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Emily Farris head shot - Epicurious

Emily Farris

Senior Commerce Writer

Emily Farris has been writing about food and home decor for nearly 20 years, and shopping online just as long. As senior commerce writer at Epicurious and Bon Appétit, she covers cleaning, kitchen safety, decor, cocktails, and grilling, and she’s always on the lookout for products that are both functional and beautiful. Emily is the author of I'll Just Be Five More Minutes: And Other Tales From My ADHD Brain (Hachette, 2024) and she contributed to Charlotte Druckman’s Women on Food (2019) as well as The Bust DIY Guide to Life (2011). Her articles and and essays have appeared in Clever, Gourmet, Food52, Eater, The Cut, Hunker, Lifehacker, The Spruce Eats, Cool Hunting, BuzzFeed, Culture, Kitchn, What’s Up Moms, Elle Decor, Women’s Wear Daily, and Midwest Living, among other publications. She’s also developed, styled, and photographed recipes for Anova Culinary and Food Network. While living in Brooklyn in the early aughts, Emily hosted an annual casserole competition for Midwestern transplants and at age 26, she published a casserole cookbook with a now-defunct Penguin imprint. Emily lives in a century-old bungalow in Kansas City, MO with her husband, two young sons, one rowdy rescue mutt, and three backyard chickens. When she’s not rigorously testing products in the kitchen, she writes from a fancy shed behind her house (where she also sporadically hosts the Mother Mother Podcast). Emily loathes fruit (except for citrus) and doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth, but they let her work here anyway.

The Kansas City Barbecue Rub I Use in Everything

It's like an all-purpose seasoning for meat, poultry, vegetables, eggs, and even salad dressing. 

If You Grill or Smoke Meat, You Need This Smart Wireless Thermometer

Nerd out over smoking stats with the Meater Plus.

This KitchenAid Attachment Is Your Key To Fun Summer Drinks

With the shaved ice attachment, watermelon slushes are in your future—all summer long.

Yes, You Need Grilling Gloves

They can save your hands. And your dinner.

This Colorful Scrubby Cloth Can Replace All of Your Dish Washing Tools

It’s machine washable and dishwasher-safe too.

The Best Kamado Grill for Hard Core Grillmasters and Smoking Beginners

They're big, they're heavy, they cook amazing food.

The Best Watering Can for All Your Gardening Needs

Indoor plants, outdoor plants, we cover them all (with water).

Use a Fan to Repel Mosquitoes When You Eat Outside This Summer

It's the safest option—and it really works. 

These Fancy Napkin Rings Are a Bit Much and That's Why I Love Them

They make me want to be the kind of person who uses napkin rings. 

I Tried the Dolly Parton Cake Mix and It’s Everything I Dreamed It Would Be

Does a cake taste better if Dolly Parton’s face is on the box? Yes, but there’s a little more to it than that (and it’s butter).

See How a Professional Baker Organizes Her Home Kitchen

Including open shelving, utensil hooks, and lots more ways to make the most of a small space.

The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers for Patio Parties and Picnics in the Park

We cranked up outdoor speakers from Sonos, Bose, JBL, and other top brands.

How I Keep My Kitchen Sink Bright White

It involves powdered laundry detergent.

Yes, This Is Your Grandma’s Rubber Jar Opener

This old-fashioned tool is still very useful—especially if you like pickles and chile crunch. 

If You Have a Farmhouse Sink, You Probably Need a Washing-Up Bowl

It's helpful for conserving water and creating different sink zones.

The Best Charcoal Grill for Every Kind of Outdoor Cook

We tested kettles and barrels from Weber, Cuisinart, Char-Griller.

Bendy Skewers Are Better for Round Grills

Are you still using straight skewers on your round grill?

Cute Birthday Candles You Can Order Online

They're so much prettier than boring grocery store candles.

How to Make Your Kitchen More ADHD-Friendly

Tips and tools to help keep neurodiverse home cooks on track.