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Brace yourself. Because we're about to dig deep. This is an all-inclusive list of essential kitchen tools. This list is ideal for a home cook or anyone who enjoys working in the kitchen. Let's get started and learn about the basic kitchen utensil items that everyone needs.
Having the right kitchen tools is crucial for making cooking and food prep simpler and more efficient. Imagine trying to cook without a knife to chop vegetables or a cutting board to work on – it would be quite a challenge!
Besides making everything easier, they also help keep you safe in the kitchen by reducing the chance of accidents. They're made specifically for cooking, after all. Plus, when you have all the necessary tools, you're more inclined to experiment with new recipes and cooking methods. This means you can create delicious homemade meals that you'll enjoy.
Here's a list of basic kitchen essentials everyone needs to have:
if you're truly starting from scratch the first thing you'll need is a nonstick pan. These pans are easy to clean and perfect for beginners, as long as you take great care of them (no metal tools or scrubbers!). They're also the best pan for cooking eggs, unlike cast-iron or stainless steel skillet pans, which tend to stick.
When you need to cook something with liquids, such as boiling pasta and vegetables or simmering sauces and beans, a saucepan is ideal. Look for a 4-quart saucepan. A 4-quart saucepan is simple to use and manage, and it's perfect for cooking for a larger crowd.
A good knife is a chef's top tool. This is one of the few purchases you'll be glad you made. Pick one that you are comfortable with. It should feel balanced in your hand, easy to grip, not too heavy, but also not flimsy. Make sure to take good care of it since you'll be using it a lot.
Once you've got the perfect knife, you'll need a knife sharpener to keep it sharp! A dull knife can be dangerous. You won't need to pay for sharpening services or fancy electric gadgets when you have one of these.
A good cutting boardis super important in your kitchen, just like your chef's knife. Pick one that's strong and well-designed. Also, make sure it's dishwasher safe and is made of odor-resistant polypropylene to ensure it lasts longer. Lastly, think about getting a wooden cutting board. These boards will prevent your knife from dulling quickly and are easy to clean.
You'll definitely need a strong metal (or good quality plastic) spatula for flipping, tossing, and serving lots of different foods. With a metal spatula, you can make fluffy pancakes and roast veggies effortlessly.
For tasks like scraping out the food processor or mixing bowl, swirling frosting on a cake, or folding egg whites into batter, you'll need a silicone spatula. If you cook with a lot of garlic or spices, make sure to have a second spatula to prevent flavor transfer.
The more you cook, the more you'll appreciate sheet pans. You'll need them for baking cookies, roasting veggies, and even broiling tuna melts. And if dinner doesn't go as planned, they're perfect for cooking frozen foods like french fries.
Every cook should have measuring spoons. Look for ones that are long and narrow enough to fit into jars, and make sure they're sturdy so they won't bend or warp. We suggest getting spoons with half-sphere ends since they're versatile for both straight measurements and shaping round items like cookie dough balls.
If you bake, you definitely need measuring cups. They're handy for regular cooking too. Get a four-piece set for measuring dry ingredients and small amounts of liquid. For measuring liquids, get a 1-quart glass measuring cup. It'll save time and make it easy to mix sauces and vinaigrettes before pouring them into your dishes.
When cooking, it's helpful to have a mixing bowl ready for marinating meat, beating eggs, or storing prepared veggies. If you're entertaining guests and want to show off your cooking, you can also use them as serving bowls.
A slow cooker, often known as a Crock-Pot, is the ideal appliance for busy families. You can quickly throw ingredients into the cooker before leaving for work, and supper will be ready when you return. Make sure you get a size that will serve your entire family.
A Dutch oven is versatile and can cook anything from soup to bread to chicken. You can find different brands of cast-iron enameled casseroles (all at different price points). Make sure to get a 7-quart Dutch oven—it's big enough for most tasks and won't take up too much space in your kitchen.
You don't want to forget a can opener! Canned beans and veggies are great for quick meals, and you'll need the opener to open them. You'll also need it for other canned products like coconut milk, curry paste, fruits, and crushed tomatoes.
Cutting through a loaf of bread without squishing it is a breeze with a big serrated knife. It's also great for getting perfect tomato slices. If you try using a straight blade knife for bread and tomatoes, you might end up squashing them, unless you're really good at knife skills and keep your blades super sharp.
Metal whisks come in various shapes and sizes. Pick one with a medium-sized handle that feels good in your hand. It's handy for mixing dry ingredients for baking, stirring eggs in a frittata, or making vinaigrettes. Make sure to also get a flat whisk.
A perforated (or slotted) spoon, whether it's wooden or metal, acts like a mini strainer, separating solids from liquids. It's great for lifting things like potatoes or small pasta noodles from boiling water and for other high heat cooking.
Ever had those times when you wanted to use your hands while cooking but knew it could be risky, like pulling spaghetti from boiling water turning chicken breasts in the oven? That's where tongs come in handy. They're like your best friend for handling hot food safely.
This tool is super handy and basic. You'll use it daily for opening packets, clipping herb stems, and more. It's also good for cutting up a whole chicken or trimming pie crusts occasionally. To prevent gunk from building up in the hinge, look for a pair that can be dismantled for cleaning.
Y-peelers are essential in your kitchen. They're much faster than swivel peelers, especially when peeling lots of potatoes or carrots. They're also easy to handle and very cheap. If one gets dull, just replace it!
You can get a sieve from a restaurant supply store or even a dollar store. A 6" diameter sieve will do the job. It's handy for scooping out blanched veggies, draining pasta, and straining stocks and sauces. Plus, it makes rinsing grains much simpler.
This handheld gadget blends soups, smoothies, and pestos effortlessly with just the push of a button. They're simpler to use than regular blenders and don't take up much space either.
Every kitchen needs a heavy-duty colander for draining boiled pasta and veggies. You can also use it to drain canned beans and freshly washed vegetables.
While it's advertised as a fish turner, this tool is versatile. It's great for flipping burgers, seafood, and pancakes thanks to its wide base. The narrow edge easily slides under dishes, and the slots help drain grease.
Unless you only eat solid food, you'll need a ladle to transfer any liquid-based meal from the pot to your bowl. You'll quickly realize its importance if you try serving soup without one.
Wooden spoons last a lifetime and are gentle on non-stick surfaces. Just remember not to put them in the dishwasher. They're great for stirring ingredients in a pan and serving food once it's ready.
When it comes to cooking, timing is everything! It's especially useful when multitasking or cooking multiple dishes simultaneously. If you don't want to buy a timer, use your microwave or phone to set one.
A salad spinner is a must-have when it comes to enjoying a fresh salad. You'll need to dry your greens to keep them from becoming mushy, and "spinning" them is by far the quickest way to do it.
Kitchen tasks that appear to be simple can occasionally be more difficult than they should. Juicing a lemon is one of them. It's difficult to whip up a quick dish when your hands get stained with juice and the seeds fall into your food. A good citrus juicer solves these problems.
A paring knife is a short kitchen knife that's handy for many tasks. It can peel, chop, and its small tip is great for detailed jobs like coring strawberries.
It's best to avoid using metal utensils with non-stick pans as they can scratch and damage the coating. Opt for utensils made of plastic, silicone, or wood instead.
The frequency of sharpening your knives depends on how often you use them. As a general rule, it's recommended to sharpen your knives every few months for regular home use. However, if you notice a decrease in cutting performance, it's a sign that your knife needs sharpening.
It's not recommended to put wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher as the heat and moisture can cause them to warp and crack. Instead, hand wash them with mild soap and water and dry them immediately to prolong their lifespan.
To clean your immersion blender, simply detach the blending shaft from the motor unit and wash it with warm, soapy water. Be sure to rinse and dry it thoroughly before storing. Avoid submerging the motor unit in water to prevent damage.
Yes, besides drying greens, a salad spinner can also be used to rinse and dry herbs, berries, and other delicate produce.
Stocking up your kitchen with the most basic tools shouldn't be difficult. You can end up with a fully equipped kitchen that will last a lifetime (without costing you an arm and a leg!) by choosing only high-quality multi-purpose goods. If you find our post useful, be sure to share it with your friends. And don't forget to check out Pepe Nero for all your basic cooking tool needs, from rolling pins and mortar and pestles to baking and grilling kits, and more! Shop with us today.
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