Cents and Sensibility in the Kitchen

Chef Mark Kalix
Oct 14
2 min read

Whether it’s a bargain buy or a luxury splurge, the value comes down to how you use it.

If you follow my YouTube channel, then you’ve seen my series of “Cheap Knife Challenges.” In a nutshell: whenever I spot a brand-new knife on super sale, so cheap it feels criminal, I'll bite and shell out the $4, then put it head-to-head against my multi-hundred-dollar super knife. The cheap blade usually holds its own for the first few veggies. But spoiler alert, inevitably, the cutting edge dulls faster than my patience at a mandatory camera-on Zoom meeting.

Here’s the truth: a sharp knife always wins, regardless of price, and it's not worth the investment if you’re the kind of cook who forgets (or refuses) to sharpen your blades regularly.

So, does spending silly money on a luxury appliance actually improve your cooking, or is the standard budget-friendly model just as good at roasting a chicken?

Walking into a Fine Lines Luxury Appliance showroom for the first time? Be prepared, you're going to be dazzled by the lineup of gleaming pro-style ranges with heavy-duty knobs, dual-fuel options and enough BTUs to launch a meatball into orbit.

High-end ranges boast features like induction cooktops for lightning-fast boiled water and precise simmering, steam ovens to lock in moisture, true convection for even baking and power burners that sear like your favorite steakhouse. These functions will elevate your game if you know how to use them. Like keeping one's knife sharp, taking the time to learn how to use the features on new appliances will save time, increase quality and make time spent in the kitchen easier.

Technique still trumps tech. I just bought a new stove for my home and I love it! The door stays closed without a rubber band holding it shut, the glass cooktop isn't cracked, the fan doesn't rattle my fillings loose and the oven heats up in under two hours. Our humble slide-in Samsung range is a placeholder until we remodel the kitchen and I get all the cooking features I crave, but it's a huge improvement over the previous antique, and I love it.

Our new $500 oven won't ruin my roast because I know my way around a meat thermometer and trust my instincts. So, do these features help food come out better? Yes, but only when paired with curiosity and skill. Otherwise, your steam oven becomes an expensive bread box.

That said, premium appliances do have their advantages. They’re built for performance and efficiency, and when used properly, they can save time and make certain techniques easier. A powerful burner or steam oven won’t transform a novice into a chef, but for those who enjoy experimenting, the right features can open up new possibilities in the kitchen.

Whether you're building a dream kitchen or just dreaming of one, ask yourself: Do I want precision tools, or just something dependable? Because good food isn’t always about flashy features, it’s about the cook behind the flame.

Cents and Sensibility