Kitchen Gear Food Creators Reach For Every Single Day
Not the aspirational stuff. The pans, thermometers and machines that appear in the background of every video.
By the fav.fan editorial team · Updated August 31, 2026 · 5 picks
Watch enough cooking content and the same tools appear in every kitchen, regardless of budget or cuisine. We tracked the equipment that shows up repeatedly in food creator videos and recipe notes, then ranked it by search demand from fans on fav.fan. Most of it is mid-priced and lasts a decade.
- 1Uses$99-$109
Thermapen ONE instant-read thermometer
ThermoWorks
A one-second instant-read thermometer that ends every argument about doneness.
Why it ranks here: The highest-leverage purchase in any kitchen, and the tool food creators mention most.
Visit ThermoWorksJoshua Weissman — Visible and named across technique videos
See their favorites - 2Uses$60-$420
Enameled cast iron Dutch oven
Le Creuset and Lodge
Braises, bread, soup and shallow frying in one pot that outlives most appliances.
Why it ranks here: It appears in nearly every food creator kitchen, and the budget version performs almost identically.
Visit Le Creuset and LodgeMolly Baz — Recurring in recipe videos and cookbooks
See their favorites - 3Recommended$70-$130
Carbon steel skillet
Made In and De Buyer
Sears like cast iron, weighs less, and seasons far faster.
Why it ranks here: The pan working cooks switched to, and the one that makes home searing actually work.
Visit Made In and De BuyerJoshua Weissman — Named in equipment breakdowns
See their favorites - 4Uses$400-$500
Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine
Breville
A compact espresso machine with automatic milk texturing that fits on a normal counter.
Why it ranks here: The entry point most coffee content lands on before recommending anything more expensive.
Visit BrevilleEmma Chamberlain — Featured in coffee content
See their favorites - 5Mentioned$180-$200
Baratza Encore conical burr grinder
Baratza
The repairable burr grinder that has been the default recommendation for over a decade.
Why it ranks here: Grind quality matters more than the brewer, and this one is serviceable instead of disposable.
Visit BaratzaAli Abdaal — Mentioned in setup and routine videos
See their favorites
Find your favorites' favorites
Every creator on this list has a permanent fav.fan page with everything they recommend — searchable, always current.