A Carpenter Wouldn't Work without the Proper Hammer: What Tools Do You Need? The Well-Stocked Kitchen!

The goal to get in and out of the kitchen quickly is to have the right tools to complete the job. With so many kitchen gadgets out there (trust me, I'm a gadget-oholic, hence my 'pampered' alter ego!), it's hard to know what's important, and what is a waste of space. For someone who just uses the kitchen to reheat take-out or to warm up a freezer meal, you won't need much; however, for even the most basic cook, a well-stocked kitchen will allow you to experiment!



It can be costly to set up a kitchen; my advice is to invest a good portion of the budget into knives and cookware- a good quality knife (I recommend a paring knife, a utility knife and a Santuko); and a few essential pans (10" skillet, stock pot, and grill pan- non-stick, as well as one stainless steel saute pan) will save time (sharp knives cut more efficiently and without cutting you!) and non-stick pans require less oil, and are easier to clean. A stainless pan is good for browning or broiling at high heat. To accompany the knife, purchase a synthetic (not wood) cutting board (easy cleanup in the dishwasher!) or even a bamboo. Wood will eventually dull your knives and harbors bacteria. Also, for non-stick pans, you'll want to get silicone or bamboo tools- big no no on metal or risk scratching the pans.



Here's the list for a well-stocked kitchen:

measuring spoons
dry measuring cups
liquid measuring cups
manual can opener
citrus juicer
colander- metal
corkscrew
synthetic cutting boards
funnel
garlic press
ice cream scoop
kitchen tongs
long-handled fork
potato masher
salad spinner
slotted spoons
soup ladle
silicone spatulas
strainer
meat thermometer
turner
vegetable peeler
wire whisk
wooden spoons
zester
chef's knife
kitchen shears
paring knife
serrated bread knife
steak knives
Santuko Knife
baking dishes (multiple sizes)
microwave-safe casserole with lid
mixing bowls (at least two)
large serving bowl (pasta)
plastic storage containers
small ingredient dishes
broiler pan
8” skillet
12” sauté pan
roasting pan with rack
saucepans (1 qt. & 2.5 qt.)
stockpot (8 quart)
baking sheet with rim
cooling rack
flat baking sheets
glass pie plates
muffin tins
round cake pans
square baking pan
coffee maker
food processor
hand mixer
microwave oven
standing mixer
crock pot