The Kitchenware Book

The third book in Steve Ettlinger's series of illustrated consumer guides which includes "Garden Centers and Hardware Stores", "The Kitchenware Book" explains more than 700 items, almost all of which are illustrated, with descriptions, tips on what to buy and how to use them and whether an item is really useful or just for the pros. Ettlinger breaks the subject into four categories: preparation items like knives, mixers, measuring and grating tools; cooking items such as pots, pans and ovenware; beverage and serving items for everything from coffee and tea to mixed drinks; and, finally, kitchen accessories including cleaning tools, storage bins and kitchen kitsch. For the the most popular items like knives and pots and pans, there are detailed introductions discussing their construction, advice on what to look for when buying them and explanations of all the high-tech materials they're made from, like forged high carbon steel or Teflon.
Whether Ettlinger is explaining the difference between a spatula and a turner, describing the different types of whisks, or explaining why an egg lifter and a spaghetti fork are basically the same, "The Kitchenware Book" aims to be everything any cook would need to know to make sense of the dizzying array of kitchenware available.