25 Essential Tools Every Cook Needs In Their Kitchen
By Oldschoozchef
I always am being asked to come to someone’s house and cook for them. Sometimes they are simple meals and sometimes they are elaborate ones. It always amazes me when I go into a house with a gorgeous kitchen and appliances that would make any restaurant kitchen burn with envy. I always try to research the prospective client’s inventory with a checklist of essentials that I will need to make my job easier and timely. Of course, a really great cook or chef is always going to be resourceful enough to complete the task at hand but sometimes, so much trouble and time could have been spent on much more important tasks.
This is a list of the essential tools that are practical to outfitting a kitchen. If you’re moving into your first new home or apartment, you need this guide. If you need a checklist of things you should have in your kitchen, you will need to read this.
There are many retailers out there trying to sell you gadgets that you only use once and then it sits in the kitchen, hidden away in some cabinet, cluttering it up uselessly. These are tools that you will be reaching for every time you decide to cook something.
I am passionate about cooking and the tools I use to cook with. Save yourself the trouble of trial and error and go ahead and get the things on this list. I am not trying to sell you any of these items. I just want you to have them in your kitchen to make your cooking experience much easier. How about some cookbooks?
The Kitchen Essentials:
1. A Standing Mixer
2. A Blender
3. Tongs
4. A Vegetable Peeler
5. A Bench Scraper
6. A Grater/Zester
7. A Pepper Mill
8. A Fine-Mesh Strainer
9. A Rubber Spatula
10. A Whisk
11. A Salad Spinner
12. Some Measuring Utensils
13. A Digital Scale
14. An Instant Thermometer
15. An Oven Thermometer
16. A Digital Timer
17. A Food Processor
18. A Roasting Pan
19. A 12” Skillet (Cast Iron)
20. A Dutch Oven
21. An 8” Chef’s Knife
22. A Paring Knife
23. A Serrated Knife
24. A Cutting Board
25. A 12” non-stick Skillet
These are the essentials but I have a few things that I like to use in my kitchen because I am a food purist. On my mixer I have an attachment that grinds meat because I like to make my own sausages and freshly ground burgers and I do have a french fry cutter so I can make those fresh french fries when I have a craving. Cook’s Illustrated has a list of the best and reasonably priced items on this checklist at: http://www.cooksillustrated.com
Most of these items are available online at:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com
http://www.bridgekitchenware.com
Tags: bench scraper, blender, cast iron skillet, chef's knife, cutting board, digital, dutch oven, fine-mesh strainer, food processor, kitchen decorating, kitchen equipment, kitchen tools, measuring cups, pepper mill, roasting pan, rubber spatula, salad spinner, scales, stand up mixer, thermometer, tongs, whisk
August 22, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Chris Moran