Food52 Is Slashing Prices on Genius Kitchen Tools Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend

What is genius, really? Some might say that it's simply a remarkable skill or talent for excelling at something; others may know it as unbounded intellect or vision (think: Beethoven, Oppenheimer, and Guy Fieri). We’d argue that yet another form of genius is finding (or making) the perfect tool for accomplishing a specific goal, whether it be grilling hot dogs, draining pasta, or preventing olive oil from spilling on your table. 

We picked through some of Food52’s best markdowns in advance of Memorial Day weekend in order to locate some of the coolest, savviest, and, indeed, most genius cooking and dining items available, from top brands including Le Creuset, Staub, and Zwilling. Keep reading to shop the eight best deals, up to 38% off. 

The Best Kitchen Deals at Food52

• Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill, $159 (originally $200)
• Five Two Ultimate Apron With Built-In Pot Holders, $35 (originally $45)
• Lotus Cruet, $18 (originally $22)
• Zwilling 5-Piece Knife Block Set, $400 (originally $620)
• Staub Cast Iron Square 12-Inch Grill Pan, $150 (originally $240)
• Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Cassadou, $220 (originally $350)
• Mepal Microwavable Nested Storage Bowls, $72 (originally $90)
• Five Two by GreenPan Essential Saucepan, $64 (originally $89)

Everdure Cube Charcoal Grill

Grilling outside is one of the greatest pleasures in life. That said, it’s not always easy to fit your trusty Weber in the car when you go to the beach, or find a camp site with a ready-to-use grill. Luckily, the solution to grilling anywhere is actually pretty affordable. Enter: the Everdure Cube, a lightweight, steel charcoal grill that was designed to be not only portable, but incredibly convenient. This bad boy has cool-to-the-touch handles and a heat protection shield, so it can actually remain mobile, even when you’ve got some burgers cooking. Plus,the storage tray and bamboo cutting board double as the grill’s lid, so it’s easy to finish any last-minute prep right before you cook. Best of all, it’s nearly half off right now, meaning you have no reason not to char up some grub on your next hike, beach trip, or backyard hang.

Five Two Ultimate Apron With Built-In Pot Holders

If you’ve ever cooked in a restaurant (or just used an apron at home), you’re probably aware that all aprons share the same fate, which is to say that at one point or another in its lifespan, it’ll inevitably become an oven mitt, a kitchen rag, a tote bag, and/or a napkin. And many, sadly, aren’t up to the task. This classic cotton apron not only has three real pockets for actually storing things, but also comes equipped with literal built-in pot holders as well. Seriously – both of the bottom corners of the apron have insulated material that let you hold items up to 250°F, according to the brand. 

Lotus Cruet

We love to see an olive oil drizzle atop a gorgeous wood-fired pizza or a fresh salad. What we don’t love, however, is wasting some of that sacred oil because it dripped. These oil cruets are handmade in Milan from borosilicate glass, and feature a stunning amber tint. “This is so cute and the quality is great,” wrote one customer. “The spout fits perfectly in the bottle and it doesn't come out when you try to pour the oil. Any oil drips are caught by the lid.” They love theirs so much, they wish they bought the teal colored bottle, too.  

Zwilling 5-Piece Knife Block Set

If you’re going the knife set route, there are a lot of great features to keep an eye out for – and this collection has everything you could want. Here, the German knife behemoth provides the four essential knives every chef needs: an 8-inch chef’s knife, as well as a paring, a bread, and a utility knife. They’re all made from high-carbon stainless steel, and live in an incredibly snazzy magnetic wood block (which has room for even more knives, in case you want to expand the team). At over $200 off, this is a fabulous deal.

Staub Cast Iron Square 12-Inch Grill Pan

Cast iron? Check. Grilling hot dogs, chicken, burgers, and veggies inside your house? Done. Nearly 40% off right now? Yup. Whether you’re using it on the stovetop, with a broiler, or just in the oven – it excels at all of them, as well as with induction burners – this heavy duty grill will leave powerful sear marks that’ll make you question why you ever spent hours hunched over a smoky grill. In short, this Staub grill pan is the real deal, and now’s the time to snag it.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Cassadou

This Cassadou from Le Creuset really contains the best of all worlds. For one, it’s got the build of a small Dutch oven, with solid heat retention as well as a heavy lid and an enameled interior for maximum searing/braising/frying goodness. But unlike most Dutch ovens, it’s also got a durable handle, making it a prime choice for sautéeing and serving. This do-it-all champ is $130 off right now — so what are you waiting for?

Mepal Microwavable Nested Storage Bowls

Wondering whether your storage containers can go in the microwave is for amateurs. Transcend the reheating guessing game by just storing your leftovers in bowls that are definitely microwave-safe. Made with BPA-free polypropylene, these very compact, easy-to-store bowls are great for any kind of food, but are especially ideal for things you want to heat up. This set of four comes in shallow and deep versions, meaning you’ll be able to find ones that fit perfectly in your space. Nota bene: Not all colors and sizes are on sale, but the Nordic green varieties of both versions are available and beautiful.

Five Two by GreenPan Essential Saucepan

We’ve all done that saucepan shuffle, where you’re using two potholders to sort-of keep the lid on while draining pasta. There’s also the stressful, last-minute race to find and/or clean a colander before your food overcooks. Listen, buddy, you’re above that kind of behavior. Five Two’s collab with GreenPan has yielded one of the coolest products we’ve seen in a while: a three-ply stainless steel and aluminum pan with a tight-fitting glass lid and a spout (!) so you can pour liquid without spilling or losing a single precious noodle, vegetable, or bean. Right now, this 2.7-quart wonder is 28% off, and we couldn’t recommend grabbing it more.