Preparation is the ultimate key to success when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner and good prep starts with having the right tools.
"GMA" asked a handful of culinary pros which must-have items are on their counters for Turkey Day to help home cooks ensure a recipe for success.
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Roasting pan with v rack
Christine Cole, hospitality guru, chef and founder of Flawless Life, shared her No. 1 Turkey Day essential: a sturdy roasting pan with a removable rack.
"We're dealing with a very heavy bird and the last thing I want to see is to have it slip out of your hands because the structure of the pan is slipping around on you," she said of her preference for a solid pan over a disposable single-use foil option.
Roast to perfection with the high-quality, long-lasting All Clad Large Roaster With Rack. Holding up to 25 lb., tall sides prevent spilling, a V-shaped non-stick roasting rack elevates meats for even heating
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
This will be a workhorse throughout the cooking process on Thanksgiving and can be used for everything from covering a pie crust or keeping food warm to protecting your bird's breast from over-browning.
Silicone baking mats
Lynn April of Fresh April Flours told "GMA" these are one of her must-have Thanksgiving essentials because they're "great for everything from sweets to veggies." She suggested having multiple on hand to use for the holiday that relies so heavily on the oven.
These nonstick mats provide even heat transfer and release foods easily from the baking sheet. Made of food-grade silicone reinforced glass weave, Silpat baking mats are effective in temperatures from -40 to 480°F.
Ceramic pie plate
Another essential item for April: "More than one quality ceramic pie plate and pie shield."
Perfect for sweet or savory pies, quiche and more, this classic pie dish provides gentle, even heating for excellent results every time. Making an evenly fluted crust is easy thanks to the dimpled edge, and the thick enamel resists scratching. Durable stoneware features an industry-leading enamel interior that protects against utensil damage, staining and odor absorption.
Cooling racks
For bakers looking to try their hand at a homemade pie this Thanksgiving, April said "a tiered, stackable cooling rack system" is a must-have because it can "save so much counter space when you're trying to get multiple things done at once."
"Wilton has a great stackable system, which is what I personally have," she said.
If you feel like you never have enough counterspace when baking, you're going to love our 3-tier cooling grid. The 3-racks expand for easy use, taking up less counter space, and you can cool up to 3 dozen cookies at one time. The non-stick grids are easy to clean and once you're done, just fold it up for easy storage.
Gravy separater
Steer clear of greasy gravy with this separating tool that Cole calls "fantastic" for keeping the fat and pan juices in their own place. The perforated strainer can filter out any solid bits as the fat rises to the top, which allows the flavorful liquids to collect in the pourer base.
Vacuum sealed storage
When it comes to leftovers, Maxine Dubois of Cilantro Parsley recommends using the Zwilling Vacuum storage set. Maxine shared, "The set always keeps my leftovers super fresh. Everything stays five times fresher than regular Tupperware. An added bonus is that the set is microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe. I love this one!"
