Do you ever feel like you could use a handful of extra hands in the kitchen when cooking? Well, you’re in luck. There are plenty of essential kitchen utensils and equipment that can do just that! From whisks to spatulas, each utensil has its own unique purpose when it comes to creating delicious meals for your family.
However, with so many different cooking utensils out there, it can be hard to remember which ones are absolutely essential for your kitchen. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive list of the most important kitchen tools and equipment. In this article, we’ll walk you through a complete list of the must-have kitchen essentials set for all new home cooks – so you can get cooking with ease and confidence!
Knives: The Most Important Kitchen Tool
If there’s one kitchen tool that is absolutely essential, it’s the knife. A well-stocked kitchen will have a variety of knives to suit any job, from chopping vegetables to slicing steak. You’ll need at least three knives in your kitchen: a chef’s knife (8-10 inches), a paring knife (3-4 inches), and a serrated knife (for cutting through tough foods like crusty bread). If you decide to invest in an expensive high-quality chef’s knife, make sure it has a comfortable handle and blade that fits your hand. High-quality blades tend to stay sharper for longer than inexpensive knives and won’t require sharpening as often.
In addition to your typical three knives, there are other tools you may use for specific tasks, such as boning knives for butchery and fileting knives for fish preparation. Remember that all other tools are designed to make specific tasks easier—but with the right care, technique, and practice, any task can be achieved with just the classic three.
Pots and Pans: The Foundation of Any Kitchen
When you think of the foundation of any kitchen, pots, and pans should certainly come to mind. Pots and pans are essential pieces of kitchen equipment that are used for a variety of cooking tasks such as boiling, baking, frying, steaming, and sautéing. Having the right pots and pans on hand is crucial if you want to make delicious meals that your family and friends will enjoy.
When it comes to picking pots and pans for your kitchen essentials set, you’ll need to consider what types of cooking techniques you usually use. If you prefer baking or boiling most of the time, a basic set of four or five pots in varying sizes should do the trick. On the other hand, if you like using different techniques (e.g., sautéing or steaming), then investing in an entire cookware set might be more practical. Regardless of what kind of cooking is involved, having quality pots and pans that can withstand different temperatures is always important – stainless steel is a great material for this purpose!
Measuring Tools: Essential for Baking and Cooking
Measuring tools are essential for any kitchen, especially when you’re baking and cooking. Even if you don’t bake often, having the right measuring tools is key for more accurate recipes.
Here are some of the most common measuring tools to have handy:
Measuring cups– Measure both liquid and dry ingredients in cups or milliliters.
Measuring spoons– Measure small amounts of liquid or dry ingredients in teaspoons, tablespoons, or milliliters.
Glass or plastic measuring pitchers– Used to measure a large amount of liquid up to 4 quarts (equal to 1 gallon).
Kitchen scale– Measures solids in grams, kilograms, and ounces rather than cups which helps with baking recipes. Many also work as digital food thermometers as well.
Timer/stopwatch– Essential for timing long-cooking dishes like roasts or soups and great for keeping track of time during shorter cooking tasks like boiling eggs.
Thermometer– Ensures food is cooked at the right temperature so it is safe to eat without becoming overcooked or undercooked.
Having a kitchen essentials set available with all these items makes sure you have all the essential kitchen utensils and equipment needed for cooking—no matter what’s on the menu!
Mixing Bowls: For Stirring, Whipping, and Tossing
Mixing bowls are essential kitchen utensils that you’ll need for stirring, whipping, and tossing. Whether you’re making a cake batter, salad dressing, or pasta sauce, having a few well-sized mixing bowls will come in handy. When choosing your mixing bowls, select sizes that range from one to six quarts: the smaller ones for ingredients like herbs and spices; the middle sizes for eggs and sauces; and the larger ones for salads.
For the material, glass or stainless steel are both solid options. Glass is great if you want to see what’s inside without having to lift a lid. On the other hand, stainless steel is perfect if you want something lightweight that won’t chip or crack easily. Whichever type of bowl you choose, make sure they have lids so you can store leftovers easily.
When selecting your mixing bowls, consider getting a set of nesting bowls—where one stacks inside the other—which will be much more convenient to store in your kitchen cabinet or countertop. With nesting bowls, you’ll get an array of sizes in one purchase instead of purchasing them individually which helps save money in the long run.
Kitchen Scissors and Peelers: Useful and Versatile Tools
Any good cook needs a couple of trusty kitchen scissors and peelers. Kitchen scissors are great for cutting up herbs, meat, and vegetables, as well as for snipping twine and opening food packages. As for peelers, they’re perfect for peeling potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables—the kind of job that can really slow down your cooking time if you don’t have the right tools.
When looking for kitchen scissors and peelers, keep these few tips in mind:
Look for a good pair of kitchen scissors or peelers that are sharp enough to make quick work of your tasks — no need to use a lot of force.
Avoid plastic handles; metal is sturdier and more comfortable to hold.
For peelers, choose a model with a blade guard to protect your fingers when you’re not using them.
Look for one that has a built-in bottle opener, it comes in handy sometimes!
Get one with an ergonomic handle — it will be easier on your hands during longer tasks like dicing onions or cutting up a roast chicken!
List of Kitchen Essentials for New Home
If you’re moving into a new home, or just stocking up your kitchen with the essentials, there are some important tools and equipment that need to be included in the list. Here’s a breakdown of all the kitchen essentials for a new home:
Cookware
This includes pots, pans, and other vessels for cooking. Certain cookware may be more important than others depending on how you like to cook and what dishes you tend to make. If you’re an avid baker then cake pans or muffin tins may be a good idea!
Knives
Investing in quality knives is important when setting up your kitchen. Commonly used blades include a chef’s knife, paring knife, and bread knife; they will help you cut through ingredients with ease! Be sure to also get honing steel so that you can maintain the sharpness of your blades over time.
Small Appliances
Small appliances like blenders, food processors, stand mixers, juicers, and even espresso machines are superb additions to any kitchen if you are looking to try out some more advanced techniques when cooking or baking. They offer convenience and can help make meals more exciting!
Utensils
Utensils like spatulas, spoons, tongs, whisks, and measuring cups are all must-haves for any kitchen as they’ll come in handy for stirring, flipping, scooping, mashing, and measuring ingredients. Make sure that all these utensils are made from materials that won’t scratch or damage non-stick surfaces.
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to kitchen life or a seasoned chef, it’s important to make sure that your kitchen is well-stocked with the right kitchen tools and equipment. After all, the right utensil or piece of equipment can make all the difference when it comes to preparing a delicious meal. From measuring cups and spoons to cookware and bakeware, a comprehensive kitchen essentials list can help you get it all. With the right tools in hand, you can whip up meals like a kitchen pro in no time.
