Even if you're not cooking a big meal every day, kitchen gifts like small appliances are always great to give and receive.
Just in time for the holidays, Consumer Reports revealed its five top kitchen classics, each for under $50.
Testers for Consumer Reports have put hundreds of small appliances through their paces. Here are some standouts that are worth sharing.
What do get your favorite caffeine-lover? A Bella coffee maker is a Consumer Reports Best Buy, based on its performance, which scored better than coffee makers costing twice as much, and it's price at just $40. It has a comfortable, balanced carafe and got excellent marks for its clear, convenient controls.
If you would like to be invited for morning waffles, gift this Consumer Reports Best Buy: The Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker. It features a groove to catch batter overflow, so no messy counters. Testers gave it top marks for browning, and it performed well on all of it's settings.
A top-rated Brita water pitcher filters as it pours, so no more waiting for the water to pass through. It earned a score of "Very Good" from Consumer Reports testers for reducing flavor and odor in water. Write "Drink Me" on the card and you're done!
Do you have a baker on your list? Cuisinart's Power Advantage hand mixer whipped the competition when it came to mixing cookie dough. It has five speeds and the beaters easily pop in and out for cleaning.
If you want to be remembered for generations to come, give your cook the gift of cast iron. Consumer Reports suggests a 12-inch, pre-seasoned skillet from Lodge that does an excellent job of searing and browning foods. Testers gave it "Good" marks for baking cornbread as well.
For more advice on what to get your friends and family this year, click here to see Consumer Report's 2019 Gift Guide.
