Outfitting your first kitchen is thrilling, yet challenging. Fear not, we’re here to simplify the process! With over three decades of experience as a professional recipe developer and managing Test Kitchens, I’ve gained extensive knowledge about kitchen equipment.
Remember, you don’t require a ton of gadgets; instead, investing in high-quality essentials will serve you well in the long term. Let’s dive in! Below, I’ve compiled a list of 21 essential kitchen tools and equipment that I believe should grace every kitchen. They will make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable – and yes, even make you a better cook!
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Half-Sheet Pans
Whether you are a beginner cook or a seasoned pro, every kitchen needs a half-sheet pan, and preferably a few of them. Half-sheet pans are a specific dimension, typically listed as 18″ x 13″-inches with a 1-inch lip. Look for ones made of heavy gauge aluminum for fantastic heat conductivity. They are versatile work horses of the kitchen; you can use them to bake cookies, make jelly roll cakes, or large batches of brownies and bars, and they also are great for roasting vegetables, chicken, sheet-pan dinners and you will think of so many more uses. I am very partial to these from Nordic Ware.
Oven Mitts
What makes a great oven mitt? It is heatproof, of course, but we also look for forearm protection and also the ability to still have some level of dexterity through the thick material. These mitts check off all the boxes.
Wooden Spoons
A sturdy wooden spoon will be your friend whether you are stirring hot food in a pot on the stove or making chicken salad.
Tongs
Another versatile tool is spring loaded tongs. I use mine every single day to toss salads, flip pieces of bacon, turn over steaks on the grill, grab vegetables out of the steamer and many other uses.
These tongs have a silicone coating so that you can use them with nonstick cookware, and they also have slits that help drain food that you’re fishing out of liquid.
Colander
A colander will help you safely and efficiently drain your pasta, potatoes, vegetables. or anything else that you are boiling. It can also be used to hold your fruit as you wash them clean.
Large Pot
A large pot such as this can be used for soups and boiling pasta and will help you anytime you have a large volume of food to cook. A well-fitting lid is a must.
Non-Stick Skillet
Not everyone agrees with the need for a nonstick skillet, but I maintain that they are extremely helpful in certain instances, and I do like to keep one or two around. Particularly for eggs of all sorts, and pancakes, I will often reach for my nonstick.
Small Saucepan
Small saucepans can be used to melt butter, heat up small amounts of food, even blanch small amounts of vegetables if you’re cooking for one or two.
Instant Read Thermometer
An instant read thermometer gives you the assurance that your food is cooked to the degree that it should be. The more experience you get in the kitchen the better you will get at being able to assess levels of doneness, but even pros like me will reach for an instant read thermometer. You don’t want to under or over cook your roast chicken!
Whisk
A simple whisk is a thing of beauty and will help you make the fluffiest scrambled eggs, make one-bowl brownies, and emulsify sauces quickly and easily, and inexpensively.
Chef’s Knife
You have to have a good chef’s knife for chopping vegetables, trimming fat off of meats, mincing herbs, but you do not have to spend a lot of money.
Paring Knife
A small paring knife can be used to trim and core vegetables, and any kind of detail work you might have.
Measuring Cups & Spoons
I could write an entire article on the importance of well-made measuring cups and spoons for dry ingredients. In a nutshell, there are very specific volumes that measuring cups and spoons are supposed to hold, but many sets are poorly made and actually do not represent the amount they state. Having owned a bakery and having written dozens of books on baking, this is a topic close to my heart which you can read more about in this article here. Just trust me and spend the money on these fantastic dry measuring cups and spoons, which will last you a lifetime.
Liquid Measuring Cups
You also need accurate liquid measuring cups, as measuring implements for dry and wet are not the same. These from Pyrex have been used in every single home and professional kitchen I have worked in.
Box Grater
A box grater can help you zest citrus, grate carrots – you can even grate onions – as well as shred cheese. A box grater is a classic tool that you will be happy to have around.
Nesting Bowls
Bowls of all sizes are necessary for everything from mixing together your meatloaf, to making leafy green salads, fruit salads, and one-bowl baking recipes. You can even use them to serve finished dishes.
Dutch-Oven
In my opinion everyone needs a Dutch oven, and I am partial to Le Creuset. Lodge also makes a good quality Dutch oven for a lower price. You can use a large Dutch oven for soups, stews, making pasta, for all kinds of braises, to sear meats, and so much more.
Cast Iron Skillet
Cast-iron skillet can be used for everything from making eggs for breakfast, to making cornbread, hashbrowns, you name it. I absolutely love the pre-seasoned cast-iron skillets from Lodge.
Silicone Spatula
Back in the day we used to call these rubber spatulas, and many people still do, but these days they are typically made of silicone, and they are what you want anytime you are folding ingredients together, whether it’s a cake batter, or a large batch of potato salad. In general, OXO is a great brand for kitchen equipment.
Vegetable Peeler
Sometimes we just get vegetables and fruit fruits a good scrub but other times we do want to peel them. A vegetable peeler is an inexpensive tool that belongs in every kitchen.
Metal Spatula
I have used many metal spatulas in my day. This one is literally perfect. The size, the level of flexibility, the price, the quality of manufacture. It is the tool for making omelets and fried eggs, for releasing cookies from pans, removing snack cakes from pans, and many other uses.
A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Half-Sheet Pan for Your Kitchen
In the realm of baking and roasting, a high-quality half-sheet pan is an indispensable tool that every kitchen should have. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, the right half-sheet pan can make a significant difference in the outcome of your culinary creations. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when purchasing a half-sheet pan to ensure you bring home a durable and reliable addition to your kitchen arsenal. READ: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Half-Sheet Pan for Your Kitchen
