By Nick Barth Gear writer Published Mar 15, 2015 at 8:14 AM

For this week's #wewant segment on WISN, I brought three of my favorite kitchen items. I was excited to try each and they all surpassed expectation; I can't say enough about them (just ask the rest of the staff). Check them out and let me know what you think!

Max Burton Stovetop Smoker

Max Burton Stovetop Smoker

I bought this soon after writing about a different model it and haven't regretted it. It's easy to use and gives a great smoky flavor to your food without smoking up the house. I've smoked chicken, ribs, sausages, meatballs and they've all turned out great. Next up is eggs (ala Tochi, maybe for a ramen party?) and I'm definitely doing some vegetables this summer for a smoky gazpacho.

Kraut Source

Kraut Source

I wrote about this back when it was a kickstarter, and I'm happy to say it's everything it purports to be. Fermentation is already a pretty easy process, but KrautSource makes it even easier. Ferment right in your mason jars with no skimming or maintenance. When the ferment is done, you just remove KrautSource, cap it with the usual (widemouth) Mason lid/ring, and you're done. Using Mason jars makes it easy to do a small test batch in a pint jar or go all-out with a huge half-gallon batch once you have your recipe down. KrautSource is currently in limited supply and ship later this month so if you're interested, get in on it right away!

ROK Manual Espresso maker

ROK Manual Espresso Maker

ROK's manual espresso maker is the height of form and function. It allows a coffee geek (like me) to pull a shot of espresso controlling every detail. There's nothing automatic here: you portion the coffee, tamp, heat and add water, and pull the shot all yourself. This makes for a learning curve, of course, but there's a satisfaction in being able to manipulate every variable and make it just the way you like it. It's beautiful and well-built to boot, with a small footprint, brushed aluminum finish, and a 10-year warranty. It comes with a very effective manual milk frother and combination scoop/tamper. Everything you need for the perfect shot. It's an extraordinary machine; expect a line forming at your desk as soon as you start brewing.

Have something to add to the list? Let me know via Talkbacks or Twitter.

OnMilwaukee.com's senior developer Nick Barth has been a part of the team since 2008. After an 18-month stint in Portland, he returned to his hometown with a new love of food trucks, bike life, and simple and effective gadgetry. The self-proclaimed gear geek and denim addict now presents OnMilwaukee's #wewant series weekend mornings on WISN-12.