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Wooden toast tongs - used every day - great for getting mini-bagels out of the toaster.

Also, thick rubber bands and clothes pins for closing all those vegie bags, cereal bags, etc.

Nonstick egg skillet.

I love hanging out in coffee shops--always have -even in my more bohemian days

I agree with not bashing Starbucks - because really, they are the ones who set the standard for a comfortable coffee shop environment with quality coffee, soothing music and lighting etc. The little guys are great, but they were weren't the original. Before Starbucks there were diners, but they didn't have the same culture we're talking about.
Also, even though I have a nice quiet house to work in on my desktop and in my studio, lately I have taken to going to the local coffee shop to work for a couple of hours in the afternoon. It's a fine balance between distraction and focus when it comes to working - but what I like best is the opportunity to observe people and listen to their interactions (a must for a writer!). I usually do this twice a week or so and feel comfortable being alone - earphones or not.

Also - on XM radio there is a station which you can only pick up on your computer (not your car) called "Hear Music" which is "the music of Starbucks". I LOVE to work at home with this playing - it does something to me psychologically...

You'll never taste them ThatGirl153. It's just a trick I use to make leaner, dryer cuts of beef juicy and tasty for a burger.

I'm in the 80 percent Chuck camp myself. However, if I want a leaner burger (like now after three weeks of Holiday partying) , I use leaner beef, grind it coarsely with the Kitchenaid grinder attachement, and add a handful of coarsely chopped fresh blueberries. Yeah, I know. But trust me, try this and serve it to someone who isn't aware of your secret ingredient and they'll gobble it up and want another!

what kind of ratios do the burger joint @ le park and corner bistro use? blue nine?

My toaster. Clearly, I am not a master cook. But when I lived in China, I bought a toaster for my hotel room that I lived in because I cannot eat untoasted bread. Everything else you can do by hand.

I think my parents and grandmother would say rice cooker, and I have like three of them, because every time I move and I don't have one, my family gets very disturbed and buys me one. They are useful, though.

About the butter comment--have you tried a butter bell? my old roommate had one, and at first we laughed at it, but then we realized it was GENIUS! Basically, the butter is kept in water, outside (not refrigerated) and it is always spreadable. It seems like a weird hick thing, but it is great. Definitely a must if you use butter a lot: www.butterbell.com

Just like children, I love all of my kitchen tools equally....

I will say that the kitchen addition that I love more than I thought I ever would are my Emile Henry bowls. What's in a bowl? Hard to explain. I love the weight of them, the ease of cleaning, I like to rise bread in them and serve hot or cold dishes in the bowls. They look great and function better. People look at me sideways when I try to explain why these bowls are so great, but I love them.

@Jerz: I'm jealous picturing your marble-and-butcher-block island. It may be self-indulgent or maybe not -- if it keeps you cooking at home more than going out, you'd probably make up for the cost after a little while.

Thanks for the props on the topic. This one really has been fun to watch develop. As far as Question of the Day topics go, feel free to ask the Serious Eats community one (or more) of your own. The staffers here don't wanna hog the discourse, after all. You can email me at adam@seriouseats.com with any suggestions. And you can always start a topic of your own in the Talk section.

I second the microplane grater / zester as a must have tool in the kitchen. I absolutely adore mine and use it almost everyday for something (usually to grate fluffy clouds of parmesan all over salads and pasta). Although, for Christmas I'm finally getting the infamous Kitchen Aid mixer (in pink no less) so my loyalties may switch.

would love to get some more thoughts on this one~!

KBear: Email me, and we can chat about grabbing a burger while you're here: adam@seriouseats.com

"90 questions. Fresh or frozen burgers? "

I never use frozen burgers. Ever, when making them at home. I know many of the fast food places we know and love do, but if I am going thru the trouble of making my own burgers, I use freshly ground meat.