6 Kitchen Essentials to Buy

6 Kitchen Essentials to Buy That Will Give You a Great Head Start

If you're wondering what's the best way to start your new kitchen. Well, we've got you covered! In this blog post, we'll go through six items that are great for a beginner in the kitchen. 

Main image by Kevin Doran on Unsplash

These items will give you a solid foundation and some of them can be used to cook many different types of dishes. So without further ado, let's dive right into it. 

A Good Kitchen Knife 

A sharp and durable kitchen knife is essential to any cook. If you can't chop ingredients quickly and efficiently, your cooking will take much longer. There are two types of kitchen knives, a Western knife and an Asian-style one. 

They both have their own advantages and disadvantages. In general, an Asian knife is easier to use because it's lighter with a thinner blade. 

However, they do dull quicker than Western knives. They can be difficult to use at first but once you get used to them, you won't be able to live without an Asian-style knife. However, if you're just starting out, get a Western knife because it's easier to use.

Quality Pots and Pans 

It doesn't matter how expensive the rest of your kitchenware is if you don't have quality pots and pans. A good pot or pan is one that evenly distributes heat from the bottom to the sides. It's important that there are no hot spots in your pans because they will scorch your food and ruin all of your hard work.

Usually copper, aluminium, and stainless steel pots and pans are the best options for getting even heat transfer. Most of the time, copper pans will be the most expensive since they are very durable and conduct heat the best. 

Want to be all fancy? Get an inverter microwave for your starter kitchen. However, if you're interested in a cheaper pot set that still does an amazing job at cooking food evenly, stainless steel pans are your best bet. 

A non-stick pan is also very useful to have because you can use less oil or butter when cooking. The downside is that a non-stick pan is more expensive than other ones and can sometimes be tricky to clean since the coating deteriorates over time.

Sharpening Steel

Every chef needs one in their arsenal for keeping knives sharp. Steel is a long rod with a handle that has a smooth surface. You run the knife against it from top to bottom several times and it will realign your blade's edge making it sharper than before. 

It's important to note that you should only use the steel on a well cleaned and dry knife. If you attempt to sharpen your knife with water or oil on it, you could dull it even further.

Cutting Board 

This should be large enough to accommodate all of your shopping needs, but not so big that it takes up too much space on the countertop.

Cutting boards have been around for thousands of years but they're still a great tool. There are many different ones to choose from - just so you know that soft boards are easier on knife blades. 

Another thing you should look for is whether or not the board has grooves in it. Grooves can help prevent your ingredients from rolling around the board or falling out of your dish.

Set of Measuring Cups, Spoons, and Bowls 

These are invaluable when measuring out ingredients for recipes or making sure you're cooking with the right amount of liquid. A set of measuring spoons is great for smaller measurements.

Usually, there are a few different sizes to choose from and the larger ones can be used as serving spoons. A set of measuring cups is good if you don't have many other tools in your kitchen but it will take up more space so keep that in mind. 

As for bowls, there are different sizes and materials to choose from. Stainless steel ones are recommended since they're easier to clean and hold up well over time.

 

Image by Sarah Chai on Pexels

Food Processor/Blender 

This makes some tasks easier than others like slicing onions or blending sauces. If you're looking for something that's on the cheaper end of things, get a blender over a food processor since they do pretty much all the same things. 

The only thing is that it won't have certain attachments like an S-blade or slicer. A food processor works better for slicing and shredding foods while a blender does a better job at making smoother sauces and soups.

If you're looking for the perfect starter kitchen, this list may help. We've compiled a list of six essential items to buy that will give you a great start in your new home or apartment, and we hope it'll be helpful for anyone who's considering making their first big purchase after moving into their first place.