Here are 10 essential kitchen tools you must have that will transform your kitchen space and help you cook more efficiently.
Most people get frantic and bothered about having the “perfect kitchen,” especially when they are lovers of cooking.
In this article, I will be simplifying this area of your life for you with these essential kitchen tools must-have.
While reading, you will also come to understand that the “perfect kitchen” does not exist. Your kitchen should be a representation of what you want and how you want it to look.
Yes, it is great to get ideas from other people’s kitchens. Especially if you wish you had a certain influencer’s kitchen. Winks!
However, understanding that a kitchen is more than just aesthetics will help you love what you are doing with your kitchen.
You might also have questions like, what kitchen tools are essential or what measuring tools are essential to a well-equipped kitchen? This article will answer your questions.
Ready to dive in? Here are 10 essential kitchen tools you must have in your kitchen. If you have these tools, then consider yourself “a great chef.”
There will also be a downloadable checklist in the middle of this article. You can download it and print it out or edit it with your phone or desktop. This can serve as a kitchen tool buying guide or checklist.
This can also serve as a useful checklist for you if you’re just starting your cooking journey or kitchen rebranding.
Let’s get into it!
10 essential kitchen tools you must have
What are the essential kitchen tools?
Non-stick Pots
Every kitchen needs a pot. I’m sure you know that already. However, non-stick pots come with more class, effectiveness, and functionality.
These pots are better than the traditional pots we grew up using because we no longer have to worry about toxins, allergies, and unhealthy chemicals used in making some pots. An original non-stick pot will not retain stain, odor, or peel away after a while.
Non-stick pots can come in different types and materials. It can be silicone, cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic. This article on How to choose the Best Cookware Set is a great guide to understanding kitchen cookware.
Also, there are different types of non-stick pots you can have in your kitchen. Each of these pots serves different purposes. However, the basic pot necessities to have are; a big pot, a medium pot, and a small pot. These different sizes can be used in cooking different types of meals depending on the size of those living in your home and the size of the meal you are cooking.
Some of these pots are called Dutch ovens, stock pots, double boilers, etc.
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Non-Stick Pans
The non-stick pans are another must-have kitchen tool. They are not only essential for making fried foods but also for your sauce and stew.
Just like pots, getting non-stick pans is definitely the way to go! If you have never used them, you should get them right away. How else can you flip your eggs when frying them without them sticking to the pan? If your egg still sticks to your pan then you need to get a non-stick pan.
For your pan, one or two fry pans are enough essential for your kitchen. Except you like hoarding different types of fry-pan.
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A Knife Set
A knife set is a major tool in the kitchen. In the post, the best cooking tips that will make you an expert, having a knife set was one of the highlighted tips. It’s not only about having a chef knife which is an important kitchen tool, having different types of knives for different occasions is also a big plus for you.
With a knife set, you will get the knife for your bread, the knife for slicing onions and bell peppers, the knife for spreading butter or margarine, a kitchen scissors, and the big knife for cutting bigger foodstuffs like chicken and meat.
A complete knife set completes the kitchen and greatly reduces some of the burden of cooking. When you use the right knife for the right food ingredient, you work faster.
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Cooking Spoon Set
A cooking spoon set is another essential kitchen tool you must have. Cooking can go from stressful to enjoyable with the right cooking tools. Also, buying cooking tools can go from daunting to incredible with a set.
Cooking spoons are essential kitchen tools, however, it can be daunting to start searching for the best type of spoon for a particular meal. Getting a cooking spoon set makes it easier because it usually contains all the important spoon types you will need for your cooking. A cooking spoon set will have a spatula, ladle, soup spoon, whisk, etc.
Some cooking spook set also comes in a storage container which makes storage easier.
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Mixing Bowls
This is a kitchen essential you will mostly overlook or skip when shopping for kitchen tools. But it is very useful in the kitchen. You can use it to mix your food ingredients together, marinate and season your chicken, you can also wash your food ingredients in them.
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Download the Essential Kitchen Tools Checklist below:
Cutting/Chopping Board
For cutting, dicing, or slicing onions, pepper, tomato, vegetables, and several other food ingredients. In this post about the easiest and fastest ways to shred chicken, one of the main kitchen tools used was the cutting or chopping board.
It is important to have more than one cutting/chopping board. Some chefs also advise having a color-coded chopping board that can be used for different food items.
However, if you are going for two, you can use one for your meat and chicken, and the other for your pepper and veggies. You can also read more cutting board-related food hygiene information on USDA food safety and inspection service. There are different types of cutting/chopping boards; bamboo, glass, plastic, or wood. The wood or plastic chopping boards are highly recommended.
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Blender
Blenders are useful in the kitchen for blending peppers, tomatoes, grains, meats, and several other food items.
They have a high level of functionality and they make cooking faster and easier. If you want to enjoy your blender, ensure to get high-quality ones.
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Measuring Cups and Spoons
Measuring cups and spoons might not seem essential to people who don’t bake. But, that is not all they can be used for.
You might wonder what measuring tools are essential to a well-equipped kitchen. The simple answer is, one you can use to measure the amount of salt, seasoning, and spices you add to your meal.
When following a recipe, the measurements for each ingredient are usually stated. It is important to have a measuring cup or spoon to help in measuring the exact quantity so that your meal can turn out exactly how it is supposed to. Having a set of measuring cups and spoons also allow you to use each of them for different food ingredients at the same time.
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Kitchen Napkins and Oven Mitts
Burns and scalds are heat-causing injuries that can be contracted in the kitchen. Personally, I can attest to the many times I have burned a finger or scalded my palm with something hot in the kitchen.
If you ever find yourself in a position where your hand gets scalded in the kitchen, ensure to immediately put your hand under running water or apply water on a napkin and place it on the burn. You can also get more first-aid treatment for burns or scalding here.
An important way to protect your hands from burning or scalding in the kitchen is by getting kitchen napkins or oven mitts. You can use the napkins to hold your pot lids, especially the stainless pots. The oven mitts also come in handy when baking or using the oven. It keeps your hand protected from hot surfaces.
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Dish rack or Dish Drainer
The final essential kitchen tool I will recommend you get for your kitchen is a dish rack or dish drainer. This tool is essential for every kitchen but it is sometimes overlooked. A dish rack dries your dishes, cutleries, and napkins after you wash them. It also serves as a storage space for them.
A dish rack works as a drainer after you finish washing your dishes and you don’t want to keep them directly in your cabinets. Leaving them to dry is important in keeping you from germs and bacteria that breed in damp spaces.
A good dish rack is definitely a must-have for your kitchen. And if it looks good, then it’s an added aesthetic to your kitchen.
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