1. CRUNCH TIME<\/p>\n
Though it’s a tall order to expect a newfangled air fryer\u2014which circulates hot air at a rapid rate to mimic the effect of a traditional fryer, minus a messy oil bath\u2014to turn french fries, chicken fingers and wings as crispy as their conventionally cooked counterparts, the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven comes pretty darn close. And because the 1800-watt “whisper-quiet” machine doubles as a convection toaster oven that also bakes and broils, with space for an 11-inch pizza stone (sold separately), it can live on a countertop. Tempura anytime? Aw, yeah.<\/p>\n
$199 at Miners Building Kitchen Loft, 319 E. Main St., 970-925-5550, minersbuilding.com\/kitchen-loft; Kitchen Collage, 840 E. Valley Road, Basalt, 970-273-0400, cuisinart.com, kitchencollage.bridgecatalog.com<\/p>\n
2. SMALL & MIGHTY SOUS VIDE<\/p>\n
Cooking food in a bag submerged in hot water is only weird until you try it\u2026and taste a supremely tender protein. Dozens of sous-vide gadgets promise pro results, but the Joule Sous Vide by ChefSteps is praised consistently by chefs and amateurs alike for its ease of use. Wi-Fi connectivity via smartphone app and integration with Amazon Alexa, Facebook and the company’s website portal of recipes make steps virtually foolproof; “Visual Doneness” swipe-through videos serve as a clever guide. A magnetic base makes it stand up in a pot, too.<\/p>\n
Available on Amazon and at chefsteps.com\/joule.<\/p>\n
3. QUICK STICK<\/p>\n
Innovated by ThermoWorks, the ThermoPop is a rotating display pocket thermometer\u2014the splash-proof readout spins in 90-degree increments at the push of a button, allowing it to be seen from any angle, even upside down. Calibration of up to 572 degrees in three to four seconds and design for either hand makes this stick essential in any kitchen kit.<\/p>\n
About $29 at Miners Building Kitchen Loft, 319 E. Main St., minersbuilding.com\/kitchen-loft, 970-925-5550<\/p>\n
4. HAUTE CUT<\/p>\n
Upgrade your cutlery with the OG king of knives: Laguiole, forged in France since 1829. Sets available locally include five-piece place settings, steak knives, cheese tools and a stunning carving duo with sleek handles carved from buffalo or cow horn or silky smooth olive wood.<\/p>\n
Prices vary at Chequers Aspen, 520 E. Cooper Ave., 970-925-7572, chequersaspen.com; laguiole.com<\/p>\n
5. PRO PIZZA PRONTO<\/p>\n
While most folks will stage the Roccbox outdoors on a patio, imagine showing up to a park or campsite for a pop-up party and pulling this out: A portable pizza oven with porous stone floor, retractable legs, and interchangeable gas or wood burners\u2026say wha!? The Roccbox gets up to temp fast: 500-plus degrees, crucial to create a crispy artisanal crust, and in 60 seconds or less. (That’s an estimated 20-plus pizzas per hour, according to Gozney, master of commercial ovens.) While the company ships from the UK, rest assured: Getting a pizza oven late is better than getting no pizza oven at all.<\/p>\n
$599, gozney.com<\/p>\n
6. HANDMADE TIDBITS<\/p>\n
Need a little gift for a foodie friend? Maker on Cooper Avenue has a slew of super cool items for anyone on your list: Handblown glass straws from Berlin ($32, pipe cleaner included), a hammered-brass coffee scoop from Japan ($78), and a Hawaiian volcanic-ash-speckled stoneware carafe that self-regulates a slim stream of soy sauce ($98).<\/p>\n
Says Maker co-owner Candice Olson: “Manufactured things don’t radiate (the same) beauty and energy.”<\/p>\n
Maker, 614 E. Cooper Ave., 970-379-8130, makerandplace.com<\/p>\n