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Despite all of the good things about city living, there are a few downsides: pollution, traffic, crowds, and — of course — not having a dishwasher. Now, if you also have a small kitchen, having a compact dish rack is a must, but you can’t always fit all of your freshly washed dishes on the rack at once. So, instead of leaving them in the sink to, uh, “soak,” I usually whip out a dish cloth, lay it out on the counter, and use it as a makeshift drying mat for the pots and pans that don’t fit into my dish rack. Unfortunately, I then have to hang dry the dish cloth afterwards, and I can only use it a few times before it gets gross and needs to be tossed in the wash. Thankfully, I found the perfect solution to my dish-drying dilemma: the OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat — and, it has a surprise extra feature that makes it a double-duty kitchen workhorse.
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Suffice to say, this isn’t your ordinary drying mat. It’s designed to fit large items including frying pans, serving platters, salad bowls, and more, and the ribbed bottom helps everything dry by increasing airflow underneath. It’s also made from soft, food-safe silicone, which prevents scratches and chips if a wet dish or wine glass slips when you’re putting it on the mat. You can also store it pretty much anywhere, since it has a removable hanging hook and can be rolled up and tucked away in a cabinet or drawer when not in use. (It’s roughly the size of an average placemat, so it’s not too intrusive on your storage space.) However, its best feature is that it also doubles as a heat-resistant trivet to hold hot dishes and pans fresh off the burner or out of the oven.
I love using the OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat as an extension of my dish rack, since the little ridges on the bottom allow for solid airflow that actually gets the dishes, pots, and pans dry instead of just turning them into miniature, humid terrariums. And, though I have a little cork trivet on my dining table for serving, since this two-in-one beast is heat-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, I find myself constantly reaching for it to pop fresh-out-of-the-oven sheet pans on (it’s the perfect size) when my stovetop is crowded with skillets, or while I assemble weeknight meals and sheet-pan dinners. Plus, cleanup is a total breeze — I find that as long as I give it a good rinse with hot water after every other use, it really doesn’t get too dirty. (To be honest, if I didn’t live with my girlfriend, I’d probably never wash it, but since I’m trying to stay on the up-and-up these days, I just lay it on a cutting board in the sink and scrub it down with a sponge every so often.)
So, if you’re in need of a little more real estate while drying dishes, or an extra place to put hot pots and pans without scorching your countertops, snag the easy and affordable OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat ASAP.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
I drank a lot of tea as a kid, mostly during the cold, North Jersey winters. However, it was always just the low-quality English breakfast tea that we’d buy in the 100-count tea bag batches from Costco or another bulk store. I thought it was OK — I definitely hadn’t had anything better at the time — and for years, that was pretty much the extent of my foray into the world of tea. Years later, I went off to college in downtown New York City, where I worked a short, two-week gig at a specialty store in Manhattan during a summer, and got to try my first cup of delicious, loose-leaf chai made by one of the women who worked the counter. After my first sip, I was hooked, but my stint at the shop ended, and I went back to slamming burnt coffee, pre-packaged cold brew, and energy drinks, as a college kid is wont to do. Thankfully, though, I recently picked up some loose leaf tea at a nearby Christmas market, and I’m back on the good stuff. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any way to brew the tea, and was rigging a piece of cheesecloth as a makeshift bag to avoid drinking leaves and stems. (Pro Tip: Don’t do that.) After a few unsuccessful tries with that method, I picked up a super-popular tool from one of my favorite cookware companies that’s proved invaluable in my entrance into the tea game: the OXO Brew Tea Infuser Basket.
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The OXO Brew Tea Infuser Basket is designed to be an easy way to optimize your loose-leaf tea’s flavor, and the holes on the sides of the stainless-steel basket keep fine particles in your cup, and not in your mouth. It fits perfectly in every mug I’ve used it with, thanks to its extra-wide wings, which also serve as handles that never get too hot, thanks to their length. My favorite part, though, is that the heat-retaining lid also serves as a drip tray, meaning you don’t end up with drips all over your coffee table when you remove the basket. It also has a silicone ring on the bottom, so you won’t burn whatever you’re setting it on. Plus, since you can get several extractions from one serving of loose-leaf tea, the basket is right there if you want another cup.
With a 4.8-star average rating from over 5,400 reviews on Amazon, it’s clear this is a universally loved tool for tea drinkers around the globe. “The holes in the basket are smaller than other infusers I’ve looked at, which is great because it prevents too many particles from coming through,” one reviewer writes. “It’s [also] easy to clean. I typically let my leaves dry and then dump them out, but I have also just tapped the infuser along the trash bin and had no problems.”
So, if you’ve been wanting to get into loose-leaf tea, but don’t want to shell out for an expensive tea pot, there’s no better choice than the easy-to-use, affordable Brew Tea Infuser Basket from OXO.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Pantry clutter is frustratingly easy to succumb to — and it leads to a lot of unnecessary headaches. A less-than-organized pantry is the biggest culprit of “lost” ingredients, which then become redundant ingredients when you go to the store and think you’re buying a replacement (but are actually buying a duplicate). Clutter also likes to put a surprise pause on cooking by making you spend five minutes searching for that one crucial ingredient that you know is right around here somewhere … right?
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Thankfully, the right storage tools make it easy to organize your kitchen and keep it that way, and OXO is having a sale on some of their most popular POP Container organizers. Their durable construction and clean, simple design make them some of our favorite food storage pieces, and these big and small sets will whip your pantry into shape — no matter what state it’s in now! Every container uses OXO’s iconic push-button lid to make an airtight seal that keeps your pasta, flours, and dry goods fresh for a long time. They’re also built to securely stack on top of each other and save precious shelf and counter space.
Depending on your organizing needs, go with one of these bundles in a five-piece, 10-piece, or 20-piece size. And, while these food-safe containers are built for your kitchen, they’ll certainly tackle clutter from bathrooms, crafting supplies, and anywhere you have loose ends to tie up at home!
Pasta is too delicious to be kept in half-open packaging. Show off your favorite bucatini, linguine, or traditional spaghetti in the tall 2.3-quart container, which can be stored upright or on its side. The slightly shorter 1.7-quart model easily holds an entire 16-ounce bag of dried legumes or rice, and the two 1.1-quart sizes each fit a pound of coffee beans (or dog treats!). Whether you want a place to keep loose leaf tea, dried fruit, or a snackable amount of candy, the little 0.4-quart guy in this five-piece set definitely gets the job done.
Flours and sugars live their best lives in airtight containers, and the spacious 4.4-quart container was made to comfortably hold a 5-pound bag of either. It’s so satisfying to be able to empty the entire contents of the bag and neatly organize your baking essentials like a pro. This 10-piece set also includes an ideal spaghetti storage solution and even roomier bins for dried beans, grains, and any other ingredients that need to be protected either from too much moisture or from going stale. The 2.8-quart container has a wider opening that makes for easy access to baked goods, and the pairs of 0.6-quart and 0.4-quart containers keep trail mixes, nuts, and granolas tasty and fresh.
Maybe you’re ready to upgrade all of your ingredients’ living situations, or maybe you just want to be prepared for whatever food organizing needs may arise. Either way, this expansive 20-piece set has you covered. It includes everything from the 10-piece set, plus different large, medium, and small pieces that come in handy for holding anything from jumbo boxes of cereal and snacks to bulk spices, popcorn, and so much more. Like every OXO POP Container, these have lots of practical details — including rounded corners to help with scooping and dispensing ingredients — that make them an Apartment Therapy favorite. And, whenever you need to clean them, you can pop the container and silicone gasket (which pops easily out of the lid) right in the dishwasher. Clutter, we think you’ve met your match!
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
You know when you’re scrolling Instagram or TikTok and a “one-pot meal” that looks ridiculously good comes on your feed? We’ve all been there: You’re a little skeptical that the dish you’re looking at really only dirtied one pan or pot, but you’re trying to be a little more optimistic these days, so you let the gentle, ASMR-ish intro play out only to have your hopes dashed when the influencer with the way-too-nice kitchen starts the video by whipping out a Vitamix, a pasta maker, and a mandoline. Now, technically, they did only use one pot, but what they’re really ending up with is a bunch of dirty kitchen appliances, which defeats the purpose of a one-pot meal — such a drag! All of this is to preface, though, that actual, delicious one-pot meals do exist, and all you need to do to make them is invest in the right piece of cookware.
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At AT, we’re huge fans of enameled Dutch ovens, heritage cast-iron cookware, nonstick skillets, and bakeware that could double as home decor. The only issue with these items is that you sort of have to baby them. You need to follow a strict cleaning and seasoning regimen with cast iron, you can only use certain utensils on nonstick surfaces, and you have to be careful not to chip anything that’s enameled. But, for weeknight meals and general, everyday cooking, what you need is a simple, sturdy piece of cookware that you can clang, bang, and toss around without worry. I give you: the OXO Tri-Ply Stainless Mira Series 3.3 Qt Sauté Pan.
OXO is an AT editor-favorite, and for good reason — pretty much all of their products are reliable, affordable, and high-quality. This do-it-all kitchen workhorse is no different, and is made using two layers of stainless steel with a heat-radiant aluminum core, which means it heats evenly and won’t scorch or burn parts of your dish. It also features stain-resistant finish with “evershine technology,” which helps prevent heat discoloration. And, it’s built to last, with rivets that are flush with the interior of the pan, meaning a) your sponge or dishcloth won’t snag on them when you’re washing it, and b) you never have to worry about the handle coming loose.
I personally love this thing because it’s oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can start a dish on the stovetop, and finish it under the broiler. (It’s also fine to use with metal tools and dishwasher-safe — if you’re Bill Gates and, you know, own a dishwasher.) The high walls and tight-fitting lid mean it’s good to go for everything from fall braises and boiling pasta to cooking fluffy rice, sauteing veggies, and more. (I’ve even roasted a small chicken in this thing.) My favorite thing to use this for, besides one-pot meals, is meal prepping. Since it holds up to 3.3 quarts, I just sear off some meat, add veggies, deglaze with stock and crushed tomatoes, cook a pack of noodles in the sauce, and voila — lunch for the next three days is served. The best part? I’m not left with a sink full of dishes, and if there’s anything stuck to the bottom of the pan (which there usually isn’t), I can just take a metal bench scraper to it without worrying about ruining the metal.
So, if you’re in the market for a pan you can always use (wink; IYKYK), but don’t want to shell out for an exorbitantly expensive model that might not even last you through the holidays, snag this OXO Tri-Ply Stainless Mira Series 3.3 Qt Sauté Pan and enjoy stress-free weeknight meals.
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When it comes to bakeware, there’s nothing better than tried-and-true pieces. And if any brand screams reliable, it’s OXO. There’s a reason OXO is all over the Kitchn Essentials: Tools Edition over on our sister site; they always produce top-quality, high-functioning, and long-lasting kitchenware. Right now, ahead of all the spring holidays and summer fun, is the absolute perfect time to stock up on some baking essentials. Plus, now through Apr. 18, all of OXO’s glass and metal bakeware will be on sale for 20 percent off with the code BAKEWARE2022. Talk about a sweet deal!
You may know OXO for its superior construction on everything from cleaning tools to kitchen gadgets to coffee makers. And the brand’s bakeware is certainly no exception. The glass pieces are made from borosilicate glass that’s durable enough to go straight from oven to freezer without cracking. Plus it’s microwave safe, oven safe, freezer safe, dishwasher safe, BPA free, PVC free, and pretty enough to double as serveware. The metal bakeware is constructed with heavy-gauge aluminized steel that’s covered in two-layer non-stick coating and never bends or warps, so you won’t have to worry about any stubborn bits from sticky buns or cobblersand your pans will stay protected against scratching, staining, and corrosion.
Trust us, with these pans, there’s no baked good you can’t perfect. Below, find our favorite buys from the sale.
