Do you want to know how to stock a kitchen with the right equipment? Have you been wondering what to get and how to store it all?
Having the most appropriate kitchen equipment is essential for efficient and safe cooking. While it’s true that manufacturers are constantly releasing new and improved versions of their sleek and contemporary kitchen gadgets, just because they’re available doesn’t mean you need to buy them all. In fact, only the most basic tools are required to begin cooking delicious meals.
Therefore, knowing what type of equipment you need and how to store it is important.
Here are some tips on how to stock a kitchen with the right equipment.
🍳 Determine The Type of Cooking You Will Be Doing
Deciding what type of cooking you’ll be doing when stocking a kitchen with the right equipment is key to having a successful culinary experience. Before selecting any tools and appliances, consider how often you will be cooking, the size of your space, and your budget.
If you enjoy simple meals such as sandwiches, salads, and stir-fries, you should invest in an all-purpose knife such as a chef’s knife or santoku knife if you plan on preparing more complex dishes. Other handy items are tongs, slotted spoons, and whisks that come in various sizes. They will help complete tasks with ease.
Electric appliances such as stand mixers, food processors, and blenders are useful for making large batches with minimal effort. Consider investing in a slow cooker or multi cooker for one-pot meals throughout the week or roasting dishes for special occasions.
Understanding your cooking needs can help guide which items can best suit your needs and make preparing each meal an enjoyable experience.
🍳 Dispose of Old And Broken Items
Kitchen items that are too old or worn out must be disposed of. It’s important to check for any kitchen appliances and tools that can cause harm if used. Knives should have sharp blades, wooden spoons shouldn’t have splinters, and any electric appliance should not emit sparks. If such items exist in your home, discard them immediately.
🍳 Organize The Kitchen Space
Organizing your kitchen space is essential to making use of all its potential. Consider where you will store spices, herbs, and oils. Ideally, you should keep these in a cool, dry place or near the stovetop for ease of access. Utensils and cleaning supplies can be kept in drawers or cabinets.
Consider dedicating a separate drawer for items you often use, such as knives, cutting boards, and utensils. If space is limited, it might be helpful to hang items on the wall, such as a pot rack for larger items, a pegboard for organization, or even baskets for produce. Utilizing shelves and wall space can help make the most of a small kitchen.
🍳 Invest in High-Quality Items
When stocking a kitchen with the right equipment, it’s important to invest in high-quality items. From knives to cookware and appliances, having the right tools is key to making cooking a pleasure. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, selecting items that will last and withstand regular use is important.
For instance, when choosing a knife set, it’s important to look for well-constructed blades that hold their edge. Quality pans and pots should be made of durable materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, or copper. Additionally, when selecting appliances, look for models that are easy to use and maintain.
🍳 Keep it Clean
With any kitchen, keeping items clean is essential for creating an enjoyable experience. After each use, be sure to wash and dry all utensils and cookware. Cleaning up after each meal will help maintain the kitchen’s cleanliness and prevent cross-contamination from raw ingredients.
Furthermore, it’s important to clean large appliances such as ovens and refrigerators at least once a month to reduce the buildup of grease and dirt. This will help ensure all the equipment and appliances stay in good shape for longer.
The Basic Kitchen Essential Equipment
It’s really frustrating to be in the middle of preparing a home-cooked meal only to realize that you’re missing a crucial tool. The thought of a relaxing evening in the kitchen preparing a home-cooked meal for your loved ones quickly evaporates.
To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, we’ve compiled a list of basic kitchen equipment that every home cook should have.
✅ Blender
Every aspiring chef needs a top-of-the-line blender in their kitchen. A blender can help you easily prepare delicious sauces, soups, and smoothies. Not only that, but high-end blenders are also great for chopping and mincing various foods such as onions, garlic, and nuts.
If you splurge on the right product, it can become your go-to tool when mixing dough for baking or creating delicate batters for fried food. Make sure to invest in a heavy-duty unit so your culinary adventures remain stress-free when it comes time to blend.
✅ Coffee Maker
A good coffee maker can be a great addition to any kitchen. Not only do they enable you to wake up with a freshly brewed cup of joe each morning, but they also offer plenty of conveniences when it comes to cooking.
Coffee makers are really useful for making espresso-based sauces and even creating flavorful stocks by steeping herbs in boiling water. Investing in a good quality coffee maker will help you make the most of your mornings and afternoons.
✅ Convection Ovens
Convection ovens are undoubtedly the most important kitchen appliance you need to cook delicious meals. Unlike traditional ovens, convection ovens use fans to circulate air around the food, which means you will cook your finished dish more evenly and quickly.
Furthermore, because of their efficient method of heating food, convection ovens typically require lower temperatures than traditional ovens, making them exceptionally energy-efficient too. Convection ovens allow you to bake and roast foods with ease thanks to their pre-programmed settings and the full range of cooking modes such as bake, broil, convect bake, and turbo cook.
In addition, oven mitts are essential tools in a kitchen. Oven mitts can protect your hands from burns when handling hot equipment.
✅ Deep Fryer
Having a deep fryer in your kitchen is essential if you’re a fan of fried foods. Deep fryers are designed to fry food evenly and quickly, so your favorite fried dishes will come out crispy and delicious. They allow you to control the temperature of the oil so that your food is perfectly cooked. And because of their large capacity, you can fry various foods in one go.
✅ Refrigerator
The next item on the list of must-haves is a commercial refrigerator. This type of appliance is larger than your average home fridge, perfect for storing large amounts of ingredients and supplies in a restaurant kitchen or catering business.
Commercial-grade refrigerators come in many different sizes, from under-counter models to walk-in units. They are designed to keep food fresh and safe longer than traditional home refrigerators and are equipped with features like adjustable temperature control and digital displays.
However, a normal-sized refrigerator should be just fine for a home kitchen. Make sure to look out for energy-efficient models that can help save you money in the long run.
✅ Utensils
Without them, creating meals can be difficult, if not impossible. Utensils can range from wooden spoons for stirring to slotted spoons for straining to skimmers and spatulas for turning foods over. Having these kitchen implements makes creating any dish enjoyable, as you know you have all the tools you need to whip up a masterpiece!
Not only do wooden spoons provide superior stirring capabilities, but they also add a bit of style to your kitchen collection. Additionally, having multiple wooden spoons allows food enthusiasts the ability to experiment with new recipes while utilizing different cooking techniques, such as braising or deglazing.
For more specialized tasks, you’ll also want to invest in items like tongs, ladles, and skimmers.
✅ Cookware
Having a full set of cookware is essential for any kitchen. Stainless steel pots and pans are versatile pieces that can tackle almost any cooking task, from sautéing vegetables to boiling rice or pasta. It’s important to have a variety of sizes and shapes so you can easily take care of any recipe.
Moreover, dishes such as roasting pans are great for achieving that perfectly cooked chicken or pork roast. Make sure to select cookware with thick bottoms that will evenly distribute heat and help you save energy in the long run.
✅ Knife Set
A good quality knife set is essential for any modern kitchen. A set provides all of the knives you need for different meal preparation attempts, from chopping and paring to fileting and carving. Investing in a good set will ensure every job is manageable and manageable to be completed easily but safely.
It’s beneficial to select a Set that offers some degree of edge maintenance, like sharpening steel or a stone. Most sets come with a chef’s knife, which is usually the most versatile among its class.
However, picking additional utility and specialty knives also pays off, as they can make food processing much easier. With the right type of knife set, you’ll have access to various activities within your kitchen environment.
✅ Measuring Cup
Measuring cups come in various sizes, from a tablespoon up to two quarts – so you can follow all recipes according to their exact measurements. When purchasing measuring cups, look for ones with metric and imperial measurements marked on them, as well as readability markings engraved into the handles so they can be easily read when full.
Don’t forget to invest in a good set of measuring spoons, too; they may not seem like an essential item, but you’ll reach for them frequently when following baking recipes or making more elaborate meals.
✅ Mixing Bowl
Mixing bowls are another kitchen essential that should be considered. A large bowl is always useful for combining ingredients and preparing salads, while small bowls can come in handy when you need to keep track of seasonings or divide up components of a dish.
When buying mixing bowls, choose items made from stainless steel, ceramic or tempered glass, as they are the most durable.
✅ Meat Thermometer
If you’re like most people, a meat thermometer isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of filling your kitchen. If you’re just starting out in the kitchen, knowing when your meat is done might be a real challenge.
While it’s true that eating raw meat can put your health at risk, overcooked meat is dry and flavorless. Invest in a meat thermometer if you’re concerned about adding extra stress to preparing high-protein meals.
To alleviate some stress, this will allow you to cook with confidence thanks to an accurate reading of the food’s internal temperature.
✅ Cast-Iron Skillet
For any good chef, a cast-iron skillet is an undeniable essential. Cast iron skillets are incredibly durable and versatile because they can be used for a variety of dishes – from searing steaks to baking desserts.
Cast iron skillets are also perfect for cooking over an open flame, as they retain heat better than most other materials. Just keep it properly seasoned and always use high heat when cooking with it.
✅ Kitchen Shears
Super basic and super useful. Kitchen shears are essential for many tasks like trimming fat off meat, cutting through the shell of seafood and snipping herbs. Invest in a set of shears that are comfortable to hold and have a sharp blade that won’t dull easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is commercial kitchen equipment necessary for home use?
A: It depends on the type of cooking you plan to do. Most kitchen equipment used in professional kitchens can be used in a home kitchen, especially when preparing large meals and entertaining. However, some larger pieces of equipment, such as a commercial refrigerator, may be too big or expensive for the average home kitchen.
Q: What kind of food storage containers should I buy?
A: When selecting food storage containers, it’s important to consider material, size, and ease of use. BPA-free plastic containers are an inexpensive and versatile option but can be prone to cracking. If you prefer a more durable material, glass or stainless steel containers are great for long-term use. Consider the food items you plan to store and choose containers that can accommodate your needs.
Q: What kitchen tool is essential for cooking?
A: A sharp knife is an essential kitchen tool for any cook. High-quality knives can make slicing and chopping much easier and safer, so investing in a good set is important. Look for knives with comfortable handles and blades that are easy to sharpen and maintain.
Q: Do I need a food processor?
A: A food processor can be a great kitchen tool for quickly chopping, slicing, and mixing ingredients. However, it’s not essential if you don’t plan to do a lot of cooking. If you find yourself using a knife often, or need to prepare large amounts of food quickly, then investing in a food processor may be worthwhile.
Q: How can I make my everyday cooking more efficient?
A: Investing in a few key kitchen tools can help make cooking more efficient. Consider buying time-saving appliances such as slow cookers and pressure cookers, as well as multi-use tools such as a food processor or Immersion blender. Using these will help speed up the cooking process and make meal preparation a breeze.
Final Words
Outfitting a kitchen with the right equipment can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right items and a few key tips, you can quickly stock your kitchen with all the tools necessary to make it a successful and efficient cooking space. From refrigerators to sharp knives, find the items that make sense for you and your cooking needs. With these tools, you’ll be ready to tackle any recipe easily.