Must Have Kitchen and Cooking Essentials

If you're just getting into cooking, but are unsure what to buy, look no further. This article will introduce you to a selection of basic cooking utensils that you should have. You can buy the following items for a more affordable price at the mall or you can get professional tools online or at specialty stores. Here are your must-have cooking tools:

Cutting Board (Wooden/Plastic)

Plastic cutting boards for home use are easy to handle. Because they are relatively light, plastic cutting boards tend to slip more on the counter. If you find this is happening with your board, a good trick is to put a damp cloth under it. You will find this should stabilize your cutting board.

Wooden cutting boards have better contact with the knife and slip less, making them easy to cut on and they better preserve your knife's blade. However, they require more maintenance than plastic ones.

If your kitchen counter has a rim, it will be difficult to use if the cutting board is thinner than the rim. Consider this when purchasing, and buy one that is appropriately sized for your counter.

Remember to handle your cutting boards with care and clean them regularly as they can be fragile and are prone to filth.

Colander

A heat-resistant metal colander is useful for draining oil from fried foods. A fine-mesh one-handed colander (strainer) can be used for a variety of purposes, such as sifting flour, draining boiled vegetables and noodles, and straining soup stock.

Coffee Mugs

If you are the type to drink coffee several times a day, you’ll probably drink a cup or two while preparing or cooking. There are different coffee mugs you can choose from; no matter which you choose, you can't go wrong.

Pot (Two-Handled Pot, One-Handled Pot)

Pots are a staple in any kitchen and can be used for a variety of purposes. In particular, a large aluminum two-handled pot can be used for stewed dishes. One-handled pots are great for boiling, simmering, and frying. I would also recommend an enamel pan which is great for making jams,  anything with vinegar in it, and white sauces.

Frying pan

In general, you'll want a few different pans such as a large frying pan with a lid and a cast iron frying pan. Cast iron pans absorb more oil and flavor them as they are used. This imparts fantastic seasoning to your dish. They last for many years with proper care.

There are a variety of other types available as well. Each, such as steel and fluoro resin-coated ones, is best suited for different purposes and requires different care, so be sure to read the instruction manual carefully before using.

In addition, there are two-handed woks and one-handled woks (Beijing wok), which can be used for boiling, frying, steaming, and cooking a wide variety of Chinese cuisines. At home, a one-handed Peking hot pot is may be more suitable because it is easy to turn over, a technique that is crucial to perfecting the Chinese dish.

Kettle

Kettles are useful if you are someone who drinks a lot of tea or makes instant noodles. However, its use is limited to boiling water. If you do not think you'll need this very often, you can opt of a one-handled pot which will be more versatile. You can use it to boil water as well as make boiled eggs, pasta, etc.

If you are buying a kettle, know that an aluminum one will boil faster. You can also look for an electric one.

Spatulas

Spatulas come in a variety of materials including stainless steel, aluminum, nylon resin, and silicon. They also come in various shapes, such as flat ones, ones with slanted handles, scoops, and ones that are bent at right angles.

When deciding on which type to get, consider its ease of use and its compatibility of the material with the frying pans you have. For example, while fluoro resin-coated frying pans are becoming more durable year by year, metal spatulas will more quickly wear the coating down. In this case, a silicon or rubber spatula may be best.

Heat also plays a factor in which material is best. Heat-resistant rubber spatulas can be used in hot frying pans, but they are more expensive. Ordinary rubber spatulas are cheaper but are vulnerable to heat, so be careful when using them.

Rice spatulas are also convenient to have, but these often come with the rice cooker so don't worry too much about this one. A wooden spoon will also be useful as it can be used for cooking while mixing.

Rice cooker

A rice cooker can be used not only to cook rice but also to make various dishes, such as simmered dishes and cakes. 

Electric Appliances: Microwave Oven, Oven Toaster, Food Processor

The most desirable electrical appliance for most is the microwave oven as it can conveniently cook and reheat foods while being easy to use. A simple toaster oven is also accessible to the novice cook. Many frozen foods utilize this device for their preparation.

They are also fantastic for bagels and toast. Food processors allow you to expand your cooking options. If you are unsure where to begin with this tool, turn to the science of cooking with Typhur for inspiration and guidance.

Miscellaneous Accessories and Kitchen Goods

These are some other useful kitchen staples to have around: dishcloths, drop lids, potholders, pot stand, rolling pin (can also be used as a pestle), cake cooler, timer, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, paper towels, parchment paper, storage containers, a garlic press for adding intense flavor without chopping, and airtight bags for storage. 

Some Words of Encouragement

You do not need a ton of fancy equipment to get started. If you have a knife, a cutting board, a pot, and a heat source, you can cook. Honestly, sometimes simplicity is best; if you buy a lot of expensive things but do not know how to use them properly, your money will be wasted.

To begin, it is best to only buy the basics and learn to use them well. As your cooking skills improve, your repertoire increases, and you want to challenge yourself with a more complex dish, this is when you can buy more specialty items.

Here are Some Other Articles Related to Your Search:

4 Things You Should Know About Barbecue Grilling

Basic Cooking Tools That Every Kitchen Should Have

Most Popular Healthy Food Blogs