suggests Karcher, as it's made in Germany rather than China

All I have time for right now, but check back later, because we're going to be talking Kitchenaid attachments!