The Wirecutter Show

• Secrets to Better Pie Making

  Baking a show-stopping pie for Thanksgiving can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton, who has baked hundreds of pies and spent years testing kitchen gear, joins us to share her hard-won wisdom—from the best pie plates and rolling pins to foolproof tips for flaky crusts. Lesley explains how to overcome baking anxiety, what tools are worth investing in, and her favorite nontraditional pies to bring to Thanksgiving. She also troubleshoots common baking issues (like burnt edges and tough dough), and reveals her go-to pate pâte brisée crust recipe that never fails. This episode covers: How to become a more confident pie baker: Lesley breaks down the basics into manageable steps—practice a few test doughs, learn one reliable crust method, and accept that small imperfections (a cracked edge or a slightly uneven flute) won’t ruin the flavor.Why a tapered rolling pin naturally rolls the dough into a circle:  A tapered pin helps roll a perfect round of dough better than a traditional rolling in with handles. Lesley says it’s easier to start in the center and roll outward, which gives you a uniform thickness and a near-perfect circle with far less fuss.Always bake pies on a baking sheet: Put your pie plate on a rimmed sheet before it goes in the oven. That catches spills, makes handling safer, and prevents thermal shock for glass dishes. If you can, use a preheated baking stone under the sheet—the stone stores and radiates heat for a browner, crisper bottom crust.Which pie plates to choose for each job: Glass (like Pyrex) is ideal for custards because it’s shallow; a deeper glass  or stoneware dish works for deep-dish fruit pies; vintage metal tins conduct heat best, better crisping the crust, and reducing the chance of a soggy bottom (an undercooked crust). Lesley explains trade-offs—durability vs. browning vs. convenience—so you can pick the right plate for the pie you want.Essential tools for mixing the dough: Most bakers will appreciate using a Cuisinart to easily mix dough. However, Lesley prefers “analog” tools, including an old-fashioned pastry blender and dough whisk, because they’re easier to clean and give her more control over the texture of the dough.How to avoid (and fix) a soggy bottom: Options include par-baking when the filling bakes faster than the crust, dusting the shell with a mix of flour and sugar to absorb moisture, or brushing egg white on the shell to create a moisture barrier. She also stresses correct bake time—underbaking is often the real culprit. Products we recommend:Our favorite rolling pin: Whetstone Woodenware French Rolling PinOur favorite pie plate: OXO Good Grips Glass 9″ Pie Plate With LidOur favorite shallow pie plate: Pyrex 9-Inch Pie PlateOur favorite pretty deep-dish pie plate: Emile Henry 9-Inch Pie DishOur favorite baking stone: FibraMent Home Oven Baking StoneOur favorite food processor: Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food ProcessorOur favorite pastry blender: Crate and Barrel Pastry Blender with Beechwood HandleOur favorite dough mixer: King Arthur Baking Company Dough WhiskOur favorite butter: Kerrygold Salted ButterThe best gluten-free substitute for all-purpose flour: Cup4Cup Lesley’s favorite pie-baking book: The Pie and Pastry Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum Additional reading:Our Favorite Pie Baking ToolsThe Best Rolling PinThe Best Pie Plate of 2025For 4 Best Food Processors of 2025The 7 Best Butters of 2025 Additional Listening:How to Ace ThanksgivingLet's Go to Butter School  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• Shop Secondhand Like a Pro

  Buying used can be a great way to save money and find  unique items—but it takes a sharp eye to find the real gems. And you need to be savvy to get a good price, as some vintage furniture and clothing can cost more than new items (and you can’t return them!). In this episode, we talk with Wirecutter senior staff writer Ivy Elrod, who has spent years navigating secondhand marketplaces. Ivy walks us through her best strategies for finding high-quality used furniture, clothing, and other items–from scouring Facebook Marketplace to mastering the art of negotiation.  Plus, she gives us her best tips for envisioning your space before you start buying, and what to look for in photos to give you clues as to the quality of the items you’re looking for.  This episode covers: Use visual tools to plan your space: Ivy recommends creating mood boards by creating a collage in Canva or Keynote, or even using the photo cut-out feature on your iPhone, to clip images of furniture you’re interested in and pasting them in pictures of your space to get a sense of how the pieces will look together. Where to shop for the best deals (and how to stay safe): For in-person finds, Ivy recommends local options like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and estate sales. She also recommends always bringing a buddy to come with you.How to evaluate quality before you buy: Ivy says that simple photos showing wear and tear are a sign the seller is being honest. Buyers who are upfront about any damage, and who include reference photos to show the extent, are probably more trustworthy to engage with. Negotiate politely on price: “Haggling” is out, “negotiating” is in. Keep your ideal price in mind, be kind and ask for what you want, and be willing to walk away.  Try language like “Would you consider X?” or “My budget is X, can we make that work?”Don’t be shy in inspecting the items in person: Ivy recommends asking questions and engaging with the item when you see it IRL. Flip up cushions, view it from every angle, check for signs of bedbugs and critters—make sure you’ve seen everything you need to see before you bring it home.Being late can actually get you a deal: At the end of estate sales, Ivy has found that sometimes sellers are more eager to give you a discount to avoid having to transport things back and forth.Be ready to act fast: When buying used, timing is arguably the most important factor. People more often than not just want things out of their space. If you’re able to be there immediately, chances are that they’ll want to sell to you.  Additional Reading: How Our Decor Experts Find Worth-It Furniture on a Budget9 Things You Probably Shouldn’t Buy SecondhandHow Our Entertaining Experts Set a Full Table for $250I Vowed to Buy (Almost) Nothing New for My Baby. Here’s How I Did It.The Perks and Perils of Buying Vintage Audio Gear  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• Will Tariffs Affect Holiday Shopping?

  Holiday shopping this season may look different than years past, as tariffs gradually increase prices on everything from electronics to kids’ toys. If you usually wait until Black Friday to find deep discounts, you may want to update your strategy this year.  Wirecutter’s deputy editor Annemarie Conte joins us to discuss how tariffs are impacting the prices on a range of goods, and how to plan for your holiday shopping accordingly. You can find more of her reporting in Wirecutter’s Guide to Navigating Tariffs This Holiday Season.This episode covers:Price increases may sneak up on you this year: Wirecutter’s deals team has seen incremental price increases across many categories. “This is death by a thousand cuts,” Annemarie told us. “It may be a couple dollars here, a couple dollars there. As you're shopping, you may actually not notice, and then when you think about how much you've spent in the cumulative, you're like, ‘Where did all that go?’"Retailers are running out of existing inventory: Before the tariffs hit, many manufacturers and brands imported as much as possible to preempt extra costs. However, as they sell down this stock and need to import more, they will likely pass the increased costs on to customers. Why you probably shouldn’t wait for Black Friday: Wirecutter’s deals team doesn’t anticipate seeing as many deep discounts as in years past. If you find a good deal now, Annemarie advises against waiting.Beware of artificially-inflated prices: Retailers often inflate prices right before a deals event, such as Black Friday, so that they can then drastically cut the price during the event. For Amazon shopping, use tools like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel to track an item’s price history and how the price compares to past deals. For other sites, you can use Google Shopping to track prices. Shipping may be slower this year: There may be shipping delays, especially for international orders. If ordering online, make sure you’re giving yourself at least two weeks for delivery.  Additional Listening:The Wirecutter Show Bonus Episode: Tariff Shopping Confusion  Additional reading:Wirecutter’s Guide to Navigating Tariffs This Holiday SeasonWe Tracked Prices on 40 Wirecutter Picks for 60 Days. Here’s What We Learned.How to Avoid a Huge Customs Bill on a Cheap Online Order  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• How To Be Handier

  If you’ve ever put off a home repair because you didn’t know where to start—or felt overwhelmed by the wall of tools at the hardware store—this episode is for you. In this Wirecutter Show bonus episode, we chat with senior staff writer and tool expert Doug Mahoney, who’s spent years testing everything from screwdrivers to power drills. Doug breaks down exactly which tools you need to build your first toolbox, what’s worth spending extra on, and how to know when you’re ready to move from hand tools to power tools. He also shares his favorite safety tips, the one tool every homeowner should have, and a few of his go-to picks for getting started. This episode covers: Why learning to use tools matters: Becoming handier saves money, gives you more control over your space, and makes your home feel like something you can shape—not just live in.Where to start if you have zero tools: Doug says the “trifecta” for beginners is simple: a screwdriver, a hammer, and a tape measure. Add a utility knife and pliers as you go, and you’ll be able to handle most small jobs in your home.Why pre-made toolkits aren’t worth it: Most ready-made toolsets are overpriced and filled with poor-quality gear. You’re better off buying a few solid, individual tools that last a lifetime.What to look for in quality tools: The cheapest hammer or screwdriver might technically work—but good tools are easier to use, feel better in your hand, and perform better under stress.When to level up to power tools: Once you’re ready to take on real repairs, a cordless drill should be your first power tool. Products we recommend:The best hammer: Estwing E3-16CThe best multi-bit screwdriver: Megapro 13-in-1 Ratcheting Driver 211R2C36RDThe best tape measure: Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure 25-FootThe best adjustable pliers: Irwin Vise-Grip GV10 10-Inch GrooveLock PliersThe best utility knife: Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade StorageThe best cordless drill: DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver KitThe best safety glasses: Radians MR0111ID MirageThe best respirator mask: 3M 8511 N95 Cool Flow Valve Particulate RespiratorThe best multi-tool: Leatherman Skeletool CX Additional listening:Nick Offerman’s Guide to Building Things That Last Additional reading:Nick Offerman Told Me That Swinging a Hammer Might Change My LifeThe 5 Best Hammers of 2025 The Best Multi-Bit Screwdriver The Best Tape MeasureThe 3 Best Adjustable Pliers of 2025The 4 Best Drills of 2025   We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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• Nick Offerman's Guide to Building Things That Last

  Long before Nick Offerman became the mustached, straight-faced Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation, he was a woodworker. Growing up in Minooka, Illinois, he described his childhood home as “Little House on the Prairie”—a place where everyone made their own things, carefully crafting furniture, clothing, and tools by hand. And as a skilled woodworker and general handy person, Nick appreciates good tools. This is fortuitous, because Wirecutter’s staff are similarly obsessed. For this episode, we sat down with Nick to talk about his new book Little Woodchucks, the joy of learning to build things, and the essential things he recommends that anyone should have in their toolbox.  Our colleague Rose Lorre also sat down separately with Nick to discuss the foundational tool in his kit–a claw hammer–and documented her journey following his advice for buying a great hammer and learning to pound nails.  Here are some of the conversation highlights: Hands-on work builds confidence and independence: Doing things with your hands—whether it’s woodworking, sewing, or fixing something around the house—teaches problem-solving and self-reliance.A few quality tools and materials are worth the investment: Cutting corners might save money upfront, but investing in tools or materials that last saves frustration and disappointment in the long run—and often makes the work itself more enjoyable.Keep it simple when building a toolkit: A few versatile, high-quality essentials can get you started and teach you the fundamentals before you invest more.The Estwing claw hammer is still Nick’s favorite tool of all: Nick is a longtime fan of Estwing hammers. Back in 2019, he even tweeted his recommendation for an Estwing, and linked to Wirecutter’s hammer guide.Discipline in one area feeds success in others: Patience, planning, and attention to detail learned in one pursuit—like woodworking—translate to other areas of life. Wirecutter Picks In Nick’s Workshop: The best hammer: Estwing E3-16C Nick says he also keeps a cordless drill, a multi-bit manual screwdriver, a set of wrenches, and a saw. Here are Wirecutter’s picks for these handy staples: The Best Cordless Drill: DeWalt DCD701F2 Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver KitThe Best Multi-Bit Screwdriver: Megapro 13-in-1 Ratcheting Driver 211R2C36RDThe Best Hex Wrenches: Amazon Basics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball EndThe Best Adjustable Wrench: Channellock 8WCB WideAzz 8-Inch Adjustable WrenchThe Best Handsaw: Shark 10-2315 Carpentry Saw 15-Inch Other products Nick loves:The unsung hero in Nick’s workshop: Lie Nielsen Hand Planes Additional ReadingNick Offerman Told Me That Swinging a Hammer Might Change My LifeThe 5 Best Hammers of 2025 The Best Adjustable Wrench of 2025The 4 Best Hex Wrenches of 2025The Best Handsaw The 4 Best Drills of 2025The Best Multi-Bit Screwdriver More Nick Offerman:InstagramFacebookWebsiteNick’s new book: Little Woodchucks  We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› Wirecutter Social and WebsiteInstagram: /wirecutterThreads: /@wirecutterTwitter: /wirecutterFacebook: /thewirecutterTikTok: /wirecutterLinkedIn: /nyt-wirecutterWebsite: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/ The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast

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