As a general rule, it pays to follow Ina Garten's lead in the kitchen. Here at Homes & Gardens, scrolling her Instagram and binge-watching Barefoot Contessa episodes is our favorite activity – and it's time well spent when we discover her favorite appliances in the process.
Most recently, we came across some new footage Garten made for The New York Times, in which she tours her East Hampton kitchen – a space we know so well. However, while much of the room's design didn't come as a surprise, we did catch a glimpse of OXO’s Good Grips food scale (available from Amazon) in the iconic, monochromatic space.
Professionals often count kitchen scales among the kitchen items you need to upgrade, but in true Garten style, she's chosen one of the most reliable on the market. With a (nearly) five-star average on Amazon, it appears that many concur. They're currently ever-so-slightly reduced, so if there's ever a time to follow Garten's example, it's now.
This scale has an 11-pound capacity and a digital screen that will show ounces, pounds, grams, and kilograms – all of which are clear to read while you're following a recipe. It also has a removable platform for convenient cleaning when the cooking is complete.
Of all the scales on the market, this is one of the smartest. Its innovative design prevents shadowing from bowls or plates – and was designed with easy storage in mind. The Scale features a zero function and a unit conversion button to measure in 0.1-oz (US) and 1-g (metric) increments for greater accuracy and accessibility. OXO also designed the scale to be cord-free, so you don't need to worry about fiddly wires getting in the way when you're dealing with chaotic countertops when cooking.
Last but certainly not least, it comes with Garten's unintentional endorsement, and with that, we're sure we can trust it's one of the best scales available.
Avid readers will know this isn't the only essential we've taken from the Barefoot Contessa's kitchen recently – nor is it the only one under $100. While Garten inevitably uses some of the best – and most expensive – appliances on the market, there are some pieces that are accessible for every price point (and will fit into every kitchen). You can shop some of her stand-our products below.
This elegant ceramic pepper grinder looks great on your table, just as it does in her iconic home. It has a clear acrylic panel that makes it easy to see when you need to fill it up again.
Alongside its 50-watt motor (designed to give this juicer incredible power), we love its built-in stainless steel strainer that catches pits and pulp, ensuring smooth and pulp-free juice every time.
These fluffy, compressible sponges are some of the most absorbent on the market, easy to store, and all-natural. With Ina Garten's endorsement, it really can't get any better.
If you need us, we'll be re-watching some more archival Garten clips until further notice.
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