Tips on Kitchen Equipment

As a neophyte home cook, I loved all manner of gadgets regardless of practicality. With experience under my belt, I know that some kitchen tools are essential and some (like that super awesome thing from some great QVC commercial that happens to be miniature sized glory giver) are otherwise extraneous. Feel free to learn the lesson the hard way, your pocketbook and efficient storage space are will the only things adversely affected. Sure sometimes your life may be easier if you have an avocado pitter, but you can save the eight bucks and de-pit the fruit yourself pretty easily. That said, if I had the money (I don’t because I spend it all on the food), I would certainly continue to make impulse purchases (read…buy miniature kitchen stuff). You know, that cute little purple hippopotamus chip clip or maybe I need that super cute tiny pink spatula that has a pig on the handle (both of which I have and hardly ever use). If I had the money, I would probably have the entire farm in my arsenal. Alas, I don’t have the money – so I focus on the essentials and avoid going to any kitchen supply store unchaperoned. Here are my favorite, and most useful, pieces of equipment (some of which I am still saving for).

Knives

Good knives are essential. If you prepare food on a regular – or even-semi regular – basis you need decent (at the very least) knives. Put simply: if you buy a twenty dollar knife, the chances of spending a couple hundred on an emergency room visit to address your chopped finger increase greatly. If you care for them well, a good chopping knife should last for many years. The cost is upfront, but is minimal over  the life span of the knife. Bonus, your fingers will be more likely to remain intact. It is important to handle knives before you buy them – some places have demo knives for pre-purchase trial. Either way, pick the knife up in the store. How is the weight, how does it fit your hand, are you comfortable, etc.? My favorite knives have consistently come from the Shun line. I love the weight, I love the sharp blade, I love the feel and ease of use. These knives are incredibly sharp so – watch out…if you have a couple glasses of wine before dinner, well…you have been warned. Essential knife accessories include a honer, proper knife storage (mine are kept in a felt-lined, wooden box) and a sharpener. You do not really need a whole set of knives – unless you just have $700 bucks to throw down – as you will generally use about three different knives as a novice cook. Do an inventory of what you tend to need the most and spend the bulk of your money there, you can compromise in the quality for remaining knives. (Though do not go to Walmart and stock up on butcher knives or carvers – or anything for that matter – Walmart is the devil).  You need a serrated knife. This is a fact, not a suggestion. Cutting tomatoes without bruising them – a crucial task during summer season – and bread will never be easier.

Pots and Pans

You can argue that pots and pans are not unequivocally essential to cooking since Top Chef contestants have turned out amazing food using foil and a open-pit fire with sticks for utensils. You could argue this point, but you would be incredibly wrong in the most ridiculous of ways. Though pans do not always morph into an extension of your body, like your knives, cooks can get attached to them. One of the reasons I prefer to cook in my own kitchen is because of my pans and my knives. Of course, I can cook a meal using others’ but it is just more of a hassle usually and less safe (in the knife department). There is a common misconception with pans –  you have too spend buttloads of money on whole sets to get decent pans. THIS IS A FALLACY. You will have to spend money, granted, but there’s no need to buy a whole set. As with the knives, spend the big bucks on pans you use the most. Then buy good pans for  round it out. If you can buy all at the same time, more power to you and could you please lend me some money? Kidding aside, good pans will last years and they will pay for themselves. They heat and cook the food properly and are easier to work with. Currently, I have CuisinArt non-stick pans that I was given in a set as a Christmas present about seven years ago (my sister worked at Pottery Barn at the time and got a 30 percent discount at Williams Sonoma so I was lucky). They have been amazing pans and were worth every penny – far more in fact. I use my pans almost daily so I have certainly gotten [my parent’s] money out of them. The only problem, not exclusive to these pans, is that with non-stick pans the lining eventually wears off. The pans still work to cook with – they simply do not have non-stick capabilities. I have since invested in newer versions of the same, as well as AllClad Copper Core pans (pictured below). I also have three specialty pans (besides a dutch oven) than I find essential. One is an asparagus steamer that I purchased a boutique kitchen store for $10 (it was a closing sale and was 75 percent off). I have found that I use it way more than I thought I would. Another is a risotto pan. A novelty item, but I love making risotto and I wanted a pretty Le Cruset Risotto pan. The third, if you cook Asian cuisine somewhat frequently, is a wok. Then onto cast irons…cast irons are arguably the best. They are also the only ones that can become part of you. These work horses will last for decades and, like you, they get infinitely better with age. Cheap enough to buy several different sizes/styles, they are the best value for your dollars.

Cutting boards

Try to find cutting boards that have grips to ensure the board does not slide around whilst mid-chop. (If you cannot find these, make sure that your board will not slide by putting down a dish towel.)  Should chopping your finger off sound appealing – go ahead and skip these suggestions. Another factor to consider with cutting boards is sanitation and the proliferation of germs. If you purchase wooden cutting boards, you can cut only fruits, breads and veg on the board to prevent contamination from meats and fish. Other than that – pick your pleasure. Heck, get a tie-dye cutting board if you want.

Baking Dishes, Muffin tins and Cookie Sheets

I have done fine with a full set of Pyrex baking dishes and, until I have enough money to buy Le Cruset baking dishes, they will have to do. I love silicon muffin tins, they are fun toys. As for cookie sheets, I am in desperate need of some new ones. I love the Sil-Pat sheets for cookie sheets as well! I really like the Pampered Chef Stoneware baking sheets and have a couple of those, but my advice is that you should stick with what you like and is in your budget. I also very much enjoy baking in ramekins so I have a growing stock of those. Take this section with a grain of salt as I am not a baker.

Dutch Oven

Words will never express how much I love my Le Cruset Dutch Oven. It is amazing for making stews, broth, soups, pot roasts, etc. Mine is HUGE. I got it on sale at Sur La Table. I had been looking for a ceramic dutch oven for a while, so was able to afford it (especially at 50 percent off) when the color was discontinued and it went on supa-dupa sale. Happen to love the color as well. #winning

Food Processor, Blenders, Emulsion Blenders and Counter-Top Mixers 

These are a must have. You will use them for everything. My goal is to one day have a mini and regular food processor, a CuisinArt or KitchenAid counter mixer with a dough hook and all attachments (pasta, sausage, etc), a Vitamix, and my emulsion blender. This seems like a lot, but you will be surprised at how often you will use them. The counter mixer is essential to make dough. The food processors are just awesomely versatile work horses. Emulsion blenders are great when making soups or things that you want semi-pureed. The VitaMix is stellar. I love smoothies, so a blender in my house is a must have. The VitaMix will puree a soup in seconds. Thinking about it now a juicer is also on my wish list because I spend a fortune on fresh green juice.

Pizza Trays

One of the most indispensable kitchen items that I own is a pizza tray with holes in it. It gets the crust of pizza, breaded meats, and baked breads perfectly crispy on both sides. I also have a couple of pizza stones, which are fine – just not as awesome at the little $15 dollar hole-filled tray that I love.

Kitchen Utensils that I cannot live without

Tongs

I love tongs. I use them for almost everything from tossing pasta to flipping meat. I also love the mini tongs. I always buy silicone-gripper tongs so that I will not hurt my pans (the same goes for spatulas).

Cheese Graters and Micro-Zesters

I rarely buy pre-grated cheese, so graters are essential in my kitchen. I tend to break out one of my three graters almost daily. I double my grater as a zester without any problems. I also have a Ming-Tsai ceramic zester that I have used, but do not like because it is difficult to get the grated substance out given that the surface is flat. My hands-down favorite grater is one that my mom has had for two decades. It is a grater wheel and is the easiest and quickest way to grate cheese in the world. She gifted me one a couple years back and I love it.

The Spider

This little Japanese tool is perfect for collecting fried foods out of hot oil. If you do a good deal of frying this can make your life awesome. It allows oil to drain. Similarly, drying racks and drip pans are also essential if you fry a lot of food. I have not invested in the latter because I hardly ever fry and don’t want to test Pandora’s box.

Wooden and Silicone Spoons and Spatulas (never metal)

Start small, but you will find yourself with at least two favorites, plus a drawer filled with various sizes and shapes. The basics: Two large wooden spoons, two large silicone/rubber spoons (I liked Pampered Chef’s); One large silicone/rubber spatula; one small silicone/rubber spatula; one soup ladle; one slatted pasta spoon; one small silicone whisk; one large silicone whisk; one silicone pastry brush. That is a great start! Never use metal utensils on your pans or you will ruin them. Rubber and silicone can melt at high heats so do not leave these in the pan.

Colander, Steamer and Pasta Insert

It is fairly obvious why you need colanders. Draining pasta, draining broth, washing fruits and veggies. Pick your favorite and keep a couple sizes. I like the collapse-able colanders for space-constricted kitchens. Additionally, the over-the-sink colanders are great for washing loads of veggies at once or for draining a LARGE amount of pasta. A silicone veggie steamer is essential in my kitchen. I use it several times during a week as I love to serve meals with sides of steamed veg. If you can afford to buy a pan insert when you are buying pans, knock yourself out (I sure would love one). Pasta inserts, while not essential, make life easier. I cannot wait until I have one (another bonus comes when you make stock and you can just pull the solids out without having to transfer broth to pots through strainers over and over…dear Lord that day cannot come soon enough.)

Pasta Maker

A luxury item, I grant you, but one that is essential if you make copious amounts homemade pasta. You can find electric ones and, if you are lucky enough to have a counter top mixer, there are pasta attachments that make all sorts of shapes easily. Making spinach pasta and homemade ravioli is my favorite!

Panini Maker/Sandwich Press

 Hot sandwiches ALWAYS trump cold sandwiches. I actually cannot even remember the last time I disgraced my mouth with a cold sandwich. I will admit, this was a present and I can make a grilled cheese just fine on the stove, but I LOVE mine. I have found that my panini press has multiple uses as well. I frequently grill different types of bread on in, flatten cornbread for making sammies – you can even cook meat on here if you need to (I don’t, but knock yourself out if it’s a means to an end for you). They are basically less kitschy George Foreman grills!

Helpful Odds and Ends

Vegetable Peeler

You will use this over and over again. Buy one. I have five – four of which were presents and one that is an Orange Monkey grater. Guess which is my favorite….

Julienne-ing Tool

This little guy makes life so much easier. Julienne veg can take a very long time so having the tool (it looks like a veggie peeler) saves a great deal of time in what could be a frequent kitchen task.

Needle-Nose Pliers

Absolutely essential if you are a fish eater. I can take the bones out myself quite easily, ergo I generally saddle the my fish monger with the task (though they oblige happily). But, even if I do have the fish monger remove the bones before packing my fish – he can still miss one. So you need this little guy in case you find some bones. Plus, they are all cute and small and I am sucker for all things miniature.

Apple Slicer

Sorry, but cutting apples is quite a pain. This makes it a breeze.

Can Opener

My favorite was $2.99 from HEB and leaves a smooth edge. If it ever breaks I will blubber like Moby Dick.

Masher

Again, obvious tool. Great for lots of things. Sure you can get by without it, but why make your life more difficult? If you plan to make gnocchi, which you absolutely should, a potato ricer is absolutely essential. Ricers also render your mashed potatoes (or mashed parsnips) silken and smooth.

Mandoline

This great kitchen additions will give you uniform sliced veg in seconds. Prep time goes much, much faster. Great for anyone who makes potatoes frequently (sliced at least).

Mixing Bowls – various sizes

You will use these all the time.

Kitchen Shears

These are absolutely essential. I have three pairs and I use them daily.

Mallet

Great for pounding meat and crushing spices. You may not use this everyday, but you will want to have it in the drawer.

Pizza Roller and Slicer

I make a lot of pizza, so these bad boys are essentials for me. Plus the roller doubles as a security system – someone breaks him you can whack them over the head!

Wish List

By wishlist I basically mean something that I would like as a present say from a registry – these are not things that I plan to buy on my own (unless maybe I come into a lot of money and just want to) because I can cook without them. That said…some are just fun!

Juicer

Rice Cooker

Bread Maker

Ice Cream Maker

Belgian Waffle Maker

Small Deep Fryer

Griddle Pans

Spice Grinder