What tools does everyone need in the kitchen?

[victorce]

I just moved out on my own and have a small apartment. Since I am on a tight budget, I need t stop eating out as much as I have been, but I have never really cooked all that much. I realized that I really don't have kitchen tools and I know tis is making it more difficult for me to cook. I am wondering what are the essential tools that I need in my kitchen to save money and be able to do the cooking I need to do?

[Mesem]

That really depends on what you are cooking, but I recommend microwave, bowls, forks and spoons, a pot and a flat stove (or a wok). Whatever you prefer.

[disneysteve]

A decent quality chef's knife. It's really the only knife you need. I'd rather have one good chef's knife than a block full of crappy quality knives of every shape and size.

A decent quality baking/cookie sheet. Again, I'd rather have one good one than a stack of cheesy ones.

A cutting board.

A couple of decent pots and pans. You can buy a set but it often includes pieces that you probably don't need and can do without. Buy open stock and just get a good pan and a couple of good pots with lids.

Mixing bowls.

I can think of a lot of other things that are nice to have but not necessities. If you plan to do any baking, you'll also need a mixer of some sort and baking pans.

There are various hand tools you'll need like wooden spoons, spatulas, whisk, etc.

If money is tight, it is far better to buy better quality stuff secondhand at thrift shops, yard sales, and flea markets than to go into Bed, Bath, and Beyond and buy cheap new crap.

[snafu]

sorry, spacing contracted

Dishes/Flatware K-Supplies K-Utensils Cookware
Bowls Dish Soap Flip/ fish turner 8" cake
Cutlery Dish Towels Knives 8" skillet
Glassware Foil Mix Spoons Can Opener
Plates Paper Towel Scissors CoffeePot
Thermos Saran Wrap Soup Ladle Cookie Sheet
Water Jug Scrubbies Spatula Crock Pot
Squeeze Bottle Tongs
Cutting Board
Swiffer Veg Peeler Dish Pan
Trash Bags Whisk Mix bowls
Zip Lock Whizzer Muffin Pan
Plastic Container

Sauce Pan
Silicone pan
Steamer
Strainer
Toaster

Nearly all can be bought at Thrift store, just soak non electroic parts in in boiling water to santize

[marvholly]

with the shortage of counter space I woud suggest a toaster oven rather than a microwave.

Surprised no one said anything about a can opener - needed for CHEAP tuna & beans at the least. Also, many hand tools (wisk, wood spoons, spoatulas) can be gotten eith at resale shops or dollar typoe stores.

Also, do you need a coffee pot? Brewing is generally cheaper than instant if you/your friends are much of a coffee drinker.

[shaggy]

Good chef's knife
Good paring knife
Cutting board
3 qt saucepan
Frying pan
Dutch oven
Can opener
Wooden spoon, ladle, colander
Plate, bowl, drinking glass, cutlery.

That's all I had in my kitchen when I started out at 20. Actually I had a pressure cooker, because I use that for fast cooking. I loathe microwaves.

If you like to bake, you'll need a few more items.

[scfr]

• Dishes: 1 or 2 each plates, bowls, mugs (mugs can do multi-purpose for hot & cold beverages, even wine), knife/fork/spoon
• Cleanup: a couple towels & wash cloths, dish rack, dish soap, cleaning supplies
• Cookbook (basic one ... look for one about singles cooking unless you like leftovers)
• Pots/Pans: You can get by with 1 but it's nice to have 2. If you have 2 you can, for example, cook pasta & sauce at the same time.
• Basic baking dish (such as Pyrex)
• Hotpad
• A set of bowls with lids (these can do double duty for mixing AND storage of leftovers)
• Set of measuring cups & spoons (nice to have a clear glass measurer for liquids but you can add it later)
• 1 Knife & cutting board
• Colander (for draining and washing)
• Hand tools: can opener, veg peeler, flat spatula for flipping, rubber spatulas for scraping, whisk, wooden spoon 1 or 2, hand grater, ladle
  
  Not necessary but you may also want plastic wrap, plastic storage bags, parchment paper. Parchment on the bottom of a baking dish makes cleanup MUCH easier. Kitchen scissors while not necessary make life easier.
  

[lorraineb]

Don't forget a slow cooker / croc pot. Makes great, cheap meals while you are improving your cooking skills.

[HappySaver]

Totally agree with shaggy's list, plus some tongs, Pyrex cooking bowls/serving dishes. That's about all you need on the most basic level.

If you're adding on, I second the pressure cooker. Of course this depends on the kinds of food you cook, but I make homemade chicken broth in 30 minutes with it, stews, soups, lentils, etc. The new ones are very safe.

[shaggy]

Totally agree with shaggy's list, plus some tongs, Pyrex cooking bowls/serving dishes. That's about all you need on the most basic level.

If you're adding on, I second the pressure cooker. Of course this depends on the kinds of food you cook, but I make homemade chicken broth in 30 minutes with it, stews, soups, lentils, etc. The new ones are very safe.

Love my pressure cookers! The other night I stewed a whole chicken in one, made chicken broth later, and had risotto as a side dish. Risotto in 6 minutes with no stirring...it's heaven.

[fruitbowlk]

food processor, pineapple cutter, good knifes.

[FrugalSensei]

2.5 to 3-quart sauce pan
12-inch frying pan
Cutting board that measure around 10x15
Set of dishes and bowls for prepping, serving and saving. One set could it all as long as there are a variety of sizes.
A half dozen each of cold drink glasses and hot drink cups
Baking pan (about 9"x13")
2 big knives - one smooth edge, one serrated edge
Spatula, tongs and spoon (something that can mix stuff, be used in cooking meaning it can stand up to the heat, and be deep enough to serve something with juice/sauce)
Can and bottle opener (the right tool can do both)
Microwave
Strainer
Full set of proper utensils. Meaning forks, knives and spoons of decent quality. It is so not worth it to go cheap here and have them bend or break on you. Having said that, good quality can be found at garage sales or thrift stores.

The minimum number of dishes, utensils and glasses/cups is a variable dependent upon guests more than personal needs. I wasn't hosting big social events but it bugged me when I couldn't at least offer 4 friends a drink out of a decent and proper cup vs. a jar or a mixed drink in a coffee mug. I also wanted to serve up some snacks on a plate vs. a paper towel or frying pan.

My overall opinion is that bigger is better with pots, pans, knives and a cutting board. And slightly more than just barely enough is better when it comes to dishes, utensils and glasses/cups.

[ua_guy]

I don't think I can come up with an exhaustive list. It depends so much on what you like to eat/cook. There are some things that are absolute basics, like a can opener, a good butcher knife and a good pairing knife, a cutting board, a pot to boil water, a pan to cook meats, something to bake on, and utensils/plates/cups to eat/drink it. Reusable containers are a good investment, as living on your own, it's nice to have leftovers and *not* cook all the time, unless you particularly love cooking every day.

My best advice is to think about the things you like to cook, and what your family or caretakers used to cook with. Start accumulating those items on the cheap, however the advice above is golden. Find good stuff used, or try to save up to buy good stuff. The right "good" kitchen wares will last you a lifetime. Cheap/new items will cost you 2x in replacements as they fall apart, rust, or consistenly under-perform.