The 10 Boring-but-Useful Kitchen Items We’ll Be Buying on Black Friday
On Black Friday, we know sales on the flashiest, fanciest items are eye-catching. (And you should absolutely shop them! It’s not often you can get an espresso machine for hundreds less.) But there’s also something to be said for buying boring but entirely useful kitchen items that happen to be on sale.
Is a sponge, mop, dish rack, or sheet pan exciting? Maybe not, but you’re guaranteed to use the heck out of them (and get your money’s worth).
Swedish Wholesale Swedish Dishcloths
Swedish dishcloths are like a cross between a sponge and a paper towel—they can be reused hundreds of times (and washed!). They can mop up spills, dry dishes, and wipe down all sorts of surfaces. Right now, our top pick is 20% off.
O-Cedar EasyWring MicroFiber Spin Mop
This mop scrubbed up everything in its path and its bucket had a built-in wringer operated by a foot pump. Its heads pop on and off and the set comes with two extras (we all know how quickly mops get gross!).
Toshiba Microwave Oven
A microwave might not be the most exciting appliance purchase, but it’s hard to replace. Nothing else warms up food faster or melts butter quicker. Our top pick from Toshiba has a heat sensor that, in our tests, led to even heating with minimal hot spots.
Zeppoli Classic Dish Towels
These kitchen towels are sturdy enough to be used as pot holders and soft enough to wipe even delicate wine glasses dry. During our tests, we found their absorbency rate to be an incredible 141% (!!!).
Pipshell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer
Get one of these kitchen drawer organizers and you’ll thank us later. No more will spatulas, silverware, and spoons be thrown in willy-nilly! This organizer is waterproof, has sections of different lengths, and is expandable.
Kitchen Mama Automatic Electric Can Opener
With the press of a button, this electric can opener spins around all on its own and opens a can. It’s honestly kind of fun to watch and works on cans of all sizes. Right now, it’s 40% off for Black Friday.
Lenox Portula 65-Piece Flatware Set
Flatware might not be a hugely exciting purchase, but you’ll use it every day. Our favorite budget set includes a whopping 65 pieces and, in our tests, every one felt balanced in hand. Right now, the set’s nearly 50% off.
Nordic Ware Baker’s Quarter Sheet with Lid
The best sheet pans come from Nordic Ware—it’s just a fact. They’re sturdy and will pretty much never warp. We love the quarter sheet size for food prep, cooking for two, or making just a couple of cookies (it also fits in a toaster oven). This discounted set even comes with a lid.
KitchenAid Full Size Dish Rack
As we said in our review, “This large, luxe dish rack is solidly constructed and can hold a dinner party’s worth of dishes without wobbling.” That’s impressive! You never really know the difference a good dish rack can make until you have one.
Stumptown Hairbender
Espresso’s expensive, which is why it makes sense to buy beans when they’re on sale. Hairbender has dark chocolate, citrus, and raisin notes and works well for espresso and drip.
FAQs
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving! This year, that’s November 29. However, you can start shopping Black Friday deals now, and select discounts will continue through Cyber Monday on December 2.
Why We’re the Experts
- Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the associate editorial director for Serious Eats.
- She’s been with the site since 2021 and has been testing gear professionally for more than six years.
- She loves a good, practical sale.
