GUIDES · 16
Equipment guides
Which tools matter for coffee, tea and cocktails, and how to use them well.
- Burr vs Blade Coffee GrinderWhy burr grinders make more even coffee grounds than blade grinders, how conical and flat burrs differ, and what grind size each brew method needs.
- Choosing a Blender for SmoothiesPersonal, countertop, high-performance and immersion blenders compared for smoothies and frozen drinks, plus loading order and fixes for chunky results.
- Citrus Juicers ComparedHand press, wooden reamer, lever press or electric reamer: how each handles limes and lemons, how much juice and bitterness you get, and which to buy.
- Cocktail Glassware GuideA practical guide to cocktail glasses: coupe, Nick and Nora, rocks, highball, Collins, flute and more, with sizes and which drinks belong in each.
- Cocktail Shakers: Boston vs Cobbler vs ParisianBoston, cobbler and Parisian shakers all chill a drink, but they differ in seal, capacity and straining. Compare them and pick the one that suits how you mix.
- Cocktail Strainers: Hawthorne, Julep and FineWhat a Hawthorne, julep and fine mesh strainer each do, which drinks need which one, and how to double-strain so the glass stays free of shards and pulp.
- Espresso Accessories: Tampers, WDT and Puck ScreensWhich espresso accessories actually help: a well-fitted tamper, WDT tool, puck screen, dosing funnel and more, and which ones you can skip.
- Essential Home Bar ToolsThe short list of bar tools that cover almost every cocktail at home, what each one does, which ones to buy first and the gadgets you can skip.
- Gooseneck and Temperature-Control KettlesWhen a gooseneck kettle really helps, how temperature control changes coffee and tea, and what to check in spout, capacity and hold features before buying.
- Home Soda Makers and Carbonation SystemsCountertop soda machines, CO2 soda siphons and DIY tank-and-regulator rigs compared on fizz, cost, capacity and safety, with tips for sharper bubbles.
- Matcha Tools: Chasen, Chashaku and BowlThe traditional matcha tools explained: bamboo whisk, scoop, bowl and sifter, how each one helps and how to care for a chasen so it lasts.
- Milk Frothers ComparedHandheld wands, electric jug frothers, manual pump frothers and steam wands compared: the foam each makes, which drinks it suits and how to get good results.
- Mixing Glasses and Bar SpoonsHow to choose a mixing glass and bar spoon for stirred drinks, from capacity and base weight to spoon length and shape, plus how to stir smoothly.
- Teapots and Tea InfusersHow to choose a teapot or infuser for loose-leaf tea: materials, sizes, side-handle kyusu, gaiwans and baskets, plus why roomy infusers make better tea.
- Types of Home Espresso MachinesLever, semi-automatic, automatic, super-automatic and capsule machines explained: how each makes espresso, what it suits and what to check before buying.
- Why Use a Coffee ScaleA coffee scale turns guesswork into repeatable brews. Learn why weight beats scoops, which features matter and how to use brew ratios for every method.