The kitchen is the most important room in any home, and it needs to be equipped with all the necessary tools. Sadly, knowing what you need for your first kitchen can seem daunting. You may find yourself wondering where to start or what pieces are essential. This article provides guidelines that will help you piece together your ultimate checklist of what you need for your first kitchen.
Measuring Equipment
A set of measuring cups can be used for measuring liquids such as water, milk, oil, etc. They come in many varieties including plastic and stainless steel, and there’s no need to use separate cups when cooking and drinking! Measuring spoons can be used to measure small quantities of liquid or dry ingredients, and they usually come in sets.
You may find some great bargains by visiting a specialist online store for commercial kitchen equipment from Kitchenall. Scales are an essential kitchenware item and you can get digital versions (including dual platform scales) and some have an LCD display. Others come in vintage style, with stainless steel bowls or are able to run on Bluetooth.
White Goods
White goods are items that are literally white in color, like the classic refrigerator. Consider white appliances when you buy your first home or renovate an existing kitchen because white is clean and fresh-looking.
If you can afford it you should consider getting a refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, microwave oven, washing machine and dryer (not all need to be kept in the kitchen!). Also, the energy-efficient options will save money on your utility bills.
Pots And Pans
You’ll want to make sure you can cook most dishes with the pots and pans in your kitchen. It’s great if they’re non-stick, and even better is a combination of different materials (for example a stainless steel skillet and ceramic frying pan). If your budget allows, you should invest in higher-quality items that will last longer. If not treated right, lower-quality skillets could warp over time or scratch at their surfaces. Another factor to consider is how the weight feels in your hand: it should feel well-balanced and not too heavy.
It’s always nice to have pot covers on hand since they will help the food to cook faster. They will also prevent it from splattering during the process.
Small Appliances
A food processor can help you slice, dice, grate or mix vegetables with ease and in less time than it would take to do by hand. It’s also good if you like making your own sauces (like pesto) that require chopping up various ingredients into tiny pieces before they’re ready to be eaten. Purchasing small appliances such as these will allow you the freedom of experimenting with different recipes without having to spend too much time on food prep. Mixers, blenders and liquidizers are among the must-have kitchen appliances that every home should have.
A slow cooker is basically the equivalent of a crockpot that you plug into an electric outlet instead of using gas. It’s great if you want to make soups, stews or cooked meats because it can keep food warm for hours without any supervision. It also cooks meat so tender that it falls off the bone. A pressure cooker would allow you to cook meals fast, and it would also save electricity by cooking the food at high temperatures.
Knives
Sharp knives are extremely important because it’s incredibly hard and time-consuming to cut things with a dull one. A good set of quality knives will last you your entire life if they are taken care of properly, so they’re definitely an investment that’s worth the money. It would be worth getting at least three different types:
- kitchen/cooking knife (for general use)
- paring knife (for small tasks like peeling or de-veining shrimp)
- bread knife (for cutting through soft foods without squishing them (e.g. tomatoes))
These should cover all of your general needs in the kitchen when it comes to chopping vegetables or meat into smaller pieces, peeling fruit or baking items like bread or casseroles.
Miscellaneous Items
Here are some other essentials to add to your list:
- A wood cutting board
- Wooden spoons, spatulas, and tongs
- Knife sharpener
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- Kitchen towels
- Plates, bowls, cups, glasses, forks/spoons/knives etc.
- Spices and seasoning
- Cleaning supplies
As you can see there are lots of things you need to buy, and don’t forget to purchase a decent cooker as well! In return for some research and financial investment, your cooking time will be a joy and both you and your loved ones will appreciate the results.
