I’ve been at America’s Test Kitchen for more than 15 years. Lisa, my Reviews teammate and co-star on ATK’s video series Gear Heads, has been here for 20 years. Combined, we have 35 years of kitchen gear–testing experience.

I started learning on the job before I even had it. My test assignment was a review of boxed graham crackers. I had two weeks to research and write the story, as well as host three tastings for ATK cooks and staffers. 

While making the crust for Key Lime Pie (one pie for each brand in the running), a cook named Nick quietly showed me how to use the back of a dry measuring cup to pat a graham cracker crust into the pie plate.

The next day, my pies looked flat. I explained to Lisa that I had held back some of the filling because the pie dishes looked too full prior to baking. She shook her head and said, “Always trust the recipe here.” 

At least I used our longtime winning pie plates. (The test kitchen stocks all of our winning equipment.) And the crusts were perfect! This is one of the most interesting things I’ve learned over the years: Certain products consistently win their testing categories, no matter the rigor we put them through.

We just created a Gear Heads episode dedicated to this group of longtime equipment winners. We call them the Decade Club.

There are sleeper hits, such as our winning colander (12 years and counting) that helps you avoid overcooking delicate pastas like Angel Hair Pasta with Basil, Caper, and Lemon Sauce.

The iconic Le Creuset Dutch Oven has been a winner since 1998. The Reviews team always does a Beef Stew test for this kind of pot and let me tell you, that’s one of the best days for leftovers. The stew is even better the next day and freezes well.

We also use our Easier French Fries recipe in Dutch oven testing. The recipe has you combine the oil and cut potatoes while they’re cold and then bring it all to a boil. It’s so much easier than adding the potatoes while the oil is hot, and it makes frying at home so much easier.

At home, I use my massive 13½-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven to make fries for a crowd. (My husband’s aunt found it at a yard sale in Florida 20 years ago for $20. Best find ever?) I usually make a quick sauce to go with, like a mix of mayo (using our longtime winner, Hellmann’s) and a store-bought sweet chili sauce. So simple, so good.

Check out the whole video to see more of Gear Heads’ Decade Club picks. After seven years on YouTube, you can now stream Gear Heads on Netflix as well. We’re so excited. We can’t wait to continue learning and having fun with you all—cheers to decades more!