Review: Roundup: Kitchen Aids

Still whipping cream by hand? Fool. These high tech cooking tools will froth your whites faster than you can say "smoke-infused carbonated mango slices."

1. BernzOmatic Pencil Torch Set

Why pay $50 for a puny kitchen torch when this industrial propane burner will brûlée your crème to shattery, glassy goodness in seconds.

$40, bernzomatic.com

2. Max Burton ProChef 1800 Induction Cooktop

Induction cooking is way more efficient than gas flames and electric coils. Magnetic waves transfer energy directly to the (conductive) pot, heating up your food, not your house.

$398, athenabrands.com

3. Masanobu VG-10 Damascus Santoku

Forged from hand-finished VG-10 cobalt steel, this blade combines modern metallurgy with the elegance of a samurai sword.

WIRED Multilayer steel holds amazing edge. Gorgeous Damascus layering. Perfect balance; feels like part of your hand.

TIRED Demands pampering; no electric sharpeners allowed.

$298, korin.com

4. PolyScience Smoking Gun

This indoor smoker cures everything from cherry tomatoes to pork butts by turning any container into a cold smoker. No more building fire pits in the backyard.

WIRED Delivers smoke monsters from puny piles of wood chips.

TIRED Smoke tends to escape during the lighting and extinguishing process.

$100, cuisinetechnology.com

5. iSi Gourmet Whip Plus

Cool Whip is not food; it's foodlike. But whisking real cream leaves your wrists licked. Let laughing gas do the work to make light-as-air foams fast.

WIRED N₂O canisters turn pretty much anything, even cocktails, into Ferran Adria-worthy foam. Swap in CO₂ to create flavored sodas.

TIRED Small capacity means frequent refills of expensive chargers.

$140, isinorthamerica.com

6. Taylor Waterproof Dual Thermocouple and Infrared Thermometer

Whether you're checking a pizza stone or a prime rib, this digital thermometer is an indispensable kitchen tool.

WIRED Speedy sensor far more accurate than traditional models. Range of -67 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit.

TIRED Lousy for extremely precise work, like sous vide. Slightly hard to aim.

$100, taylorusa.com

7. Benriner Mandoline Slicer

A mandoline is the easiest way to shred like the pros. This supersharp blade slices through everything from hard celery root to ripe tomatoes without crushing or bruising.

WIRED Chef-style julienne in a single stroke. Half the price of professional mandolines.

TIRED Blade is a pain to sharpen. Not durable enough for everyday use.

$40, benriner.com