10 Game-Changing Gadgets of 2017

By Adam Campbell-Schmitt
Updated December 26, 2017
Courtesy of Amazon
At a time when bigger, brighter and more expensive smartphones can do just about anything we’d like, cooking is one thing we’re still left to do the old-fashioned way. But as innovation marches forward, we still eke out a few new tricks, toys, and tech revelations that make our lives in the kitchen easier. Here are ten game-changing items we encountered in 2017.
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Wine Bottle Garden

Courtesy of UrbanLeaf

Urban Leaf’s Kickstarter project features test-tube-like seed pods that let you up cycle any empty wine bottle into a windowsill herb garden Urban Leaf Individual Kit With Seeds, $22 at GetUrbanLeaf.com

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Stackable Cookware

Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

Calphalon shrunk the footprint of its heavy-duty anodized aluminum pots and pans by creating a stackable set with flat, knob-less lids that are super apartment-friendly. Calphalon Premier Space Saving Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set, $450 at Williams Sonoma

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Ceramic Smart Mug

Courtesy of Amazon

Ember’s ceramic smart mug, a first in the market, give you the feeling of a cozy piece of pottery while allowing for self-heating and app-enabled temperature control. Ember Ceramic Mug, $80 at Ember.com

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Self-Swirling Wine Decanter

Courtesy of Amazon

vSpin’s Active Wine Decanter sits on a rechargeable base equipped with a spinning magnet that cuts down the aeration of a full bottle of wine down from two hours to five minutes. vSpin Active Wine Decanter, $300 at vSpin

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Alcohol Infusion Bottle

Courtesy of Kim Corona

Alkemista is a pretty simple concept: a stainless steel filter that allows your booze of choice to infuse with your flavoring of choice without any particles getting into the liquid. This one, however, sits elegantly on your bar cart blending seamlessly into your other bottles. Alkemista Infusion Vessel, $60 at Ethan+Ashe

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Silicone Pressure Cooker Rack

Courtesy of Amazon

For your pressure cooker, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, this “why didn’t this exist already” device makes it easy to prevent food from sticking and letting unwanted fat drip away. OXO Good Grips Silicone Pressure Cooker Rack, $12 at Amazon

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Trigger-Action Fat Separator

Courtesy of Amazon

OXO’s latest take on a fat-separating cup does away with the low-positioned side spout and puts a leak-proof spigot on the bottom of this four-cup capacity vessel. With the squeeze of a trigger, the fat stays on top while your drippings drain downward. OXO Good Grips Good Gravy Fat Separator (4 cup), $25 at Amazon

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Silicone Mat Slap Tie

Courtesy of Amazon

If you’ve been having trouble keeping your silicone baking mats neatly rolled and organized, Silpat released a silicone band that makes it a snap—or rather, a slap. Yup, this is basically a slap-bracelet designed just for the job. Silpat-Silband Storage Tie, $13 at Amazon

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Sous Vide Cooker + Wine Chiller

Courtesy of HSN

For under $100 you can cook with the near foolproof sous vide method, while also pulling double duty as a wine chiller, as this device will maintain steady high and low temperatures. Food & Wine Sous Vide Cooker and Wine Chiller, $100 at HSN.com

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Banana Phone

Courtesy of Charlie Katrycz / Banana Phone

Okay, hear us out: until now the only way to have a truly wireless fruit phone experience was to pretend to talk into an actual banana. This Bluetooth-enabled handset finally started shipping this year and makes all of our (and Raffi’s) dreams of taking a call from the produce basket a reality. Banana Phone, $40 at Amazon

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Honorable Mention: Instant Pot

Courtesy of Amazon

While the multi-use cooker has been around since 2010, 2017 was really the year this device took over kitchens across the country, spawning dedicated YouTube channels and cookbooks in the process. Instant Pot Duo60 (6-Quart), $90 at Amazon

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