Essential Kitchen Equipment

Recently I've received three emails asking me what I consider to be the essential kitchen equipment required for people setting up home for the first time. That's a tough call because I can only give my list and others may need more or less. So with that in mind and the fact that money isn't usually plentiful when you set up your first home away from home, here is a list of what I consider essential.

You can add or subtract as you please but with this list you have a guideline to work from. Also I am a firm believer in the old Chinese proverb: "Pay dear cry once, buy cheap and cry forever."

If you cannot afford exactly what you wish then buy as cheap as you can with a view to getting what you want in the near future. There is no point in buying middle of the range if you want top of the range and can't afford it. You will save cash much quicker by buying cheap and using what you save to start saving for what you really want. It took me more than six years to get the equipment I truly wanted and I'm happy with that.

Essential kitchen equipment, my version:

Part One: Utensils.

1 set non-stick or stainless steel utensils.

2 Rubber spatulas, small and large

3 Wooden spoons, S/M/L

2 Whisks S/L

2 Stainless steel tongs S/L

Set of measuring cups

Set of measuring spoons

1 Stainless steel grater/zester

1 Can opener

1 Vegetable peeler

1 Bottle opener

1 Citrus squeezer

3 Mixing bowls S/M/L

1 Garlic press

1 Rolling pin

1 Pyrex measuring jug

Essential kitchen equipment:

Part 2: Knives.

1 Paring knife.

1 Vegetable knife.

1 Bread knife.

1 Carving knife.

1. Carving fork.

1 Cooks knife.

1 Knife honing steel.

1 Set kitchen scissors.

Essential kitchen equipment:

Part 3: Saucepans and baking pans.

3 Non stick fry-pans S/M/L

3 Saucepans (Make one of them non-stick)S/M/L

1 Wok.

1 Stock Pot/ Pasta Cooker.

1 Char grill pan.

1. Roasting/baking dish.

Essential kitchen equipment:

Part 4: Ceramic ware.

1 Medium size casserole with lid.

1 Lasagne dish.

1 Quiche dish.

2 Plate size pie dishes.

Part 5.

Miscellaneous:

If you are going to bake cakes then you will need some spring form cake tins.

Muffin Tray (6 muffins)

Chopping boards, I have one for meat and another for bread or fruit.

1 Set of kitchen scales.

1 Corkscrew if you are wine drinkers.

1 set of heatproof oven mitts.

Skewers.

Egg poacher

Egg rings if you use them.

A pastry brush

A basting brush.

A soup ladle.

Now that you know what kitchen equipment you need you can find more kitchen tips here.