When I create or look for recipes, I always look to see what tools they require. Sure, some recipes might need a one-off (such as my amazing Montreal Smoked Meat, you kinda need a smoker to cook it). So here is a list of what I think you need to set up your kitchen. There are some kitchen basics that all kitchens need to be functional. I also have a second list of great tools that some feasts and those who want to experiment might want to consider for their kitchen!
The Basics List
Just like it sounds, the ‘basic’ list is all about the stuff you should really prioritize for your kitchen. You don’t need the most amazing equipment on this list, so do stay within your budget. For example, I’d love to own a Damascus steel chefs knife. Ok, they do look AMAZING, and I’d love to own one. However, I own a really good Global knife and a Wüsthof, not to mention one from Misen. So really I should be looking at offloading some of these rather than spending a small fortune on a Damascus or a custom made one.
That said, for some items, it is worth spending a bit more to get a really good product. I used to buy a standard baking sheet from the grocery store until I upgraded to a Nordicware one. I won’t be going back, the Nordicware one is just awesome.
- Mixing
bowl You want a good mixing bowl that is big enough that you can make a good loaf or two of bread in it. However, spending a bit of money gets you a really nice one that can also be used as a serving platter.- Budget option
- Really good one (I own one of these and love it)
- The ‘What’s a Budget?’ option
- Mixing Spoon and spatula
- You need one. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a good sturdy one.
- Non-stick frying pan
- Baking sheet pan
- I’ve said it before, I love my Nordicware sheet pan.
- Wire rack
- Ziplock bags
- Chef’s Knife
- Foil wrap
- Plastic containers
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Scale
- Grater
- Whisk
- Pot for water
The Extra Bit
So when you set up your kitchen, the Extra Bit are things that are nice to have and can make your life easier. Plus you can get some amazing food. That doesn’t mean you need it, there are workarounds, but it is nice to have. On our feasts, some of these make frequent appearances,
- Grill Pan
- Cast Iron Pan
- This is a great pan, I own one of these and swear by it
- If you want an amazing pan, but don’t want to season it, this is perfect.
- Serving platter
- Big-serving bowl/salad bowl
- Food processor
- Hand blender
- Juicer
- Fancy wine glasses (TBH, we use IKEA tumblers half the time as they clean up easily in the dishwasher!)
We use Wusthof knives here, too, Matt, and I absolutely love them! I wouldn’t trade ’em for anything. The weight of the knives and feel in my hand is perfect. Of course, if someone offered me a Damascus steel knife, I certainly wouldn’t turn them down. 🙂 I love this lineup of kitchen tools. Laura has very strong feelings about kitchen “uni-taskers” so we try to be careful with what we buy for the kitchen. Even being careful, our cabinets are still packed with tools…and truthfully I use most of them on a fairly regular basis! Also, I totally chuckled at the ‘what’s a budget option’. Hah!
This is a great posting topic, and something I’ve thought a lot about. In my kitchen, I rely on lots of flea market and garage sale finds – which you can pull of with style if you’re not in a hurry – and try to maximize the spending power on the things that need it most.
So, mixing bowls, wire racks, wine glasses … these come from flea markets, antique markets, and estate sales. It’s all vintage, high-quality stuff that I’ve spent years stumbling upon. I use a 10-inch, cast-iron skillet as my everyday, go-to frying pan, and believe it or not, it came from a garage sale. Cast iron, even if it’s been misused, is virtually indestructible and can be brought back to perfection with a bit of muscle. I cook sunny-side-up eggs in mine, and they slide out like it was non-stick. My second-favorite frying pan is a heavy, copper-core, stainless steel number that I bought at a yard sale for $1. A beautiful pan; a very rare find.
Mixing spoons and spatulas will make your life miserable if they’re not sturdy and of good quality. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a lot to get them, and they last almost forever. I mean, what’s the most you could possibly spend on one? $25? That’s two trips to McDonald’s. I’d put baking pans and sheets in this same category; really good ones are pretty affordable, and they make a huge difference. Same with a good cutting board if you maximize functionality over esthetics.
I shy away from non-stick pans, but I agree with you putting at least one on the essential list, because there are a few things that you can’t do without one.
A chef’s knife is one of the things you really should blow a lot of money on. And if you ever decide to get rid of that Wosthof, please send it my way! I have a full set, but would never turn a new one away. The downside of good knifes: you have to learn to sharpen them or get comfortable with having them sharpened. The upside, they will make your kitchen life a pure joy, and they’ll last so long, your great-grandchildren’s great grandchildren will eventually inherit them.
Like you, I also resist one-offs, but it’s hard to argue against a food processor or a blender … or, in my humble opinion, a stand mixer. But I bake an LOT.
It’s great that you can find so much quality stuff at flee markets. I find in the UK, the flee markets (or car boot sales as they call them) just don’t have great quality. Nowadays so much of the equipment people purchase just can’t survive to be sold to another person. I’ll keep you in mind if I ever get rid of the Wusthof (not likely!!)!