Ten Essential Kitchen Tools
Basic Utensils and Gadgets for a Starter Kitchen
© Kat Long
Sep 21, 2009
There are thousands of kitchen gadgets on the market, but newbie chefs--and those who are simply smart and thrifty--can stock their first kitchen with ten basic but essential items.
The first rule of buying kitchen tools is to purchase items that can perform multiple functions (one exception: can openers). It makes more sense to buy a saucepan that can cook a variety of foods rather than a rice cooker, which can only cook rice. Basic non-electric tools are usually less expensive and occupy less space in the cabinet or on a countertop.
Even veteran chefs can use these ten-item list as a guide for clearing out obsolete appliances and single-function gadgets from their kitchen cabinets.
The ten essential tools can be divided into three categories: preparation, cooking/baking, and serving.
Essential Prep Tools
- Serrated chef's knife. This basic item is obviously used for chopping a multitude of foods. The knife should be large and sturdy enough to cut tough vegetables like winter squash, and fit comfortably in your hand. A serrated edge is preferred over a straight edge, as it's easier to slice softer items like tomatoes with the "teeth" of the blade.
- Cutting board. Paired with the chef's knife, a cutting board might be the most useful tool in the kitchen. the board protects surfaces and provides a sanitary space for food prep. Plastic cutting boards are inexpensive, but wooden boards are preferred for their durability and use as a kneading surface for bread dough.
- Can opener. This baby needs no introduction, It's the only item on the list that performs a single function, but without one, it would be impossible to open canned goods.
Cooking and Baking Basics
- Saucepan. It's hard to overestimate the usefulness of a 2-quart (or larger) cooking pot. Whether stainless steel, Teflon-coated or enamel, saucepans can be used to saute, stir-fry, boil, simmer, steam and even re-heat all kinds of food.
- Colander. These perforated bowls are crucial for draining foods that have been immersed in boiling water, or straining solid material out of liquids. It's difficult--and dangerous--to try draining pasta from a pot of boiling water without one of these gadgets.
- Spatula. A rubber spatula is indispensable for scraping the last morsels of food out of a bowl or saucepan. A spatula can also stir very delicate foods, like whipped egg whites, without breaking the structure of air bubbles that keep the whites frothy.
- Measuring cup. Much easier to manage that a six-count set of measuring cups, the 2-cup/1 pint single measuring cup is ideal for most baking needs. Intervals at a quarter, third, half, two-thirds and three-quarters are typically indicated on the side. This item can measure liquids and solids accurately.
- Baking dish. A necessary tool for any cooking inside the oven, a baking dish--at least eight inches square--can roast meats or vegetables, bake cakes, breads and casseroles, or be used in the broiler. Aluminum, stainless steel or Pyrex dishes are all oven-safe choices.
Handy Serving Necessities
- Large mixing bowl. A metal, ceramic or glass mixing bowl can serve as a salad bowl and main course serving bowl in addition to a vessel for mixing cake batter, sauces and other semi-liquid foods.
- Eating utensils (knife, fork and spoon). These three ubiquitous items are crucial for eating, which is the point of stocking the kitchen with cooking, baking and prepping tools in the first place.
Budding cooks and experienced gastronomes alike can use this guide to make their kitchens more streamlined, functional and useful.
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