This post is all about essential kitchen tools that everyone should have.
As a modern individual with a busy life, having the right equipment in your kitchen can make preparing meals easier and faster. I have found it hard to keep up when I don’t have basic kitchen tools.
But fear not – I’ve got your back!
I have rounded up eight essential kitchen tools every home cook should have. Not only will you be able to whip up delicious meals for family or friends in no time, but you’ll also be able to feel like an experienced chef!
So read on, and let’s explore the must-have items for all folks who are ready to take on their cooking journey confidently.
This post is all about essential kitchen tools that everyone should have.
What Kitchen Tools Do You Really Need
The age-old question of what kitchen tools are genuinely essential. As a self-proclaimed food lover, I’ve accumulated quite a collection over the years. But truthfully, you don’t need a fancy gadget for every task.
Sure, plenty of fancy gadgets out there promise to make your life easier. However, do you really need a pineapple corer or a garlic press, or other fancy gadgets for every little task? (Spoiler alert: the answer is no.) So, what do you actually need?
Well, read on, and I will impart the most basic tools every kitchen needs. But above all, remember this:
For everyday cooking, keep it simple and functional, and your kitchen will be churning out home-cooked meals everyone will want to come home for.
Cooking anything you want should be relatively easy if your kitchen contains the following eight essential kitchen tools.
What is the Most Essential Tool That Every Cook Needs
Every great cook needs one essential tool in their kitchen: a sharp and reliable knife. It’s like the superhero of kitchen gadgets, able to slice, dice, and chop through anything quickly (including those pesky onions that always seem to make me cry).
You can’t skimp on quality either – a good quality knife is an investment that will save you time and frustration. This knife is my go-to every time.
This serrated knife is from Cutco and is marketed as a cheese knife, but I use it just like a chef’s knife because it cuts and chops so much more. It chops raw veggies and salad greens with ease. It also cuts meats and bread. It is truly amazing, and I love this knife so much that I have three of them. If you can only afford to get one knife now, this is the one I suggest.
Cutco knives are pricey, but they are worth every penny. If you are new to cooking or setting up a kitchen in a new house, Cutco knives are the way to go.
They are backed by Cutco’s “forever guarantee.” You can send them in every year for sharpening, and they come back good as new.
I have tested this out. The blade of one of my paring knives broke in two. Still trying to figure out how this happened, but I sent it back, and they replaced it, no questions asked.
I cannot say enough about these knives; they are of fantastic quality. You can order here online or get them from retailers like Costco.
Word of Caution: This knife is very sharp (as are all Cutco knives), so make sure to keep your fingers out of the way unless you want to add a little extra flavor and protein to your dish.
Pans
You will need a trusty pan. The pan is the culinary workhorse of the kitchen. It helps you whip up anything from a simple stir-fry to a decadent sauce.
But let’s be honest here, not all pans are created equal. When it comes to cooking, again, just as with your knives, you should invest in at least one good-quality pan. Investing in a high-quality pan will pay dividends in the long run, and once you have it, you’ll never know how you ever survived without it.
When buying your pan, look for these features: one that distributes heat evenly, won’t stick, and can withstand the test of time (and a few accidental drops, if you are like me).
But how do you decide which pan or pans you need?
Well, it depends on what type of food you want to cook. Following are the descriptions of each. After you read these, you can decide which pan to invest in.
Saucepans
Saucepans. The unsung heroes of every kitchen. Where would we be without them? Saucepans are the perfect vessels for making sauces (hence the name), heating soup, heating water for tea, or boiling pasta.
In addition, some have the versatility to go from stove to oven to table (if you are interested in this feature, you will want to be sure that the pan you choose can withstand the oven temperatures).
Pans come in all shapes and sizes – stock pot, non-stick, stainless steel, copper; the list goes on and on.
Braising and Roasting Pans
Braising and roasting are two cooking techniques requiring very specific equipment to nail them perfectly. Enter the braising and roasting pans.
These pans are built with thicker walls and a heavier base than your average cookware, which means they can handle the high heat needed for searing and browning and the low, slow cooking times required for braising or roasting vegetables.
I rarely use this type of pan. Usually, when I need something tender and flavorful, I cook it in my CrockPot all day. But that’s another post that you can read here.
Frying Pans
Some say a good frying pan is the secret to a good meal.
However, I disagree; a saucepan is much more valuable than a skillet. But if you like to fry things, here are the details so that you can make an informed decision.
Not all frying pans are created equal. Some are flimsy and don’t distribute heat evenly, while others are so heavy (such as cast iron pans) that they might as well be anchors.
So, how do you find the perfect frying pan for you? It all comes down to what you’re cooking and what kind of chef you are. Do you like a good sear on your steak? Then you’ll want a cast iron pan. Are you more of an eggs and pancakes kind of cook? A non-stick surface is the way to go.
Knives
We talked about knives earlier. By now, you know that I think a good quality knife is the most essential kitchen tool of all the utensils. But for information purposes, here are the differences between these two categories of knives.
Sharp Knives
Sharp knives usually have a straight blade with a beveled edge, such as a good chef’s knife or a paring knife. But, these knives are generally unsuitable for cutting soft fruits and vegetables like tomatoes.
Serrated Knives
These knives have teeth like a shark and can easily cut through even the softest foods (tomatoes). Not only that, but it’s a perfect bread knife that can slice through crusty loaves of bread without squashing them to oblivion. They grip onto foods and saw down into them, allowing for precise cuts without ruining the texture or shape.
Wooden spoons
The beloved wooden spoon: one of the most trusty kitchen utensils used for generations. Its smooth, curved surface feels comfortable in the hand and can be used for many different purposes.
From stirring soups and sauces to mixing batters and dough, wooden spoons can do it all. But what makes them so special?
Well, for one, it won’t scratch your non-stick pans (all hail the non-scratched pans!). Plus, it has a certain je ne sais quoi that just can’t be replicated by those flimsy plastic spoons.
And let’s not forget about the nostalgia factor – who didn’t get scolded by their grandma for licking the batter off the spoon? I highly recommend this practical utensil if you still need one in your kitchen arsenal.
Cutting Boards
A cutting board is a staple in every kitchen and for a good reason. Besides providing a stable surface to chop and dice, it also protects your countertops and your knives.
So, if you want to keep your knives in tip-top shape, invest in a good-quality plastic or wooden cutting board.
I have many cutting boards, some wood, and some plastic. It depends on what I am cutting, which determines which one I use.
Fun fact about wooden cutting boards.
Did you know that a wooden cutting board has antibacterial properties? Yep, that’s right, the natural materials in the wood prevent the growth of bacteria, making it the perfect choice for food preparation. Whether you’re a long-time chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this is an essential must-have kitchen accessory.
To be safe, it’s a good idea to have a cutting board for raw meat and a separate one for everything else to avoid cross-contamination.
Nested Mixing Bowls
My nested mixing bowls are my secret weapon in the kitchen when preparing meals. My set consists of three mixing bowls of graduating sizes, allowing me to prep ingredients easily.
I can wash and chop vegetables in the largest bowl, then transfer them to the medium bowl to mix a salad dressing, and finally toss everything together in the smallest bowl. Their melamine material makes them durable and dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze.
Whether making a quick weeknight dinner or prepping for a dinner party, these bowls help me tackle food prep with style and ease.
Grater
No self-respecting home chef would be caught without either a flat or a box grater. Whether you prefer fine shreds of parmesan over your pasta or chunky slices of cheddar on your burger, a high-quality grater does the quick work of prepping your favorite cheeses. Look for a grater with multiple sides for versatility—large holes for fast shredding and small holes for fine grating.
Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
Measuring cups and measuring spoons are indispensable tools for the home cook. With a variety of sizes for both dry and liquid ingredients, they make replicating recipes and adjusting seasonings a breeze.
These handy utensils ensure your measurements are precise and accurate. Whether you’re an accomplished chef or just starting in the kitchen, a comprehensive set of measuring cups and spoons will have you whipping up your favorite casserole dish, baking cookies, or experimenting with new recipes in no time.
Can Opener
Ah, the humble can opener, a staple in every kitchen utensil drawer. While it may not be the star of your food prep show, it makes your life easier. No more struggling to pry open that tin of beans with a butter knife. Plus, who wants to risk cutting their fingers on those sharp edges?
The best part? A good can opener is usually dishwasher safe so that you can toss it in with the rest of your kitchen tools. Trust me, once you have a reliable can opener at your fingertips, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.
Final Thoughts
Well, you’re officially ready to get cooking if you have these eight essential kitchen tools! Your meal prep will be much easier, and you will save money by preparing food at home.
Hopefully, this blog post was helpful in teaching you what items are essential for kitchen use. Of course, these aren’t the only tools you could use, but they’ll give you well-rounded capabilities to make anything from simple scrambled eggs to a more complicated culinary creation.
From the best knife to measuring cups, acquiring these tools is all that stands between you and your delicious meals.
So don’t wait any longer; grab your pen as it’s time to make that shopping list! Put a smile on your face – it is time to save money and cook up something great at home – your stomach will be very grateful you did.
Bon Appetit
xooxoo
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