If you are just getting started cooking for yourself, there are some things you will need. A modest selection of pots and pans, some decent kitchen knives, cutting boards, mixing bowls, and a few other things. In this article, I will be listing and discussing a few of the most essential things you’ll need. This list is by no means complete, but it is enough to get you started.
Essential Pots and Pans
I have no doubt that anyone who has been cooking for any length of time has their own idea of what is necessary and what is not. I do not profess to be an expert here. I am just going to give you what I think are the necessities. Skillets. There are any number of different types of skillets you can buy. One thing to consider before buying any skillets is what type of stove you have. Some skillets are good for a gas stove but not as good for a glass cooktop. Now, a lot of the pots and pans you find at the stores you normally shop at are good for all stove types. It is still a good idea to look at the label and make sure. You can go to a store like Walmart or Target and pick up a set of fairly cheap skillets. You can buy non-stick, cast iron, stainless steel, or even the latest and greatest stuff you see on TV all the time. You can also buy a full set of pots and pans if you like. That will cost you a bit of money though. Anyway, you can get a decent start with about a ten-inch skillet and maybe a fourteen-inch skillet. There are a lot of other sizes available, but those two sizes will work for the time being. Saucepans. You are going to want to buy at least two or three different sized saucepans. They are usually measured in quarts. At the big box stores, those are often sold in twos and threes as well. I recently bought a two-pack of decent saucepans for about $20.00. I think one is a three-quart and the other is a five-quart. The bottom line is that a saucepan is a very versatile pan for sauces, gravies, cooking vegetables, and so forth. A dutch oven or similar cooking pan is another useful thing to have. If you want to make stews or chili, it works well. One other thing I highly recommend is a stockpot or two. There are many different sizes available, so get what sizes you think you’ll need. And with just those few pots and pans, you can do a lot of different things without breaking the bank. Now if you have the money, I suggest investing in a complete set of higher quality cookware. If you’re on a limited budget, the Walmart stuff works pretty well.
Oven Cookware
So what kind of stuff should I buy to bake and other stuff in the oven? Well, that is a pretty broad question. I personally suggest two or three different sized baking, or cookie, sheets. A loaf pan or three is not a bad idea. A couple of casserole dishes, and maybe a roasting pan. Like the other pots and pans, you can spend a reasonable small amount or a large fortune depending on what you go with. One thing about casserole dishes. I have a metal one and a couple of Pyrex ones. Depending on the recipe I am making, I will go with one or the other. Sometimes it does not matter, but at others it does. One other thing I want to mention here. A good cast iron dutch oven can be used in the oven as well as on the stovetop. Something to consider.
Basic Utensils
Just like pots and pans, there are thousands of different cooking utensils out there. Some are used all the time, and some are used only once-in-a-while. Some ladles, serving spoons, whisks, tongs, and mixing spoons are a must. You can find them made from all different materials. When you go buy them, remember what kind of pots and pans you have. You do not want metal mixing spoons if you have non-stick cookware…unless you want to be replacing your pans every couple of meals. I personally have several plastic mixing spoons as well as wood and bamboo. The wooden spoons and the bamboo ones, as well as the plastic ones, can be used with any type of pots and pans. The metal ones should only be used with stainless steel cookware. I personally prefer bamboo or wooden ones. You can find variety packages of bamboo utensils at Walmart; Bed, Bath, and Beyond; and Target among others. You’ll also want to get a couple of pancake turners, spatulas, and most definitely a set of measuring cups.
Other Useful Gadgets
There are several other gadgets you can find that do make life easier. A meat tenderizer is a good example. You can use it to actually tenderize tougher cuts of meat. You can also use it to pound out a chicken breast for chicken Parmesan among other things. Citrus squeezers or presses, manual juicers, potato mashers, and even egg slicers are all useful things to have. You don’t necessarily need them, but they do come in handy. A fish turner is another good thing to have.
Kitchen Knives and Cutting Boards
Lastly, you will need a small selection of different knives. I find that I use an 8″ chef’s knife more than any other. I do have other knives as well. Each one has a purpose but is not always necessary. I recommend getting a decent chef’s knife, a couple of paring knives, a carving knife, and a bread knife for starters. Like everything else, you can spend as much or as little as you want. I will caution you against buying the cheapest knives out there. You don’t have to get crazy with it, but you want to get decent knives. I have bought a few at one of the grocery stores I frequent, and they are very cheaply made, will not hold an edge, and are an absolute pain in the backside to sharpen…which you have to do almost every time you use them. I personally have some Cutco knives that I inherited, some Betty Crocker knives that were given to me, and a combination of Chicago Cutlery and Faberware knives I have purchased. The Cutco ones are very good. The Betty Crocker ones are pretty good. The Chicago Cutlery and Faberware ones seem to be very good as well. Again, it is up to you what you want to spend. Just remember, a sharp knife is a safe knife. It will cut like it is supposed to. A dull knife will not, except when it cuts your finger or hand. In other words, don’t go super cheap on kitchen knives. Now, there are a ton of different kinds of cutting boards available. Plastic and wooden ones are the best. Yes, they require a little more care when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing them. However, they will not trash the cutting edge of your knife like a glass cutting board will. You can get the plastic ones almost anywhere for a decent price, and they work great. Plus, you can throw them in the dishwasher. Wooden or bamboo ones should be washed by hand. They also need to be oiled from time to time. I prefer the plastic ones simply for ease of use.
Once I Have the Basics, What Else Do I Need?
You only really need the basics. The other stuff is nice to have, but it is not necessary…right now. Once you get to where you can cook some really good meals with basic cookware and utensils, then start looking into other things. You might want to think about pressure cookers, more cast iron, fancy baking dishes, and so forth. What I would say to the beginner is don’t spend a fortune buying stuff for the kitchen. Get the basics. Learn to cook the basics. Then start broadening your horizons. The better you get, the more you want to try. Then you can start getting the fancy stuff. Regardless of which direction you go, enjoy it. Cooking is not a chore. It is a fun and enjoyable experience.