Thanksgiving Is Almost Here — And This Simple Tool Will Make For A Delicious Turkey This Year

This stainless steel baster from Norpro has quite a loyal fan base. Boasting an 11-inch baster, it can reach into deep pots and keep hands away from flames when basting foods during grilling. To inject juices or marinades into your meats, simply twist on the included stainless steel needle and insert it wherever you want to add flavor. Keep in mind: If you like to see how much liquid you’re basting, this may not be the right baster for you. But it does hold up to 1.5 ounces of liquid, which is on the generous side. The other bonus of the stainless steel design is its durability and heat resistance (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit), making it great for a variety of recipes and cooking methods. Some reviewers even noted that it can be used for siphoning candy recipes since it is shatterproof. The bulb has squared-off sides, so it won’t roll if you put in on the counter, and cleanup is easy thanks to the included brush.

According to one reviewer: "I HATED always getting cracks in plastic basters due to heat or washing - this metal baster is AMAZING. It can stand the heat and is easy to clean with the bristle brush provided. I'll never go back to plastic. So far it's lasted longer than the last two plastic ones I bought combined and is still going strong!"

This baster from OXO comes in at a close second and is made from BPA-free plastic. With 1.5 ounces of capacity and a long 14-inch baster, its transparent design is good for those who want to clearly see measurements, as the volume is printed directly onto the surface of the baster. And though it’s made of plastic, it’s heat-resistant so it can stand up to the temperatures of an oven or grill (the extra length makes this a great baster for grills, especially). While OXO doesn't clearly label the maximum temperature this baster can withstand, reviewers have used it on turkey and beef in ovens and grills without any issues. OXO designed the silicone bulb to be slightly flat, so it won’t roll off countertops and is easy to grip. The bulb and baster are both dishwasher-safe, but a long brush is included for making sure every last particle can be swept out after each use.

According to one reviewer: "Overall a good baster, the plastic is not cheap and has yet to crack in the dishwasher like my previous one. All the pieces have withstood at least 10 dishwashing cycles so I would consider it pretty durable."

Tovolo addressed one of the biggest basting pain-points when they built a valve into the tip of their BPA-free plastic baster. When liquid is pulled into the tube, it stays put until the bulb is squeezed, making it mess-free to use if you’re transferring sauce or marinade from a bowl. This baster is heat-resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and reviewers say that the baster holds up to 2 ounces of liquid. It's also 11.5 inches in length, pretty similar to the overall best above. The angled tip can reach into corners and along the bottoms of pans to get every last drop of liquid. To make storage easy, Tovolo designed their silicone bulb to be flat so it can fit in a drawer between uses, and it won’t roll away when placed on a counter. Though the manufacturer makes no mention of it, several reviewers note that the Tovolo comes with a cleaning brush and spare tip for the baster. Even better, it's dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

According to one reviewer: "This baster is definitely better than most, works as advertised. The dripless tip does a great job of holding any liquid in while basting or transferring liquids."

True, none of the turkey basters on this list will break the bank, but this basting set from Kaycrown is a serious bargain at under $10. In addition to the baster itself, cleaning brush, and flavor injection needle, it also comes equipped with a basting brush accessory that attaches to the end of the baster to coat foods with sauces. Made from BPA-free, heat-resistant plastic, it is safe to use up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and the units of measurement are easy to read on the surface of the baster. This also has the largest capacity and can hold more than 3 ounces of liquid (reviewers do say it's a bit difficult to fill this entire baster with liquid). Note: Unlike the other plastic turkey basters on this list, the Kaycrown should be hand-washed only, using the included cleaning brush.

According to one reviewer: "The flavor injection works great. It is good for infusing seasoning into meats, chicken or turkey. It has a fine tip that penetrates meat easily without any hassle. It is easy to use and comes apart quickly for easy clean up. It is a must have in any kitchen. I would definitely recommend to everyone."