If you’re in the market for stainless steel flatware, you’ve probably come across three different types of steel —18/10, 18/8, and 18/0. These numbers don’t tell you a whole lot so it’s understandable that you might not know the difference. So, what exactly makes one type of stainless steel different from another, and which makes the best flatware?   The three numbers used to differentiate stainless steel show the percentages of nickel and chrome used to make the metal. For example, 18/8 stainless steel contains 18% chrome and 8% nickel. The rest of the metal is pure steel. Varying amounts of...

Centuries ago, somebody had the bright idea of making utensils from extraordinary olive wood. Little did they know that it would end up being one of the best, and most beautiful, woods for kitchen use. Keep olive wood utensils in good condition, and they could easily last you years with barely a mark on them. It doesn’t even take a lot of effort to keep them in good condition. Olive wood utensils will need regular dousing with mineral oil to prevent cracking.  A combination of warm water and mild soap keeps them clean. When the grime is more stuck on,...

You don’t need to remember much from your high school science lessons to know that lead really isn’t something you should be putting in your mouth. It is poisonous and, if ingested in large enough quantities, potentially fatal. So, it surprises a lot of people that some glass has lead in it. This is something you want to avoid, so how can you tell if glass is lead-free? Most modern glass should be lead-free. To be 100% sure, you can purchase lead testing kits. These can be a bit costly, though. The alternative is to tap the glass with a...

Purchasing flatware is trickier than you may think. It’s a big purchase. You aren’t buying something that’ll get replaced every year or so. Buy some flatware, and you’re in it for the long haul. Studies have shown most people buy new flatware every decade or so. If you don’t choose the right flatware, you’ll be stuck with something you loathe for a while, or at the very least, you’ll be making another big purchase in the not-so-distant future. We’ll help. There are three major considerations when buying flatware. The first is the design, you’ll need something that appeals to you....

Borosilicate glass might sound like something out of a science lab but you probably have something made of it sitting in your kitchen right now. It’s commonly used by some of the biggest names in kitchenware for its non-toxic composition and durable design. But what exactly is borosilicate glass and how is it used? Borosilicate glass is made by melting sand with boron trioxide to limit the material’s ability to expand when exposed to heat. This makes it the ideal material for making glass cookware, containers, and even scientific tools. You’ve likely used it before without even realizing it. In...

Olive wood has a long history of use in homes and kitchens around the world. It is prized for its rich color and beautiful grain, but olive wood is far more than just a pretty object. It is also ideal to be made into cutting boards, bowls, plates, and other eating utensils. But why should you use olive wood products in your kitchen? Many first-time olive wood consumers buy it for its rich blend of caramel tones rippled with dark brown grain, but it is more than it looks. Olive wood is an incredibly dense hardwood that makes it less...

Since the early days of civilization, mankind has used clay to create statues, tiles, and cookware. Today, it’s still used to slow-cook stews, roasts, and meats around the world thanks to its unique ability to seal in heat and moisture. Yet, taking care of clay and terracotta cookware takes a little more discipline than you’d give to a standard metal pot. Cooking with clay pots takes a little more know-how than you might be used to if you’ve primarily used metal cookware. Clay must be seasoned, cleaned, and heated properly to keep it from cracking or becoming moldy. Failing to...

Forty-two just-right gifts for everyone in your list—all in one place.When it comes to gifting your loved ones, we listed the best gifts for every one of them. We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors.Oh, and FYI - prices are accurate and all of the items are in stock as of the time of publication.  1) Tiffany Style Handmade Mosaic Lamp$59.99  Go to Product   For those with a whimsical or exotic style, this Tiffany-style glass lamp would make a perfect gift. This lamp is handmade by skilled craftsmen and its light creates a...

It's critical to understand what's going into your body, from the foods you eat to the cleaning supplies you use. Toxins can be found in seemingly innocuous items such as food storage containers, which can have a negative impact on your health. As a result, certain substances that are commonly found in household products, such as BPA, have found themselves at the center of health debates. Bisphenol A, sometimes known as BPA, is an industrial chemical that has been used since the 1950s to create some plastics and resins. Epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics also contain BPA. Water bottles and...

Organizing your fridge is one way to ensure that you are not wasting your money on groceries that end up forgotten or expired because of clutter. Having a well-organized fridge can save you time and energy when cooking or searching for something to eat because everything is visible and arranged in an efficient manner. An overfilled fridge can also reduce airflow, reduce energy efficiency and contribute to more expired foods. Here are some steps to cleaning up the clutter of your fridge and making your food storage more efficient. Step 1: Clean Out the Fridge The first step to cleaning...

When imagining a nice drink, maybe even the perfect drink, what’s the first image that comes to mind? Because I can tell you, the first resenting visual that comes to my mind is a frosty chilled glass with a single water droplet just edging its way through the fog from the rim down its side, keeping the drink chilled. No matter the type of drink or glass. Is it really that necessary to prepare your glassware? One of the key and often overlooked elements when making a drink is how to prepare your glassware for your drinks. As trivial or...

When selecting a beer glass for a particular beer it is important to consider the shape of the glass in order to achieve perfect harmony with the type of beer, the aromas of the beer as well as an optimal pour. Although beer can be enjoyed in a variety of glasses, there are some benefits to matching the proper glassware with your preferred beer style. Different sizes and shapes of glasses can enhance different aspects of the beer such as aroma, appearance, carbonation and even temperature. The following common types of beer glasses can fit any beer drinker's preference and...