How We Pick Recommendations

Many of our articles end with a suggestion: a type of venue that suits a reunion, a way to strain coffee, a packing aid worth the space in a suitcase. Readers sometimes ask how we arrive at those suggestions. This page sets out the reasoning, so you can judge it for yourself.

We start with the situation, not the product

A recommendation only makes sense for a particular need. Before suggesting anything, we write down who the advice is for and what problem they are trying to solve. A family hosting thirty relatives in a park needs different things from a couple planning dinner for four. That is why many of our guides offer two or three options with notes on when each one fits, rather than a single winner.

The questions we ask

• Does it solve the problem? The suggestion should make the job easier, safer or more enjoyable.
• Is it easy to get? We favour things readers can find in ordinary shops or already have at home.
• Is it safe? Anything with heat, electricity, food storage or travel rules gets an extra check against official guidance.
• Will it last? We prefer methods and items that keep working beyond one season.
• Is it fair to every budget? Where possible we include a no-cost or low-cost route.

Testing what we can

Some things we can try at home: brewing methods, table settings, packing systems, album layouts, room arrangements. Where we have done that, the article reflects what actually happened, including the parts that did not go to plan. Where testing is not possible or not safe, such as specialist sports equipment, we rely on manufacturer guidance and official sources and keep the advice general.

What we never do

• Rank services or providers on request.
• Invent test results, ratings or figures.
• Recommend services that are not properly licensed.

Older articles in the archive were written by other contributors before our current approach. Some mention specific businesses. As we rework those pieces, we apply the same questions above.

Examples from recent guides

In our guide to making cold brew coffee, we suggest a jar and a paper filter before any special equipment, because most kitchens already have them. In how to pack for a cruise, we point readers to their cruise line's own rules rather than guessing at them.

Disagree with a suggestion?

Tell us. If you have found something that works better, or a recommendation of ours turned out badly, write to us through the contact page or report it on the corrections page.