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Kitchen essentials, from the most basic tools to a quality chef’s knife, already play a great influence on how we make our cooking. Whether you’re a newlywed just starting out in your first home and hosting a housewarming party, or you’ve been living in the same place for years, there are some essential kitchen tools that every home should have. If you’re like most people, your kitchen is the heart of your home.
It’s where you prepare your best home cooked meals, eat with your family, and entertain guests. That’s why it’s important to have a well-stocked kitchen with all the cooking tools and essentials you need to prepare your favorite recipes, from cooking utensils to small appliances.
If you wish to make sure that your modern kitchen will have all the essential tools you need for home cooking needs, here are some of the must-have kitchen equipment that you should have.
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1. Digital instant read thermometer
A thermometer is a great tool that every kitchen should be equipped with. Instant-read cooking thermometers are a must-have tool for any kitchen. They’re perfect for making sure that your food is cooked to the correct temperature, whether you’re cooking meat, poultry, or fish.
2. Measuring cups / Measuring spoons
If not one of the most basic kitchen tools, cooking measuring tools are one of the top essential kitchen tools. Whether you’re cooking a simple dish or a more complicated recipe, it’s important to have the correct measurements to ensure your dish turns out correctly. Measuring spoons and cups come in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to choose the right size for the recipe you’re making.
3. Oven mitts
If you’ve cooked a meal in the kitchen, then you know all about burns. Oven mitts are one of the essentials for our kitchen. It’s helpful at preventing kitchen burns when you remember to use it.
4. Espresso maker
If you are used to drinking house-quality coffee, then you will surely not settle for anything less. And you do not have to! For your information, you can whip up high-quality caffeinated drinks right in the comforts of your own home. An expresso make would be one of the essentials on your list
5. A kitchen knife set
A well-stocked kitchen should have a variety of knives, one of the top essentials, from a large chef’s knife to smaller paring knives. Here are some of the most common types of knives that every kitchen should have:
1. Chef’s Knife
The chef’s knife is the most essential knife in any kitchen. It’s a large, versatile knife.
3. Paring Knife
A paring knife is a small knife that is great for peeling and other small cutting tasks.
2. Bread Knife
If you bake fresh bread or eat a lot of sandwiches, then you need a bread knife. This type of knife has a serrated edge that makes it perfect for slicing through crusty bread.
6. Bakeware essentials
Every kitchen should have a variety of bakeware for all baking needs, from baking sheets to pie dishes. I mostly bake meat and fish, I’ve tried baking bread an continuously failed every time. Here are some of the most common types of bakeware essentials that every kitchen should have:
1. Baking sheet
Baking sheets are perfect for baking cookies, cakes, and other desserts. They come in different sizes, so be sure to pick the right size.
2. Cake pans
Cake pans are perfect for baking cakes of all shapes and sizes. If you love to bake, then you need a good set of cake pans.
3. Pie dishes
Pie dishes are essential for baking pies. They come in different sizes, so be sure to choose the right size for your needs.
4. Casseroles
Casseroles are perfect for baking a variety of dishes, from lasagna to mac and cheese.
5. Dutch oven
A Dutch oven is a large pot that is perfect for cooking stews, soups, and other large dishes.
7. A blender or two
For a convenient and speedy smoothie making experience, a smoothie blender is highly recommended. When shopping for a smoothie blender, you should look for the following features: powerful motor, long-term warranty, large pitcher, dispensing tap and a stirring stick.
8. Food Processor
This is most probably the queen of all kitchen appliances. This is because a food processor can help you in all of the processes involved in cooking including chopping, slicing, pureeing, blending and even, kneading! Some of the features to look for include bowl capacity, different blade types, dishwasher safe parts, easy controls, lid and feeding tube. You can find the best food processor on amazon.
9. A slow cooker
This is the best appliance for you if you wish to come home from work to a hot delicious meal. Perfect for making stews, potluck dinners and one-pot meals, all that you have to do is to throw all the ingredients in there, set it then the dish is done once you get home. The best slow cookers have the following features: user-friendly controls, automatic warning function, removable stoneware inserts, warming function, timer, and sear function.
10. Microwave Oven
Microwave ovens have been a long-time favorite, and are incredibly useful and versatile. The microwave oven can be used to defrost food before cooking or to rewarm leftovers.
The latest microwave ovens come in a variety of color ranges to co-ordinate your kitchen, from stainless steel to the new “in color Ice White”.
The microwave oven is usually placed on the countertop, but often also fitted into a specially designed nook. This has the benefit of preventing items from being placed on top of the microwave and restricting the airflow. Should the airflow be interrupted in this way you run the danger of overheating which could cause permanent damage to the utensil.
View The Best Countertop Microwaves.
11. Non stick Cookware
A nonstick pan a kitchen essential because they make cooking so much easier. Foods don’t stick to the nonstick surface, so cleanup is a breeze. a nonstick pan would also be great for low-fat cooking, because they prevent foods from sticking and creating unhealthy fats.
12. Air Fryer
Continuing the trend to healthy eating is one thing, but you need some variety. You can’t only eat steamed food, there will always be that craving for some fries. The Air Fryer answers this craving, by giving you the same taste, without the grease and oil. it will prove to be the biggest difference between what came out of Grandmas’ kitchen, and what comes from yours.
The Air Fryer is one of the few appliances specifically designed for preparing low-fat foods and is a must-have for your countertop. The fryer features digital display controls, a programmable thermostat, and an activated charcoal air filter.
Little or no oil is required for the cooking process, a light brushing of oil will suffice in most cases. Your favorite fried chicken and country potato wedges will be better than ever. There is a specially designed rack on which you can fry kebabs, or do some French fries, even steaks.
The interior of the vessel is made of nonstick material, making cleaning an easy chore.
13. An instant Pot
The Instant Pot has taken the market by storm and is probably the most versatile kitchen appliance found in most kitchens today. The Instant Pot is a new generation pressure cooker, and the main attraction is the safety aspect. Traditional pressure cookers are a bit scary for most home chefs and have been known to cause some nasty accidents.
Not only is it safer, but it speeds up cooking by 2 to 6 times.
This versatile appliance can also be used as a slow cooker, a rice cooker, a steamer, a yogurt maker, a warmer and to sauté.
The Instant Pot features 14 smart programs and has the world’s fastest-growing recipe sharing community on Facebook. it’s great at cooking eggs and steam vegetables fast.
14. Cutting board
A kitchen without a cutting board is unimaginable. A good cutting board is an essential part of any kitchen and is a multipurpose tool. It can be used as a chopping board, for slicing fruits and vegetables, for carving meat and poultry, or for preparing dough.
Cutting boards made from wood are the most popular type.
15. Knife sharpener
Kitchen knife sharpeners come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and there is one that will fit the needs of every home chef. The most common type of sharpener is the handheld sharpener. This type of sharpener usually has two slots, one for honing and one for sharpening. The honing slot . cleans the blade and realigns the edge, while the sharpening slot grinds away metal to create a new, sharp edge.
Another popular type of kitchen knife sharpener is the electric sharpener. This type of sharpener is easy to use and usually has multiple slots for different degrees of sharpness.
16. Cast iron skillet
A cast iron skillet is a versatile and durable kitchen gadget that every cook should have in their arsenal. It can be used for a variety of tasks, including as a sauté pan, for searing, baking, and frying. The even heat distribution and a cast iron skillet abilities to retain heat make it an ideal choice for many cooking tasks.
17. Can opener
Can openers are needed in a kitchen because they help to open canned food. Canned food is a convenient and healthy way to store food, but it can be difficult to open without a can opener.
18. Mixing bowls
A good set of mixing bowls is a must-have for any kitchen. They come in handy for a variety of tasks, including whisking eggs, making batters, and mixing together ingredients.
Mixing bowls are also great for storing leftovers or prepping ingredients ahead of time. when buying a mixing bowl you have many options available, from glass mixing bowls to stainless steel mixing bows.
19. Multifunction vegetable chopper
if you want consistency with your chopped vegetables then a multifunction vegetable chopper is a great tool to have in a kitchen because it can be used for a variety of tasks. It can be used to chop vegetables, herbs, and fruits, and it can also be used as a vegetable peeler, a garlic press and even replace your old box grater This tool is a great choice for busy home cooks who want to save time in the kitchen.
20. Storage container
Storage containers made it to our kitchen essentials list and are a must-have for any kitchen. They come in handy for a variety of tasks, including storing leftovers or prepping ingredients ahead of time.
There are many different types of containers available, from glass containers to plastic containers. When choosing a storage container, you should consider the size, shape, and material. personally, I prefer clear storage containers for transparency.
21. Cooking utensils
Cooking utensils are a the last items on this list but not least They are used for a variety of tasks, including cooking, stirring, and mixing. Some common cooking utensils include, forks, spoons, spatulas, a rolling pin.
Don’t forget a colander although it did not officially make the kitchen essentials list this time around, it’s most used when cleaning fruits or cooking pasta. it helps when you need to drain pasta out of pots.
In conclusion
Today, when cooking has become more of an art than a regular household chore, it has become more important for us to make sure that we have all the right gadgets and appliances in our kitchen. If you are the type of person who spends lots of time cooking, the appliances mentioned above will make your life a whole lot easier. As technology advances are made, most if not all your appliances will be controlled through a smart hub and become more automated.
What are your top kitchen essentials item? let us know in the comments.
