Bistro Bounty

Restaurant-grade cooking, at home

In-depth guides to the gear serious home cooks use to eat like they're at their favorite bistro: espresso, pizza, knives, cookware, baking and wine.

Baking Wine & Home Bar

Overhead shot of mojito cocktails with ice and mint leaves, the kind of drinks a nugget ice maker is bought for.

Featured guide

Best Nugget Ice Maker: 3 Countertop Picks Compared

The GoveeLife H8120 is the best nugget ice maker overall; the Euhomy 34 lb model is the value pick. Three countertop makers compared on output, noise and reliability.

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BakingStand mixers, bread gear and pastry tools for bakery-quality results.5 guides →

Wine & Home BarWine fridges, preservation systems, decanters and home bar equipment.8 guides →

Latest guides

Baking

Whole Wheat Bread Machine Recipe: Honey Sandwich Loaf

A whole wheat bread machine recipe for a soft 100% whole wheat honey sandwich loaf, with amounts for 1, 1.5 and 2 lb pans and tips for a taller, lighter crumb.

Wine bottles on shop shelves beside a wine fridge, showing the difference between room storage and a dedicated wine fridge.

Wine & Home Bar

Wine Fridge vs Mini Fridge: Which Beverage Cooler Wins?

Wine fridge vs mini fridge: a wine fridge holds a steady 40-65°F with gentler humidity; a mini fridge runs near 40°F. Which to buy for your bottles.

Clear ice cubes in a glass against a plain background, the quality of ice a clean countertop ice maker should deliver

Wine & Home Bar

How to Clean and Descale a Nugget Ice Maker: Vinegar Method

How to clean and descale a nugget ice maker: run a vinegar or citric acid solution, sanitize, rinse well, and repeat every 1 to 6 months by water hardness.

Slices of soft white sandwich bread from a basic white bread recipe on a wooden board.

Baking

Basic White Bread Recipe for a Bread Machine, 1 to 2 lb

A basic white bread recipe for a bread machine with exact amounts for 1, 1.5 and 2 lb loaves, the right order to load the pan and tips for a soft crumb.

Red wine bottles with labels packed in a box, ready for storage in a wine fridge.

Wine & Home Bar

Can You Store Red Wine in a Wine Fridge? Yes, at 55°F

Can you store red wine in a wine fridge? Yes: hold it near 55°F (13°C), 50-70% humidity, bottles on their sides. How long it keeps, plus serving temps.

Strawberry cocktail packed with ice and mint, the kind of tall drink that suits nugget ice

Wine & Home Bar

Nugget Ice vs Cubed Ice for Cocktails: Which Wins?

Nugget ice vs cubed ice for cocktails: nugget suits juleps, tiki and tall drinks; solid cubes suit stirred, spirit-forward drinks. Ice for every cocktail.

Two wine bottles with a glass in a rustic setting, ideal for showing wine storage temperature.

Wine & Home Bar

Wine Fridge Temperature for Red and White Wine

Wine fridge temperature for red and white wine: store both near 55°F (13°C), then serve reds at 60-65°F and whites at 45-50°F. Zones, garage limits, humidity.

Close-up of a rustic loaf of bread on a kitchen counter with a red Dutch oven nearby.

Baking

Best Bread Machine: 4 Picks for Every Kitchen

The KBS Pro is the best bread machine for most bakers; the Cuisinart CBK-110 is the simple first pick. Four picks compared by capacity, pan and owner reports.

Elegant modern kitchen featuring built-in ovens and a wine cooler with stylish cabinetry.

Wine & Home Bar

Best Wine Fridge: 4 Freestanding Picks Compared

The Ca'Lefort 24-inch is the best wine fridge for a growing collection; the Euhomy 25-bottle is the value pick. Four compressor wine fridges compared.