5 Habits Chefs Want You to Leave Behind in 2026

Anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen has a pet peeve that instantly makes them cringe. For some chefs, it’s watching you waste food. Others can’t stand seeing you hack away at proteins with a dull knife. I asked industry pros to share the kitchen habits they wish home cooks would finally leave behind in 2026 — and chances are, you’re guilty of one or two of these culinary crimes. Read on to learn the five habits chefs want you to leave behind this year, plus 27 products that can help you avoid them.

Leave Behind: Overcrowding Pans

Do Instead: Use a Larger Pan

“One kitchen habit that should be left behind in 2026 is overcrowding pans. Whether roasting vegetables or searing proteins, stuffing too much into a single pan prevents proper browning and causes ingredients to steam rather than caramelize. The fix is simple: Give ingredients space, fully preheat your pan, and choose cookware that retains heat well. You’ll get better texture, deeper flavor, and more consistent results. Another habit worth dropping is defaulting to high heat for every task. Learning when to dial the heat down — especially for eggs, fish, and delicate sauces — allows for more control and produces cleaner, more confident cooking.” — Justin Ferrera, executive sous chef, Thompson Savannah

• Lodge 17-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, $60, originally $79 at amazon.com
• HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Quart Sauté Pan, $199, originally $229 at amazon.com
• Koch Systeme CS 14-Inch Frying Pan with Lid, $50, originally $80 at amazon.com 
• Rachael Ray T Cucina Hard-Anodized Nonstick Skillet, $55, originally $60 at amazon.com 
• Granitestone 14-Inch Frying Pan with Lid, $40, originally $50 at amazon.com 

Leave Behind: Choosing the Wrong Olive Oil

Do Instead: Focus on Quality

“Often, people choose to buy olive oil with a cool bottle or a cool design or with a squeeze method instead of buying a good-quality extra virgin olive oil that isn’t rancid. Instead, I focus on the quality of what's inside — my favorite is Corto Truly.” — Silvia Barban, chef, LaRina Pastificio & Vino

• Tulivya Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oill, 17-Ounce, $36, originally $40 at amazon.com
• Ina Garten-Loved: Olio Santo Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $25 at amazon.com
• Graza Drizzle, $15, originally $19 at target.com 
• Martha Stewart’s FavoriteFlamingo Estate Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $43 at flamingoestate.com
• Cobram Estate Robust 100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $17, originally $21 at amazon.com
• La Tourangelle Organic Smooth & Fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $16, originally $30 at amazon.com
• Estoublon Picholine Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $65 at williams-sonoma.com 

Leave Behind: Using Dull Knives

Do Instead: Get a Good Sharpener

“The biggest one for me is putting sharp knives in the dishwasher. Not only is it unsafe, but more importantly, the dishwasher dulls knives more quickly — and there is nothing worse than a dull knife. Not to mention the fact that dull knives are actually easier to cut yourself with because you have to apply more pressure on the knife to cut through things. People often ask me what kind of sharpener they should use to keep their knives sharp, and I think you should use whichever implement is the easiest for you. I have an electric knife sharpener at home, the Chef’s Choice 15XV, and love how fast and easy it is to operate.” — Katie Button, chef and co-founder, Cúrate, Asheville

• Chef’s Choice 15XV EdgeSelect Professional Electric Knife Sharpener, $169 at amazon.com 
• Chef'sChoice Manual Knife Sharpener, $48, originally $68 at amazon.com 
• Longzon 4-in-1 Knife Sharpener with Cut-Resistant Glove, $14, originally $21 at amazon.com 
• Zwilling Bob Kramer Glass Whetstone Sharpening Set $300, originally $400 at williams-sonoma.com
• Global 2 Stage Ceramic Knife Sharpener, $60, originally $80 at williams-sonoma.com 

Leave Behind: Undercooking/Overcooking Proteins

Do Instead: Use a Food Thermometer

“One of the kitchen habits that annoys me most is not using a thermometer! It's the easiest way to undercook your poultry (are those juices really clear?), which can be dangerous for food safety, and it's also an easy way to overcook a nice steak — that's the worst. You can use a thermometer for other things besides meat, too! Maybe this is the year you venture into candies like fudge, toffee, or caramel, which are best made following specific temperature guidelines. I've been using the same one for 20-plus years, many multiple times a week — well worth the money for all the guesswork and wasted food it's saved.” — Katie Vine, founder, Dinners Done Quick

• ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer, $13, originally $20 at amazon.com 
• ThermoWorks Thermapen One, $75 was $115 at thermoworks.com 
• Alpha Grillers Meat Instant-Read Food Thermometer, $15, originally $20 at amazon.com 
• Meater Plus Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer, $67, originally $100 at amazon.com 
• ThermoPro Candy Thermometer with Pot Clip, $20, originally $26 at amazon.com 

Leave Behind: Wasting Food

Do Instead: Compost

“Home cooks not using the whole product from ‘from nose to tail’ is a common kitchen habit and an easy fix. For example, [use] vegetable scraps to make a broth, as well as bones and other parts of the protein that are usually scraps, to make a stock. If you grow a garden, try composting any leftover vegetables, eggshells, fruit, and coffee grounds. This will help your garden grow faster and more fully, allowing you to save money on the items you would normally buy at the store. Use leftovers creatively, as this will save money by using food items that may otherwise go to waste. Fried rice is a great example of repurposing leftover ingredients.” — Patrick Scully, national director of food, beverage, and culinary experience, Esplanade by Taylor Morrison

• Ouaken 4-Liter Electric Composter, $240, originally $315 at amazon.com 
• Joseph Joseph Compo 4 Easy-Fill Compost Bin, $17, originally $23 at amazon.com 
• Reencle Prime Electric Composter, $399, originally $499 at amazon.com 
• Joseph Joseph Stack 4 Kitchen Compost Bin, $29, originally $40 at amazon.com 
• Kibaga Odorless Kitchen Compost Bin, $25, originally $30 at amazon.com