After moving around so much, living in tight spaces, and having to share kitchen space with roommates, I’ve reduced my cooking equipment to the essentials. Everyone has their own opinions on their essential cooking equipment and here’s mine.
1. Cast iron pan
It deserves the hype. Throw it in the oven, gets real friggin hot and lasts forever. Needs some love and care but it deserves it. Utopia Kitchen Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 12.5″ for $19.95
2. Nonstick pan
It’s easy to clean and easy to use but gotta take care of it if you want it to last. It can’t take high heats and can’t scrub it too hard or else the nonstick material will come off.
T-Fal Excite ProGlide Nonstick 2 Piece for $24.99 or Calphalon 2 Piece Classic Nonstick Fry Pan Set for $44.99
3. Boiling pot
My personal choice of a boiling pot is a very large one. Yeah sometimes I don’t need such a large one but I don’t like too many things in my kitchen. Boil your pasta, make your soups, make rice. It does alot. Cook’s Standard Stainless Steel Stockpot 12-Qt for $35.31 or Cusinart 77-412 Chef’s Classic 4-Piece 12-Qt Pasta, Steamer set for $56.31
5. Colander
You’re gonna need something to strain stuff, like that spaghetti. Also necessary to watch vegetables and fruit. I don’t like the small-pored ones because things get stuck in there too easily and it’s difficult to wash out. ExcellSteel 731 Colander set for $14.77 or Qimh Colander Collapsible Strainer Over Sink With Extendable Handles 6Qt for $11.99
6.Spoons, forks, butter knives, chopsticks
Gotta have these to eat the things you cook obviously. LIANYU 20-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Cutlery Set Knife/Fork/Spoon for $17.99 and Art Shows 10 Pairs Wooden Chopsticks Set (9.8 Inch) for $8.66
7. Chef knife
I feel like the term “chef knife” a term for pretty much your favorite knife that’s between 6-10 inches. Spend a little more and get a nice one. It’ll stay sharper longer, easier to sharpen and cut easier. Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Chef’s Knife 8 inch or Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Santoku Knife 7 inch
8. Paring knife
Easier to use for the smaller stuff like cutting fruit Victorinox 4-Inch Swiss Classic Paring Knife for $7.49 or Mercer Culinary M22003 Millennia 3.5-Inch Paring Knife for $6.49
9. Steak Knife
Steak knives are real good for cutting meat but I also use it as a bread knife. AmazonBasics Premium 8-Piece Kitchen Steak Knife Set or Cuisinart C77TR-6PSK Triple Rivet Collection 6-Piece Steak Knife Set
10. Oven trays
Gotta have something to cook with in the oven. Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick 21 x 15-Inch Mega Baking Pan for $14.99 or Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet (2 Pack) for $22.99
11. Aluminum foil
I hate washing dishes so I put this on the oven tray before put on my food.
12. Saran wrap
Have to save those leftovers
13. Measuring cups
Yeah I also hate the details of having to measure everything out but you gotta follow that recipe. New Star Foodservice 42917 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups Combo, Set of 8 for $12.97 and Pyrex Measuring Cups, 3-Piece for $17.99
14. Cutting board
Honestly you might be able to get away without one of these and just use a plate but that’s jank and just get one . You can also make your own, but they’re cheap so save time and buy one. HOMWE Kitchen Cutting Board (3-Piece Set) for $15.97 or EXTRA LARGE Organic Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove 18 x 12 for $19.97
15. Can opener
I mean you have to open those cans somehow KitchenAid KC130OHAQA Classic Can Opener, Aqua Sky for $10.48
16. Towels
Use it to clean stuff up, but you can also use it as oven mitts to pick up hot stuff.
17. Thermometer
Don’t get food poisoning. Make sure your food is the proper temp. ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer with Backlight and Magnet for $12.34 or Kizen Instant Read Meat Thermometer – Best Waterproof Ultra Fast Thermometer with Backlight & Calibration for $19.95
18. Peeler
Might be able to get away without one of these but they’re cheap and makes life easier.Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler for $8.99 or OXO 1137680 Good Grips 3-Piece Peeler Set, 10-inch for $14.98
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