Whilst some kitchen tools are optional, there are others that are absolutely essential for any cook. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, they’ll make your time in the kitchen much easier and more enjoyable. In this article, we’ll discuss the top kitchen tools that everyone needs to own.
Table of Contents
A Quality Knife Set
If you don’t have a good set of knives, your cooking time will become difficult and frustrating. A dull knife will make it hard to prep your food and it can even be dangerous. If you invest in a quality set of knives, they’ll serve you for many years. Here are some examples of kitchen knives and their uses:
- Paring knife: Perfect for peeling and slicing fruits and vegetables
- Chef’s knife: The most versatile knife; it can be used for chopping, slicing, and mincing
- Bread knife: Has a serrated blade which is perfect for bread and other soft foods
- Carving knife: Used for carving meat or poultry
- Cleaver: A large bladed knife that’s mainly used for cutting through bone
As for all the items we’ll be discussing today, it’s worth checking out some specialist blogs and websites. You can get help finding the right knife set for you, discover the different types of cooking knives and learn when to use each one. You can also receive guidance on what to look for when purchasing them, and how to keep them sharp.
A Cutting Board
This is a flat surface on which you can cut food. Wooden versions are the most popular type of cutting board, but they can be expensive. If you’re on a budget, look for a plastic board that’s easy to clean and that won’t dull your knives. Some of the times you’ll need your board includes:
- When you’re cutting raw meat
- When you’re chopping vegetables
- When you’re making sandwiches
- When you’re slicing fruit
A Pot And Pan Set
When choosing a pot and pan set, the first thing you need to think about is the material. The three most common materials used for cookware are stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s worth doing some research to see which is best for you.
Next, you need to think about the size of the pots and pans. If you’re cooking for a family, you’ll need larger pieces, but if you’re only cooking for yourself, you can get away with smaller ones. If you’re going to buy a set of pots and pans, make sure it includes a stockpot, saucepans, frying pans, and a saute pan. Here are some example uses:
- Stockpot: perfect for making soup, stew, chili, and other large dishes.
- Saucepans: ideal for cooking sauces, rice, pasta, and vegetables.
- Frying pans: great for frying eggs, bacon, and pancakes.
- Saute pan: perfect for sauteing meats and vegetables.
One Or More Baking Dishes
Baking dishes are typically made from ceramic, glass, or metal. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they’re all designed to hold more food than a traditional frying pan or saucepan. A baking dish is a kitchen essential because it can be used for so many different recipes. You can use it to bake casseroles, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, quiche, and so much more.
Baking dishes come in all different sizes, so you’ll want to choose one that’s appropriate for the recipe you’re making. Ceramic and glass baking dishes retain heat well and can go from the oven to the table, but they’re also breakable.
Metal baking dishes are durable and often cheaper, but they don’t retain heat as well as ceramic or glass. Round, square, and rectangular baking dishes are the most common, but you can also find them in other shapes like hearts or stars.
A Colander Or Strainer
A colander or strainer is a bowl-shaped kitchen utensil that has a mesh sieve and is used to separate solids from liquids. You can choose from plastic colanders, metal colanders, ceramic colanders, and collapsible colanders. Plastic colanders are typically less expensive than metal or ceramic ones, but they’re not as durable.
Colanders are most commonly used to drain pasta or rinse fruits and vegetables. They can also be used to strain stocks, sauces, and soups. Some even have a pour spout to make draining liquids easier.
A Baking Sheet
A baking sheet is a flat, rectangular metal pan used for baking cookies, biscuits, and other food items in an oven. It’s designed to allow an even heat distribution, resulting in evenly cooked food. It also prevents small items from falling through the cracks of a wire rack.
Needless to say, there are many more kitchen essentials you could be considering. By possessing quality versions of the ones we’ve described today, you’ll be able to prepare food as never before, and everyone will enjoy the finished products for many years to come.
