Father’s Day is almost here, and finding the perfect gift can be a challenge. If you’re shopping for a dad who loves to cook, we’ve got great kitchen gift ideas for every budget.
We asked the ATK staff—including several test cooks (some of whom are dads)—to find Father’s Day gifts dads actually want. Every pick has been rigorously tested and is used daily in our kitchens.
Some of the gifts on our list are splurge-worthy, but we also included plenty of small-but-practical tools that make a big difference.
Aarke Carbonator III
In just a few simple pumps, this beautifully designed, sleek soda maker makes crisp, fizzy seltzer. We liked that we could easily customize the carbonation level by adjusting the number of times we brought down the lever of the machine. We also loved that it takes up very little space on the counter. Read our review.
Chef’sChoice Trizor 15XV Knife Sharpener
Sharp knives make cooking easier and safer. If you’re shopping for someone who has already amassed an assortment of knives, an easy-to-operate sharpener will keep those edges honed. Or, pair the sharpener with one of our favorite chef’s knives to make a gift that anyone who likes to cook would be delighted to receive. Read our review.
Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet
We can’t say enough about how much we adore our cast-iron skillets. They’re great for all sorts of cooking tasks, from searing and frying on the stovetop to baking and braising in the oven. Outdoorsy dads can even take it on their next camping trip—though they probably won’t want to hike far with this sturdy, heavy pan. We liked this Lodge model, which gained seasoning quickly and retained heat well. Read our review.
Sign up for the Well-Equipped Cook newsletter
Shop smarter with our ATK Reviews team's expert guides and recommendations.
OXO Good Grips Triple Timer
For the multitasking dad, this triple-event timer is easy to use and counts time accurately. You can track three projects at once on the same screen. It’s straightforward to set because each project has its own button and a pair of horizontal bars on the screen brackets the projects being adjusted. We also like that the volume of the timer’s alerts is adjustable. Read our review.
ATK Reviews: Who We Are and What We Do
Our reviews are the most thorough, rigorous, and objective you'll find. Here's why.
Learn MoreOoni Koda 2
An outdoor pizza oven makes a fabulous gift. Our favorite model consistently turned out gorgeous pizzas with just the right spotting and char on their crusts and undersides. It’s spacious too; it can handle pizzas up to 13 inches in diameter. Its legs fold to make it slightly more compact when it’s being stored between uses. But if you’re looking for a slightly more compact pizza oven, we also liked the Ooni Koda 12 Gas-Powered Pizza Oven. Read our review.
Beast Mega 1200
A personal blender is not only great for smoothies but also perfect for dressings. Our favorite (now also with a stainless-steel blending jar) is beautiful to look at, but it also blends everything exceptionally well, from fibrous green drinks to thick milkshakes. Read our review.
Breville Citrus Press
From making freshly squeezed orange juice for brunch to a pitcher of margaritas for an afternoon party, a good electric citrus juicer can get plenty of use. Our favorite is easy to operate, juices efficiently and quickly, and is a breeze to clean and maintain. Read our review.
bella 1.5qt Slow Cooker
A mini slow cooker might not seem like an obvious gift, but we think it will be a hit with just about any dad. Our favorite model is ideal for dips. It works well at several different temperature settings and keeps food warm for extended periods of time; cheese stayed perfectly liquid without breaking for 2 hours. It has easy-to-hold handles and a bright indicator light that lets you know when it’s on. It’s small but mighty—and it’ll surely make delicious memories on game nights. Read our review.
Stanley Classic Stay Hot French Press, 48 oz
If the dad in your life is a dark roast fiend, then this well-designed, sturdy French press can make a great gift. It’s well insulated and retains heat for at least an hour; the plunger was nice and smooth to press. We brewed pot after pot of coffee, and our colleagues loved the smooth, delicate flavor of each batch. Read our review.
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch
If Dad is looking to upgrade his grilling game this summer, this is the one you can count on. It’s a reliable charcoal grill that is more affordable—and usually imparts more flavor—than a gas model. Our winner is simple to assemble, move, and operate, and it shone in our tests by making delicious salmon, ribs, burgers, and more. Read our review.
Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe 8 x 3" Cake Turner
You may have seen this heavy-duty tool at your local diner, but it can transform the way people cook at home—and it’s not just for cakes. With a head that was thin and flexible in the front and thick and sturdy at the back, this long, relatively broad turner was good at scooping up lots of food, smashing two burgers at a time, and securely transferring large tarts. A medium-size handle made of textured plastic ensured a secure grip and allowed it to be dishwasher-safe. Read our review.
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
If the dad you’re shopping for aspires to be a great cook, then he’ll benefit from an instant-read thermometer, such as our all-time favorite, the Thermapen ONE. It’s superfast, accurate, and easy to use. But if his project involves gauging the surface temperatures of pizza ovens, griddles, or baking stones that are tricky to measure, then our favorite infrared thermometer is the best bet. Read our review.
Ninja Sizzle Pro XL Indoor Griddle and Grill
Breakfast lovers can upgrade their brunch-hosting game with an electric griddle large enough for cooking seven pancakes at once (with enough room for flipping and maneuvering). It also has a user-friendly interface that indicates when the model is preheating and then when it’s ready to use. Read our review.
Joyce Chen Classic Series 14-Inch Carbon Steel Wok with Birch Handles
We talked about gifting mothers a wok, so why not dads too? It’s such a versatile piece of cookware for stir-frying, steaming, deep frying, and more—a gift that keeps giving. Our favorite budget pick is easy to maneuver and has a broad surface to cook food evenly and quickly. Read our review.
Le Creuset Signature Oval Bread Oven
For the bread enthusiasts, this lightweight bread oven will make the perfect gift. It comes in an assortment of beautiful colors and makes crusty, well-blistered loaves without the heavy lifting required by other bread ovens. It comes in round and oval shapes for various sizes of round and oval loaves. Both models perform equally well, so choose according to the type of bread your loved one makes most frequently. Read our review.
Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro Boning Knife
A boning knife comes in handy when breaking down a whole bird or deboning chicken breasts. This model, one of our Best Buy picks, can make a great addition to any dad’s toolbox. It offers great flexibility and its textured handle is comfortable to grip. Read our review.
When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission.
