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The Gold Stars: Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets for Beginners

In this episode of The Gold Stars, Caitlin (Sr. Director of Marketing) and Madison (Marketing Coordinator) on The Home Edit team discuss the must-have kitchen gadgets for cooking beginners, from the Le Creuset Braiser Pan that's worth every penny to the Ninja Air Fryer that cooks the perfect steak—no grill required. 

Scroll on to shop Caitlin and Madison's must-have kitchen gadgets for beginners from the episode + a recap of why these items get a Gold Star seal of approval:

*These are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. The Home Edit did not receive any compensation or incentives for these product reviews.

The Home Edit
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Vitamix Smart Blender

"If you're looking for a high-quality blender, the Vitamix is the way to go for many reasons. This model actually fits inside any standard cabinet—no more cluttered countertops or annoying disassembly just to store it, like some of the older ones. There's a smoothie button that lets you pick different levels of consistency so you always get it just right. Cleaning it is also super easy; just toss in some hot water and soap, hit a button, and you're golden. I want to acknowledge that it's a bit pricey, but it'll last you for at least a decade, so it's totally worth it." -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Ninja Air Fryer

"I brought my lifesaver for the past five years—my air fryer. My mom gifted it to me when I went to college because she was like, "You need to start cooking for yourself. This is gonna be your everything." I've used it to cook steak, chicken, fish, roasted veggies, and so many other things. It's easy because there are buttons that give the exact timing and temperature for the type of food you are cooking." -Madison.

The Home Edit
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Digital Meat Thermometer

"Are you trying to take your cooking to the next level? Do you want your chicken to be perfect every time you make it? Then you need this digital meat thermometer. Let's say you have chicken in the oven, but you aren't sure if it's done yet. All you do is stick this baby in, and you'll get the exact temperature in two seconds." -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Handheld Milk Frother

"I used to go to Starbucks every morning, and it was really adding up, so I needed to learn how to make good coffee at home. This handheld milk frother is a must-have. It's perfect, 10 out of 10." -Madison.

The Home Edit
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MoliMoli Syrup Bottles

"You gotta get a little festive. These syrup bottles are so aesthetically pleasing, and I love how they look on my kitchen counter." -Madison.

The Home Edit
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Global Classic Hollow-Ground Vegetable Knife

"I use this one as an all-purpose knife, and it's extremely sharp. It's from Williams Sonoma at a good price point for the high quality." -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Colored Wine Glass Set

"So, this might be a me thing, but I only drink out of colorful, aesthetic cups. They inspire me to drink more water or make a fun drink. I always have to be sipping on something. My biggest thing is that if you want a beautiful kitchen, you need to get beautiful wine glasses to display." -Madison.

The Home Edit
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Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

"I used the iodized salt with the spout for the longest time, but it made food taste too salty. According to Ina Garten, Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is the best because it brings out the natural flavor, so that's what I use now." -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Honeycomb Marble Salt Cellar

"Isn't this salt cellar the cutest little thing you've ever seen? There's a magnet on the lid, and it just slides open. " -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

"These are finishing salts. I love the garlic and herb and smoked sea salt flavors." -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Braiser

"It took me ten years to convince my husband that I needed this. This is not an impulse buy but a "cost per wear" item for your kitchen. It's really versatile. I love cooking short ribs in it, stir fry, or a big batch of scrambled eggs. You can put it in the oven, you can braise with it. If you're thinking you want to splurge, this is what to splurge on." -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Sicily 2-Piece Grill Marinade & Prep Tray Set

"This grill marinade prep pan is melamine, so it can't be broken. I love it because you can marinate your food in the bottom tray and use the top tray as a lid when you carry it outside to grill. The top tray also doubles as a serving plate." -Caitlin.

The Home Edit
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Colu Cooks: Easy Fancy Food

"My mom always taught me that if you can read, you can cook. So, this is Colu Cooks, which has a ton of easy recipes for fancy meals that can be made in less than 45 minutes, and solutions to get out of your weeknight routine and explore new ingredients." -Madison.

The Home Edit
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Moon Milk: 55 Plant-Based Recipes for a Good Night's Sleep

"I'm also a drink girly. This one has recipes for warm, cozy drinks in every color of the rainbow." -Madison.

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