The best coffee beans to buy online, tried and tested
Love fresh coffee in the morning? Ordering beans straight to your door means you'll never run out. We've rounded up the best UK coffee roasteries and highlighted winning products from each
If you rely on a cup of coffee to kickstart your morning, you're in good company – coffee is now the most consumed drink in Britain according to a 2024 global survey by Statista, knocking the stereotypically British cup of tea down into second place. Whether you reach for an artisanal pour-over or a cafetière cup, no one wants to wake up to the terrifying realisation that they have no coffee. Thankfully, with the recent rise of outstanding roasteries across the UK, finding your perfect brew has never been easier. We tested 23 types of coffee bean and have selected our top nine below, measuring each coffee against four main flavour categories: sweetness, acidity, bitterness and balance. Because artisan bean production can have a quick turnover, some of these blends will only be in stock temporarily, but we've recommended the roasteries, too. For more on coffee, we've reviewed the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, espresso machines, coffee pod machines, filter coffee machines, iced coffee makers, cafetières, coffee grinders, milk frothers and reusable coffee cups. Plus, read our guide to picking the best coffee machine for your budget. Sponsored by Origin Coffee Experience the flavours of Christmas with Origin Coffee's seasonal blends What better way to celebrate the festive season than with Origin Coffee’s Christmas blends? For espresso lovers there’s the Christmas blend, which marries raspberry truffles, poached plums and cocoa flavours. If you're after something bolder and more complex, try San Antonio Christmas Single Origin coffee beans, which offers candied apple, prune and almond notes – ideal for French press or cafetière. You can experience both with the Christmas Coffee Duo Set, or if you own a coffee pod machine, try Origin Coffee’s Christmas pods, which are fully compostable. Shop the full range of Christmas blends now at OriginCoffee.co.uk. Best coffee beans to buy at a glance Best supermarket coffee beans: Grind – house blend, from £9.95 Best coffee bean blend: Kiss the Hippo – George Street blend, from £12 Best coffee beans for French press: Pact Coffee – house blend, from £11.19 Best coffee beans for latte: Origin Coffee Roasters – Resolute, from £10.65 Best medium-roast coffee beans: Rounton – Granary blend, from £9.75 Best coffee beans for espresso: Assembly Coffee – house espresso, from £11 Best organic coffee beans: Owens – Coast blend, from £8.95 Best all-rounder coffee beans: Volcano Coffee Works – Mount blend, from £9 Best coffee beans for coffee aficionados: Square Mile – Red Brick blend, £14.50 Jump to: Best coffee beans to buy online in 2025 How we tested coffee beans How to brew coffee How we tested coffee beans Sweetness: Coffee contains naturally occurring sugars that are brought out by the roasting process. While some beans have higher concentrations than others, the roaster is typically responsible for the sweetness in a cup. We looked for coffees with plenty of sugary notes and coffees with more unusual types of sweetness, which scored higher than those with more common features. Acidity: Most of us underestimate the importance of acidity in coffee but the level of acid signifies where a coffee is from, how it was processed and even at what altitude it was grown. Acidity, like sweetness, can range from simple to complex. We scored coffees with more complex or enjoyable forms of acidity higher in our blind taste test. Bitterness: When coffee is roasted, some of its inherent bitterness is diminished, making it more palatable for human consumption. However, if roasted too dark, the roasting itself produces bitter flavours, most of which we perceive as unpleasant. We looked for coffees with a low-to-medium bitterness, and with no acrid or carbonic notes. Balance: Much of what defines our favourite coffee experiences depends on our personal preferences. However, balance is a way of determining objective overall flavour. In our blind taste test, we defined balance as harmony across the three flavour categories. Combined with a good roast profile, these flavours work together to create a balanced cup. View oEmbed on the source website Best coffee beans to buy online in 2025 Grind coffee beans – house blend Available from Grind – 227g (from £9.95), Waitrose – 200g (£5), Tesco – 200g (£5.95), Amazon – 1kg (£29.95) Best supermarket coffee beans Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Brazil, Colombia Flavour notes: dark chocolate, almond, cherry, caramel Recommended brew methods: pour-over, Aeropress, cafetière, moka pot, espresso With 14 locations in London, including cafés, coffee shops and trucks, you can also find Grind whole coffee beans, grounds and coffee pods in most major UK supermarkets like Waitrose and Tesco. The brand's house blend is as simple and classy as it gets, and comes in a reusable pale pink tin that can be refilled at any of its locations. The coffee itself has an emphasis on big, sweet notes, with just enough acidity to keep things interesting. With a medium roast, this will satisfy a range of coffee drinkers, as it doesn't have the bitter or carbonic notes that we tasted in other house blends. We found it to be a solid all-rounder, performing well across different brew types and looking great while doing it. Available from: Grind – 227g (from £9.95) Waitrose – 200g (£5) Tesco – 200g (£5.95) Amazon – 1kg (£29.95) Kiss the Hippo – George Street Blend Available from Kiss the Hippo (from £12) Best coffee bean blend Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Rwanda, Colombia, Peru Flavour notes: chocolate, berries, butterscotch Recommended brew methods: pour-over, Aeropress, espresso Kiss the Hippo was launched in 2018, but assembling a team of professionals with impressive coffee credentials has already helped it rocket to the top of many coffee lovers' lists. Its house blends are a great place to start, with its George Street blend (named after its George Street location in Richmond) being a popular favourite. It has a classic coffee profile with sweet, chocolatey notes and a smooth, full body – good as a pour-over, but even greater as an espresso. We've also previously tested the classic Donna Blend, a darker roast sourced from Uganda and Brazil, which has notes of caramel, dark chocolate and walnut – perfect for a cafetière or moka pot. Available from: Kiss the Hippo (from £12) Pact Coffee – house blend Available from Pact Coffee (from £11.19) Best coffee beans for French press Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: multiple locations (not specified) Flavour notes: milk chocolate, toffee Recommended brew method: moka pot, French press/cafetière Pact Coffee has been running since 2012 and has become one of the most visible coffee subscription services in the UK. It's achieved B-Corp company status – its coffee bags can be recycled and it also offers coffee in recyclable aluminium pods designed to be compatible with coffee pod systems. We enjoyed the House Coffee dark roast blend, which is sourced from multiple coffee farms and roasted at Pact Coffee's HQ in Haslemere. This particular batch is smooth and sweet, with a hit of caramel at the front of the mouth from the first sip. As it's low in acidity, it worked especially well with brewing methods that require longer contact time, such as cafetière/French press or moka pot. Available from: Pact Coffee (from £11.19) Origin Coffee Roasters – Resolute blend Available from Origin Coffee (from £10.65 for 250g) Best coffee beans for latte Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Colombia, Nicaragua Flavour notes: stone fruit, caramel, milk chocolate Recommended brew method: espresso, pour-over, Aeropress, cafetière From Cornwall to the bustling streets of Shoreditch, Origin Coffee has made a name for itself. Taking top awards in many of the UK's coffee competitions, the team at Origin is made up of some of the country's most well-respected baristas, roasters and wholesalers. We tasted Origin's Resolute beans, a medium-roast blend from Huila, Colombia and Jinotega, Nicaragua. Huila is a region known for producing bright, acidic coffee with fruit notes, while beans from Jinotega have a creamier profile reminiscent of chocolate, raisins and vanilla. Together, this makes for a dynamic, complex brew that sings in a latte, but works perfectly as a pour-over, too. Available from: Origin Coffee (from £10.65 for 250g) Rounton Coffee Roasters – Granary blend Available from Rounton Coffee Roasters – 250g (from £9.75), Amazon – 1kg (from £31.50) Best medium-roast coffee beans Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Brazil, El Salvador, Uganda Flavour notes: chocolate, hazelnut, caramel Recommended brew method: pour-over, cafetière/French press North Yorkshire-based Rounton is working through a road map to sustainability. So far, its coffee bags are carbon neutral and fully recyclable, and it's involved with long-term projects designed to help the communities that grow its coffee, like Agri Evolve's ACE 2023 project, which supports farmers in Uganda. Rounton's Granary blend is named after the building in which the roaster is located and we thought it was a solid all-rounder with a nutty, chocolate base and smooth yet bold finish. It pairs well with milk but to appreciate its full complexity we recommend enjoying it black as a French press or pour-over. Available from: Rounton Coffee Roasters – 250g (from £9.75) Amazon – 1kg (from £31.50) Assembly Coffee – house espresso Available from Assembly Coffee (from £11) Best coffee beans for espresso Coffee type: single origin Sourcing details of coffee tested: Risaralda, Colombia Flavour notes: plum, brown sugar Recommended brew method: espresso, moka pot, Aeropress Brixton-based Assembly Roastery was founded in 2015 with a focus on quality, insights and innovation in the coffee industry. Passionate about premium coffee, you’ll find some very rare and exclusive coffee on its site. It goes into great detail in the descriptions for each offering, so if you feel about coffee the way a sommelier does about wine, this brand will really appeal. As an example of its passion for premium coffee, the head roaster Claire Wallace won the 2022 United Kingdom Barista Championship before heading to the World Barista Championships in the same year, where she came third in the final. For tasting, we enjoyed the house espresso from Risaralda, Caldas – one of Colombia's most prolific coffee regions. We loved this coffee as an espresso, where its rich, full-bodied profile combined with sweet, syrupy notes of stone fruits and brown sugar – making for a perfectly balanced cup. Available from: Assembly Coffee (from £11) Owens Organic Coffee – Coast blend Available from Owens Coffee (from £8.95) Best organic coffee beans Coffee type: arabica and robusta blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Honduras Flavour notes: chocolate, cherry and clove Recommended brew method: moka pot, cafetière, espresso Based in Devon, Owens was the first organic coffee roaster in the South West and has been roasting coffee beans since 2010. Sustainability is a huge focus for the business – all of the beans are organically grown via Fairtrade practices and its coffee bags can be recycled in the plastic recycling facilities usually found in most supermarkets. Owens also uses a high-tech smoke-free roaster, which is powered by 80% less energy than traditional roasters. There's a range of whole beans, pre-ground coffee and pods to choose from, plus single-origin and house blends. We sampled one of its newest offerings, Coast, which blends arabica and robusta beans to produce a dark, rich brew. If you're a fan of Italian coffee, which also typically uses robusta and is more bitter than acidic, this is an ideal pick – it's earthy and intense, with notes of dark chocolate. Available from: Owens Coffee (from £8.95) Volcano Coffee Works – The Mount Blend Available from Volcano Coffee Works (from £9) Best all-rounder coffee beans Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: El Salvador, Columbia, Brazil Flavour notes: Caramel, red grapes, milk chocolate Recommended brew method: espresso, Aeropress, moka pot, cafetière, pour-over Based in the suburbs of south London, Volcano Coffee Works was founded by Kurt Stewart in 2010. Bringing his experience of New Zealand coffee culture with him to the UK, the company is committed not only to coffee being not just good, but also sustainability and ethically traded. It's working towards carbon-neutral status and pays its suppliers more than the Fairtrade rates for the coffee. In the tasting we were impressed by The Mount Blend, which is a mixture of beans from El Salvador, Columbia and Brazil. As a blend, it has a more consistent flavour profile than a specific crop or specific harvest. We picked up smooth sweetness of milk chocolate, plus even a playful note of candy floss with delicate acidity to keep everything in balance. Subtle sharpness came through as hints of lime zest and sherry vinegar, while a light bitterness reminded us of grape and plum skins. We found this incredibly versatile, showing itself well in all brew methods. Available from: Volcano Coffee Works (from £9) Square Mile – Red Brick espresso Available from Square Mile (from £14.50) Best coffee beans for coffee aficionados Coffee type: blend Sourcing details of coffee tested: Ethiopia, Costa Rica Flavour notes: Orange, fudge, caramel and cherry Recommended brew method: espresso If you're a fan of YouTube coffee influencer James Hoffman, you might already be aware of Square Mile. The East London-based roaster was founded by him and World Cup Tasters Champion Anette Moldvaer in 2008, and is now led by managing director Felicity Whitehead. Clear in its mission to "source outstanding, seasonal coffee, roast it to bring out its best and deliver a coffee experience that delights", Square Mile works closely with coffee farmers and operates within a sustainable, transparent supply chain. For aspiring baristas, it also runs tasting events throughout the year, as well as hands-on training programmes at its Prufrock Barista Training centre – where you can master a range of skills and earn qualifications. In testing, we tried Square Mile's signature medium-roast blend, Red Brick, which brings together beans from Costa Rica and Ethiopia to deliver rich, fudgy notes with a hint of citrus – perfect for an espresso. As the crops change throughout the year, so does the taste of the coffee; reflecting the shift in harvest cycles and celebrating the seasonality of the beans. A great pick for anyone who wants something a little more unique and premium. Available from: Square Mile (from £14.50) Other coffee beans tried and tested Redemption Roasters – The Block, from £9.90 Rave Coffee – Signature Blend, £7.75 How to brew coffee Below are basic quantities and timings for making coffee using popular methods. Espresso (single shot): 7g fine ground coffee 30ml hot water Total brew time: 25-30 seconds French press/cafetière: 75g coarse ground coffee per litre of water (adjust as necessary) Filtered hot water, just boiled (poured to an inch from the top) Total brew time: 4 mins Moka pot: 15g fine ground coffee (slightly coarser than for espresso) 250ml filtered water (poured to the level below the safety valve) Total brew time: 2 mins or until the pot starts gurgling Pour-over: 25-27g medium-fine ground coffee 415ml filtered hot water, just boiled Total brew time: 3 mins Aeropress: 18-20g medium-fine ground coffee About 250ml filtered hot water, just boiled (poured to the top) Total brew time: 2 mins Related reviews Best coffee machines Best bean-to-cup coffee machines Best espresso machines Best cafetières Best iced coffee makers and accessories Best De'Longhi coffee machines Best kettles Best coffee grinders Best coffee gadgets Best toasters Best bullet blenders Best bread makers Best food processors How long do coffee beans last? Best moka pots Best gooseneck kettles Best coffee grinders Best decaf coffee Are Sage coffee machines worth it? Coffee recipes and tips How to make cold brew coffee How to make iced coffee Coffee types explained Best coffee kit essentials How to clean a coffee machine Can you recommend a brand of coffee beans? Leave a comment below... This review was last updated in January 2025. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
13 of the best roasting tins for a perfectly cooked Christmas roast
From traybakes for the table to a succulent Christmas roasts with all the trimmings, a solid roasting tin is an essential piece of kitchen kit – discover our pick of the best to buy
A robust roasting tin is essential for cooking Christmas dinner or – beyond that – Sunday roasts and midweek traybakes. As such, it’s important not to purchase this indispensable kitchen staple without doing some homework. Buy right and it should give you years of faultless use and still be easy to clean. Most roasting tins come with lengthy guarantees to indicate their manufacturers' faith in the longevity and we guarantee you won’t regret buying a quality pan. To find the best, we tested a range of oven roasting tins, ranging from budget buys to those costing more than £150, and most performed adequately when cooking a set recipe of chicken thighs with garlic cloves, potatoes and onion rings. We picked out the tins that helped make an even roast, crisping veg and adding a crunchy edge to spuds without burning on the sides or warping when we carried the food from oven to counter. Every tin in our final selection also scored well for browning without sticking. Read on for our recommendations. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best roasting tins at a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS 5/5 stars: Best roasting tin for easy handling: JosephJoseph Nest roasting tray, £40 Best blowout roasting tin: HexClad roasting pan with rack, £179 Best UK-made roasting tin: Lakeland deep roasting tin, £7.99 Best two-piece roasting tin set: Circulon Ultimum non-stick roasting tray set, £34.99 Best roasting tin set: Falcon Bake Set, £90 Best of the rest: Best roasting tin for smaller households: ProCook stainless-steel roasting tin, from £24 Best budget roasting tin: ProCook non-stick granite roasting tin, £11.20 Best roasting tin for families: Circulon non-stick roasting oven tray and rack, £31.99 Best value roasting tin: Salter Marblestone non-stick roasting pan, £9.99 Best roasting tin for eco credentials: Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro roasting tin, £49.95 Best classic roasting tin: Le Creuset Signature cast iron roaster, from £239 Best investment roasting tin: Staub 3.5-litre roasting dish, £109 Best roasting tin for Sunday roasts: Lakeland large roasting tin with pouring lip, £12.79 Jump to section: Best roasting tins to buy in 2025 How to clean a roasting tin How we tested roasting tins We tested using an all-in-one roast combination of chicken thighs, potatoes, garlic (the high sugar content of which makes the unpeeled cloves prone to sticking), lemon wedges and herbs, and looked for an even finish and crispy skin. We then judged each roasting tin on the following criteria: Non-stick ability: Our most important criteria – whether the tin stood up to is non-stick claims. Handle: Handles or a lip can make moving the tin in and out of the oven easier, but handles that are too high use up valuable oven space. We discounted handles that were either too small, too high or seemingly pointless. Flameproof: Ideally the tin could be used over a gas flame to reduce juices to a gravy or sauce. Maximum temperature: The tin needs to be able to handle high heats over and over again, otherwise it’ll buckle and render itself useless. Durability: As ever, we subjected tins to the Good Food 'drop test' to mimic the effects of long-term kitchen wear and tear. Anything that dented didn’t cut the mustard. Some of the pans we considered were not recommended to be used on direct heat – so, no gravy making on the hob for those – but others could happily warm on induction and even be placed directly under grills or into the freezer once cooled. Best roasting tins to buy in 2025 Joseph Joseph Nest roasting tray Available from Joseph Joseph (£40) Best roasting tin for easy handling Pros: Integrated easy pull/hold handles Deep sides Carbon steel with excellent conductivity More tins to buy, which nest together Cons: Hand wash only Star rating: 5/5 The sizeable non-stick roasting tin from Joseph Joseph comes in a striking blue colour that, at first glance, seemed like a strange choice. Surprisingly, though, it worked well with the colourful chicken bake we tested it with and makes it easy to find in the kitchen cupboard. The tin is weighty but not heavy and heats up so quickly thanks to its carbon-steel construction. Our favourite feature was the integrated easy-hold and pull handles, which extend seamlessly from the deep sides of the tin and curve downward. We found them so easy to pull from the oven - of course, with heatproof gloves. The chicken bake was faultless: the onions and peppers cooked quickly and evenly across the pan, the chicken was tender, and nothing stuck. Just a shame the tin is handwash only, but it cleaned easily by hand. Material: Carbon steel Sizes: H8 x W41 x D30 cm Maximum temperature: 240C Dishwasher safe: No Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: 10 years Available from: Joseph Joseph (£40) undefined HexClad Roasting Pan with Rack Available from HexClad (£179) Best blowout roasting tin Pros: Hybrid surface of stainless-steel and TerraBond non-stick Easy to clean Hob, oven and BBQ safe to 480C Non-stick roasting rack included Metal safe Dishwasher proof Cons: Heavy Handles get very hot Star rating: 5/5 Undoubtedly, the HexClad Roasting Pan with Rack is a thing of beauty; it has a hefty price tag, but in our test, it delivered quality and performance in heaps. The pan is heavy, even without the non-stick rack. The weight comes from the materials: a three-layer construction of magnetic stainless steel, an aluminium core and a second stainless steel layer. The handles are chunky and good to hold. HexClad recommends heating all their pans slowly, and their construction ensures even heating across the whole pan. Our bake was superb: cooked more quickly than others, with tender chicken, well-cooked vegetables and beautifully browned potatoes. The pan is dishwasher-safe, you can use metal utensils, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, and it looks gorgeous on the stove. What's not to like? Material: Three-layered magnetic stainless-steel, aluminium core, outer layer of stainless-steel Sizes: H8.2 x W28.5 x D42 cm Maximum temperature: 480C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: HexClad (£179) undefined Lakeland deep roasting tin Available from Lakeland (£7.99) Best UK-made roasting tin Pros: Made in the UK Incredible price for the quality and versatility Light but sturdy Dishwasher friendly Oven safe up to 230°C Cons: None Star rating: 5/5 The Lakeland roasting tin is such a revelation. At just £9.99, we expected a value-priced light tin, but we were so wrong. It's not the heaviest pan, but it is far from flimsy, being made of high-grade carbon steel. The tin is 6cm deep, making it – we feel – roomy and big enough for a family roast and we liked the generous lip, which makes it easy to handle. The tin is coil-coated with two layers of non-stick, PFOA-free PTFE coating, making it healthier to use and easier to clean. Though Lakeland says the tin is dishwasher-proof, they also state that handwashing is ultimately better for longevity. We had no grumbles at all with the traybake, the tin heated quickly and evenly with excellent results. However, our favourite aspect of the tin is that it is made in the UK, in Accrington, and coil-coated in Birmingham. It also comes with a 3-year guarantee. We love it. Material: High-grade carbon steel Sizes: W26 x L32 cm, 6cm deep Maximum temperature: 260C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: 3 years Available from: Lakeland (£7.99) Circulon Ultimum non-stick 2-piece roasting tin set Available from Circulon (£34.99), Amazon (£34.99) Best two-piece roasting tin set Pros: Super easy to clean 2-piece set Great conductivity Supreme non-stick Cons: Not induction-friendly Star rating: 5/5 Unwrapping the Circulon roasting tin, it was a lovely surprise to find two inside the box: one a good 39.5cm x 25cm tin for roasting, and a smaller square cake pan that can also double as a small roaster. The two carbon-steel pans are coated with a shiny non-stick surface and feature the Circulon “Hi-Low” grooved bottom. This clever bit of engineering is not to make the pans pretty; the ridges we found helped prevent sticking, made lifting food from the pan easier and helped with browning. Our bake was beautifully and evenly cooked, particularly the chicken, which coloured well while remaining tender and tasty, as were all the vegetables. We loved the ergonomic handles, which make the pans safe and easy to handle, and they are also dishwasher safe. Circulon does believe in this product, offering a lifetime guarantee. Material: High-grade carbon steel Sizes: Dimensions: 39.5cm x 25cm x 5cm - rectangular pan, 23cm x 23cm - square pan Maximum temperature: 230C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: Circulon (£34.99) Amazon (£34.99) undefined Falcon bake set Available from Liberty London (£90), Amazon (£91.95) Best roasting tin set Pros: Stack together easily Good range of sizes Come in different colours Cons: Not microwave safe Star rating: 5/5 This is a versatile addition to any kitchen, offering a range of durable enamelware for baking, roasting and more. The set includes three bake pans (37cm, 34cm and 31cm) and two 20cm pie dishes, all designed to withstand oven temperatures up to 270C. This set practical for everyday cooking, with the enamel coating providing even heat distribution and a sturdy feel. The bake pans performed well with roasting and baking, though we did notice some food sticking when sauces and juices reduced. However, this wasn’t a major issue, as the surfaces cleaned up well with a soak and gentle scrub. Being dishwasher-safe, freezer-friendly and hob-safe (gas and electric), this set offers impressive versatility. At £90, it's an investment, but one that suits home bakers and cooks looking for a stylish, functional and durable set. Material: heavy-gauge steel Sizes: 2 x 20cm, 31cm, 34cm, 37cm Maximum temperature: 270C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes – gas and electric only Guarantee: No Available from: Liberty London (£90) Amazon (£91.95) undefined ProCook Stainless Steel Roasting Tin Available from ProCook (from £24) Best roasting tin for smaller households Pros: 260C top heat Wide lip for easier carrying Completely dishwasher safe 25-year guarantee Buckle resistant Cons: Not induction-friendly Doesn't heat as fast as some, but still has good conductivity Star rating: 4.5/5 There's really nothing not to like about the ProCook stainless steel roasting tin. It is a classic, simple, sturdy tin made of 18/10 stainless steel and will be buckle-free up to 260C. At 630g, the pan is also light and the lip, we found, is a good size for carrying it safely to and from the oven. Our traybake was delicious. Though it didn't heat quite as fast as some carbon-steel tins, it was no slouch either. The chicken was cooked through and tender, as were all the vegetables. This tin will also work wonderfully on all stovetops except induction. Though not the largest tin on the test (larger sizes in this range are available), its great price and 25-year guarantee make it an excellent choice for the smaller household or for those with limited storage space. Material: 18/10 stainless steel Sizes: W24 x L36 cm, 5.5cm deep Maximum temperature: 260C Dishwasher safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes Guarantee: 25 years undefined ProCook non-stick granite roasting tin Available from ProCook (£11.20) Best budget roasting tin Pros: Effective non-stick Fully recyclable packaging Four sizes available 10-year warranty Cons: A little heavy Not suitable for metal utensils Star rating: 4.5/5 We liked the practicality of this roasting tin from ProCook, which has deep recesses under the rims that were generous enough for oven-gloved hands to grip. It passed our drop test with flying colours, and there was no buckling when transporting the tray from oven to counter. Our finished dish scored highly too, with our chicken traybake cooked to perfection. Potatoes crisped nicely and the thighs were evenly roasted. There’s a generous ProCook guarantee of 10 years on this tin, and at such a low price, this is a quality buy if you want a no-frills, functional roaster. Material: Carbon steel Sizes: 26 x 19.5cm, 31 x 23cm, 36 x 27cm, 41 x 31cm Maximum temperature: 260C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 10 years Available from: ProCook (£11.20) undefined Circulon non-stick roasting oven tray and rack Available from Amazon (£26.28), Circulon (£31.99) Best roasting tin for families Pros: Roasting rack allows hot air to circulate Easy to clean by hand Cons: Grooves could harbour food debris Non-stick may scratch over time Star rating: 4.5/5 Circulon’s non-stick family roasting oven tray and rack uses the same non-stick system as the rest of the Ultimum range, consisting of a triple layer of non-stick coating combined with a grooved interior to prevent food from sticking. In testing, any traybake residue wiped away easily by hand, though the black surface doesn’t make it easy to spot residue, and we had to pay attention to the grooves to make sure nothing was left behind. This is fortunate, as while the roasting tin is dishwasher-safe, handwashing is recommended. What we liked most about the tin, besides the simple clean, was that it came with a rack: meaning that it could be handy for roasting fatty meats, such as duck, as well as elevating any food that has the potential to burn on the base. We felt it was good value for money. Material: Non-stick coated carbon steel Sizes available: 39.4cm x 30.7cm x 6.5cm Maximum temperature: 230C Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but handwashing recommended Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: Limited lifetime Available from: Amazon (£26.28) Circulon (£31.99) undefined Salter Marblestone Non-Stick Roasting Pan, Carbon Steel, 36 cm Available from Salter (£9.99), Amazon (£9.99) Best value roasting tin Pros: Slim Non-stick coated Cons: Not suitable for metal utensils Handwash only Star rating: 4.5/5 Huge roasting tins can hog space in the oven, but Salter’s slim Marblestone non-stick roasting pan allows you to cook other food at the same time. It’s still big enough to be practical, with high sides and a brilliant non-stick coating that, in testing, made removing food and cleaning it afterwards effortless. The speckled grey finish makes it easy to spot any debris, too. It’s affordable for the size compared with many we tested, and we liked that it came only packaged with a card label. However, you won’t be able to use metal utensils on its non-stick surface. The maximum temperature it can withstand is only 220C, and it’s not suitable for cleaning in the dishwasher. Material: Non-stick coated carbon steel Sizes available: 36 x 24 x 5.5cm Maximum temperature: 220C Dishwasher-safe: No Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 10 years Available from: Salter (£9.99) Amazon (£9.99) undefined Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro Roasting Tin with lid Available from Kuhn Rikon (£49.95), Amazon (£79.95) Best roasting tin for eco credentials Pros: Vacuum lid for storage Freezer-safe Eco-friendly 3-layer ceramic non-stick coating Cons: Lid not leakproof Can't use metal utensils Star rating: 4.5/5 The Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro Roasting Tin is a good sustainable option. It’s made from recycled aluminium from Europe, and its makers claim that it’s produced with up to 95% less energy than conventional aluminium ovenware. The different alloys of aluminium also make it stronger, and it has a lid so you can cut back on cling film use. In tests, the non-stick aspect performed well – food released easily and clean-up by hand was quick. We liked the ease of getting it out of the oven and how light it was, and felt that its versatility made it ideal for a busy kitchen. However, the price in relation to its size and potential lifespan (it only has a five-year guarantee) made it poor value compared to the others we tested. Material: Polypropylene lid and aluminium tin Sizes available: 6 x 20 x 32cm, plus two others – small 1.1 litre and large 4.7 litre Maximum temperature: 240C Dishwasher-safe: Dishwasher-safe, but cleaning by hand is recommended Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 5 years Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£49.95) Amazon (£79.95) undefined Le Creuset Signature cast iron roaster Available from Amazon (£191.20), Le Creuset (from £239) Best classic roaster Pros: Selection of colours Good heat retention for keeping food warm at the table Lifetime warranty Cons: Heavy A colourful oven-to-table dish, this cast-iron roaster is a kitchen classic. But does it still rank amongst the best ways to crisp, roast and bake? Short answer – yes. The form and function combo of these dishes is hard to beat. In a choice of standard and modern colours, they look great on the table, and available in a range of sizes too. You’ll undoubtedly curse the weight of them at some point (even a 33cm roaster comes in at nearly 4kg), but it’s the heft that gives them an even bake and the ability to retain heat at the table, making them the perfect choice for traybakes. Cast iron with enamelled coating, the pans can be used on all types of hob and come with a lifetime warranty. Material: Enamelled cast iron Size: 29, 33 or 27cm Maximum temperature: 250C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes, induction included Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: Amazon (£191.20) Le Creuset (from £239) undefined Staub 3.5-litre roasting dish Available from Zwilling (£109), Amazon (£139) Best investment roasting tin Pros: Keeps dishes hot at the table Lifetime warranty Cons: Heavy Hefty investment Staub pans are made of cast iron that has been poured into a sand mould – hence the slightly rough feeling of the interior surface. Although this pan is not a non-stick roaster, we found that chicken, garlic and potatoes crisped nicely to its enamelled interior, with great heat distribution and no hotspots. This one of the heaviest we chose for our final selection (although still a kilo lighter than the Le Creuset cast iron). This one scores extra for keeping dishes hot for far longer than thinner, metal tins, so it’s ideal for moussaka, lasagne or oven-to-table dishes. That goes for chilled dishes too, of course. There’s a lifetime guarantee from Staub if it’s properly looked after. Never heat the pan dry (without oil) in the oven and never pour cold water directly onto it when hot as that could cause damage. Hefty pan, hefty investment, but this one is going to be in use for ages. Material: Cast iron Size: 38 x 20 x 7cm Maximum heat: 260C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: Yes, induction included Guarantee: Lifetime Available from: Zwilling (£109) Amazon (£139) undefined Lakeland large roasting tin with pouring lip Available from Amazon (£12.79) Best roasting for Sunday roasts Pros: Practical depth for layered roasting Integrated pouring spout Cons: Not hob-friendly For a budget tin, this one has good features – a generous capacity, easy-to-clean and a non-stick surface. The raised bumps on the bottom of this roaster make heat circulation more efficient, and ‘roughed up’ roast potatoes as we tossed them around in hot oil, helping to give them a crunchy finish. With deep edges, this would be a good choice if you decide to roast meat on a bed of potatoes or other veg, though it’s not hob-friendly, so you need to transfer to another pan to make sauce or gravy. That's easy, though, thanks to the wide lip in one corner, which made pouring juices into a saucepan easy. Great quality for the money. Material: Carbon steel Size: 42 x 27.5 x 8.5cm (including handles) Maximum heat: 240C Dishwasher-safe: Yes Hob-friendly: No Guarantee: 3 years Available from: Amazon (£12.79) undefined Other roasting tins, tried and tested Samuel Groves Mermaid 12-inch hard-anodised roaster, £110 Le Creuset non-stick toughened rectangular roaster, £175 Nordic Ware oven crisp baking tray, £58.05 How to clean a roasting tin Roasting tins are prone to becoming caked in baked-on grease, so a thorough clean after every use is a must. Your first stop is a soak: fill it with boiling water, add some washing up liquid and leave for an hour to soften the debris before giving it a scrub: a non-scratch sponge is best for pans with non-stick coating. You can speed this process up by filling and popping it back in the oven on a low heat for up to 30 minutes before washing. If burnt-on bits remain, sprinkle over bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar in equal amounts, followed by hot water. Soak for half an hour. If the tin doesn’t have a non-stick coating, you can use a scourer with some salt added (as an extra abrasive) to help shift stubborn mess. If you don’t have bicarb and vinegar to hand, try substituting a dishwasher tablet or even biological laundry detergent. Add them to the roasting tin, fill with water, pop on the hob, simmer for 10 minutes or so, then any debris should be easily wiped away. Most manufacturers prefer you to hand-wash roasting pans, always allowing them to cool before immersing in water to avoid metal buckling or cast iron cracking. Many of our selection can be placed in the dishwasher when you don’t have time to don washing-up gloves. What to cook in your roasting tin Our best-ever roast recipes Summer roast recipes Vegetarian roast recipes Video: How to make gravy More reviews Best meat thermometers Best casserole dishes Best oven thermometers Best griddle pans Best sauté pans Best cast iron skillet pans Best non-stick frying pans Best dishwashers How to season cast iron If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Best wine for Christmas 2025, from prosecco to silky reds
Elevate your festive celebrations with these inspired wine choices, perfect for every kind of Christmas gathering
With the festive season fast approaching, deciding which wines to serve at Christmas can cause as much debate as the menu itself. Should you opt for crowdpleasing all-rounders or take the opportunity to try something new? Either way, whether you’re planning a cosy family gathering or hosting a large crowd, the right bottle can elevate any occasion, and it pays to choose bottles that are both versatile and a little bit special. This guide is designed to help you shop with confidence over the festive period, with selections to suit every taste and budget, from vibrant prosecco to elegant reds and aromatic whites. Read on to discover our pick of the best wines for Christmas, including some non-classic alternatives that promise to make your festive drinking deliciously memorable. For more wine recommendations, don't forget to check out our guides to the best prosecco, best pinot grigio, best pinot noir and best malbec. Best wine for Christmas 2025 Crémant If you're after a budget-friendly alternative to champagne, a bottle of crémant is ideal. Made using the same traditional method as champagne but from regions like the Loire, Alsace or Jura, it offers refined bubbles and a fresh, lively palate at a fraction of the price. Its lightness and gentle fruitiness make it a surefire crowdpleaser, great for festive parties or as a partner to seafood, white meats and nibbles. It also works well as a base for festive cocktails like bellinis or spritzes. We recommend: Roche Lacour Crémant de Limoux Rosé 2022, £12.99 at Laithwaites Château de l'Aulée Crémant de Loire, £14.99 at Laithwaites Chardonnay Chardonnay is a classic white wine choice for Christmas, especially those that offer a little richness and restrained oak. Its rounded body and notes of citrus, melon and occasional hint of spice make it the perfect partner for roast turkey, creamy sauces and smoked fish. We recommend: Campanula Chardonnay 2024, £9.49 at Laithwaites Morillon Blanc Jeff Carrel Chardonnay, £16.99 at Laithwaites La Voûte 2024, £17.99 at Laithwaites Pinot grigio A popular choice, pinot grigio has a light, floral profile with notes of pear and melon, and a refreshing crisp finish. It works well with seafood and light starters like smoked salmon and also complements mildly spiced or Asian-inspired foods. Why not pair it with a leftover turkey curry, the ultimate Boxing Day dish? We recommend: East by North East Pinot Grigio 2024, £19.99 at Laithwaites Pinot noir <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2025/12/Hunters-Pinot-Noir-2023-and-Maison-Roche-de-Bellene-Bourgogne-Pinot-Noir-Cuvee-Reserve-2023-8c99f77.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" alt="Hunter's Pinot Noir 2023 and Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée Réserve 2023" title="Hunter's Pinot Noir 2023 and Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée Réserve 2023" /> Pinot noir is a red wine that shines at Christmas thanks to its light to medium body, fresh red fruit and silky tannins. It's a classic match for turkey, but also works well with ham, cold meats and even vegetarian dishes. Its lightness means it shouldn't overpower a dish and it's also a safe bet when catering for guests with diverse tastes. We recommend: Hunter's Pinot Noir 2023, £17.99 at Laithwaites Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Pinot Noir Cuvée Réserve 2023, £19.99 at Laithwaites Sangiovese-based red wine Sangiovese-based wines like Chianti or Toscana Rosso offer ripe blackcurrant, damson and a touch of spice, making them robust enough to stand up to meaty feasts and flavourful sides. These reds have a natural acidity that refreshes the palate, making them ideal for the riot of flavours on a Christmas plate. Their versatility also sees them through to Boxing Day, pairing well with cold meats and other hearty leftovers. We recommend: Saracosa 2024, £9.99 at Laithwaites Collezione di Paolo Chianti, £9.69 at Laithwaites Prosecco With a light, slightly sweet profile and more affordable price tag, prosecco remains a firm favourite for festive gatherings. It tastes excellent served on its own, or in cocktails like a bellini. Its refreshing style also makes it a great match for lighter starters, smoked salmon or even as an accompaniment to dessert. We recommend: Alessandro Gallici Prosecco NV, £10.99 at Laithwaites Il Papavero Rosé Prosecco Brut 2024, £8.99 at Laithwaites Orange wine If you're after something a little more unique, orange wine is an alternative that pairs well with Christmas staples like cheeseboards and charcuterie. Made by fermenting white grapes with their skins, orange wine has gentle tannins, a hint of dried fruit and a savoury edge. Its unique profile bridges the gap between white and red, making it a versatile choice for gatherings where tastes can vary. We recommend: The Future’s Bright Orange Wine 2024, £9.99 at Laithwaites More drinks reviews Best malbec Best English sparkling wine Best red wine for cooking What is orange wine? Best non-alcoholic wine Best wine gifts Best cava Best sloe gin Best bottles of gin to buy as gifts Best rum Best classic gin Best vodka Best tequila Best prosecco Best pinot grigio Best wine deals Best wine glasses Best champagne glasses Best whisky glasses Best champagne deals Best cava deals Best prosecco deals
5 new white wines to buy for your Christmas table this year
Restock the wine cupboard for Christmas with great new bottles to try over the festive season
Sauvignon Blanc may be the go-to for many a dinner party, but isn’t it time we gave our tastebuds (and our guests) something new to talk about? If you're looking for new wines to try this Christmas, whether for the big day itself or for parties in the festive season, the world of white wine is brimming with exciting alternatives that deserve a swirl in your glass at the end of the year. The world of wine can at times feel daunting, so where best to begin? 'When it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, the thing people really seem to love is the racy acidity and the intense fruit flavours made popular by New Zealand’s wines,' says Laithwaites wine expert Grant Hedley. 'To find an alternative, drinkers should look for winemaking regions that get plenty of sunshine but still get a cool temperature drop overnight. Greek Assyrtiko is a great choice, as is Spain’s superstar white Albariño'. Christmas is a great time to try new bottles – a season of entertaining, pairing great wine with food and choosing an extra special bottle to enjoy during the celebrations. From under-the-radar grapes to bottles with a bit more personality, branching out can elevate your Christmas table from predictable to palate-pleasing. If you're looking for a gift for a wine lover, a unique bottle they haven't tried before makes a chic Christmas present too. So, if you’re ready to retire the sauv blanc – just for Christmas! – here are five white wines to impress your guests and add a splash of intrigue to the Christmas dinner table. For more wine advice, check out 5 on-trend wines to buy in 2025 and 10 wine myths debunked by an expert. Great food deserves great wine – that’s where Good Food x Laithwaites Wine comes in What makes tasty food even more delicious? A great glass of wine, of course! That’s why the Good Food x Laithwaites Wine partnership is in place, so you can be sure you’ve got the perfect bottle to go with any dish or occasion, whether it’s a midweek meal or lavish dinner party. Visit Laithwaites Wine to discover our exclusive subscriptions case - chosen to pair prefectly with Good Food recipes - as well as offers, expert advice, wine gifts and tips for matching food and wine. 5 new white wines to try this Christmas Vignobles Canet Picpoul De Pinet 2024 Available from Laithwaites (£12.99) If you drink a lot of French Sauvignon Blanc, try switching to another bottle from across the Channel instead. Picpoul de Pinet has been steadily increasing in popularity over the last few years, and is a great choice to pair with seafood. This dry example comes from the Languedoc in France and has a crisp, citrussy freshness, with sharp apple and pear aromas. Available from: Laithwaites (£12.99) Barón de Barbón Albariño Rías Baixas 2024 Available from Laithwaites (£11.99) Grant Hedley calls Albariño Spain's 'superstar white', and for good reason. This example comes from the cool hills of northwest Spain, the perfect growing climate for Albariño, with moderate temperatures, clear, sunny days in summer, a strong influence from Atlantic breezes and soils rich in granite, clay and quartz. The resulting wine is rounded, with juicy stone fruit (think ripe peaches) on the nose and palate, balanced by welcome freshness. Available from: Laithwaites (£11.99) Valdorata Fiano 2024 Available from Laithwaites (£8.99) You can get great sauvignon blanc alternatives for under £10. Fiano is a unique Italian grape that grows well in Sicily; it's a great one to bring out at dinner parties when you want to show off a lesser-known grape variety and try something new. Here it's blended with another hidden gem grape variety, Grecanico, for a crisp white with notes of fresh fruit and blossom. Available from: Laithwaites (£8.99) Leitz Pinot Blanc 2022 Available from Laithwaites (£9.49) German wine isn't only about Riesling, there are many world-class white wines to discover at an affordable price. This pinot blanc from the Rheingau is elegant and refreshing, just like a Sauvignon Blanc, but here with warm, rounded stone fruit notes before a crisp, lemony finish. Try serving with chicken or creamy fish dishes. Available from: Laithwaites (£9.49) Jim Barry Clare Valley Assyrtiko 2023 Available from Laithwaites (£25) Although Assyrtiko is a traditional Greek grape variety, winemaker Jim Barry (a legend of Australian wine) liked it so much on a trip to Santorini that he started growing it himself back in 2012. His Clare Valley production has yielded a wine full of flavour, with lemon and passionfruit shining through as well as fresh apple – delicious enjoyed on its own as well as an accompaniment to seafood or spice. Available from: Laithwaites (£25) Enjoyed this? Check out more wine content: Best English sparkling wine Best champagne to buy Best prosecco to buy Best cava to buy Best red wines for cooking
Best non-stick frying pans, tested by experts
A hard-wearing, non-stick frying pan is a kitchen must-have. We tested a wide range of pans at a variety of different price points to find the best option for every type of cook
A must-have in any kitchen, the best non-stick frying pans will elevate your cooking with precision and ease. Their versatility makes them indispensable, whether you're crafting delicate, lacy easy crêpes, searing a golden fillet of sea bass for this white fish with sesame noodles recipe, caramelising a rib-eye steak to perfection, rendering duck fat for our seared duck with ginger mash. With the right frying pan, these tasks – and many more – will become second nature. When choosing a frying pan, consider one that suits all hob types, including induction, or that at the very least matches the hob in your home. If your cooking repertoire includes dishes that require finishing in the oven, opt for a pan that’s oven-safe at high temperatures. Non-stick coatings should be durable, eco-friendly and free from harmful chemicals – ensuring both performance and sustainability. While non-stick frying pans are a popular choice for their ease of use, we’ve also included uncoated stainless steel options in this list. When used correctly, stainless steel can deliver an excellent natural non-stick surface while offering unbeatable durability and performance for browning and searing. Our rigorous testing covered temperature control, ergonomic handle design, and eco-credentials. We prepared American pancakes, omelettes, and even tested dry ingredient movement to assess pan shape and balance. Read on to discover our top picks for the best frying pans, as rated by our reviews team. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best frying pan deals Hoping to find a discount on one of the frying pans in this list? We've been scouring the market to find the biggest savings – these are the best we've found so far: Good Food in partnership with Tower frying pans: Good Food non-stick frying pan | £42.99 £30.09 at Tower (save £12.90 or 30% with code GOODFOOD30) Good Food TriPly frying pan | £52.99 £37.09 at Tower (save £15.90 or 30% with code GOODFOOD30) Good Food stainless steel frying pan | £32.99 £24.74 at Tower (save £8.25 or 30% with code GOODFOOD30) More deals: Our Place Always Pan 2.0 | £125 £99 at Our Place (save £26 or 21%) Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro frying pan | £123 £98.40 at Harts of Stur (save £24.60 or 20%) Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan | £70 £55.99 at Circulon (save £14.01 or 20%) Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro | £185 £135 at Our Place (save £35 or 20%) For even more savings, take a look at our round-up of the best kitchen appliance deals and find out how we put each product to the test, so you can shop with confidence. Best non-stick frying pans at a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS 5/5 stars: Best professional-quality non-stick frying pan: MadeIn ProCoat non-stick frying pan, from £109 Best non-stick frying pan overall: Ninja Foodi Zerostick 28cm frying pan, £49.99 Best all-in-one frying pan: Our Place Always Pan 2.0, £125 Best large non-stick frying pan: Meyer Accent Series Ultra-Durable Chef's Pan, £69 Best sustainable non-stick frying pan: GreenPan Evolution frying pan, £70 Best of the rest: Best frying pan for quality-build and good looks: Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro frying pan, £98.40 Best hybrid frying pan: HexClad Hybrid pan, from £129 Best affordable non-stick frying pan: ProCook Professional stainless-steel frying pan, from £50 Best versatile non-stick frying pan: Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan, £55.99 Best investment frying pan: Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro, £170 Best value multifunctional pan: Lakeland Only Pan, £59.99 Jump to: Best non-stick frying pans to buy in 2025 How to choose the best non-stick frying pan How to care for a non-stick frying pan How we tested non-stick frying pans Best non-stick frying pans to buy in 2025 Good Food in partnership with Tower non-stick frying pan Available from Amazon (£42.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Combining a durable stainless steel exterior with a tough non-stick coating, the Good Food 24cm non-stick frying pan can be relied upon to produce crisp, flavoursome results every time – from pan-fried fish to succulent cuts of ribeye steak. Having been Tried, Tested and Trusted by our recipe development team, the pan also features riveted steel handles, allowing for smooth manoeuvrability no matter your skill level. Two larger sizes are available (28cm and 30cm), and the pan is induction-compatible and oven-safe up to 220C, too. Available from: Amazon (£42.99) – save 30% with code GOODFOOD30 Good Food in partnership with Tower TriPly frying pan Available from Amazon (£32.99), Tower (from £39.74) The Good Food Tri-Ply frying pan, in partnership with Tower, is ideal for everyday cooking, from sautéing veggies to frying fish. Made from 2.5mm tri-ply stainless steel with an aluminium core, it ensures even heat distribution and durability. The superior ceramic non-stick coating is 10x stronger than traditional types, allowing for healthier cooking with minimal oil. Oven-safe to 220C and suitable for all hob types, it’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, with a 25-year guarantee for peace of mind. In addition to the 24cm pan, it’s available in 28cm and 30cm. Available from: Amazon (£32.99) Tower (from £39.74) Good Food in partnership with Tower GF900261 stainless steel frying pan Available from Tower (£24.74), Amazon (£32.99) Enhance your cookware collection with the Good Food 24cm frying pan, created in partnership with Tower. Available in larger sizes (28cm and 30cm), this ultra-durable pan guarantees even and consistent results, with a superior ceramic non-stick coating and riveted steel handle to help you to cook a variety of recipes with ease. Like the rest of the products in this list, it’s also been rigorously tested and earned our Tried, Tested and Trusted stamp of approval. Available from: Tower (£24.74) Amazon (£32.99) MadeIn ProCoat Non-Stick Frying Pan Available from MadeIn (from £109) Best professional quality non-stick frying pan Pros: Comfortable handle Available in a good range of sizes Oven safe – 260C Compatible with all hob types Cons: Pan is slightly domed in centre Largest pan may be too large for induction hobs Star rating: 5/5 Sizes available: 20cm, 25cm, 30cm With a reassuring weight and a slim, comfortable handle, the MadeIn non-stick frying pan offers a professional feel without being overly heavy. The pan heats up evenly, though it takes a little while to reach temperature, and was responsive to adjustments. Its non-stick coating is impressively effective – nothing sticks and cleaning requires little more than a quick rinse. The cooking results were excellent: omelettes were evenly cooked and my pancakes had a lovely, even browning across the surface. The pan’s shape is well-suited for tossing ingredients and remains stable on the hob. The handle stays cool during use and is a good length for safe handling. There are some minor drawbacks, such as a slightly domed centre and the largest size (30cm) possibly being too big for some induction hobs. Although not dishwasher safe and prone to scratches if metal utensils are used, this is a versatile, high-quality pan that delivers consistent results. Available from: MadeIn (from £109) Ninja Foodi Zerostick frying pan, 28cm Available from Ninja (£43.99) Best non-stick frying pan overall Pros: Generous size Good looking Excellent non-stick Long handle Energy efficient Fully recyclable packaging Cons: Slight heating of the handle Star rating: 5/5 Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 26cm, 28cm, 30cm This is a serious pan that's great when cooking for a crowd, given its generous size and depth. The polished stainless-steel exterior, sturdy riveted handle, and a manageable weight for the size also give it a professional feel. Ninja claims that its Zerostick, non-stick coating is 20 times tougher than regular non-stick in a third-party coating abrasion testing (2022), and its 10-year guarantee on the pan and the non-stick shows its commitment to this. I found the heating of this pan super-fast and the heat retention so good, I had to turn the pan relatively low to cook with, which makes this energy efficient, too. My first omelette was seriously overcooked, but on a lower heat, I was pleased with the results of a perfectly cooked, soft omelette with even colouring. The pancakes, though they cooked quickly, again were cooked right through with an even colour. The Ninja frying pan is metal-utensil-safe, dishwasher-safe, scratch resistant and oven-safe up to a vast 260°C (beware of the hot handle, though), so it could quickly become the workhorse pan in your kitchen without too much worry. Available: Ninja (£43.99) undefined Always Pan 2.0 Available from Our Place (£99) Best all-in-one frying pan Pros: Light Non-toxic non-stick Multi-functional 11 colours Accessories included Cons: None Star rating: 5/5 Sizes available: 21.6cm, 26.7cm, 31.8cm It is fascinating to unwrap the Always Pan from its recyclable box, as this is not just a non-stick frying pan but a multi-functional one. The Always can be used as a steamer with the handled steamer basket (included), which doubles as a colander; the well-domed lid makes it easy to roast a chicken yet shallow enough to fry and poach eggs, and it's also designed to lock in steam when needed or release it when you don't. I also love the wooden spatula (also included), which nestles into the handle when not in use. I was testing the pan for its non-stick cooking and this one is impressive. The ceramic non-stick coating is super-smooth and silky, and contains no harmful toxins. The surface is so smooth, I had fun chasing the pancakes and the omelette as they skated around the pan. The omelette's cooking results were impressive in speed and had even browning. However, the pancakes spread further than others on the test; in part, I felt, because the pan was so smooth. This pan is incredibly light for its size and build, as it is made with 100% recycled aluminium. It slips seamlessly from hob to oven and is safe to 230ºC, though oven gloves must be used when removing the pan. Read more about Our Place in our guide: Is Our Place worth it? Available from: Our Place (£99) undefined Meyer Accent Series Ultra-Durable Chef's pan, 26cm Available from Amazon (£48.50), Dunelm (£69) Best large non-stick frying pan Pros: PFOA-free non-stick Two ergonomic heatproof handles Versatile depth Cons: Quite wide on the cooker, which dominates space Star rating: 5/5 Sizes available: 20cm, 26cm, 28cm This is an unconventional pan to feature in our guide, due to its wok-like sloping sides and depth. But it's precisely that shape that makes this pan incredibly versatile and could see you replacing two or three pans in your cupboard with just this one. Suitable for all cooktops, the hard-anodised aluminium triple-layer, non-stick body is supported by two silicone-protected handles that are ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The deep rim makes pouring smooth and easy to control. Although dishwasher-safe, I found it was easier to simply wash by hand as everything wiped off easily under warm water making it a doddle to clean. It's also oven-safe up to 230C. Available from: Amazon (£48.50) Dunelm (£69) GreenPan Evolution frying pan Available from GreenPan (£70) Best sustainable non-stick frying pan Pros: Sustainable, PFAS-free coating Minimal packaging Excellent non-stick performance XL cooking surface area Oven-safe up to 200°C Dishwasher-safe Comes with a felt protector for safe stacking Cons: Slightly heavy for tossing Star rating: 5/5 Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 28cm Stylish, sturdy and sustainably made, the GreenPan Evolution frying pan instantly impressed. My first surprise was how small the package was – the pan arrives in a compact cardboard box with the handle detached. Fear not though, it’s simple to attach using the Allen key provided and the instructions printed on the box. This clever design not only cuts packaging waste, but also makes the pan easier to recycle at the end of its life (though with a lifetime warranty, that’s unlikely to be soon). Once assembled, the recycled aluminium pan looks premium with its dark green base, sleek cooking surface and stainless steel handle, which stays cool during use. The Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating performed brilliantly – omelettes and pancakes released effortlessly and were evenly cooked. Oven-safe up to 200C and with an extra large, flat surface area, this pan is versatile enough to be used for a wide range of different recipes, including larger family meals. Plus, its slick non-stick surface makes it easy to wipe clean, though it is also dishwasher safe. The only slight drawback is its weight (I tested the 28cm pan), which makes tossing a little trickier, but that same sturdiness makes us confident that this pan will be long-lasting and won’t warp like cheaper pans often do. Available from: GreenPan (£70) Kuhn Rikon New Life Pro frying pan, 24cm Available from Kuhn Rikon (from £89.95) Best frying pan for quality build and good looks Pros: Fast heating Great stay-cool handle Sturdy build Eco-credentials Lifetime guarantee Cons: May be a little heavy for some Price Star rating: 4.5/5 Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 28cm The Swiss-made New Life Pro frying pan from Kuhn Rikon is a handsome and robustly built pan. It comes in a recyclable card sleeve and is made from 100% recycled aluminium, so it has good eco-credentials. I love the handle, which is ergonomically designed to stay cool on the stovetop. However, the pan is also oven-safe up to 240ºC, and as the handle will also heat, it must be used cautiously. The pan performed well with both omelette and pancakes and I found it cooked at a lower temperature than others on the test; it also cooked quickly and evenly, and I was impressed by how the pan responded to changing the heat. Thanks to its ceramic, highly reinforced, three-layer non-stick coating, both the omelette and the pancakes lifted quickly and easily when turning and plating. A pan of this quality build will always be slightly heavy, and this one is, but the long stay-cool handle does help when moving the pan around. Though it's not recommended for the dishwasher, this pan is a dream to clean with just hot, soapy water. Available from: Kuhn Rikon (from £89.95) undefined HexClad Hybrid frying pan Available from HexClad (from £129) Best hybrid frying pan Pros: All recyclable packaging Impressive non-stick Comfortable handle Handle remains cool Controlled cook Cons: Sometimes a little slow to cook Expensive Star rating: 4.5/5 Sizes available: 20cm, 25cm, 30cm The concept of hybrid cookware is not a new invention, but the HexClad range seems to be a merging of three pan types, rather than two. It’s stainless steel and non-stick, plus the need to season the pan takes us into cast iron territory. This is a pan that makes many demands of you; it’s not one you can just grab and whack on the stovetop at any old temperature. It needs to be seasoned before use – albeit not every time – and it should only be used at low-medium temperatures. But once I'd got everything set up, this pan was nothing short of a joy to use. The handle is comfortable and remained cool throughout the entirety of my test. It cooked with delicacy and control when making an omelette. And my American pancakes were thick and fluffy, with even and consistent browning every time. Both test recipes slipped from the pan with total ease. I liked this pan for many reasons – it’s ultra robust, cooks well and comes in a good range of sizes. Though I did have some gripes: it takes a while to heat up and cook, and it comes with a hefty price tag, but it does come with a lifetime warranty. Read more about HexClad in our guide: Is HexClad worth it? Available from: HexClad (from £129) undefined ProCook Professional 24 cm Stainless-Steel frying pan Available from ProCook (£50) Best affordable non-stick frying pan Pros: High grade stainless-steel body and handle Good weight Ultra Plus triple-layer, PFOA-free, non-stick coating Cons: Handle is a little slippery Star rating: 4.5/5 Sizes available: 20cm, 24cm, 28cm, 30cm The ProCook Professional stainless-steel pan may be small, but it is a very useful, well-built model which could easily stand up to the rigours of the professional kitchen and the home. The pan has a lovely weight from the heavy-duty 18/10 stainless-steel construction and a 7mm impact bonded base, but because it's not a huge pan, it is easy to lift even with food in. Using this pan is partly made easier by the well-balanced curved handle and a clever design that stops the handle from getting hot when used on the hob. However, I felt the handle was a little unsteady when carrying due to its shiny stainless-steel construction. The pan is oven-safe up to 260ºC, but the handle will get very hot and should be used cautiously. The solid construction of the ProCook pan means it heats quickly; heat retention is good, which resulted in excellent results with both the omelette and the pancakes. Both cooked quickly, with even colouring, and I loved how fast the pan responded when I lowered the heat. A small but super-useful pan to have, whatever the size of your cook space, but certainly a must for the smaller kitchen. Available from: ProCook (£50) undefined Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan Available from Circulon (£55.99) Best versatile non-stick frying pan Pros: Unique non-stick design Comfortable stay-cool handle Metal-utensil-safe Cons: Some sticking Some may not like the design Star rating: 4.5/5 Sizes available: 22cm, 25cm, 32cm Designed to cook like steel and clean like non-stick, this frying pan is ideal for searing meat and veggies. It’s notable for its design, featuring a series of ridged circles inside the pan. For ease and versatility, its dishwasher-safe and ovenproof up to 260C. I loved the slim ergonomic handle; it’s comfortable and doesn’t get too hot in use. Although this pan cooked very well, I noticed that the circular pattern imprinted onto my American pancakes and omelette. This didn’t affect the flavour, but may be off putting for some. Read our full Circulon Steel Shield C-Series frying pan review. Available from: Circulon (£55.99) Latest Deals Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro Available from Our Place (£135) Best investment frying pan Pros: Effective non-stick Versatile Fully recyclable packaging Dishwasher-safe Metal-utensil-safe Cons: Expensive Tricky to store Pan surface leaves imprint on food Easily marked by fingerprints Star rating: 4/5 Sizes available: 27cm If you love the versatility of the original Always Pan, want the durability of a stainless-steel pan, and the ease of cooking on non-stick, this frying pan from Our Place ticks a lot of boxes. It has a tri-ply set-up (stainless steel, aluminium and titanium) that features the brand's NoCo™ Nonstick Technology, which doesn't rely on coating or chemicals. It has a similar design to the brand's other multifunctional pans and comes with a lid and wooden spatula – though, unlike the Always Pan 2.0, no steaming basket is included. At 27cm in diameter, the cooking surface is textured and mesh-like, which browned my American pancakes and omelettes evenly, but left behind an imprint on the pancakes. It's perhaps not as premium-looking as I'd expect for a product at this price. However, it does feel robust, and the fact you can use metal utensils with it and pop it in the dishwasher is a big win for convenience. Available from: Our Place (£135) Lakeland Only Pan Available from Lakeland (£59.99) Best value multi-functional pan Pros: Attractive, eye-catching design Multi-functional and versatile Comes with steamer basket and silicone spatula Built-in spatula rest in lid Non-toxic, PFAS-free ceramic coating Good value Cons: Slight sticking after a few uses Oven-safe only up to 150C Plastic packaging used Hand-wash only Star rating: 4/5 Inspired by the cult favourite Our Place Always Pan, Lakeland’s Only Pan promises to be “the only pan you’ll ever need”, and in many ways it delivers. My first impression on unboxing was how stylish it is – the chunky shape and pretty pastel green colour make it so chic you could leave it out on display. I was also impressed by the extras included: a stainless-steel steamer basket, a silicone spatula and a cleverly designed lid with a built-in spatula rest to keep everything tidy while cooking. As for performance, the PFAS-free ceramic coating was initially super slick with pancakes releasing effortlessly. My omelette did stick a little though and after a few uses some foods left brown patches that took extra elbow grease to clean (and with hand-washing advised, this could get a little frustrating). The pan’s generous depth, slightly curved edges and lid make it super versatile for a range of different recipes and cooking methods beyond frying, from sautéing and braising to steaming and even boiling. It is also oven-safe, but only up to 150C, which could restrict some recipes. Overall, for those who love the look and idea of the multi-functional Our Place pan but don’t have the budget for it, the Lakeland Only Pan is a stylish, versatile and good value alternative. However, its non-stick performance, cleaning ease and packaging don’t quite match up to the Our Place version. Available from: Lakeland (£59.99) Other non-stick frying pans tried and tested Stellar Rocktanium frying pan review, £25 How to choose the best non-stick frying pan Whether you’re cooking up an indulgent pan-fried rib eye steak or a showstopping dish, like Barney Desmazery’s pan-fried scallops with parsnip purée & pancetta crumbs, a good frying pan can help you to achieve an intense sear and flavoursome crust. You can also use your frying pan as a mould and serving dish, like Anna Glover did for this frying pan filo tart. A generously sized frying pan is a great way to reheat leftovers quickly. Take any leftover pasta sauce, like our pasta arrabbiata with aubergine, heat it through, then add your pasta, tossing the two together. What’s the best material for a frying pan? All of the frying pans we’ve tested are made from aluminium or stainless steel, so here's a breakdown what you can expect to find with both: Aluminium: Pros: lightweight, budget-friendly, good heat conductivity Cons: can warp, scratches easily, can react to acidic food Stainless steel: Pros: durable, produces weighty pans, does not react to any type of food Cons: some cheap pans can transfer heat poorly and unevenly What to look out for when choosing a non-stick frying pan Suitable for all hobs/your hob Oven-proof to a high temperature Easy to clean or dishwasher-safe Comfortable handle that’s a good length and stays cool How to care for a frying pan If you want to maximise the lifespan of your new frying pan, a little care goes a long way. Here are a few steps to follow to ensure your frying pan stays in top-notch condition: Use the right utensils: If cooking with a non-stick pan, metal utensils with sharp edges can scratch the non-stick coating, so try to use to softer tools, like silicone spatulas or wooden spoons. Most stainless-steel pans, on the other hand, are metal utensil-safe, but it's worth checking the manufacturers' guidelines for specific recommendations. Wash with care: While some non-stick frying pans claim to be dishwasher-safe, most dishwashers use very hot water and powerful detergents that may slowly damage the coating. So, wash by hand if you can. The same goes for stainless-steel pans. Avoid high heat when cooking on non-stick: High temperatures can also impact the effectiveness of a non-stick coating, so stick to low or medium heat levels when cooking with your frying pan. Store non-stick pans carefully: To avoid scratching the non-stick coating, put a protective layer (like a pan protector) between non-stick pans when stacking or nesting them in a cupboard. Read our guide to how to care for non-stick cookware. How we tested non-stick frying pans View Green Video on the source website Supreme temperature control The ability to accurately adjust the temperature with subtle precision, even after cooking over high heat, will provide you with the greatest overall control, transforming your everyday cooking. It’ll mean that you can save food that you forgot about for a moment, cook every type of egg dish imaginable with precision, or perfectly simmer a midweek risotto or pasta sauce. Design with cooking in mind A large surface area for cooking with elegantly curved sides that are neither too shallow or too tall, alongside a balance between weight and size, and a comfortable, stay-cool ergonomic handle, are ideal. This will let you toss food – often the best way to mix ingredients – with ease. Sustainability We look at the packaging the frying pan comes with and whether it's recyclable or not. We also look at what the frying pan is made from and the length of the warranty. Reliable, eco-friendly non-stick An effortlessly slick non-stick coating with just a touch of grip will prevent spread when cooking pancakes or frying eggs. Look for scratch-resistant non-stick (often with a specific warranty for the coating) that’ll hold up to long-term wear and tear. Further, to avoid any health issues or chemical aftertaste, look for eco-friendly materials, particularly ones that are PFOA-free. Recipe results We cooked Good Food’s basic omelette in each pan, making a note of how long the pan took to pre-heat. We then monitored how quickly the eggs cooked, how easy it was to lower and control the temperature, as well as checking how effective the non-stick was. Once cooked, we tasted each batch to check how evenly the eggs cooked, whether they held well – i.e. didn’t overcook when left to sit in the pan – and if the pan added any chemical notes to the flavour. We also made a batch of American pancakes, which allowed us to check how evenly the pan heated up, how efficiently it transferred to the food and whether the non-stick had the necessary subtle grip. For example, did the pancakes spread too much initially or were they nicely puffed? Was the surface of the pancakes evenly browned, or was it patchy? When it came to testing stainless-steel pans, we started by caramelising onions, monitoring how quickly the pan reacted to changes in temperature. We also fried an egg and assessed how evenly it browned, plus whether it stuck to the pan's surface. Finally, we seared a salmon fillet, and those pans that produced an even crust and good sear scored highly. After extensive testing, we also rated the pans on how easy they were to clean. More pan reviews Best stainless steel frying pans Best saucepans Best pan sets Best griddle pans Best saute pans Best pancake pans Best cast iron skillets Best casserole dishes Best stainless-steel frying pans Best paella pans How to store pans Is HexClad worth it? How to care for non-stick cookware Non-stick frying pan recipes Frying pan filo tart Pan-fried salmon Pan-fried rib-eye steak Pan-fried sprouts and crunchy chorizo crumbs Pan-fried potato gnocchi Paneer and chickpea fry Pan-fried sea bass with ratatouille and basil One-pan egg and veg brunch More deals Air fryer deals Microwave deals Dishwasher deals Pizza oven deals
Time for tea? If you want to treat the kids, read on for our picks of the best afternoon tea for kids in London, with teas inspired by sweets, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and more
Time for tea? Taking kids to afternoon tea is the perfect way to spend an afternoon in the school holidays or for a special occasion or birthday. Many of the iconic London afternoon tea venues, such as The Ritz or The Savoy, will do separate afternoon tea menus suitable for children. But there are some special venues that go even further, with magical afternoon teas that will appeal to kids and adults alike, for a truly memorable experience. Whether inspired by favourite children's stories, recreating nostalgic sweetshop treats or offering cakes and pastries inspired by museums, there's an afternoon tea to appeal to all. The menus and whole experience are fun and delicious and sure to have the kids talking for a long time afterwards. Read on for our picks of the best afternoon tea for kids in London. For more afternoon tea inspiration, check out our full guide to the best afternoon teas in London for even more suggestions, including reviews of famous afternoon tea hotspots such as Fortnum & Mason and restaurants in The Shard. We've also reviewed the best themed afternoon teas in London, with menus centred around art, cheese, London landmarks and more... For more London restaurant inspiration, check out our guides to the best pasta restaurants in London, best food markets in London or the best burgers in London. Best kids' afternoon tea in London at a glance Best all-rounder kids' afternoon tea: The Hansom at St Pancras London, £59 for adults, £35 for children Best London-themed tea: The Dilly, £49 for adults, £39 for children Best for presentation: Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard, from £70pp for adults, £55pp for under 12s Best for luxury surroundings: Palm Court at The Langham, from £85 for adults, £50 for children Best for a post-museum treat: Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel, from £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for children Best for storytelling: One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea, from £95pp for adults, £65 for under 12s Best for sweet treats: Sweetshop afternoon tea at Chesterfield Hotel, from £75pp for adults, £45pp for children Best affordable afternoon tea for kids: Wizard afternoon tea at Georgian House Hotel, £40 for adults, £20 for children Best afternoon tea for kids in London The Hansom afternoon tea at St. Pancras London From £59 for adults, £35 for children, book at The Hansom Best all-rounder kids' afternoon tea St. Pancras London’s new kids' afternoon tea offers a wonderful mix of fun, creativity and delicious treats, all set within one of the city’s landmarks. The hotel is a stone’s throw from King’s Cross station, and it’s an ideal stop during a family day out as there’s plenty going on in the area – check out Granary Square, where there are often pop-up events and kids love playing in the fountains, plus Harry Potter fans will love platform 9¾ in the station. As soon as we arrived at The Hansom, a stylish cocktail bar inside the St. Pancras London hotel, the staff in the elegant, light-filled lounge were warm and welcoming. Menus arrived with activity sheets and crayons for children, which were an immediate hit and kept them busy while we settled in. We started with a selection of classic mini sandwiches, thoughtfully made with younger palates in mind – fillings included honey-cured ham and mild cheddar, and egg mayo. Staff were more than happy to offer extras too. Next came the sweet treats, beautifully presented and perfectly sized. Children are served a fluffy vanilla and raspberry cupcake, a chocolate brownie with popping candy, a strawberry tart, and the indulgent standout – a milkshake with sprinkles. Each treat had the right amount of sweetness without being too heavy. Finally, a selection of warm buttermilk plain and raisin scones arrived, accompanied with either plum or strawberry jam and loads (if you’re like me) of clotted cream. Throughout the afternoon tea, a violinist played classic music, which the kids found fascinating and made the whole experience feel really special. While the kids enjoyed their mini treats, adults can pair the experience with tea, coffee or something sparkling. We picked the orange blossom tea, which was delightfully fragrant and floral. Overall, it’s a charming, fun experience that children and adults will enjoy – a lovely way to pause and recharge on a busy day out in London. From £59 for adults, £35 for children, book at The Hansom The Dilly afternoon tea From £49 for adults, £39 for children, book at The Dilly Best London-themed afternoon tea for kids Right in the centre of London, a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus and Regent’s Street, you’ll find The Dilly, a huge, grand hotel in the perfect spot for exploring London (West End theatres, Buckingham Palace and Leicester Square are all within easy walking distance). Kids will love the red phone box and free lollipops in the foyer. Tea takes place in the second-floor terrace restaurant, a beautiful, light-filled room. The tea is themed around iconic London landmarks. For adults, it all arrives on a fun London bus stand, and kids get their own London-themed board. Kids' sandwiches included classic cheese and ham, egg and cress and beetroot carpaccio and feta on onion bread. The sweet treats are fun and incredibly detailed. There’s a stand-out hazelnut praline and milk chocolate Big Ben, a chocolate London Eye perched on a rich mud cake, and a mini version of the hotel made from walnut and honey cake with a strawberry ginger bus, which even includes an image of the hotel’s façade printed on chocolate, plus staple scones with jam and cream. Kids' drinks include a frothy hot chocolate or refreshing strawberry lemonade, while adults can enjoy a high-quality brew from Tea Makers of London or a glass of English sparkling or champagne. It made for a fun, memorable afternoon tea, and combines perfectly with a day of sightseeing – see the sights, then eat them in chocolate form! Portions are generous, and staff will happily provide a takeaway box. Before you go, if you need ideas for things to do in London with kids, the doorman is very knowledgeable and had lots of great recommendations. From £49 for adults, £39 for children, book at The Dilly Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard From £70pp for adults, £55 for under £12, book at Aqua Shard Best for presentation Get transported to Neverland with magical views, as if you're Peter Pan flying over the rooftops of London. Children and adults alike will love the nostalgic treats and artistic touches included in this perfectly designed afternoon tea. From the custom crafted ship that holds the food, to the story behind each component (the cod brandade is in the shape of a hook, as Peter calls him a ‘codfish’, for example), everything is meticulously designed and pure magic. Choose from either 'darling tea', which has delicious floral notes, or 'adventure tea', made from black tea with citrus, mango and ginger. The perfectly cut sandwiches are light, soft and fluffy, with flavoursome fillings of chicken, bacon and mustard, along with the standout egg mayo (more vegetarian options are available). Your next course, after a fresh round of specially designed plates with Peter Pan characters on them, are freshly baked scones served with delicious apricot jam, raspberry jam and coconut clotted cream. The magic continues into the desserts. The ‘Peter’s secret never tree entrance’ is particularly noteworthy – a soft chocolate sponge with chocolate mousse, ganache and raspberry jam. Like the waitress spraying the Tinkerbell biscuit with edible gold glitter, the thought behind each element brought so much joy. From start to finish, this afternoon tea is a display of enchanting storybook delicacies in a stunning, picturesque setting. From £70pp for adults, £55 for under £12, book at Aqua Shard Palm Court at The Langham From £85 for adults and £50 for children, book at The Langham Best for luxury surroundings The Langham’s children’s afternoon tea offers a perfect blend of fun and delicious treats in a beautiful setting. Located in the heart of London’s West End, it’s an ideal spot for exploring the city, and within walking distance of Hyde Park and Covent Garden. As soon as we entered the stunning art deco-inspired Palm Court, the staff were warm and friendly, making a special effort with the children to make them feel welcome. As the menus arrived, so did Langham-themed colouring books for kids, which were much appreciated. First up were finger sandwiches (they were a big hit!), with fillings for kids including cucumber & soft cheese, crushed avocado & tomato, roast ham and gouda. Gone in seconds, they immediately bought out another round (a big tick in our book!). Next, a beautifully presented selection of bite-sized desserts arrived: for kids there was citrus cake, apple & vanilla choux buns and a strawberry & cream pebble (a biscuit topped with delicate mousse). They had just the right amount of sweetness without being too rich. By far the star attraction was the large milk chocolate ganache teddy bear with a white chocolate bow. We also enjoyed warm freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream, and an outstanding moist, rich fruit cake. For adults, there was an array of teas on offer, including organic darjeeling, as well as coffee, hot chocolate and champagne. For children, there was a kids' blackcurrant & hibiscus tea, juices and hot chocolate. Staff were more than happy to pack leftovers in takeaway boxes, which made for excellent train snacks. Overall, it was a really fun experience for both adults and children – the perfect way to break up a busy day of sightseeing. From £85 for adults and £50 for children, book at The Langham Science afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel From £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for children, book at The Ampersand Hotel Best for a post-museum treat Just a stone’s throw from the Science and Natural History museums in South Kensington, it’s easy to see where The Ampersand got their inspiration from for this unique afternoon tea – the perfect treat for budding scientists. The tea aims to capture the magic of the Science Museum by experimenting with fun visuals (think rockets and dry ice), sounds and textures in each dish. Kids kick off with a 'spaceman' hot chocolate whilst adults can pair their experience with champagne and Jing tea. Fun savouries include hot dogs and dinosaur sandwiches for the kids, with classic sandwiches for adults. Sweet white chocolate scones come with strawberry preserve and Cornish clotted cream, before the quirky sweet treats of jelly, chocolate lollipops and colourful planets for children, and some extras for grown ups that still continue the science theme, such as a mandarin and redcurrant jelly petri dish. Portions are generous too, very welcome after a morning spent museum-hopping. From £59.50 for adults, £39.50 for children, book at The Ampersand Hotel One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea £95pp for adults with a glass of champagne, £65 for under £12s, book at One Aldwych Best for storytelling The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea makes its theme clear from the beginning with the choice of drinks: try chocolate tea (with a delicious cocoa aroma), hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles for kids or, for adults, The Chocolatier cocktail – whisky, cherry liqueur, grapefruit juice, cherry purée and chocolate bitters topped with champagne. Once on to food, the savouries are fun and quirky, with some classics mixed in too. Think a not-quite-as-it-seems beetroot macaron and spinach roly-poly alongside classic Coronation chicken and egg mayo sandwiches. Scones arrived in baskets with 'snozzberry jam and all the creams'. Everyone around the room was busily snapping photos of their sweets displays, and when ours arrived, we could see why. It’s a sweet tooth’s dream: mysteriously flavoured candy floss, lemonade posset and 'hair toffee mousse'. A bottle of chocolate milk washes it all down. This makes for a special afternoon that kids will remember forever, or an excuse not to act your age – whatever your reason for visiting, it’s a sweet treat not to be missed. £95pp for adults with a glass of champagne, £65 for under £12s, book at One Aldwych Sweetshop afternoon tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair From £75 for adults, £45 for children, book at The Chesterfield Mayfair Best for sweet treats If you’re looking for a magical afternoon tea for a special occasion that will inspire the imagination and excite the palate of both adults and children, then the Chesterfield is for you. Set in a grand, Georgian hotel on a smart Mayfair street, the service is exceptional from the moment you step into their large marble hallway. Once you’re seated and have been talked through the extensive range of teas, your experience will start with a dramatic smoking pink lemonade topped with a flying saucer. You’ll then move onto a selection of beautifully presented finger sandwiches – our favourites were the Scottish smoked salmon with chive cream cheese and roast chicken with mustard mayonnaise and nibbed almonds. Accompanying the sandwiches are fluffy chocolate chip scones, Drumstick macaroons, strawberry liquorice allsorts cheesecake, blue raspberry & bubblegum Battenberg, giant jazzie lollipops, coca cola slice and a decadent take on a Reece’s peanut butter cup. There's a dedicated kids menu which comes served with milkshakes. When it’s time to leave you’ll be escorted to a traditional sweet shop stand where you can select a bag of your favourite pick and mix sweets to take home, any treats you couldn’t quite finish will be beautifully boxed up for you to take away too. From £75 for adults, £45 for children, book at The Chesterfield Mayfair Wizard afternoon tea at Georgian House Hotel From £40 for adults, £20 for children, book at Georgian House Best affordable afternoon tea for kids This fun and imaginative afternoon tea is one that’ll delight kids and adults alike, upon entering the smart Georgian house hotel you’ll be led to the basement where your spooky afternoon tea awaits. Expect plenty of surprises with overflowing cauldrons, salmon sandwiches served from a smoking box, bubbling cocktails and mocktails and golden chocolate wizard hats. The afternoon tea is served in a gothic looking bird cage and is a very generous affair with a variety of delicate savoury treats from tiny tarts to a selection of open and closed sandwiches. Plain and sultana scones are served with jam and clotted cream, after which a fresh bird cage is brought out with an abundance of sweet treats, a favourite had to be the web topped passion fruit jelly which almost looked too good to eat. The staff were attentive, relaxed and fun and there’s plenty of quirky decorations and spooky music for an authentically ghostly experience. There is also the option of a vegetarian or vegan version as well as bottomless prosecco for an extra £20. From £40 for adults, £20 for children, book at Georgian House Afternoon tea recipes, tips and advice Best afternoon tea in London The best afternoon teas in the UK Easiest ever afternoon tea menu plan Afternoon tea recipes with a twist 10 scone recipes you’ll fall in love with
57 products we awarded 5/5 stars in 2025, from shiny stainless-steel cookware to health supplements
We've put hundreds of products through their paces this year, but which did we rate the best? From ultra-speedy blenders to supplements that actually taste good, here's what impressed us most
It's been a bumper year for product testing at Good Food HQ. We’ve reviewed over 300 appliances, pieces of cookware and health supplements and, in the name of rigorous journalism, sacrificed ourselves to roughly 60 slices of toast, 120 chips, 21 pizzas, 32 scoops of ice cream and 84 shots of espresso – and that's just on a good day. Our mission? To help you find the best products (and avoid the duds) to spend your hard-earned cash on. It's a tough job, but we struggle on. We've compiled every one of our 'star buys' for 2025 below, a.k.a. those products that earned a coveted 5/5 rating from our expert testers. In a nutshell, this is the gear that impressed us most: that excelled in what it was designed to achieve, be it the perfect batch of air-fried chips or barista-level cup of coffee, and provided genuine value for money. We rewarded those products that help you cut down on waste, too – whether that's by using fully recyclable packaging materials (a note to brands for 2026: we want to see much less plastic!), offering repairs, spare parts or lifetime warranties, or manufacturing in the UK. From milk frothers and pan sets to collagen powders and protein bars, we've tried and tested it all – you can visit our reviews hub to check out our full list of guides. In the meantime, these are the 57 products we'd recommend from this year. Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Available from Hotel Chocolat (£149.95) One for chocolate lovers: the new version of Hotel Chocolat's Velvetiser wowed us with its distinctive look and smooth, speedy results. The design is inspired by a cacao pod and, unlike the original Velvetiser, this model comes with a cold setting that produces creamy, refreshing drinks with a feel of grown-up milkshakes. Read our full Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£149.95) Falcon bake set Available from Season Cookshop (£90), Amazon (£90) This bake set from Falcon is a versatile addition to any kitchen, providing a range of durable enamelware for baking, roasting and more. It includes three bake pans (37cm, 34cm and 31cm) and two 20cm pie dishes, all designed to withstand oven temperatures up to 270C. It's also dishwasher-safe, freezer-friendly and hob-safe (gas and electric), so offers lots of versatility. Available from: Season Cookshop (£90) Amazon (£90) Swallow Daily Multivitamin Available from Swallow (£30) With a price per day of 84p, what our testers liked most about this multivitamin supplement was that it meets the recommended dosage for each nutrient, including vitamins C, D3, E, B12, zinc, iron and more. Read more in our guide to the best multivitamins. Available from: Swallow (£30) Our Place Titanium Perfect Pot Pro Available from Our Place (£145), Amazon (£145), Healf (£155) Our Place is known for its ultra-versatile cookware that looks stylish on any countertop, and its titanium range promises to deliver a non-stick effect without the need for a non-stick coating. We found the Perfect Pot in particular was ultra-durable and able to withstand much higher temperatures than other casserole dishes we tested. The fully-sealed rims also helped it to lock in moisture, so our beef stew was perfectly tender. Check out our full guide to the best casserole dishes. Available from: Our Place (£145) Amazon (£145) Healf (£155) Ninja Luxe Café Pro Series ES701UK Available from Amazon (£699), Very (£699), Currys (£699.99), Argos (£700) Ninja's second coffee machine – the Luxe Café Pro – finally launched in the UK earlier this year, and we had a blast using it. It's a great option for beginners and each espresso shot we pulled was topped with a glossy, caramel-coloured crema. Where this machine really excelled, though, was the automatic milk steaming, which produced the silkiest, creamiest microfoam for our lattes and cappuccinos – something that's tricky to achieve when you don't steam the milk manually. Read more in our full Ninja Luxe Café Pro Series coffee machine review. Available from: Amazon (£699) Very (£699) Currys (£699.99) Argos (£700) Tower Vizion 1.6L Soup Maker Available from Amazon (£53.99) Soup season is our favourite season, and this 1.6L machine from Tower makes it easy to whip up smooth and chunky soups in a flash. It's also lightweight, but as it's made with BPA-free Triton plastic – which is tougher than glass – we found it impressively hardwearing for the price. It's a doddle to use, too, with an easy-to-navigate digital interface and comprehensive instruction booklet. Discover more recommendations in our guide to the best soup makers. Available from: Amazon (£53.99) MadeIn ProCoat Non-Stick Frying Pan Available from MadeIn (from £109) With a reassuring weight and a slim, comfortable handle, the MadeIn non-stick frying pan offers a professional feel without being too heavy. It takes a little while to reach temperature but heats consistently, and the non-stick is effective – nothing stuck for us in test, and cleaning required little more than a quick rinse. The cooking results were excellent: omelettes were perfectly cooked and pancakes had an even browning across the surface. Read more in our guide to the best non-stick frying pans. Available from: MadeIn (from £109) Innermost The Glow unflavoured sachets Available from Innermost (£29.95) If you're looking at trying a collagen supplement, let it be this one – our testers loved its crisp, clear flavour, plus it comes in 100% recyclable packaging. It's made with bovine collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, biotin, folate and vitamin C and comes in individual sachets, so you know you're taking the right amount (which stops any from going to waste). Read more in our guide to the best collagen supplements. Available from: Innermost (£29.95) Beast Mighty 850 Plus blender Available from Healf (£112.49), Borough Kitchen (£127), Amazon (£127.49), Harrods (£149), Selfridges (£150) We know looks aren't everything, but the Beast Mighty 850 Plus blender is definitely one of the most attractive gadgets we've tested in 2025. Available in four colours, it has a tactile finish that makes it comfortable to hold and comes with a suite of accessories – three different sized cups, two different storage lids, two different drinking lids, two straws, a straw cleaner and a cleaning brush for the blender. It's also super powerful and cuts through seeds with ease, so smoothies and sauces are free from any bits. Available from: Healf (£112.49) Borough Kitchen (£127) Amazon (£127.49), Harrods (£149) Selfridges (£150) FreeSoul pure creatine monohydrate powder Available from FreeSoul (£9.99) With its neutral taste and straightforward use, this creatine monohydrate powder is ultra-convenient and dissolves quickly – with no lumps or aftertaste. It's free from unnecessary additives, fillers or sweeteners, suitable for vegetarians and vegans and delivers 3.4g creatine per serving. Available from: FreeSoul (£9.99) HexClad Roasting Pan with Rack Available from HexClad (£179), Amazon (£189) We've been impressed by all the HexClad products we've reviewed this year and this roasting pan is no exception. It's expensive and heavy (even without the non-stick rack), but delivered quality and performance – in fact, of all the roasting tins we tested, it cooked our chicken and veg traybake the fastest. It's also metal-utensil-safe, dishwasher-safe and comes with a lifetime guarantee. What's not to love? Available from: HexClad (£179) Amazon (£189) Loop Quiet 2 earplugs Available from Loop (£19.95), Amazon (£15.96) Made from flexible silicone, these earplugs are easy to adjust and feel durable enough for long-term use. They come with four different tip sizes, so it's easy to find the right fit, and we thought the soundproofing was impressive. Once in, they're hardly noticeable so ideal for side sleepers. Perhaps the only thing to watch out for is that they might get dirty quickly (we tried the white versions), but with a lifespan of around three-to-six months – longer if you clean them regularly – they strike the perfect balance between value and performance. Read our guide to the best earplugs for sleeping for more recommendations. Available from: Loop (£19.95) Amazon (£15.96) Sage the Toast Select Luxe Available from John Lewis & Partners (£99), Amazon (£99.99), Very (£109), Harts of Stur (£118.95), Sage (£119.95) This stylish Sage toaster has it all: intuitive settings, good looks and a handy dial for choosing how toasted you'd like your toast to be. There are functions for crumpets, brown, white and fruit bread, and it has a high lift so it's easy to extract most types of bread – though we struggled a little with the fruit loaf. Otherwise, it's a winning choice. Discover more reviews in our guide to the best toasters. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£99) Amazon (£99.99) Very (£109) Harts of Stur (£118.95) Sage (£119.95) Paused perimenopause all-in-one Available from Holland & Barrett (£11.99), Boots (£19.99) We tested a range of perimenopause supplements this year, and this all-in-one blend is a solid pick that's easy to take. Containing essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, vitamin C, B6, B12, zinc and herbal extracts (red clover, sage and shatavari), it's also gluten-free and vegan-friendly. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£11.99) Boots (£19.99) Ooni Volt 2 pizza oven Available from Ooni (£499), Lakeland (£499), John Lewis & Partners (£499) We tested three new Ooni pizza ovens this year – all of which are featured in our guide to the best pizza ovens – but only the Volt 2 earned a 5/5 star rating. As an upgrade of the Volt 12 (which launched in 2023), this indoor oven is more compact than its predecessor and has a larger viewing window, as well as a 'Pizza Intelligence' system that adjusts the temperature in real time, so you achieve a more even bake. Despite being marketed as a countertop appliance, it's still very large and can get a little smoky, so it's worth keeping your kitchen well ventilated. We were wowed by the performance of this oven in test, though – our pizzas were perfectly puffed with mottled crusts and gooey mozzarella cheese. Available from: Ooni (£499) Lakeland (£499) John Lewis & Partners (£499) Koh surface starter kit Available from Koh (£29.90) Designed for kitchens and beyond, this fragrance-free multi-use eco cleaner tackles grease on hobs and cooker hoods with ease, leaving behind no streaks on glossier surfaces. We found it needed a little soaking time for burnt-on stains, plus it was less effective on deep dirt, but is otherwise ideal for everyday cleaning tasks. The kit's eco credentials are outstanding: packaging is fully recyclable, with a large refill pouch system to reduce single-use plastic. The formula also contains just 0.5% potassium hydroxide and purified water, with no added surfactants or fragrances. The product is GECA eco-certified, Allergy UK approved, non-toxic and both septic and greywater safe, too. Available from: Koh (£29.90) HexClad 4.7-litre casserole dish Available from HexClad (£204), Amazon (£204) Another winning piece of cookware from HexClad, this casserole dish sports the brand's signature tri-ply hybrid design that combines the convenience of non-stick with the searing power of stainless steel. It's relatively lightweight (1.6kg) for its size but still has the versatility and heft to withstand lots of use. It's oven-safe up to 480C and we loved the mirror finish on the lid and ergonomic stay-cool handles on either side. Available from: HexClad (£204) Amazon (£204) Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Rice and Slow Cooker MC1101UK Available from Very (£119), AO (£119), Ninja (£119.99), Currys (£119.99) We've tested our fair share of slow cookers at Good Food, and this Ninja model is one of the best we've ever used. It comes with sear/sauté functionality, so you can pre-sear meat for extra flavour, plus settings for steam, pasta and porridge. It's easy to use, with a simple push-button display and brightly lit digital screen. It doubles up as a rice cooker too, offering specific functions for white and brown rice, and accessories like a rice spoon and measuring cup are also included. Available from: Very (£119) AO (£119) Ninja (£119.99) Currys (£119.99) ZipVit Super Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil 2000mg Available from ZipVit (from £10.99) These omega-3 softgels are easy to swallow and offer a high daily dose of DHA and EPA. The fish oil is sustainably sourced and distilled for purity, with minimal additives and clear labelling. It also exceeds the recommended omega-3 levels for brain and heart health. Available from: ZipVit (from £10.99) JosephJoseph Elevate steel knife set Available from JosephJoseph (£130), Amazon (£130) This Joseph Joseph knife set features five knives made from Japanese stainless steel, as well as a handy in-drawer bamboo storage tray that slots easily into a standard kitchen drawer. The stand-out feature, though, is the clever Elevate system – each knife has an elevated stand to keep the tip off the worktop, ensuring a cleaner worktop. All the knives have weighted ergonomic handles that feel safe and secure in use and each was faultless on test. We particularly like the Santoku knife, which chopped and diced with ease with its gently curved blade. Available from: JosephJoseph (£130) Amazon (£130) Tefal Perfectmix Cook BL83SD65 Soup Maker Available from John Lewis & Partners (£129), Amazon (£129), Argos (£129), Very (£129) Despite the name, the Tefal Perfectmix soup maker isn't just soup maker – it comes with 14 automatic programmes with just two related to making soup (smooth and chunky). Other functions include milkshake, smoothie, dessert, ice crush, compote, stir, multigrain milk, hot sauce, blend, pulse, clean and heat. On test it produced a super smooth creamy tomato soup and chunky roast vegetable soup in just 30 minutes, and made short work of crushing ice. All in all it's expensive for a soup maker, but given everything else it can do, it's a great multifunctional gadget to have in your kitchen. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£129) Amazon (£129) Argos (£129) Very (£129) Horl 3 knife sharpener Available from Horl (£169), Borough Kitchen (£169) Rated 'best knife sharpener' in our best knife sharpeners guide, this nifty little tool comes from German brand Horl. It's made from two parts – a magnetic sharpening block angled at 20 and 15 degrees on each end, and a double-sided cylindrical rolling block, which has a diamond grinding disc on one side and a ceramic honing disc on the other. To use it, simply attach the blade to the magnet and run the block along the full length of the knife (first with the diamond disc, then the ceramic one). In action, the motion is smooth and seamless and all our knives were perfectly sharp. Available from: Horl (£169) Borough Kitchen (£169) Fellow Aiden Brewer Available from Amazon (£299), Healf (£304), Origin Coffee (£365) We love Fellow's coffee grinders, so we were excited when the brand launched its first coffee maker earlier this year – and we weren't disappointed. The Aiden Brewer is a filter coffee machine that's built with a minimalist aesthetic and precise technical engineering, though is still remarkably user-friendly. Simply input the roast level of your beans (light, medium or dark) and volume of coffee you'd like to make, then the machine will advise the weight of coffee grounds you should add to the filter basket. In test our coffee was packed with flavour, and the ergonomic handle around the jug allowed for smooth pouring. Read more in our guide to the best filter coffee machines. Available from: Amazon (£299) Healf (£304) Origin Coffee (£365) ESN Designer protein bar – fudge brownie Available from ESN (£1.83 per bar) This rich and chocolatey protein bar feels more like a treat than a typical protein snack, and the cocoa nibs add a pleasant natural crunch. It has a smooth milk chocolate coating that's sweetened without added sugar, and inside is a chewy centre combining milk protein and collagen peptides – with up to 15g of protein per bar. Available from: ESN (£1.83 per bar) Chef iQ Sense meat thermometer Available from Amazon (£59.99) This wireless dual-probe thermometer from Chef iQ allows you to track two food items at once, and its compatible app is packed with customisable features, recipes, how-to videos and step-by-step guides. You can use it to measure the temperature of poultry, red meat, veggies, wild game and plant-based proteins, and select specific cuts of meat, fish or vegetable. From there, simply choose the level of 'doneness' you want to achieve and the app will display a recommended temperature. Both probes have sharp, slimline ends that don't leave gaping holes behind, and they're safe to use in an oven, air fryer and deep-fat fryer. Read more in our guide to the best meat thermometers. Available from: Amazon (£59.99) Instant Pot Plus multi-cooker Available from Currys (£109), Amazon (£121.04), Instant Pot (£119.99) Ultra-efficient and versatile, this smart multi-cooker from Instant Pot can be paired with the 'Instant Connect' app, which allows you to control it remotely – even steam release is done via the app, which is great for those who feel nervous about being close to the pot when this happens. You can also programme, start and stop the machine from a distance and check on progress with the countdown timer. If you need to prep baby bottles or jars for jams and chutneys, there's also a handy sterilisation function that's unique to this particular model. Available from: Currys (£109) Amazon (£121.04) Instant Pot (£119.99) Dr Vegan PeriMenoFriend Available from Dr Vegan (£21.99) Featuring ingredients like red clover, sage and magnesium, plus vitamins D3 and B12, this perimenopausal supplement offers a well-rounded formula of essential botanicals, vitamins and minerals. Just two capsules per day are recommended, so it's an easy product to stick with every day, plus it's vegan-friendly. Available from: Dr Vegan (£21.99) Cuisinart Freeze Ease Pro Ice Cream Maker Available from Lakeland (£249.99), Cuisinart (£299.99) An upgrade of the Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Professional (which we also rated 5/5), this sleek ice cream machine comes with four presets – ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt – a hardness setting to fine-tune consistency and a mix-only mode that helps to aerate the base before churning. It has a clear, responsive touchscreen and is easy to wipe clean. It delivered great results, too: smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream that was ready to eat straight from the machine at the highest churn level, plus soft, evenly textured sorbet that was free from icy chunks. Read more reviews in our best Cuisinart ice cream makers guide. Available from: Lakeland (£249.99) Cuisinart (£299.99) Lakeland deep roasting tin Available from Lakeland (£9.99) At just £9.99, this Lakeland roasting tin offers remarkably good value but is far from flimsy. It's made from high-grade carbon steel and is 6cm deep, making it feel roomy and large enough for a family roast. The generous lip around the outside also means it's easy to handle. We had no grumbles at all when using it to make a chicken and vegetable traybake – it heated quickly and evenly, producing perfect results. It's also made in the UK and comes with a three-year guarantee. Available from: Lakeland (£9.99) Panasonic SD-PN100 breadmaker Available from John Lewis & Partners (£79), Amazon (£79), AO (£79), Lakeland (£79.99), Panasonic (£79.99), Argos (£80) Most Panasonic breadmakers are large and expensive, but this compact model is ideal for a smaller kitchen – and it does an excellent job baking fresh loaves, too. With presets for basic white, wholewheat, brioche and jam, plus four gluten-free programmes, we found it well made, good-looking and intuitive. Three browning settings (light, medium and dark) and a delay timer can be selected on the control panel. There's no viewing window, so you can't keep an eye on your bread as it's baking, but each setting has a clear indication of how long it will take. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£79) Amazon (£79) AO (£79) Lakeland (£79.99) Panasonic (£79.99) Argos (£80) Vitabright Zinc Bisglycinate & Copper tablets Available from Vitabright (£8.99) Our testers thought this zinc supplement offered great value for money, providing 200 vegan-friendly tablets per pack, with each serving containing 50mg zinc (500% NRV) and 0.5mg copper. Formulated with nutritionists and medical practitioners, they're tasteless, easy to take and free from common allergens and additives. They're also GMP certified and come with a money-back guarantee. Available from: Vitabright (£8.99) Le Creuset Cast Iron Round Casserole Available from Le Creuset (from £219), Harts of Stur (£255.20), John Lewis & Partners (from £319) From iconic French cookware brand Le Creuset, this casserole dish will be instantly recognisable to many. Everything about it has been engineered for ease, from the extra-large handles to the softer edges around the knob, which make it easier to lift – particularly when wearing bulky oven gloves. It's oven-safe up to 260C and has impressive heat-retaining qualities, which keep the contents piping hot even when out of the oven. The only niggle is the expensive cost, but given the lifetime guarantee, we couldn't ask for better. Check out more reviews in our guide to the best casserole dishes. Available from: Le Creuset (from £219) Harts of Stur (£255.20) John Lewis & Partners (from £319) De'Longhi La Specialista Touch bean-to-cup coffee machine Available from De'Longhi (£549.99), Amazon (£549.99), John Lewis & Partners (£699), Currys (£699.99) Most premium bean-to-cup coffee machines are expensive, with some costing upwards of £1,000, so to see this newer De'Longhi model available for a slightly lower price was a welcome surprise. It's a semi-automatic model, which means it offers some level of automation but leaves the fun bits of making coffee (locking in the portafilter, steaming the milk) to the user. If you drink espresso, there's an additional drip tray that allows you to place your cup closer to the spout. The steam wand also comes with a temperature probe, which is ideal for beginners who may be less confident frothing milk. Available from: De'Longhi (£549.99) Amazon (£549.99) John Lewis & Partners (£699) Currys (£699.99) CASO Design WaffleUp Belgian waffle maker Available from CASO (£74.99), Argos (£75) A waffle maker might not seem like an essential purchase, but if you make them regularly, this gadget from CASO Design is a solid investment. It has a unique top-fill design that helps to minimise mess and waste, as excess batter flows into the detachable drip container. You'll need to add the batter gently and slowly, as the spout through which it pours is quite narrow. There are five browning levels to choose from across a scale of one to five, and in test the results were superb: our Belgian waffles were golden and crisp with a fluffy middle. Available from: CASO (£74.99) Argos (£75) Zwilling Spectrum knife block Available from Zwilling (£699) This set of five German-made knives are ice-hardened and steel-forged, which creates a tough, ultra-sharp edge that holds for longer. The Micarta handle also has a textured linen look that offers good strength and balance, making them comfortable to hold. Just bear in mind that the chef's knife is quite heavy, so might not suit everyone. Read more in our best knife sets guide. Dr Vegan Ashwagandha KSM66 Available from Dr Vegan (£12.99) These ashwagandha capsules from Dr Vegan fit easily into morning or evening routines, providing 500mg KSM-66 root extract with five per cent withanolides (a clinically backed form with proven absorption). The compostable pouch is easy to open and keeps the capsules fresh. They also offer good value at roughly 43p per day, and are vegan, allergen-free and additive-free. Discover more in our guide to the best ashwagandha supplements. Available from: Dr Vegan (£12.99) ESN Isoclear Whey Protein Isolate (strawberry lime) Available from ESN (£39.19) If you're after a post-workout boost without the heaviness and sweetness of typical protein powders, our testers rated ESN IsoClear Whey Isolate for being light and refreshing – so much so that they said it was more like a crisp, soft drink than a traditional shake. Each 30g serving offers up to 25g of clear whey protein isolate, with low levels of fat, lactose and sugar. It's also sweet without being overpowering, leaving a clean finish without a lingering aftertaste. Available from: ESN (£39.19) Le Creuset cast iron tatin tin Available from Amazon (£145), Le Creuset (£159), John Lewis & Partners (£159) This enamelled cast-iron dish from Le Creuset is specifically made for baking tarte tatins, but could work for other recipes. Its curved handles and bright coloured exterior (we tested the volcanic orange version) look super eye-catching, too. The dish conducts heat well and cooked our caramel quickly, without any cool spots or bubbling over. It's also deep enough to comfortably fit apple halves, though bear in mind that when you turn out your tarte tatin, the cast iron means it's pretty weighty. Still, we found it a joy to use. Available from: Amazon (£145) Le Creuset (£159) John Lewis & Partners (£159) Ninja Detect 3-in-1 Power blender and food processor Available from Amazon (£206.21), Currys (£229.99), Ninja (£229.99), Argos (£230) This powerful blender from Ninja is robustly built and comes with numerous features, like a 'BlendSense' function that senses and automatically adjusts the blending speed and time in the jug. It can also determine whether you're using enough liquid – if not, a warning appears on the screen – and whether you're using frozen or fresh ingredients. While it's loud, blending is fast and thorough so we could somewhat forgive the noise. It comes with a food processor, as well as several different blades, a slicing and grating disc and three single-serve lidded cups, so you can take smoothies on the go. Find more in our guide to the best blenders. Available from: Amazon (£206.21) Currys (£229.99) Ninja (£229.99) Argos (£230) Circulon Ultimum non-stick 2-piece roasting tin set Available from Circulon (£34.99), Amazon (£34.99) This two-piece set from Circulon includes a generously sized 39.5cm x 25cm roasting tin and a smaller square cake pan that can double as a roaster. Both are made from carbon-steel and with a shiny non-stick surface, featuring the brand's signature 'Hi-Low' grooved bottom that helps to prevent sticking. In test we cooked a chicken and veg traybake in each tin and loved the results – both were evenly cooked with tender veg and succulent chicken. The ergonomic handles also made the pans easy to handle. Available from: Circulon (£34.99) Amazon (£34.99) Sage the Barista Touch Impress with Cold Extraction Available from John Lewis & Partners (£997.99), Amazon (£997.99), Sage (£999.95) If you're weighing up whether to buy a Sage coffee machine, this bean-to-cup model is a superb choice that's less costly than its other flashier models (though is still expensive). It's an upgrade of the original Barista Touch Impress and comes with cold-brew functionality, plus a couple of new drink options. There's lots about this machine to love, including the customisable features – you can tweak the froth level and type of milk you're using, be it dairy, soy, oat or almond – and auto dosing, which self-corrects if the espresso extracts too quickly or too slowly. Read more about Sage in our guide: Are Sage coffee machines worth it? Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£997.99) Amazon (£997.99) Sage (£999.95) Instant Pot Superior Slow Cooker 7.1L Available from John Lewis & Partners (£79), Amazon (£79) As we've come to expect from Instant Pot, this large 7.1-litre model is the ultimate companion for batch cooking. It has a robust inner pot that can be easily taken from kitchen to table, plus a glass lid and four functions: sear, slow cook, steam and keep warm. In test we cooked a beef stew and loved the results – the meat and veg were deliciously tender and the gravy was glossy and thickened by the slow reduction. If you're feeding a crowd or filling up your freezer, this is the gadget for you. Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£79) Amazon (£79) Paused Sleep Aid Available from Holland & Barrett (£17.99), Amazon (£17.99), Boots (£19.99) If you're after a straightforward approach to improving sleep, this supplement from Paused is a great pick – with 30 servings in each bottle (two per day are recommended). It's suitable for vegetarians and vegans, contains no unnecessary additives and is free from GMOs and gluten. Our testers thought the packaging was convenient and practical, too. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£17.99) Amazon (£17.99) Boots (£19.99) Prowise Super Strength Ashwagandha Available from Prowise (£9.99) Offering good value at just 5.5p per dose, this bottle of ashwagandha contains 180 tablets with 1500mg of high-strength root extract. They're easy to prepare and swallow with water, and have a dried fruit or sultana-like aroma though they don't taste of it. They're also manufactured in the UK to GMP standards and vegan-friendly, plus free from common allergens and additives are kept to a minimum. Available from: Prowise (£9.99) Stellar Stay Cool 4-Piece Draining Saucepan Set Available from Stellar (£90) This stainless-steel 4-piece pan set is impressively user-friendly, with touches like stay-cool handles and firm-fitting lids with silicone rims. On the saucepans, there are also draining spouts on both sides that make draining easy. All the pans heat up remarkably quickly and everything we cooked from porridge to eggs was excellent. Read more reviews in our guide to the best pan sets. Available from: Stellar (£90) Cuisinart Blast & Go Portable Blender Available from Amazon (£39.99), Lakeland (£49.99), Cuisinart (£69.99) We loved the Ninja Blast portable blender that launched last year – but does this lookalike from Cuisinart deliver the same level of quality? We think yes. It's ultra-lightweight, compact and ideal for taking on self-catering holidays or camping – plus, it comes with a three-year guarantee, offering better value than the Ninja Blast. Offering a 500ml capacity, it has two presets (smoothie and blender) that blitz through fresh and frozen ingredients in just 33 seconds. You can also use it to make small portions of sauces and dips, and there are handy measuring lines on the cup that make it easy to follow recipes. Available from: Amazon (£39.99) Lakeland (£49.99) Cuisinart (£69.99) Smart Strains For When You're On Antibiotics Available from Boots (£16.49) These capsules provide 10 billion live Lactobacillus rhamnosus that offer extra support for your body when taking antibiotics. Our testers were impressed by the thoughtful design of this supplement and how easy they were to take. They should be taken each day from the first antibiotic treatment, then continue for seven days after treatment has ended. Available from: Boots (£16.49) Made In Enamelled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven Available from Made In (£219) With a slightly more palatable price tag than some of its competitors, this Made In enamelled cast-iron Dutch oven offers incredible quality and a lifetime warranty. At 5.2 litres, it's hand-crafted in France and has a sleek, simple design, not to mention excellent non-stick qualities. We also found it retained heat well and the lid fit snugly, which helped to trap steam and lock in moisture – so our beef stew came out tender and rich. Available from: Made In (£219) KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 Available from Harts of Stur (£1,548.95), Harrods (£1,699), KitchenAid (£1,899) Sales of coffee machines have soared in 2025, but not all of us want to faff about with dosing and tamping coffee grounds – so a fully automatic model, like this one from KitchenAid, is just the ticket. The KF8 takes all the guesswork out of making your morning latte, cappuccino or espresso. Simply select your drink of choice (there are 12 to choose from) and let the machine do the rest. It's packed with other user-friendly features, too, like a hidden compartment in which the used coffee grounds go and a floating column that indicates when the drip tray needs to be emptied. Available from: Harts of Stur (£1,548.95) Harrods (£1,699) KitchenAid (£1,899) VivoLife Creatine Available from Healf (£13.99), VivoLife (£19.99) Our testers rated this unflavoured creatine powder for its finely milled texture, which means it doesn't clump easily, and practical recyclable packaging. It dissolves easily and each serving provides 3-5g of creatine monohydrate, which aligns with the recommended use for muscle support. It's also vegan-certified, third-party tested and comes with a money-back guarantee. Available from: Healf (£13.99) VivoLife (£19.99) CASO Designs Chop & Go cordless mini chopper Available from CASO Designs (£64.99), Amazon (£64.99), Argos (£65) We've seen an uptick in brands launching cordless appliances this year, which offer more convenience as you can use them anywhere in your kitchen (providing they have enough charge). This mini chopper from CASO Design is a great example of this done well: it's small but mighty, offering one hour of power on full charge and blitzing through ingredients speedily and cleanly. It has a sharp four-fold blade, an emulsifying disc for whipping and blending sauces, dressings and dips, and a handy non-slip mat that keeps the bowl secure on the worktop. In test, it cut through parsley and onions evenly without puréeing them, and made a smooth curry paste that needed the occasional scrape but was otherwise well incorporated. Available from: CASO Designs (£64.99) Amazon (£64.99) Argos (£65) FreeSoul HydraCreatine creatine & electrolytes powder Available from FreeSoul (£24.99) Our testers found this creatine powder super refreshing and liked its sweet and salty mango and strawberry flavour, plus it mixes easily into water. Each daily serving provides 3.4g of creatine monohydrate, as well as vitamin C, marine collagen, prebiotics and electrolytes, helping to support recovery, hydrating and performance. It also comes in a robust, resealable pouch and is vegan-friendly. Available from: FreeSoul (£24.99) Cuisinart Ceramica XT non-stick cookware set Available from Amazon (£74.99), Cuisinart (£79.99) This non-stick cookware set is comprised of 11 pieces – covering all bases for stovetop cooking, from boiling to braising, sautéing and steaming. The pans are oven-safe up to 175C for no more than 20 minutes, plus they're lightweight so ideal for anyone who struggles to lift heavier items. They're not compatible with induction, which is unusual for modern cookware, but have excellent conductivity and a robust non-stick coating. For the quality and functionality, this comprehensive set is excellent for the price. Available from: Amazon (£74.99) Cuisinart (£79.99) Dr Vegan Gut Works Available from Amazon (£26.98), Dr Vegan (£28.99) This probiotic supplement provides a blend of six well-known probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, as well as prebiotic inulin and psyllium husk. The capsules have a neutral flavour and deliver 50 billion CFU, which has a delayed release to help protect bacteria through the stomach. Stored in a sturdy recyclable pouch, they're also suitable for vegans and have a 60-day money-back policy. Available from: Amazon (£26.98) Dr Vegan (£28.99) Instant Pot Pro 5.7L multi-cooker Available from Amazon (£199.99), Instant Pot (£199.99), Currys (£249) This multi-cooker is the most powerful in the Instant Pot range, and it's ideal for anyone who's already familiar with the wonders of pressure cooking and wants to take things up a notch. It has all the classic functions, including steaming and baking, and thanks to the extra 200W we found sautéing was better than ever, allowing us to brown our meat perfectly. The new Nutriboost function also helps to agitate the food as it cooks, so tomato-based dishes like ragu are less likely to stick to the pot. Exploring the full range of settings takes a while, so this advanced model is perhaps not the best choice for novices, but if you're a devoted 'Pothead' (yes, it's a thing), it's a worthy upgrade. Available from: Amazon (£199.99) Instant Pot (£199.99) Currys (£249) Joseph Joseph Nest roasting tray Available from Joseph Joseph (£40) This non-stick roasting tin from Joseph Joseph is a stand-out – not just for its bold blue colour, but also for its performance. It's weighty but not overly heavy and heats quickly thanks to its carbon-steel construction. We loved the built-in hold-and-pull handles, which extend seamlessly from the sides and curve downwards, so you can move the tin in and out of the oven with ease. The chicken traybake we cooked was flawless, with charred veg, tender chicken and no residue left behind. Just bear in mind that the tin is hand-wash only. Available from: Joseph Joseph (£40) Morphy Richards Clarity 1.6L soup maker Available from Argos (£90) From Morphy Richards, this generously sized 1.6-litre soup maker is a joy to use. It's sturdy but lighter than expected thanks to its Tritan plastic jug, which doesn't stain or scratch and is BPA-free. The handle on the lid folds down and tucks away easily, which means storage is also a doddle – even for such a chunky appliance. The keep-warm programme is perfect for second helpings or latecomers, and both the chunky and smooth soup settings produce superb results. The clean function was a little hit and miss as the jug needed an extra rinse after use, but otherwise, this is a strong, powerful piece of kit. Available from: Argos (£90) Related reviews Best milk frothers Best coffee machines Best bean-to-cup coffee machines Best espresso machines Best air fryers Best multi-cookers Best soup makers Best slow cookers Best blenders Best juicers Best meat thermometers Best food processors Best pan sets Best non-stick frying pans Best stainless steel frying pans Best knife sets Best knife sharpeners Best collagen Best electrolytes Best creatine supplements Best iron supplements Best prebiotic supplements Best probiotic supplements Best perimenopause supplements Best omega-3 supplements Best protein powders Best protein bars
Best novelty Christmas decorations and quirky baubles for foodies
Looking for a fun way to decorate your Christmas tree? Choose from our best foodie baubles of 2025, from pigs in blankets and mince pies to stand mixers, Christmas dinners, a cake stand adorned with treats, and more...
Foodie Christmas baubles may have been considered a passing trend but have become a firm fixture of Christmas decorations. With foods from Brussels sprouts to roast potatoes, a classic turkey and all its trimmings, mince pies and sparkly layer cakes, there are even pigs in blankets all dressed up and ready to decorate the tree, wreath or table. There's a fantastic array of decorations out there from glass to wood, metal, and acrylic, and prices range from a few pounds for a bit of fun, and upwards for the larger and more intricate or handmade. Whether your tree is for the family, creating a fun display for the children or making an elegant statement, there will be something to suit everyone. Doubtless, many of these baubles are bound to become cherished keepsakes brought out each year to evoke their treasured memories. We have chosen a selection of our favourites that made us smile, gasp with delight or both. For more festive inspiration, visit our reviews section to find over 400 buyer guides, including the best advent calendars and the best Christmas hampers to buy. Best Christmas baubles and decorations for foodies Oliver Bonas croissant sequinned decoration Available from Oliver Bonas (£8.50) Everything gets a sparkly makeover at Christmas and this croissant is no exception. Embroidered entirely with gold sequins, it will catch the lights perfectly on your tree. Bonus points for the neon pink loop to hang it from, too. Available from: Oliver Bonas (£8.50) John Lewis custard cream felt tree decoration Available from John Lewis (£6) This soft custard cream bauble has impressive detail and is a great non-breakable option. You can complete your biscuit tin collection with a felt bourbon and jam biscuit too. John Lewis baubles tend to sell out fast, so make sure you pick one up quickly if you're keen. Available from: John Lewis (£6) Emma Bridgewater Christmas stars tiny teapot decoration Available from Emma Bridgewater (£22) One for the Emma Bridgewater fans, this is a fun way to incorporate their signature prints into your Christmas decor. Important to note that this is made from pottery and on the larger side for a Christmas bauble, so make sure you hang it securely! Available from: Emma Bridgewater (£22) Maldon salt Christmas tree decoration Available from Amazon (£7.50) A bauble for the person who has to add salt to everything, or values the difference between table salt and sea salt. This quirky green tin is like a mini of the iconic Maldon salt boxes, tied with a green ribbon for hanging on your tree in style. Available from: Amazon (£7.50) M&S Colin the Caterpillar glass hanging decoration Available from M&S (£5) A Colin the Caterpillar cake is a staple at special occasions and now he's part of Christmas with this cute Christmas bauble, new this year. M&S decorations also sell out quickly (some of our favourites have already gone), so act fast if you're a Colin devotee. Available from: M&S (£5) Petersham Nurseries lemon bauble in glass Available from Petersham Nurseries (£4.50) An elegant addition to your Christmas tree and a lovely celebration of the seasonal citrus that brightens up winter fruit bowls. This glossy glass bauble has a gently shimmering finish to reflect the twinkling fairy lights of a tree perfectly. Available from: Petersham Nurseries (£4.50) studio THIE Heinz Ketchup felt ornament Available from Anthropologie (£14) Some of our favourite foodie Christmas baubles bring the nostalgia, and this Heinz collection available from Anthropologie certainly does that. There are embroidered felt creations of Heinz beans and spaghetti hoops too, but the ketchup is our favourite. The long shape is great for filling any awkward gaps between branches on your tree. Available from: Anthropologie (£14) March Muses Dutch pot decoration Available from March Muses (£8.50) For the home that always has a soup, stew or casserole bubbling away on the stove in winter... let the Dutch pot have its celebratory moment with this simple glass bauble. Lots of decorations are excessively big, but we love the perfect size of this little pot. Available from: March Muses (£8.50) Dunelm popcorn hanging decoration Available from Dunelm (£1.50) Celebrate the season of great TV and Christmas films with this fun popcorn bauble. We love the retro stripy bucket design. At just £1.50, this would make a great stocking filler or part of a Secret Santa gift too. Available from: Dunelm (£1.50) Sous Chef Brussel sprout decoration Available from Sous Chef (£4) It's not Christmas without Brussel sprouts and now that includes on your tree, too. Made from glass, it's impressively realistic – with a sprinkling of green glitter for an extra festive touch. At under £5, this is another bargain bauble pick. Available from: Sous Chef (£4) ASDA hotdog and burger glass baubles Available from ASDA (£8 for 2) Christmas baubles have gone far beyond just Christmassy foods themselves. Bring the fast food fun with this duo of these playful hot dog, burger and fries baubles. Available from: ASDA (£8 for 2) Fortnum and Mason caramel truffle bauble Available from Fortnum and Mason (£14.95) This elegant bauble will not only look pretty hanging from the Christmas tree – open it up, and inside you will find delicious Fortnum and Mason handmade milk chocolate caramel truffles. As this bauble also comes in a handsome box, it makes a perfect gift, too. Illustrated with 2025, it's great for marking a special year. Available from: Fortnum and Mason (£14.95) Willow and Stone fish hanging decoration Available from Willow and Stone (£15.95) This beautiful handcrafted tree decoration may not have much to do with Christmas. Still, this brass fish, made from recycled metal, will look elegant on the tree or wreath and can be used decoratively around the house after the festivities. As each one is handmade, there may be slight variations. Available from: Willow and Stone (£15.95) Fortnum & Mason cake stand decoration Available from Fortnum & Mason (£26.95) A tier of iconic afternoon tea treats in bauble form, this hand painted decoration makes the prettiest statement. We love how much detail there is on here: spot the fondant fancies, neat cucumber sandwiches, slice of Battenberg and more. Available from: Fortnum & Mason (£26.95) Christmas Concepts sweets baubles, set of 8 Available from Amazon (£8.99) Ideal if you've got a larger Christmas tree, this set of eight mini shatterproof baubles will fill out your tree. There's a very wide range of 19 colours to choose from so there's one for every Christmas theme, from lime green to champagne cream. Available from: Amazon (£8.99) Sass & Belle Christmas pudding decoration Available from Amazon (£10.50) One for the traditionalists, this holly-topped felt pud decoration is handmade and intricately embroidered with beads to sparkle under the Christmas lights. Available from: Amazon (£10.50) More Christmas gift guides 50 best budget gifts under £15 Best gifts for foodies Best Advent calendars Best Christmas hampers to buy Best gins to buy as gifts Best whiskies to buy as gifts Best panettone to buy Best Christmas sandwiches If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Perfect oven-fresh baking recipes with a sturdy, easy-to-clean cooling rack. These handy, inexpensive metal shelves are essential for cooling biscuits and avoiding soggy bottoms on bakes.
A cooling rack may not be the most glamorous piece of kitchen kit, but it’s one no home baker should be without. Once your cakes, cookies or bread come out of the oven, the job isn’t finished. Allowing air to circulate underneath helps release steam, stops soggy bottoms and gives bakes the best possible texture. A good cooling rack also makes it easier to decorate and apply finishing touches without your bakes sitting in a pool of excess icing. While we haven’t tested these products ourselves, these recommendations are based on expert insight from the team, trusted brands and standout features to help you choose the best cooling rack for your kitchen. Read on to discover our pick of the best cooling racks, plus what to look for when buying one. For more baking essentials, explore our full range of buyer’s guides, from cake tins to stand mixers, and much much more. Best cooling racks to buy 2025 ProCook stainless steel cooling rack Available from ProCook (£12) Best cooling rack for sturdiness This cooling rack from ProCook measures a generous 40 x 25.5cm, making it ideal for everything from a sheet of meringue for a roulade to a full pan of muffins. Made from stainless steel, it’s bright, easy to clean and built to last. The heavy-gauge material gives it a sturdy, weighty feel, which helps support bakes as they cool. There are a couple of rough patches on the underside joins, but they don’t affect the rack’s non-stick performance. Available from: ProCook (£12) Tala 3-tier non-stick cooling rack Available from Amazon (£14) Best cooling rack for space saving This stackable cooling rack set lets you cool up to three trays of bakes at once, making the most of your worktop space. Each 40 x 25cm rack has foldable legs, creating either an 8cm or 3cm gap between layers when stacked securely. It’s ideal for cooling sponge cakes, cookies or batches of pastries without crowding your kitchen. The non-stick bars make it easy to lift bakes off cleanly, keeping your cooling rack in top condition for every bake. Available from: Amazon (£14) Nordic Ware large copper cooling grid Available from Amazon (£22.33) Best circular cooling rack If you’ve invested in quality bakeware and ingredients, this Nordic Ware cooling rack is the perfect finishing touch to your kitchen kit. Its elegant copper construction gives it an Insta-worthy look and makes it a clear step up from a standard supermarket rack. While it’s not dishwasher-safe, its standout design and sturdy build make it ideal for cooling everything from celebration cakes to showstopping cookies. For bakers who want their creations to look as good as they taste, this cooling rack is a smart investment. Available from: Amazon (£22.33) Tala non-stick circular cooling tray Available from Amazon (£7.29) Best cooling rack for bundt cakes Ideal for smaller kitchens, this compact cooling rack folds in half for easy storage. Its 26cm size pairs perfectly with a Kugelhopf pan for bundt cakes, while the chrome-plated finish makes it simple to clean off sticky honey or thick icing. Because it’s oven-safe, it can also be used to crisp duck breasts in a cast iron skillet, making it a practical, multi-use piece of kit. Available from: Amazon (£7.29) Related reviews Best spatulas Best flour shakers Best pastry brushes Best icing turntables Best marble rolling pins Best measuring sets Best piping bags Best rolling pins Best baking sheets Trifle bowls Best kitchen sieves Best measuring spoons Best measuring cups Best oven thermometers If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk. Put your cooling tray to good use with one of our delicious baking recipes.
Is Le Creuset's expensive cookware really worth the cost?
Got your eye on some colourful Le Creuset cookware? Even the smallest casserole dishes can set you back nearly £200, but perhaps for a good reason – here's why we think they're worth the investment.
Le Creuset is a big name in the world of cookware. Launched in 1925 in the French village of Fresnoy-le-Grand, it's best known for its ultra-durable colourful ceramics, casserole dishes, pans and more. It's also become a coveted status symbol among millennials and Gen Z, and last November there was such a rush on discounted Le Creuset items at the brand's warehouse sale in Hampshire that the police had to be called. But is all the hype justified? Here at Good Food, we know more than a thing or two about quality cookware. We've been testing everything from cast-iron pans and stainless steel frying pans to saucepan sets and casserole dishes for years, and Le Creuset consistently ranks as one of the best brands out there. Perhaps the only thing that might put you off buying a Le Creuset product is the hefty upfront cost. With quality cookware often comes expensive price tags and Le Creuset certainly doesn't come cheap. If you're still undecided, we've pulled together some guidance on how to take care of your Le Creuset and our tried-and-tested picks of the best products to buy. Jump to: Is Le Creuset worth it? How to clean Le Creuset Can you put Le Creuset in the dishwasher? Why is Le Creuset so expensive? Top-rated Le Creuset cookware we've tried and tested Is Le Creuset worth it? Le Creuset has a stellar reputation in the world of cookware and ceramics, but it is more expensive versus others out there – which begs the question, is it really worth the cost? In our opinion, the answer is yes. We're big fans of any brand that offers a lifetime warranty on its products and Le Creuset is one of them. In fact, its ceramics are so well made that they often outlive the people who originally bought them, with items being passed down to the next generation. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2024/11/Le-Creuset-casserole-dishes-in-thyme-9be57fd.jpg" width="1920" height="1080" alt="Three differently sized Le Creuset cast-iron casserole dishes in the shade 'thyme', a green bowl of salt with a small wooden spoon inside it, and a Le Creuset cast-iron griddle with a whole leek sitting in it – all on a white reflective marble table" title="Le Creuset casserole dishes in thyme" /> Our expert reviews team has also tested a wide range of Le Creuset products, measuring them against a list of strict criteria like ease of use, quality of build, sustainability and performance – and we've been impressed with the results time and again. They're usually among the most expensive we've tested in each category, but if you use your Le Creuset product regularly enough and take care of it properly, you'll get plenty of value from it in the long run. How to clean Le Creuset If you're daunted by the prospect of looking after your Le Creuset, you can rest assured that whenever we've tested the brand's cookware we've always found it very easy to clean. Le Creuset casserole dishes are made from ultra-durable enamelled cast iron, which means they don't need the same level of treatment that you would give traditional cast-iron pans. Can you put Le Creuset in the dishwasher? Le Creuset say its cookware can go in the dishwasher, but hot temperatures and powerful dishwasher detergents won't do it any favours in the long run. Instead, always try to wash by hand with warm, soapy water whenever possible. For burned-on ingredients that are more difficult to remove, a soak in warm water and washing-up liquid overnight should help soften and lift away any stubborn residue. How to look after Le Creuset You don't need to season your casserole dish before or after use but you will want to let the dish cool after cooking before you wash it – sticking it in water when it's still hot might crack the enamel coating. When it's ready to be put away, store it in a dry, airy cupboard and use a pan protector to keep it scratch-free. Why is Le Creuset so expensive? The simple answer is, when it comes to cookware, you get what you pay for. With prices starting at £199 for a 24cm casserole dish, Le Creuset is certainly among the most expensive out there. However, what you get in return is ultra-durable, high-quality, good-looking dishes, pots and pans that, when cared for properly, will last a lifetime. There are also some brands, like ProCook and Our Place, that have the same colourful aesthetic if you're looking for less expensive alternatives, but bear in mind the warranties are significantly shorter. Top-rated Le Creuset cookware we've tried and tested Le Creuset signature stainless steel frying pan Available from John Lewis & Partners – 20cm (from £125), Amazon – 26cm (£145) We tested the 28cm version of this stainless-steel pan, though it comes in a range of sizes (from 20cm to 30cm). We loved how well it retained heat when caramelising onions, and its curved sides and slim, easy-to-grip handle are winning features, too. Read more in our guide to the best stainless steel frying pans. Available from: John Lewis & Partners – 20cm (from £125), Amazon – 26cm (£145) Le Creuset stoneware fluted flan dish, 28cm Available from Le Creuset (£36.40), Amazon (£36.40) This fluted flan dish is ideal for baking pies and comes in two sizes (24cm and 28cm), as well as a range of colours. Made from stoneware, it's heavy but built to last and backed by a 10-year guarantee. Inside the box, there's plenty of advice on how to care for your dish, plus protective packaging to keep it safe in storage. It can also be used as an attractive serving dish at the dinner table, and is dishwasher and fridge-freezer-safe, too. Read more reviews in our guide to the best pie dishes. Available from: Le Creuset (£36.40) Amazon (£36.40) Le Creuset signature round casserole dish, 18cm Available from Amazon (£142), Le Creuset (£219) Perhaps what Le Creuset is best known for, this iconic cast-iron casserole is available in seven sizes, but this is the smallest available. This particular size is ideal for smaller households of two people, or you can use it to cook side dishes as part of a larger meal. There's also a choice of 18 colours, though we love Le Creuset's signature volcanic orange. Discover our guide to the best casserole dishes. Available from: Amazon (£142) Le Creuset (£219) Le Creuset signature round casserole dish, 20cm Available from Amazon (from £187), Harts of Stur (£199.20), John Lewis & Partners (£249) A slightly larger size than the version above, this 20cm cast-iron pot is also ideal for feeding two or three people. It's also compact enough to store easily and slide next to other dishes in the oven. It heats quickly and is versatile, too – you could even use it to bake a loaf of bread, as Le Creuset's cast iron conducts and retains heat so well. Available from: Amazon (from £187) Harts of Stur (£199.20) John Lewis & Partners (£249) Le Creuset signature oval cast-iron casserole dish, 35cm Available from Le Creuset (from £299), Amazon (from £299) This hard-wearing oval-shaped casserole dish is perfectly built for roasting a whole chicken or other joints, and the tall sides also allow you to roast your veggies around the meat. The heat-resistant knob on the lid is easy to grip, even when wearing oven gloves, and the enamel interior means cleaning is a breeze, too. Available from: Le Creuset (from £299) Amazon (from £299) Le Creuset signature cast-iron Grillit Available from Amazon (from £115.50), Harts of Stur (£132), Le Creuset (£165), John Lewis & Partners (£165) This cast-iron griddle is heat resistant up to 250C, which makes it a versatile option if you’d like a pan you can move from the hob to oven or barbecue. In test, we found it was great at achieving defined griddle marks on our meat and veg, while also locking in lots of flavour and moisture. For more product suggestions, read our guide to the best griddles. Available from: Amazon (from £115.50) Harts of Stur (£132) Le Creuset (£165) John Lewis & Partners (£165) More deals Air fryer deals Microwave deals Dishwasher deals Pizza oven deals Related reviews Best casserole dishes Best cast-iron pans Best cast-iron cookware Best non-stick frying pans Best hand blenders Best kettles Best pestle and mortars Best toasters Best mixing bowls Best dishwashers Best paella pans Best oven thermometers Is HexClad worth it? Is Our Place worth it? Is KitchenAid worth it? Are Smeg appliances worth it?