5 Tools Not to Buy on Black Friday, and 25 to Buy Instead

Black Friday is undoubtedly one of the best sale events of the year. Amazon knows this, and has responded appropriately, marking down stainless steel skillets, milk frothers, and more kitchen gadgets by up to 48%. Of course, so many good discounts can trick you into buying things you don’t need. To help you spend your money wisely, I identified the five gadgets that you should skip, and the 25 alternatives that are worth buying instead. You won’t regret making these purchases, which is more than I can say for the banana slicer you bought last year.  

What to Buy on Black Friday, According to a Food Writer

• Non-Toxic Kitchen Utensils: Viking Stainless Steel Utensils, Set of 8, $100, originally $160 
• Just $9: ChefAide Silicone Spatulas, Set of 5, $9, originally $13
• Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, $369, originally $435
• Rare Sale: Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro, $159, originally $199
• HexClad Japanese Santoku Knife, $89, originally $129 
• Editor-Loved: Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler, $27, originally $45
• Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air Fryer, $130, originally $250

Don’t Buy: Plastic Kitchen Utensils 

Buy Instead: Wooden, SIlicone, and Stainless Steel Tools

There are a lot of perks to using non-toxic kitchen utensils. Plastic kitchen utensils melt if left on a hot pan — potentially leaking flame retardants into your food at the same time — but wood, silicone, and stainless steel suffer from no such drawbacks. I love the idea of using durable, safe utensils that will last for a long time and won’t compromise my health. Luckily, there are plenty of prime pieces on sale at Amazon. Choose between full sets, single spatulas, and more, from $8. 

• Zulay Kitchen Wooden Cooking Spoons, Set of 6, $21, originally $25 
• Viking Stainless Steel Utensils, Set of 8, $100, originally $160 
• ChefAide Silicone Spatulas, Set of 5, $9, originally $13 
• Misen Fish Spatula, $14, originally $19
• Hotec Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs, Set of 2, $8, originally $13  

Don’t Buy: Toxic Cookware 

Buy Instead: Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, and PFAS-Free Pots and Pans

Recently released research indicates that some imported aluminum and brass cookware can leach unsafe levels of lead into our food. This information, coupled with the knowledge that Teflon-coated skillets can cause flu-like symptoms, demonstrates the importance of buying from trustworthy brands. Companies like Made In, Lodge, Le Creuset, and more have been crafting non-toxic pots, pans, and skillets for decades, have thousands of positive reviews from happy customers, and are durable to boot. Shop some of my favorite pieces now while they’re on sale.    

• Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, $369, originally $435 
• Made In 10-Quart Stainless Steel Rondeau, $210, originally $249  
• Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, $27, originally $30 
• Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro, $159, originally $199
• Viking 5-Ply Deep Stainless Steel Frying Pan, $350, originally $440 

Don’t Buy: Vegetable Chopper 

Buy Instead: Razor-Sharp Knives 

While trendy tools like vegetable choppers and garlic presses make quick work of dicing onions and chopping garlic, such gadgets aren’t actually necessary. A knife can tackle all of these same cooking tasks, but will take up substantially less room in your cabinets. Since we prefer to buy quality models that can last for years, now is an excellent time to click “add to cart” as many of them are on sale for Black Friday. We found small paring knives, serrated bread knives, and more for up to 40% off. 

• Global 8-Inch Chef’s Knife, $120, originally $150 
• Shun Classic 3.5-Inch Paring Knife, $71, originally $79    
• Henckels Prime Steak Knives, Set of 4, $28, originally $47
• Hampton Forge Epicure Bread Knife, $4 with a coupon, originally $6 
• HexClad Japanese Santoku Knife, $89, originally $129 

Don’t Buy: Disposable Water Bottles 

Buy Instead: Reusable Water Bottles

If you make one Black Friday purchase, let it be a reusable water bottle. A large tumbler is not only the key to staying hydrated while you’re out and about, but it’s also the best way to stop wasting money on plastic water bottles that constantly need to be replaced. Whether you’re looking for a model that can fit in a cupholder or a tumbler with a straw, Amazon has you covered.     

Don’t Buy: Single-Use Kitchen Appliances 

Buy Instead: Multifunctional Kitchen Appliances 

Single-use kitchen appliances are great if you have a never-ending amount of storage space. Since this is more of a dream than a reality for many of us, it’s a good idea to grab multifunctional gadgets while they’re on sale for Black Friday. We found pressure cookers that double as slow cookers, toaster ovens that moonlight as air fryers, and more for up to $60 less. Grab them now before the sale expires and prices return to normal. 

• Cuisinart Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven, $119, originally $150 
• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, $70, originally $110 
• Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air Fryer, $130, originally $250 
• Cuisinart 3.5-Quart Multicooker, $70, originally $75
• Cosori Smart 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven, $140, originally $160 

Stop buying things you don’t need. Instead, take the opportunity presented by Black Friday to invest in kitchen tools you’ll use for years to come.