The creative folks at Tovolo have come up with the latest way to make food prep fun-kitchen utensils that stand upright. Each Standz tool features an ergonomic, soft-grip handle with a flat base measuring 1-1/2 inches in diameter, allowing it to stay upright on the countertop for several reasons: to eliminate germ transference between counter and tool, to keep drips and food particles off the counter, and to provide for quick grabbing. A cheerful complement to the handsome graphite-gray handle, the head of each tool is made of translucent polycarbonate in a bright color range, making the tool easy to find should it end up in a cluttered drawer. The Tovolo Standz wide basting brush consists of a hot-pink polycarbonate neck that holds a row of pink silicone bristles. Made of all-purpose silicone, the bristles are heat-resistant up to 600 degrees F, and won't melt, fray, stain, or shed. Use this handy tool to brush egg or melted butter onto pastries, olive oil on bruschetta, or marinade onto grilled chicken. The brush also works well for evenly coating the hot surface of a sauté pan with oil or butter. Tovolo also makes a round basting brush in orange, and both 6-1/4-inch long brushes pop into the dishwasher for sudsy, carefree cleaning. --Ann Bieri
