Editor-in-Chief & Lead Product Tester
Marcus Hale
- Cookware
- Cast iron
- Dutch ovens
- Nonstick pans
- Cooking technique
About Marcus
Marcus spent a decade and a half on the hot side of restaurant kitchens, from a first job scrubbing sheet pans to running the line as chef de cuisine. Along the way he learned the difference between gear that survives a Saturday rush and gear that only looks good in a catalog, usually by breaking the latter.
He founded Mr. Kitchen Adviser in 2024 after one too many highly rated pans warped on his home stove. His rule for the site is the same one he had for his kitchens: if you would not buy it twice, you cannot recommend it once.
Marcus writes our cookware guides, leads every group test, and edits each review for honesty before it ships. When he is off the clock, he is perfecting a weeknight cast-iron roast chicken and teaching his kids proper knife grip.
How I test. Every pan goes through the gauntlet I ran in restaurant kitchens: high-heat sears, acidic sauces, oven transfers, and weeks of daily washing. If it warps, sticks, or loses its finish, you will read about it. Read more about our testing process.
Articles by Marcus
41 articles from Marcus, newest first.
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Appliances
Best Rock Salt for Ice Cream Makers
Rock salt makes or breaks a homemade churn. We tested top picks for 2026 on purity, texture, and freeze speed so your ice cream turns out creamy, never salty.
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Cookware
All-Clad D3 vs D5: Which Is the Better Pick?
Comparing All-Clad's D3 and D5 stainless steel: 3-ply vs 5-ply heat response, weight, and price. See which set fits your kitchen and budget.
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Appliances
10 Best Compressor Ice Cream Makers of 2026 (Tested & Reviewed)
We tested 10 compressor ice cream makers on churn time, capacity, noise, and texture. Get the honest winner and the models to skip, no pre-freezing required.
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Appliances
The 8 Best Electric Griddles for Easy, Even Cooking
We tested 8 electric griddles for even heating and easy cleanup, cooking pancakes, eggs and bacon in every model. Find the best pick for your kitchen.
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Appliances
The 7 Best Flat Top Grills for Outdoor Cooking in 2026
We tested 7 flat top grills in 2026 on smashed burgers, pancakes, and seared steaks to find the best for your backyard. See which pick won and why.
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Appliances
The 9 Best Outdoor Griddles of 2026
We cooked burgers, pancakes, and smash tacos on the 9 outdoor griddles of 2026 to find the models worth buying. See our picks, prices, and a full buying guide.
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Appliances
7 Best Ice Cream Churners of 2026 | Creamy Pints in Under 30 Minutes
We churned 40 batches through 7 ice cream churners to find the creamiest pints in under 30 minutes. See freezer-bowl and compressor picks for any kitchen.
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Appliances
10 Best Ice Cream Makers of 2026 for Every Budget
We tested 10 top ice cream makers from Cuisinart, Ninja, Breville, and Whynter for texture, speed, and ease of use. Find the best machine for every budget.
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Cookware
The Best Nonstick Pans of 2026, Tested & Reviewed
Most nonstick pans lose their grip within a year. Our 2026 tests used eggs, high heat, and daily cleaning to find the durable few worth your money.
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Appliances
10 Best Soft Serve Ice Cream Machines (August 2026)
We tested 10 top soft serve machines at home, from budget pre-freeze bowls to compressor models that skip the freezer. See which makes shop-quality cones.
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Cookware
The Best Stainless Steel Cookware of 2026, Tested & Reviewed
We tested the best stainless steel cookware sets of 2026 side by side. These 5 won on even heating, durability and everyday value, and one is a budget steal.
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Appliances
Cuisinart FastFreeze vs Ninja Creami: We Tested Both, Here's the Verdict
The Ninja Creami ($179.99) and Cuisinart FastFreeze ($119.95) make creamy desserts, but for different kitchens. We tested both: here's which to buy.
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Cookware
Henckels vs HexClad: A Real-Kitchen Comparison of Two Favorites
Can't decide between Henckels and HexClad? We tested searing, food release, and durability side by side to show which brand earns a place in your kitchen.
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Appliances
How to Clean Your Ninja Creami: 5 Steps for a Spotless Spindle, Paddle, and Lid
Clean your Ninja Creami in 5 simple steps: spindle, paddle, bowl, and lid are dishwasher-safe. Banish residue and odors so every batch tastes fresh.
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Appliances
How to Use Ninja Creami Swirl
Learn how to use the Ninja Creami Swirl: which program to pick, how long to freeze, and the mistakes that ruin soft serve. Perfect results, first try.
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Appliances
Ninja Creami 7-in-1 Review: We Tested It and Here's the Verdict
We tested the Ninja Creami 7-in-1, spinning pints of ice cream, sorbet, gelato and milkshakes. Here's our honest verdict on whether it's worth it.
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Appliances
Ninja Creami Deluxe Review: Our Verdict After Real-World Testing
We tested the Ninja Creami Deluxe for weeks: every program, every base, and every pint size. Get the honest verdict on whether it earns its price.
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Appliances
Why Is My Ninja Creami Ice Cream Crumbly or Powdery?
Creamy again in minutes: add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and hit Re-Spin. See the causes behind crumbly Ninja Creami ice cream, plus freezer and fat fixes.
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Appliances
Ninja Creami NC300 vs NC301: Which Model Fits Your Kitchen?
Weigh the Ninja Creami NC300 against the NC301: programs, weight, and customer ratings compared side by side. Find out which model fits your frozen treats best.
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Appliances
We Tested the Viral Ninja CREAMi Swirl: Here's Our Honest Verdict
Our test of the viral Ninja CREAMi Swirl covered soft serve, frozen yogurt and protein treats. The honest verdict: is it worth the money?
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Appliances
Ninja Creami XL Review: We Put the Bigger Machine to the Test
The bigger Ninja Creami promises bigger pints. We put that to the test: capacity, noise, cleanup, and whether the price is justified. Full verdict inside.
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Appliances
Ninja Creami vs Ninja Swirl: Soft Serve vs Scoops, Which Is Right for You?
Creami or Swirl? Compare soft serve vs scoopable pints, capacity, and price of both Ninja machines. See the key differences and pick the right machine.
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Appliances
5 Best Air Popper Popcorn Makers, Tested & Compared
From movie night to snack time: we tested 5 top air poppers for pop rate, unpopped kernels, and cleanup. Find your healthiest oil-free popcorn maker.
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Appliances
The 7 Best At-Home Popcorn Makers of 2026
Find the 7 best at-home popcorn makers of 2026, tested from air poppers to stovetop models. See which popped the fewest unpopped kernels in our tests.
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Appliances
10 Best Commercial Popcorn Makers (2026) for Theaters & Events
We tested 10 top commercial popcorn makers for output, durability, and value. Find the right machine for your theater, concession stand, or event.
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Appliances
7 Best Electric Popcorn Makers: No More Soggy Kernels
We tested the top electric popcorn makers of 2026 to find which pops fastest with the fewest unpopped kernels. Our 7 picks suit every kitchen and snack style.
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Appliances
The 8 Best Microwave Popcorn Makers of 2026, Tested
No more messy bags or burnt kernels: these 8 microwave popcorn makers of 2026 popped perfectly in our tests. See results and find your perfect popper.
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Appliances
6 Best Movie Theater Popcorn Makers for Home Theaters
We tested 6 movie theater popcorn makers side by side for crunch, batch size, and cleanup. See our top picks and kettle guide for your home theater.
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Appliances
7 Best Non-Toxic Popcorn Makers, Tested for Safety
Ditch BPA-lined bags. These 7 safe popcorn makers use stainless steel, glass, or silicone, so every snack comes out clean. See which air popper tops our list.
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Appliances
5 Best Oil Popcorn Makers in 2026: Fewer Unpopped Kernels
We tested 5 oil popcorn makers for popping speed, unpopped kernels, and cleanup. Find the best machine for buttery, theater-style popcorn at home.
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Appliances
Best Popcorn for Popcorn Makers: Top Kernels and Kits for Movie Night
The best popcorn kernels and all-in-one kits for popcorn makers, from classic yellow kernels to pre-measured packs that pop like a movie theater.
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Appliances
6 Best Popcorn Makers of 2026: Air Poppers to Stovetop
We tested 2026's most popular popcorn makers to find the 6 with the fewest unpopped kernels. From air poppers to stovetop, see our picks for every budget.
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Appliances
7 Best Popcorn Makers for Home Theater: Tested & Ranked
Movie night deserves better than stale popcorn. We tested 7 home theater popcorn makers on flavor, crispness, and cleanup. Pick with confidence.
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Appliances
9 Best Stovetop Popcorn Makers of 2026, Tested & Reviewed
We popped 9 stove top popcorn makers on gas and induction cooktops to find the fluffiest, crunchiest results. See the winners, duds, and what to look for.
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Appliances
How to Clean a Popcorn Maker
Follow our simple method to remove oil, burnt kernels, and sticky residue from any popcorn maker, so every batch tastes fresh and your machine lasts longer.
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Appliances
Dash Hot Air Popcorn Popper Review: Pros, Cons, and Verdict
Up to 10 cups of fresh, oil-free popcorn in minutes. Our hands-on Dash Hot Air Popcorn Popper review covers setup, butter melting, noise, and cleanup.
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Appliances
How to Make Popcorn in a Whirley Pop
Master the Whirley Pop with our step-by-step guide to stovetop popcorn. Exact oil ratios, heat settings, and timing for fluffy, crisp kernels every batch.
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Appliances
Popsmith Popcorn Popper Review: Is It Worth the Price?
We tested the Popsmith stovetop popper on gas and induction for months. Does it beat the cheaper Whirley Pop? Read our honest verdict before you buy.
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Appliances
Presto PopLite Hot Air Popper Review: Oil-Free, Movie-Night Ready
Pops with hot air, not oil, for healthy low-fat snacks in minutes. Our review tests popping speed, unpopped kernels, and whether it's worth the money.
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Appliances
Whirley Pop Review: Is This Classic Stovetop Popcorn Maker Still Worth It in 2026?
For under $50, the Whirley Pop makes the best stovetop popcorn we've tried in years. Flavor, texture, and cleanup scored in our 2026 tests. Read the verdict.
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Recipes
Authentic Dutch Pancake (Pannenkoeken): Easy Traditional Recipe
This authentic Dutch pancake recipe makes thin, golden pannenkoeken in 25 minutes, perfect for sweet or savory toppings.
Meet the rest of the team
Every reviewer brings a different specialty to the test kitchen.