Skip the Reservation—These Cooking Tools Make Valentine’s Day at Home Special
Ditch your reservations and make a romantic V-Day at home.
Expert consulted: Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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I love Valentine's Day. I'm all about giant heart-shaped boxes of bonbons and over-the-top floral displays, but sometimes the holiday feels less about spending time with the people you love and more about spending money and beating the crowds to the hottest restaurant.
This year, skip the reservation jockeying and overpriced tasting menus and spend February 14th at home. It can be just as (if not more) special to enjoy a romantic meal in, plus you can include little ones. As a trained chef and GH product tester, with input from the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, I found the best kitchen gear for a memorable Valentine's Day without leaving the house.
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S'mores in February feels like an occasion on its own, and what's cozier than snuggling up around a flickering miniature fire pit to make sandwiches stuffed with golden marshmallows and melty chocolate? Chef'n makes our favorite indoor s'mores maker—it even has a shelf to pre-warm the chocolate and graham crackers for the perfectly gooey bite.
A retro family fondue night is the perfect antidote to a February chill. Our favorite fondue set from Cuisinart is a sleek stainless steel number that comes with eight forks, so gather a crowd. Go savory with a broth- or cheese-based dip, then finish the night by dipping berries, pretzels, and marshmallows into silky-smooth melted chocolate.
In my opinion, the best way to treat your Valentine (and yourself) to a perfectly-seared steak is with the right cast-iron pan. Lodge makes our favorite; It's preseasoned, easy to maneuver, and produces an even, crisp sear every time. Go ahead, splurge on the filet mignon, it's Valentine's Day!
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Start the 14th off with a heart-shaped breakfast in bed. This miniature waffle maker produces golden, crisp pastries with enough structure to support a mountain of toppings. Go all-out with a spread of fruit, nut butters, maple syrup, and chocolate sauce. Don't forget the whipped cream! And you can use this press for more than waffle batter. Try making hash browns, eggs, or a heart-shaped grilled cheese.
Fondue for two? Yes, please. Crank up the romance by blanketing everything in sight in bubbling hot cheese. This adorable miniature raclette maker offers a taste of the apres-ski Alps without the flight. It's nonstick, so the melty goodness slides right off the pan and into your mouth.
Yes, an ice maker is for Valentine's Day! How else will you chill a platter of fresh oysters for a romantic pre-dinner bite? If oysters aren't plentiful where you live, have them delivered. Fulton Fish Market has an excellent selection from the East and West coasts and a chef-approved oyster knife to try your hand at shucking.
A Valentine's movie night sounds like an ideal date to me, especially if I can still munch on a big bowl of fresh popcorn. After extensive testing, snackers agreed that this machine produced popcorn to rival any concession stand. It doesn't require oil, but you might want to drizzle your serving with melted butter and maybe add a handful (or five) of Valentine's M&Ms.
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If you're investing in a pricey protein like filet or buttery scallops for the holiday, you want to treat them well. This sous vide machine takes the guesswork out of cooking, so every bite is tender, juicy, and tastes as if it came from a restaurant kitchen. The best part? No bill at the end of the night.
Whether your special meal falls in the morning, evening, or at noon, crepes are always a good idea. This easy-to-use electric crepe maker doesn't require a skilled wrist to produce lace-thin pancakes ready for your favorite fillings. Start savory with a classic jambon et fromage and end with sweet, citrusy crepes Suzette (bonus points for a flambé). Or, just pile on the fresh berries, Nutella, and whipped cream at breakfast!
"Sippable bonbons" sounds like the perfect Valentine's Day indulgence, and that's exactly what this cocktail kit delivers. The fully-loaded gift includes three bottles of Mozart chocolate liqueur (dark, milk, and white), vodka, and the syrups and garnishes you need to make decadent cocktails that taste like dessert. Cheers!
This high-speed, high-heat electric pizza oven will bring out your inner pizzaiolo. And what says "I love you" better than topping a personal pie with your partner's favorite accoutrements? The disagreements over pineapple stop here. If you don't feel like cooking, this oven makes a mean frozen 'za, too.
This box delivers 12 miniature bottles of rosé. Each bottle contains about a glass and a half, so you can share a couple on a cozy night in. Pair the box with a nice set of white wine glasses for a romantic gift that keeps on giving.
Your KitchenAid stand mixer can do much more than beat cake batter. This set of attachments rolls and cuts fresh pasta dough into quick-cooking noodles. Make delicate spaghetti or hearty fettuccine, then toss it with your famous red sauce or a creamy alfredo. To really lean into the theme, make a pretty pink pasta colored with beet juice.
Cozy up with your love and a steaming mug of cocoa. Or, if you prefer cold, this clever drinking chocolate maker also produces a rich, creamy, chilled chocolate drink. After a winter that demanded plenty of hot beverages, Sarah Gregory, deputy editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute, reports that cocoa lovers will not be disappointed by the velvety hot chocolate this gadget produces. It also doubles as a milk frother for lattes.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser
Use these adorable fluted cookie cutters to make edible valentines for your friends and family. Grab some heart-shaped sprinkles and easy-draw frosting tubes, and let your creativity run wild. This recipe makes buttery, nutty dough that's easy to shape with cutters.
Nicole (she/her) is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She oversees all content and testing related to kitchen products, food, and recipes. She has worked at GH since 2019, and is a trained cook, published recipe developer, and seasoned product tester with nearly 15 years of experience. She has worked in test kitchens for national magazines and kitchen appliances brands, where she also helped develop products for the home cook. She earned a degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz, graduated with a Grand Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and studied culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute (both now part of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.)
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