Airport duty free or department store-Frankfurt?

You selection would be much better in Frankfurt. I have never found the duty free shops to be that cheap. You would find better prices in Frankfurt.

Duty Free shops sell high-tax, high-value, high mark-up, low size and high turnover products. Alcohol, cigarettes, electronics. Cooking utensils are not usually in such shops, and all you would be saving is the VAT, not a huge amount. Plus, I doubt the authorities would allow the sale of kitchen knives after people have gone through security. Even a cooking pot could be a good weapon.

I suggest a department store in the city centre, which is a short distance from Frankfurt (main) HBf (the main station).

Thank you both!

To add to the post from Chriss,
Make sure to pack the stuff in your check-in luggage. You will not be allowed the items in carry-on, esp knives or possibly even gadgets.
Better yet, check to see of the company has a website so you can maybe order on-line or find a US distributor. Have you checked into kitchen stores in your area? I live in the backwoods of VT but we have some kitchen stores that offer very fine German knives or pots. Pots, etc will add weight to carry on. Is it worth paying a potential fee for an overweight bag and/or a checked bag? Or is it just the thought that you purchased the items while in Germany?

Visit Galleria Kaufhof on the Zeil for knives and pans. Quick 3 min. ride on the S-bahn or a 15 min. walk down Kaiserstrasse from the train station.

There are a lot better applewine restaurants than Gemalte Haus.

Atschel, Dauth-Schneider, Kanonensteppel, Apfelwein Solzer, Zur Sonne, Zur Schöne Müllerin, or Malepartus.

The OP already said she is staying near the HBF.

Thank you cbrochu30, Ms.Jo and Perry.
Talk about restaurants,,,, actually my first day to Europe is arriving at Frankfurt around 10:00 am and flying to Prague at 3:00pm. I am planning to stay at the airport and eat there. Any one know a good restaurant at the airport or any idea how to spend those few hours in between?

Go over to the Squaire which is attached to Terminal 1 with a walkway. Follow the signs to the long distance train station as it is located in the Squaire too. There is a Paulaner restuarant there. Probably the best German food available in the airport.

Your layover is long enough for you to go into the city though. The train ride is only 15 min. to the Hauptwache from the airport and the trains come by every 15 min. from track 1 in the Regional train station. Galleria Kaufhof is located directly on the Hauptwache. Near by, behind the Sport Arena store is a restaurant called Leib & Seele. Their Schnitzels are pretty good as is the Apple Strudel. Try the Frankfurt Green Sauce for something truly authentic to Frankfurt.

Thank you so much Ms. Jo. That's very very helpful!