The 10 must-have items for a dream kitchen
You could either hate cooking or love it, but there’s no denying that a well-stocked kitchen could make a whole world of difference in your attitude towards it.
A spic and span kitchen with shelves stocked with must-have spices and condiments, a rack of utensils against the wall, from a fine-tuned oven to appliances, one doesn’t need to turn into a master chef to come back home to a dream kitchen.
To save you from rummaging through the whole of the internet, I am going to make the task easier for you.
Here’s a list of some must-have kitchen items that every amateur cook to every culinary lover should include in their kitchen.
Cookware
The obvious, the bloodline of any kitchen. But the challenge is to differentiate efficiently what you need and what is best left in the shelves of the supermarket.
1. Skillet and Saucepans
The holy grail of all kitchenware. Frying eggs in the morning, stir-frying your veggies, cooking canned food, simmering sauce, and cooking your pasta, these babies are multi-functional wonders that are must-have items for your kitchen.
If you are confused about the size, the standard to recommend would be a 12-inch lidded skillet, preferably of stainless steel and non-sticky. And for saucepans, make sure the handle is coated and it comes with a lid.
Keep in mind that you are buying this for the long run, so don’t compromise with the cost.
2. Stock Pots, Sheet tray, Casserole Dishes
Cooking stews, boiling vegetables, and making soups for a big group has never been easier than with a thick, sturdy stockpot.
Make sure to buy the multi-ply ones that are famous for keeping in heat inside the pot.
If you live alone or usually don’t have company, opt for a medium-sized saucepan instead of the stockpot.
Besides these essential pieces, I would recommend a large and durable sheet tray if you mostly like cooking in the oven, and nothing beats a set of casserole dishes with matching lids for baking.
Appliances
Now onto more costly additions for your kitchen, but these will likely reap you the most rewards and save you time. I have only two non-negotiable, must-have recommendations.
3. Blender
A good quality sustainable blender can be a very wise investment for your kitchen, so pick a reliable brand to avoid the hassle of replacing it from time to time.
Blenders are the epitome of no clutter and no complications. When buying one, don’t necessarily pick the one that’s most expensive to ensure quality.
Rather, look for one with a tapered jar and the contents move downwards towards the blades. This guarantees no spillage and no unnecessary messes on the counter-top.
4. Toaster
For bread lovers, a toaster is a must. A kitchen can feel empty and bare without a toaster, the go-to tool for a fast breakfast.
A versatile toaster with wide slots can cook both the thicker bread slices and bagels for a no-hassle breakfast.
Utensils
It might seem like a very basic ‘no-help needed’ area, but I still come bearing recommendations for the must-have essentials.
5. Knives
You might think only one big knife is enough to get you through most of the cutting and chopping, but it can only get you but so far.
The three kings of the kitchen: a chef’s knife, a serrated knife, and a paring knife. You can get away with most of your cutting with the chef’s knife; for slicing bread, a serrated knife comes in handy; and for fruits or mincing smaller items, the latter is the best.
When you are buying, you can mix and match or just get a beautiful block of knives for all purposes in the kitchen.
If you are not handy with knives for peeling the skin off vegetables, add a vegetable peeler to your collection.
6. Cutting Board
Knives and cutting boards go hand in hand, and there are varieties that you can choose from. Bamboo ones are best for cutting vegetables and plastic ones are best for proteins.
7. Measuring Spoons and Cups
Thinking of baking that perfect cake for a loved one or following a traditional recipe for the first time that has been in your family for years?
Unless you are descendants of cooking gods, there is a one in a million chance that your first try would come off as successful without precisely measuring the ingredients.
Why should you opt for both the cups and the spoons? The Pyrex measuring cups are more useful and efficient in keeping tabs on large quantities of liquids; the added value of Pyrex is that the material is microwaveable.
Stainless steel measuring spoons might not go easy on the eye or aren’t going to be the prettiest addition to your kitchenware, but the long-lasting quality is a clear winner for the long run.
8. Can Opener
This small miracle is going to make your life very, very easy. It is the connecting tool between those ingredients in the can and your saucepan!
You have two options: either an electric or a manual one. It’s hard to say which one might last longer; it completely depends on how carefully you use it. Just make sure you don’t choose one that causes hand cramps.
9. Spatula, Whisks, Spoons
No list of utensils is complete without a spatula, spoons, or whisks. They are must-have kitchen items and no-brainer. These are the hard hitters of your kitchen, so picking the most durable one will be more cost-efficient. Better yet, pick up a pack of various sizes, so they are always ready whenever you need them.
10. Colander/Strainer
A must-have item for any kitchen. From washing and draining vegetables to separating fine sediments from the broth, a colander is a well-designed, easy-to-use kitchen item that you can’t live without.
Pick classic plastic colanders, which are easy to use and easier to wash, or a set of stainless steel strainers for draining even the finest particles.
Other Items
No list for essential items in a kitchen is complete without oven mitts and potholders, towels, dish soap, and dish drying rack.
Oven mitts and potholders for obvious reasons: you don’t want to burn your fingers every time you cook. No need to run around looking for pieces of cloth to clean up the mess on the counter-top or to dry dishes when you have a kitchen towel right within your reach.
These small, convenient items could, and will should you get them, make your cooking life less messy and more enjoyable.
Some Last Words
Maybe you just moved to a new home or you feel like overhauling your kitchen with just the essentials to fit your busy life.
Maybe all you are left with are some thrift-shop glassware and some pots and pans with pitch-black bottoms, and you want a change. And unless you start cooking, you cannot fathom what you might or might not need.Be conscious of the environment, always look for environment-friendly, sustainable products, and try using plastic bags as less as possible when you make purchases. Every small act counts.
So, save this as a list when you head to the nearest shop because I promise you, you won’t need anything else beside it. Happy cooking!
