How do I equip a kitchen from scratch top to bottom...?

Question

What are the top 20 essential (non-food) kitchen items?
What are the 20 least essential (non-food) kitchen items?

Answer 1

I assume you already have refrigerator, stove, oven, glasses, cups, dishes, and silverware. Here are my lists (in no particular order)

Top 20 essential items:
1) Food processor
2) Cutting board
3) Chef's knife
4) Paring knife
5) Saucepan
6) Saute pan / frying pan
7) Wire whisk
8) Tongs
9) Silicon spatula / spoonula
10) Toaster
11) Colander / strainer
12) Casserole dish
13) Cookie sheet
14) Roasting pan
15) Meat thermometer
16) Rolling pin
17) Measuring cups
18) Measuring spoons
19) Mixing bowls
20) Multi-purpose grater

Not essential (but nice to have) 20 items:
1) Deep fryer
2) Dutch oven
3) Stand mixer
4) Coffee maker
5) Waffle maker
6) Asparagus steamer
7) Wok
8) Pastry brush
9) Hand mixer
10) Crockpot
11) Springform pan
12) Tart pan
13) Pasta maker
14) Rolling pin
15) Bread pan
16) Mortar & pestle
17) Microplane grater
18) Salad spinner
19) Pizza stone
20) Cake pan

Please give me the points because I was the only one who could count to twenty LOL

Answer 2

assuming that you have the basics- a stove and a refrigerator, the rest is according to your way of cooking and doing things.

the number one thing you want in there is a garbage can

then your basic cooking tools- a basting spoon, slotted spoon, ladle and spatula

a set of good knives and a cutting board

a small , medium and large saucepan

a skillet or large fry pan and a small fry pan

storeage containers for storing leftover food- you want these to be good for the fridge or freezer

storeage for dry goods- rice flour , sugar- the things that come packaged in non resealables - good glassware is preferable but plastic containers with good sealing covers work for this also

measuring cups and spoons are a must

kitchen towels are a must ( potholders are handy but are a nonessential if oyu have kitchen towels- though potholders would work better and be handier)

large and small mixing bowls

salt and pepper shakers are good to have though you can pour into measuring spoons and sprinkle from your hand

silverware, dishes and glassware for eating and drinking from are pretty useful too!

dishwashing soap and scrubbies (a dish drying rack is not essential but is helpful- especially if oyu do not have a dishwasher

a collander or strainer (I use both)

now here are some things that are essential to some and not others- depending on your style of cooking

I lived for a long time without a food processor or chopper- now as I use more fresh vegetables and am more involved in my cooking- at the very least I could not live without my small hand chopper

I also rely heavily on my garlic press

I do not use a microwave at all but I really appreciate my toaster oven

I used to think I could not live without my four slice toaster but since it broke I really am not missing it- some find this essential though

coffee pot- I could not go without my coffee pot!depending on the amount of entertaining you do serving platters, cake plates, punch bowl, garnish/ dip dishes are helpful but not essential

pizza cutter is useful- not just for cutting pizzas

I love my crock pot- I know others that can live without them

blenders and hand mixers- not necessarily essential depending on your cooking style but I know they are extremely important in my kitchen

ice cream scoop

kitchen timer (essential if oyu are prone to burning things or forgetting thingsi n the kitchen as I am )

rice / vegetable steamer- not essential but nice to have



I am sure there are other things but that is all I can think of- I tried to make sure I included everything I am making sure to include in my daughter's hope chest, besides recipe books and a recipe/ kitchen tips journal

I hope this helps

Answer 3

Plates, bowls, glasses, forks, dinner knives, spoons, wooden spoons, ladles, whisks, measuring cups, casserole dishes, cookie sheets, a microwave, mixing bowls, pots and pans of all sizes, skillets, sharp chef's knives, spatulas, a food processor, colanders, a hand mixer, crockpots.

Things that aren't truly needed (but good to have!) are things like a Foreman-like grill, a panini press, a hand-blender, a potato ricer, box graters, a toaster oven, a deep fryer, a bread machine.