Few ingredients are as loved (and villainized) as butter. We discuss how to pick a great butter, and the best ones for eating, cooking, and baking.

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Lesley Stockton

Additional Reading:

• The 7 Best Butters of 2024
• The Best Vegan Butter

Products We Recommend:

• Kerrygold Salted Butter
• Isigny Ste Mère Salted Butter
• Finlandia Imported Salted Butter Bar
• Kirkland Signature Grass-Fed Butter Salted
• Kirkland Signature Butter Unsalted

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

NYT’s Sam Sifton and Wirecutter's Lesley Stockton reveal their pro tips for Thanksgiving success—from menu planning and hosting to the essential kitchen gear.

Guests: Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton and assistant managing editor of The New York Times Sam Sifton

Additional Reading:

• Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well by Sam Sifton
• The Best Roasting Pan
• The Best Instant Read Thermometer
• The Best Chef’s Knife
• The Best Gas Grills
• The Best Gas Grill Tools

Products We Recommend:

• The best chef’s knife: Mac MTH-80
• The best instant-read thermometer: ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Making dinner every night can be a challenge. This week, we talk with Emily Weinstein, of New York Times Cooking, about how to overcome the monotony.

Additional Reading:

• Easy Weeknight Dinners 100 Fast, Flavor-Packed Meals for Busy People Who Still Want Something Good to Eat by Emily Weinstein and New York Times Cooking
• When You Love To Cook But Also Have a Kid, Embrace the Microwave
• The Best Sheet Pans
• The Best Air Fryer
• Best Electric Pressure Cooker
• Best Slow Cooker

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Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Many people unknowingly put their pet in danger while driving or flying. This week, we talk about how to keep your furry friends safe and calm when traveling.

Guest: Wirecutter staff writer Mel Plaut

Additional Reading:

• The 6 Best Travel Carriers for Cats and Small Dogs of 2024
• Flying With Your Cat or (Small) Dog
• The 7 Best Multi-Tools of 2024

Products We Recommend:

• SturdiBag Pro 2.0
• Feliway Travel Spray
• Peepeego Non-Slip Dog Pad
• Mel loves: Leatherman Skeletool CX and Leatherman Signal

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

Quality kitchen gear can last a lifetime–but not every pot, pan, or knife is made to last. This week, we discuss how to invest in durable cookware and tools.

Guest: Wirecutter kitchen staff writer, Michael Sullivan

Additional Reading:

• How to Clean and Season Cast-Iron Cookware
• How to Clean and Care for Wood Cutting Boards
• The Best Flatware of 2024
• The 2 Best Toasters of 2024

Products We Recommend:

• Best Cast Iron: Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
• Best Dutch Oven: Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• Dutch Oven upgrade pick:Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven (5.5 quarts)
• Aluminum Cake Pans: USA Pan Rectangle 9x13 Non-Stick Cake Pan
• Tri-Ply Pots & Pans: All-Clad D3 Stainless 12″ Fry Pan with Lid
• Tempered glassware: Duralex Le Picardie Tumbler, Kähler Hammershøi Tumbler and Kinto Hibi Tumbler
• Wood Cutting Board: Teakhaus Medium Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal 109
• Toasters We Like: Cuisinart CPT-122 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toasterand Breville BTA720XL Bit More Toaster

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

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Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

In the fall, rodents move indoors, seeking warmth and food. We discuss how to keep these critters out of your home and how to vanquish an infestation.

Guest: Wirecutter senior staff writer, Doug Mahoney

Additional Reading:

• The 4 Best Mousetraps of 2024
• How a Bag of Dead Rats Proved the Terro Garbage Guard Really Works

Products We Recommend:

• Best Mousetrap: Tomcat Press ’N Set Mouse Trap
• Runner Up: Victor M393 Power-Kill Mouse Traps
• For when you need a LOT of mousetraps: Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap
• Doug recommends: Pleasant Hill MacIntosh Fruit Press 4 Gallon + Wood Basket [please note, this product is often out of stock]

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›

Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

The Wirecutter Show is planning a special episode for the holidays and we need your help!

Send a voice memo to us at thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com about your hardest-to-shop-for gift recipients! Let us know:

• your name and where you're calling in from
• who your hard-to-please gift recipient is
• what makes them hard to shop for
• what they like & don't like

We'll play your stories on the show for an expert from Wirecutter's gifting team and see if we can stump them! No matter what, you'll walk away with some great gifting advice.

Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us at thewirecuttershow@wirecutter.com.

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Follow us on instagram @wirecutter

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast