I'm a Culinary Dietitian—These Are the Kitchen Tools I'd Put on Every Wedding Registry

Cast iron is one of the most versatile and durable pieces of cookware you can own — you can cook on the stovetop, bake in it, use it over an open flame, and expect it to last and be passed on to the next generation if you treat it well. Our favorite of the bunch is the Smithey No. 12 Skillet. This 12-inch skillet is the perfect size, with a 10.5-inch cooking surface, and, according to veteran food editor and product tester Katie Tuttle, “the size is sort of the Goldilocks of skillet sizes (not too big, not too small).” She adds that it’s heavy but not too hard to handle because “it has a helper handle, and each handle has a hole drilled in it, so you have the option to hang up your skillet if you wish.” Last but not least, she says, “This piece is made in the U.S., and would be an heirloom-worthy addition to any cook's kitchen.”

If nonstick is more your thing, we’re not here to judge, and we have a fabulous set for you, courtesy of All-Clad. This 10-piece nonstick set has everything you need, and if you’re experiencing sticker shock, let us just say that for this brand, it’s worth it. The set includes two fry pans, two saucepans, a sauté pan, and a stock pot, with lids for those that need them, all perfectly sized for a household of two. I tested this set myself and was really impressed with how very nonstick the ceramic coating is. While you won’t have the same ability to cook at high heat as you would with stainless steel, these pans are still oven-safe up to 450 degrees F, and that’s honestly plenty for most home cooking. While we do wish these were dishwasher safe, they cleaned very easily and quickly, with little to no scrubbing required.

Bakeware is a kitchen essential, and we think Nordic Ware makes some of the best (and reasonably priced) options you can buy. For under $100, this set gives you a lot: a half sheet pan, a 12-cup muffin pan, a 9-inch round pan and a 9-inch by 13-inch pan. The pans are made from aluminum, heat evenly for your bakes, and have a silicone nonstick coating for clean release and easy cleaning. We do wish they were dishwasher safe, and if you want that, Nordic Ware has a lot to choose from in that category. This set has your basics covered and is perfect to add on to as you continue to build your bakeware collection.

For classic cookware that screams longevity, you can’t go wrong with a Le Creuset Dutch oven. For the uninitiated, Le Creuset makes incredible enameled cast-iron cookware in fun colors, interesting shapes, and a wide range of sizes. We love the classic round shape in the 5.5-quart size (though we did test the slightly smaller 4.5-quart size), and if you’re not sure which color to choose, we think the original “flame” color is incredibly cool (though I’m an olive girl myself). This cookware is known for even heating, its ability to serve as stovetop-to-oven cookware for braising, and its use as bakeware for bread.

Tuttle says, “Everything browns beautifully and simmers consistently. Bread develops a perfect golden crust, and meats stay tender. I can see why people seem to love the Le Creuset Dutch oven — the heat retention is great.” While these can get quite heavy and hard to carry around, according to Tuttle, “the weight makes it feel quite stable [and] the handles are big enough that it makes moving this around a bit easier.” While I actually like the patina my Le Creuset has acquired over the years, they do clean up rather easily, and we can absolutely see how these last a lifetime and then some.

The Misen 5-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set is our go-to for longtime stainless steel lovers and newbies alike because it's a perfectly sized base set you can build on or add to as your needs require, and it’s comparable in quality to other, more expensive stainless steel brands. The set includes a 10-inch frying pan, a 3-quart saute pan with lid, and a 3-quart saucier with lid. The pans and lids are oven-safe up to 800 degrees F and dishwasher-safe. I’ve owned this set for well over a year and have added to it in some key areas (like a smaller saucier for everyday cooking), but these remain my go-to cookware. Despite the heavy rotation, they look and perform just as well as they did when I first brought them home.

Kitchen scales come in handy for all kinds of prep tasks, from following precise measurements for baking to portioning out bulk meat for freezer storage, and this model from OXO is an intelligently designed favorite of ours. Tuttle says, “I love the pull-out feature on this scale. It's easy for a bowl to obscure your measurements when you're mixing dough, and OXO handles that quite neatly. The stainless steel exterior is easy to wipe clean, and it's slim enough for me to tuck into my cupboards when I'm not using it.” The digital display is clear and easy to read, with measurements available in ounces, pounds, grams, and kilograms. It’s quick to switch between units, and the scale responds fast enough that you’re never standing around waiting for a reading.

Mandolines have a (totally warranted) reputation for being dangerous, but when used properly with safety features in place, they’re abundantly useful for tackling prep tasks and produce a really professional result in record time. This mandoline from OXO has a V-shaped blade to help reduce sticking and comes with blades for straight and wavy cuts (think crinkle fries), julienne cuts for french fries or fine strips, and has an adjustable thickness from 1.5 millimeters (mm) to 6mm so you can really get the cuts you’re looking for. We also love the rubberized feet and handle on this model to add stability and grip. Just please, please be sure to use the included food holder — your fingertips will thank you!

Silicone is our favorite material for cooking utensils because it won’t scratch your nonstick, it’s heat-resistant at high temperatures (up to 500 degrees F for this set), and doesn’t stain or hold on to smells. This 12-piece set from Larder & Vine has all the utensils you’ll need, from a ladle to a skimmer, a turner, a spatula, tongs, a whisk (which is metal, unlike the rest of the set) and more, all packed up neatly in a ceramic crock to match. Editorial director and health journalist Simone Scully says, “This set comes with pretty much everything you need: 11 metal-handle and silicone utensils that are very pretty to look at inside a crock.” She adds that they seem sturdy and durable and are “easy enough to clean.” We also love the fun color options, with cute pastels, vibrant hues, or classic neutrals.

Unless you’re doing certain, highly specific prep tasks like filleting fish, you can do almost anything in the kitchen with one of three knives: a chef’s knife, a serrated (aka bread) knife, and a utility knife. This is exactly what’s included in the chef knife set from Hedley & Bennett, and these knives are high-quality and “impressively sharp,” according to dietitian and family health expert SaVannah Shoemaker, RDN, LD. The fun doesn’t stop there, though, because Hedley & Bennett ups the ante on style and whimsy with super fun handle options ranging from sleek black or white to Shiso Green or my personal favorite, Tortoiseshell.

Shoemaker says, “They have a more slim profile than most knives I've tried, but the tortoiseshell handles are gorgeous. I think this set is made to look nice and perform well. It does both in my opinion. I would gladly leave these knives out for display on a magnetic knife bar or block, and I was very impressed with how sharp they are and how well they cut.” Coincidentally, Hedley & Bennet has a beautiful magnetic knife block that we think you should register for as well.

Where some blenders’ utility starts and stops at smoothies, the Vitamix X2 blows past this with an incredibly broad range of functionality as well as a powerful yet quiet motor. Sure, you can purée some frozen fruit, but you can also make nut milks and butters, soups, sorbets, and it can even self-clean. The 48-oz container can blend for a crowd but won’t struggle with smaller quantities either. Tuttle says, “One run of the ‘smoothie’ setting and everything ground down perfectly and extremely smooth. I had a friend try this blender, and she said in comparison to her other blender, the X2 was ‘almost a laughable improvement because of how much better it was. And much quieter.’” While the controls are more digital than those of other models (some prefer a more manual setup), we think that for most home cooks, this is the best blender money can buy.

We thought long and hard about which countertop cooking appliance to include here — should we go with a rice cooker? A crock pot? A pressure cooker? Ultimately, we went with something that does it all: the OurPlace Dream Cooker. Start off with searing and sautéeing, then move on to either slow cook or pressure cook and then keep warm whatever deliciousness you’ve got working in the pot. Cook everything from braised meats to your favorite grains, and fear not: the steam release is automated, so you don’t have to deal with the jump scare or being there to do the release at the right time. It holds 6 quarts in the inner pot, which has a nonstick coating for easy cleanup, and it takes up just about a square foot of counter space (a smaller footprint than most similar appliances).

I would gladly put my Bialetti Moka Pot up against any large, automatic espresso machine — mine is fast, easy to use (and clean), and requires no fussing with finicky equipment. Plus, depending on the size you get, it can make a larger volume in one go. The quality of the brew is fabulous, and the end result is rich, bold, and smooth (provided you use good beans, of course). While I can certainly be called out for possible bias as an Italian (there’s a big nostalgia factor here), I also think as an American, I’m always thrilled to find something well-made, easy to use, and that’s not another huge, single-use appliance that needs a big spot on my countertop. You can choose from a variety of sizes depending on how much you want to make at once, and Bialetti has some really fun colors and brand collabs to explore as well, just in case you take your coffee with a dollop of Dolce & Gabbana style.

Stand mixers are a classic wedding gift, and while there is a certain brand that’s incredibly popular (we won’t name names), we think this mixer from Breville does everything you’d expect, but just a bit smarter. Freelance writer and editorial content expert Sophia DeVito gave the Breville the Bakery Chef Stand Mixer a try and says, “I loved the timer feature on the mixer! It tells you how long you've been mixing for which is a great feature for people who take baking very seriously, and you need to mix for a certain amount of time to make things come out perfect. Baking can be so tricky…I loved this and it makes sense.” In addition to its thoughtful and integrated timing features, it’s also just a solid stand mixer and whips, stirs, kneads and runs through nine other functions with its powerful 550-watt motor. In general, you can’t go wrong with a Breville appliance, and this stand mixer is no exception.

It may sound odd, but I always prefer serving platters to bowls when it comes to entertaining. I think they let your guests see the food better, are easier to garnish (if you’re so inclined), and work better across both appetizer and main meal categories. With that in mind, this serving platter from Le Creuset is one of my favorites because it doesn’t necessarily force you to choose between a plate and a bowl. The base is flat, but has a substantial raised edge all the way around, so sauces and liquids can’t escape. There are handles on either end for easy carrying, and my personal favorite component is that because it’s stoneware, it’s both freezer and oven-safe (up to 500 degrees F), so you can use it to keep things warm or cold and go straight to table. It has the classic Le Creuset look with concentric edge detail and comes in some of its signature fun colors, too.

Whether you’re hosting at home or taking your hospitality on the go, the RTIC Ultralight Hard Cooler is a must-have for keeping your drinks and your guests cool. Its 52-quart size means it holds up to 76 canned drinks, and the colorways range from classic to rugged to bold, so there’s something for every style. The empty weight of this is only 21 pounds, and though that will absolutely change when it’s filled, it should be pretty easy to carry and take with you. It’s perfect for everything from the backyard to the boat, tailgates to a simple, at-home BBQ, and it’s sturdy enough to double as a bench, step stool, tabletop, or cutting board as well.

If you like to get a little outside the box in the kitchen, we think you need a pizza oven on your registry just for funsies. When we tested pizza ovens, the Gozney models were consistent favorites, and while I loved the larger size, this more compact version is a bit more cost-effective and better suited to a wider range of households while still making professional-quality pizzas. “I liked its compact size; it makes it very easy to store and move from my house to my patio,” Tuttle says. She adds, “This is a fantastic little oven. The Arc Lite retails for [about]$400; for $130 more, you can get a starter kit with everything you need to make a pizza (including a pizza peel and a turner, both of which are key to the process). This is extremely reasonable, especially given how well it performs.” We couldn’t agree more, and think registering for the starter bundle is your best bet.

Multi-purpose kitchen wares really rank high on our list of favorites, and this Boos Block is a perfect example — heavy-duty enough for daily use as a cutting board yet attractive enough to use for serving. The end-grain and cherry wood provide a stunning visual, and the stainless steel feel is great for both stability and some flair. Scully says, “These are gorgeous. There's a reason these boards are in all professional chef kitchens. You just want to have them out on display.” Sometimes great beauty does come with some upkeep, though, but according to Scully, it’s not too bad. She says, “I also like how easy they are to maintain and clean, and that the brand gives you instructions.” While the price point is high, it’s an item that you’ll have forever, and anyone who knows the Boos name in cutting boards will agree.

While tortilla presses (or other appliances like them) are a staple across many cultures, we don’t see them on nearly enough wedding registries. Beyond making your own fresh tortillas or flatbreads, they’re super useful for prep tasks like getting the thinnest chicken cutlets, smashing plantains, or pre-flattening your smash burgers. This particular press from Masienda is easy to love as it’s a little larger than others we’ve come across (so more broadly useful), is super stable, and comes in fun colors. The brand also carries a comal for cooking your tortillas and several types of corn masa if you want to take your culinary skills to the next level.

If your spice cabinet hasn’t been updated in a while or you notice the flavors have dulled and the colors are faded, you need this set from Spicewalla on your gift registry. This 10-pack of spices includes many essentials, from salt and pepper to onion powder, oregano, cinnamon, garlic, and smoked paprika (to name a few). Scully says, “This company prides itself in ordering whole spices in small quantities to ensure freshness and flavor, and in this they deliver. I could smell the spices before I even opened them and they really were more flavorful.” If you want to expand on this starter set, Spicewalla “works with chefs to create unique flavors if you buy a spice blend, making them fun and creative ways to make your food more exciting,” says Scully. It doesn’t hurt that the packaging is colorful and fun to display as well.

Some coffee drinkers are creatures of habit and stick to the same thing day in and day out, but if you’re interested in catching a little variety in your coffee habit, we suggest registering for a bean subscription from Atlas Coffee Club. They specialize in coffees from around the world, and you can choose from whole bean, ground, or even pods and select a gift size of 3, 6 or 12 months at a time. Deliveries always come with postcards from your coffee’s home and include tasting notes so you can get a feel for what to expect. I’ve experienced the joys of an Atlas delivery, and the rich and flavorful coffees really do take your mornings up a notch.