I’m a huge fan of keeping things simple in the kitchen. I buy basic kitchen tools and equipment that can serve multiple purposes, and leave the specialty gadgets behind. People have been making great food for thousands of years without tools dedicated to one task (hello, banana slicer, I’m looking at you!) or electronic gadgets that are supposed to make your life easier, but really just clog up your countertops and cabinets. So I’ve made this list of kitchen tools and equipment that will help you run an efficient, no-frills kitchen.
You don’t need to purchase all of these things before you begin making meals at home. Instead, think of this as a goal list of items that you plan to acquire over time. These are my go-to kitchen basics. These are the things that make my kitchen work.
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Pots & Pans
The most important quality to look for when purchasing pots and pans is the thickness or weight of the metal. If you buy pots and pans that are constructed out of thin metal, they will not cook food evenly, and you will have difficulty achieving good results with recipes. I have had two sets of pots and pans that have worked well for me, the Simply Calphalon Non-Stick set, and the OXO Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Pro set, as well as a few cast iron pieces. If buying pieces individually, I suggest the following sizes and types:
- 2-Quart Sauce Pot
- 6-Quart Stock Pot
- 8-Inch Skillet
- 10-Inch Skillet
- Deep Covered Sauté Pan – This is probably one of the most versatile pots or pans in the kitchen. It can be used as a skillet or a pot, and can often take the place of two different pieces.
- Cast Iron Skillet – Cast iron very affordable, lasts generations, and is perhaps the best at cooking food evenly, but it does take a little more effort and upkeep. You can’t just throw this one in the dishwasher, so consider this purchase carefully. Make sure it matches your lifestyle!
- Dutch Oven – This is another great multi-purpose kitchen piece. It can take the place of the 6 quart stock pot listed above, it can go from the stove top to the oven, and can act very much like a slow cooker by keeping moisture in, cooking with low radiant heat, and making your food extra succulent. They can be a bit pricier, but you will get a lot of use out of it!
Tip: I like to buy pieces with glass lids, when possible, so I can see what’s happening inside the pot without removing the lid and letting steam escape. I also try to get pieces that do not have plastic on the handle, so they can go from stove to oven, if needed.
Bakeware
- Glass or Ceramic Casserole Dishes (one large, one small) – These can be used not only for casseroles, but also for roasting a variety of meat or vegetables. Extremely versatile!
- Baking Sheets (set of three) – Again, one of the most versatile pieces in my kitchen. Just about anything that goes in the oven will have a baking sheet under it.
- Muffin Tin – Good for muffins, or other small portion dishes like breakfast egg cups, mini meat loaves, and more.
- 9-inch Pie Plate (glass or ceramic)
- Pizza Pans (for pizza-holics like me. I prefer perforated pizza pans for crispy crust)
Prep Tools & Kitchen Gadgets
- Mixing Bowls (glass or stainless steel)
- Cutting Boards (I also like to use cutting mats, like these, for a quick clean surface when chopping multiple items)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – I prefer metal to plastic
- Liquid Measuring Cup (microwave safe, 2 cup volume)
- Spoons, Spatulas, Whisks (metal or wood, preferred)
- Instant Read Thermometer (save yourself from the perils of food poisoning!)
- Colander
- Chef’s Knife – This is the workhorse in your kitchen. Invest well, if you can. If you have larger hands you’ll want a 10″, if you have smaller hands an 8″ might be a better fit.
- Bread Knife
- Paring Knives (great for small jobs)
- Cheese Graters (One of the most used items in my kitchen, good for WAY more than just cheese! Make sure to get both fine and coarse graters)
- Can Opener
- Rolling Pin
Storage and Supplies
- Parchment paper
- Aluminium foil
- Cling wrap (plastic wrap)
- Mason Jars (super multi-purpose and they last a lifetime)
- Resealable storage containers
- Kitchen Towels – Basic “bar mop” kitchen towels (if you’ve ever worked in a commercial kitchen, you know how valuable these are)
Appliances
I don’t use many appliances, but these have gotten GOOD use in my kitchen!
- Slow cooker (Doesn’t need to be fancy, 5-7 quart is a good size)
- Food processor (The exact one I use is no longer in production, but this is the next generation of it.)
- Hand Mixer – For those times when you just don’t have the energy to whisk by hand
What are your “must-have” kitchen basics? Share your knowledge and experiences in the comments below!
Electric Steamer/Rice Cooker – for me its a summer essential instead of having to turn the oven on or waiting for the charcoal to heat up.
Also my electric water kettle. Just had to replace my first one after 10yrs of use.
I guess they would be go in the extras category, but I also think the steamer helps me to eat a bit healthier. I can put a piece of seasoned salmon in while I get ready for work & my lunch is healthy & ready to go with very little prep & time wasted.
I agree – I use my rice cooker for so many things – boiling pasta, oatmeal, almost anything you can prepare in a pan. It saves so much electricity and keeps things cool too.
This is a great list Beth! I would also add a mixer to the extras list. I love my Kitchenaid mixer and even bought the meat grinder that goes with it. This is a pretty pricey item but there are some more affordable mixers too. Thanks for all you do!
I LOVE my Dutch ovens and can’t do without them for soups, stews and curries. I’m also obsessed with my grill pan and pizza stone!
I agree that a pizza stone is more versatile than a pan. You can also make scones or biscuits directly on the stone and they turn out wonderful.
You can also make bread in the dutch oven if it’s big enough.
I would add a cast iron high-sided frying pan/skillet. I Make cakes in mine :)
If someone wants to spend money on you ask for an All-American Pressure Canner, minimum 6 quart-jar size. It will last for the rest of your life and it can be used to cook food, pressure-can and hot-water can.
Instead of pizza pan, I recommend a pizza stone. I’m also a fan of stone for any other bakeware. The key is to preheat oven with your stone in it or it will crack from a sudden temperature change. Also do not wash stone with soap. Scrape and hot water.
I’d add a pot holder/oven glove to the list! It’s sort of silly because it’s so basic, and you can get around buying them if you have dedicated kitchen towels. I find them to be cleaner/easier than towels, though.
Something I’ve enjoyed using when cooking with others’ cookware is a mesh strainer. They’re great for rinsing rice, for example. I’ve generally been able to find creative ways to get around not having one, but it’s definitely on my to-buy-eventually list.
This is a great list although I would add a pizza stone (and then there’s no need for pizza pans anymore!).
Yes!!!! I have been looking for a list like this….there are so many options out there for cooking supplies I get overwhelmed. This is much easier I can just get everything I need of your list!
This list is perfect! I’m finally finished with school and will move out on my own in the next few months. Great timing, Beth!
What a great post!
Silicone spatulas are my must have. They can withstand lots of heat, are very nice to non-stick pans, and are a breeze to clean.
Kitchen shears and a garlic press are also big items in my kitchen. I have carpel tunnel and am developing arthritis in my fingers so they make my life much easier.
I use my pressure cooker a lot, because as a brazilian I cook beans very often and its so much faster in a pressure cooker.
By the way, the easiest way I know to shred chicken is to cook chicken breast for around 20 min in a pressure pot with some water, drain the broth, leave the chicken in the pot, close it and shake it like a polaroid picture for around 5 – 10 seconds. When you open the pot, it is all shredded!!! Check youtube for some videos. Its awesome! :)
Ha! That is awesome!! :)
This is brilliant! Shredding chicken in not a favorite task of mine (usually because I want to get it done and the chicken is too hot!
I would be lost without my CrockPot; I’d personally add it to the “must have” list! I have a 5 quart, and one of those small 1 quart ones (it looks like a baby CrockPot!); I use both frequently.
Another thing I use a ton and LOVE is the SlapChop; yes, it is an infomercial thing. Mine is a Pampered Chef one, and I use that thing for so many things! I line all the veggies I want to chop up on the cutting board, set that thing over them, and just SlapChop my way down the line. It’s small, so if you have a tiny kitchen it won’t take up much space. (http://www.amazon.com/The-Pampered-Chef-Cutting-Chopper/dp/B000GU49HY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400946355&sr=8-1&keywords=pampered+chef+slap+chop)
I did not spend nearly $40 for mine, my mom found it at a yard sale for $3. Score!
The most used items in my kitchen are my chef’s knife, my garlic press, and my citrus juicer. I also have a couple of silicone baking mats that I really like, I generally use those instead of parchment paper.
May I suggest an immersion blender, particularly for small kitchens/small budgets. It chops, purees and whips almost everything in any container/pot. I didn’t know I need one until I got it, but now I wouldn’t want to miss it.
I love my West Bend Versatility slow cooker, because it’s not just a slow cooker! In addition to regular slow-cooking, it can also be used on the stovetop and in the oven. Great for both your slow cooker AND wonderpot recipes! A bit pricey, but totally worth it. http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-84866-Versatility-Stainless/dp/B000BKY7K8/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1400889970&sr=1-1&keywords=west+bend+versatility+slow+cooker
Oh wow! That’s really cool. AND it can be used as a griddle! That’s like all of your kitchen needs in one.