What are the essential tools every cook needs in the kitchen? Both new and experienced cooks can benefit from going back to the basics. First up: essential prep tools and utensils.
Note: We've offered a few product recommendations in each category based on personal preferences, experience, and editor and reader reviews. In general, we favor stainless steel and glass over plastic because it's higher quality and infinitely more durable (and we think that balances out the higher cost). Most of these tools can be bought on Amazon, but a terrific and cost-effective resource for basic kitchen tools is a restaurant supply store. Just buy the best quality you can afford! (According to Mark Bittman you can outfit a kitchen well for $200 or really well for $300.)
1. Measuring Spoons: For measuring spices and small quantities. Make sure the spoons are clearly marked so you don't confuse a teaspoon with a tablespoon!• Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons ($11.95)
• RSVP Spice Measuring Spoons ($10.95)2. Dry Ingredients Measuring Cups: Standard cup sizes for dry measurements include 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 cup sizes. Look for measuring cups with long handles and wide, shallow bodies. We prefer stainless steel for its sturdiness and durability.
• Lifetime Measuring Cups ($19.50 for 6)
• MIU France 7-piece Measuring Cup Set ($30.79)3. Liquid Ingredients Measuring Cups: Specially calibrated for measuring liquids, which differs from dry ingredients. Make sure there's a spout for pouring, clear measurement markings, and a sturdy handle. We prefer glass since it doesn't scratch.
• Pyrex Prepware 1-Quart Measuring Cup ($10.49)
• Pyrex Prepware 1-Cup Measuring Cup ($9.55)4. Three Mixing Bowls: Small, medium, and large. A very large one is great for general mixing and baking, while a small-medium size is needed for mixing dry ingredients or beating eggs. We prefer stainless steel, preferably with lids so the bowls can double as food storage.
• Cuisinart CTG-00-SMB Mixing Bowls with Lids, Set of 3 ($40)
• OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set ($59.99)5. Cutting Boards: Wood is our preferred type, as it's kind to knives and won't dull them as quickly as plastic. Care for it by oiling it regularly with a food-safe oil to protect it from staining and warping, and it'll last you for years.
• TruBamboo Bermuda Bamboo Cutting Board ($29.99)
• IKEA LÄMPLIG Beech Chopping Board ($9.99)6. A Chef's Knife and a Paring Knife: a basic Chef's knife is your go-to knife in the kitchen for almost anything, including chopping meat and vegetables. But a paring knife is also essential for smaller, more precise tasks like mincing herbs or garlic.
• Chef's Knife - See our guide to 5 Terrific Chef's Knives
• Wusthof Classic 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife (39.95)7. Wooden Spoons: Endlessly useful, long-lasting if you take care of them properly, and versatile. A few sturdy wooden spoons are essential in any kitchen.
• Barbier Olive Wood Spoons, Set of 2 ($13.99)
• Olive Wood Pointed Spoon ($11.95)8. Vegetable Peeler: this tool will be in heavy rotation if you cook a lot from scratch.
• Model 1501 CUTCO Vegetable Peeler ($33) - see our review here
• Kuhn Rikon Piranha Swivel Peeler ($7.99)9. Colander or Fine-Mesh Strainer: For rinsing fruits and vegetables, dumping out pasta, and, well, straining things!
• HIC Brands that Cook Essentials Stainless Steel Mesh Strainer ($8.00)
• ExcelSteel Stainless Steel Colander ($9.99)10. Ramekins and Small bowls for Mise en Place: when you have everything "set in place" you'll be a better and more efficient cook!
• Norpro 6 Piece Porcelain Ramekin Set ($9.81)
• Pyrex Bakeware 10-Ounce Custard Cups, Set of 4 ($11.60)11. Microplane grater: The smaller Microplane graters are so much easier to use than bulky box graters. We recommend them.
• Microplane Classic Series Premium Spice Grater ($9.95)
• Microplane Classic Series Zester/Grater ($8.95 to $12.95)12. Can Opener: This is pretty self-explanatory, unless you prefer hacking into your cans with a knife... which we don't recommend.
• Amco Swing-A-Way 407RD Portable Can Opener ($8.57)
• OXO Steel Can Opener ($18.99)
• See Kitchn readers' can opener recommendations.
Readers, do you have anything to add?
* And look for our guides to essential cooking tools, bakeware, and small electrics coming soon!
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whisk, can't forget a whisk
"Specially calibrated for measuring liquids, which differs from dry ingredients" Seriously? Good thing I never bake!
A good pair of tongs (I like the ones from OXO)
I'd have to say, having a good kitchen timer is essential for me, since I don't have a microwave, and my oven timer isn't digital. I waited to buy one that would have a long timing range, multiple settings, a loud alarm, and large display.
When I found this one at a kitchen shop in Vancouver, I knew I'd found it. It has two count down timers and one count up, plus the time, all usable/viewable at the same time, and times up to 20 hours.
i second jenjones! i use them for everything from flipping steaks on the grill to getting waffles out of the waffle iron to turning roasting vegetables in the oven.
This is a good list, and I agree about the tongs and whisk. I also use my silicone spatula quite a bit, but I suppose wooden spoons can usually substitute in a pinch.
DEFINITELY a whisk, I prefer the smaller oblong style. I use it ALL the time. I also couldn't do without a couple of rubber spatulas--again, the smaller size, esp., is something I use at least once if not multiple times a day.
How is that HIC strainer? I've been looking for a good long term replacement that has an extra fine mesh. Amazon seems to favors the OXO one but it's more than twice as much and has a rubber handle.
A dishwasher.
Whisk, tongs, oven mitts, silicone mitt for removing very tight jar lids, silpat liner, stainless turner, pizza cutter, one of those small measuring cups for up to 2 oz/4 Tbs of liquid, and some smaller lidded jars to hold remaining cheese/sauce/etc, although I just use artichoke/pimiento jars, a few tiny cutting boards for when you're just slicing up a lime or something and don't want to mess up a whole huge cutting board...
I suggest looking for these items at a restaurant supply store. Most of them will be cheaper and just as high quality as the brands/items at William's Sonoma or Crate and Barrel.
Definitely seconding silicone/rubber spatulas... both "normal" size and small ones. I use them more than any other utensil. Silicone with plastic handles so they can stand up to a hot pan and go into the dishwasher.
But my favorite kitchen gadget of all is my plain boring stainless bench scraper. Doesn't even have a handle really, just one side of it is curled over. Sits flat for scooping and lifting. Simple, easy to clean, and oh so very useful!
Very informative :)
thermometer to tell when meat, fish, and chicken is done.
I like the 10-piece stacking set of bowls from Crate & Barrel-- the range of sizes works for both mixing and mise en place, and since they're made of glass, they make great serving dishes, as well.
I'd also add a pancake turner for flipping flat things that need to cook on both sides. Mine was a super cheap discount store buy, but it's 8 years old and still going strong.
Stainless steel ice cream scoop to neatly dole out uniform portions of cookie dough and cupcake batter if you're a baker. Spider skimmer/strainer to safely pluck things out of boiling liquid. And I heartily second the bench scraper - perfect for moving chopped veggies from the cutting board to the pan - and tongs.
I don't understand why measuring cups have to be in sets larger than four? Is it that hard to refill and count?
Augh. This would have been so useful yesterday when I was buying all my kitchen gear for my new place. At least I managed to get most of it - the second time around. You forgot a good frying pan and a pot. I never buy pots and pans in bulk because you don't use them cooking for one. But a quality frying pan and pot are essential. I suppose they're not utensils, though...
These measuring spoons rock. Narrow to fit inside small spice jars and pointed on the end to loosen up anything that may have gone try or gets chunky (sugar in humid summertime, anyone?):
http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/product/shop/472124/?ccaid=FNFROOG472124
I concur with the whisk & tongs (I have OXO for both and am happy)
Silicone Spatulas - for SURE
Parchment paper - so awesome for everything! Baking fish, lining baking sheets or other pots/pans in the oven
Stainless steel mixing bowls all the way - no silicone or other stuff (you can always set it on a silicone mat to keep from dancing on the counter) because it has multiple purposes, double boiler etc
good oven mitts and dish towels, thermometer.
A digital scale if you're serious about baking (also stand mixer), tongs, whisk, and a flexible rubber-shaped spatula would be the things I'd add to that list.
I also love Deirdre625's suggestion of parchment paper. I use it constantly, but it's more out of preference than need. There are other things (silpats) that get the job done well.
I have to disagree with the measuring spoons. Progressive makes awesome magnetic measuring spoons that nestle together for storage and take a split second to separate when needed.
Thanks for the heads up on the Progressive spoons Amy. I've got the set on the metal ring. Either you use them while on the ring (and something else always gets oil or something on it and the whole set has to be washed mid-recipe) or have them loose in the drawer and can never find the one you really need. Those magnetic ones look brilliant!
Wooden "spoons" with flat bottoms. I have some that were designed for stir-frying. They are the best for stirring risottos, deglazing pans, and pretty much everything else. I would also add a steamer basket or two. I agree about tongs -- though I am happy with the flimsy salad tongs I bought at the grocery store -- they are great for everything except the grill, where I do use a bigger one. Great list!
Cooking tongs. Hands down.
These are the best measuring spoons ever: not only are they magnetic (i second the comment about how when the spoons are on a ring they all seem to get dirty), but each one is two-sided so that it can be used twice without washing, and the oblong side fits into spice jars.
http://www1.macys.com/shop/registry/wedding/product/martha-stewart-collection-magnetic-measuring-spoons?ID=449628
I have a silly question - but is there a difference between a thermometer for internal meat temp and checking the temp of frying oil? Any recommendations for either, both?
I prefer to have a wooden cutting board AND a plastic one - plastic for the meat, wood for everything else.
Yes two I would add to essential tools for prepping is whisk and tongs, they are my unsung heroes in the kitchen. Here's my list - Top 10 essential tools to Equip Your Kitchen
Yes two I would add to essential tools for prepping is whisk and tongs, they are my unsung heroes in the kitchen. Here's my list - Top 10 essential tools to Equip Your Kitchen