ORLANDO, Fla. — Some kitchen products are fun to try but eventually end up stored in a cabinet. Others solve a real problem and become part of your regular routine.
These two upgrades fall into the second category for me. One makes it easier to prepare large cuts of meat, while the other has changed how I get hot, cold and filtered water at home.
Cutluxe Pro Butcher Set
I like buying whole subprimal cuts from Costco because they can offer better value and give me more control over the size of each steak or roast. The trade-off is that properly trimming and portioning the meat requires the right knives.
The Cutluxe Pro Butcher Set has made that process considerably easier.
The set includes a 6-inch boning knife for trimming fat, removing connective tissue and working around bones. It also includes a 12-inch slicing knife that can make long, cleaner cuts through brisket, turkey, roasts and other larger pieces of meat. My favorite is the breaking knife for those big cuts.
Before having a dedicated set, I was more likely to make one general-purpose kitchen knife handle every part of the job. Using knives designed for the individual tasks gives me more control and makes processing a large Costco cut feel much less cumbersome.
The set is also useful when I am not breaking down an entire subprimal. It works well for barbecue, meal preparation and carving meat when hosting family or friends.
Waterdrop M6CG countertop reverse osmosis system
The Waterdrop M6CG Hot and Cold Mineral RO System has been a major upgrade over my older countertop water mineralizer.
The installation-free system uses reverse osmosis filtration and dispenses both hot and cold water. Its temperature range runs from 59 to 203 degrees, making it useful for cold drinking water, tea, coffee and other hot beverages.
I immediately noticed the difference in the overall experience. The system looks and feels like a more modern appliance, and having filtered hot or cold water available on demand is much more convenient than relying on separate appliances.
It also includes a detachable 40-ounce glass pitcher, adjustable dispensing volumes and a setting that saves a preferred temperature and amount. Because it sits on the counter and does not require plumbing or drilling, it can also work for renters or anyone who does not want to install an under-sink system.
For me, the biggest benefit is that it combines several jobs in one machine. It filters the water, dispenses it at the temperature I want and eliminates some of the extra steps I previously had to take throughout the day.