Smart Kitchen Swaps

From brewing morning coffee to cleaning up after dinner, everyday tasks become top-tier experiences with these little luxuries

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Goodbye Oven, Hello Air Fryer

When I first started researching air fryers, I was a skeptic. What could an air fryer do that my normal oven couldn't? Then I tried the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro—and became a true believer. I've used it nearly every day for years now, and apart from Christmas baking, it’s practically replaced my oven.

The Smart Oven stands out among competitors for its size and shape. It's larger than most air fryers (a bit bigger than a microwave) and uses a flat mesh basket, so more food fits across the roomy surface. It's also incredibly versatile, boasting 13 cooking methods from air-frying to dehydrating and proofing bread. The powerful heating elements cook foods faster and more thoroughly than traditional appliances, which is perfect for people who are antsy to get a meal on the table.

A few more subtle features make the Smart Oven feel like a luxury: a glass door that makes it easy to check on your meal as it cooks, a “rotate remind” function that alerts you to flip your dish to ensure even cooking, magnets on the door that help pull out the rack, and a loop on the cord that makes removing the plug easier.

If you're looking for an all-in-one countertop appliance, the Breville Smart Oven is the way to go. -Nicole Doster, content director Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, $400; Amazon, Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma

Chop Smarter

After I misplaced my flimsy plastic cutting mats from my days at grad school, it was time to invest in a cutting board worthy of my new knife set. The HexClad Hybrid Cutting & Carving Board has been a game changer for me while making soups on cooler days or cutting finger foods for my toddler.