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

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

Featured guide

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.

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Latest guides

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.

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

Wine & Home Bar

Best Nugget Ice Maker: 4 Countertop Picks Compared

The GoveeLife H8120 is the best nugget ice maker overall; the Euhomy IM013 is the value pick. Four countertop makers compared on output, noise and reliability.

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.

Close-up of hands holding a freshly baked crusty bread loaf on a wooden board.

Baking

Why Is My Bread Machine Bread Dense? Causes and Fixes

Why is my bread machine bread dense? Usually too much flour, weak yeast or the wrong flour. Here are the causes, a fix table and a ratio that works.

Close-up of a chilled iced coffee with frothy milk and ice cubes in a glass against a muted background.

Wine & Home Bar

What Is Nugget Ice? The Soft, Chewable Ice Explained

What is nugget ice? Soft, chewable pellets of compacted ice flakes that chill fast and soak up flavor. How it forms, how it differs from cubes, who it suits.