How well stocked is your kitchen? There's nothing more frustrating than getting half way
through a cheesecake recipe and realizing you don't have a 9" springform pan. To
prevent future voids, we've assembled a list of must-have kitchen equipment. We've
also thrown in a few splurges that we can't imagine life without.
Pots and Pans
Your food spends a lot of time here, so quality cookware is essential. Look for heavy stainless steel, anodized aluminum or enamel-coated cast iron models that allow even heat distribution and prevent burning. Popular brands include Calphalon®,All-Clad®, Cuisinart®, Farberware® and Le Creuset®. Here are the essentials:
Saucepans (1-qt., 2-qt. and 3-qt.)
Stockpot (8-qt.)
Skillets (8" and 10")
Large Saute Pan (deeper than a skillet, with a lid)
Dutch Oven
Roasting Pan (one shallow, one deep)
Broiler Pan (usually comes with oven)
Double Boiler
Splurges:
Copper is an excellent heat conductor, but it is a little more expensive and
requires maintenance. Most copper cookware is lined with tin, and over time the lining
will need to be "retinned." If you're concerned about aesthetics, copper also requires regular polishing.
Utensils
Keep essential utensils close at hand. A cylindrical utensil holder or small porcelain pitcher can house frequently used spatulas, spoons and more on the countertop. The drawer and cabinet nearest the stove are other prime locations for these items:
2 sets of Measuring Spoons (splurge on the heavy gauge stainless steel ones)
2 sets of Dry Measuring Cups (see note above)
2 Glass Liquid Measuring Cups
Cutting Board
Spatulas (hard rubber if you have nonstick cookware)
Soup Ladle
Kitchen Tongs
Standing Grater (4-sided)
Colander
Vegetable Peeler
Vegetable Brush
Potato Ricer or Masher
Long-Handled Fork
Wire Whisk (Hard Rubber Whisks are Available)
Baster
Can Opener
Meat Thermometer
Oven Thermometer
Timer
Corkscrew
Zester
Slotted Spoons
Wooden Spoons
High-Heat Flexible Rubber Spatulas
Citrus Juicer
Strainers
Funnel
Nutcracker
Pepper Grinder
Salad Spinner
Coffee Pot
Tea Kettle
Wooden Skewers
Ice Cream Scoop
Collapsible Vegetable Steamer
Meat Pounder
Splurges:
Mushroom Brush (minimizes water absorbtion)
Garlic Peeler
Le Creuset® Screwpull Corkscrew
Zyliss® Chopper
Hand-Held Grater (great for parmesan cheese)
Garlic Press
Dishware
We're going to assume that you have a plate to eat on. Here are a few other items that come in extra handy during food preparation:
Nesting Mixing Bowls (4 or more bowls)
Microwave-Safe Casserole with Lid
Rectangular Glass Baking Dishes, multiple sizes
Airtight containers for dry goods storage
Splurges:
Clear glass custard dishes, ramekins or small stainless steel bowls come in handy for organizing ingredients (and many other things!)
Cutlery
It's a shame that knives have been labeled "unlucky" wedding gifts. Good knives
are gold in the kitchen. Look for high-carbon steel and a handle that fits nicely in your hand. Popular brands include Henckels®, Wusthof® and Chicago Cutlery®. A variety of knife storage options are available, from in-drawer trays to counter blocks and magnetic wall-holders. Here are the basics:
Paring Knife
Chef's Knife
Carving Knife
Serrated Bread Knife
Serrated Tomato Knife
Sharpening Steel (from manufacturer of your brand)
Splurges:
Boning Knife
Kitchen Shears (great for trimming fat from meat)
Electronics
These toys and tools require a plug, so make room by the receptacles.
Heavy-Duty Blender
Toaster Oven
Kitchen Scale
Hand Mixer
Microwave Oven
Coffee Maker
Splurges:
Food Processor (makes life easier!)
Standing Mixer
Electric Juicer
Ice Cream Maker
Waffle Iron
Coffee Grinder
Chafing Dish
Pasta Maker
Bread Machine
Baking Equipment
You probably have the brownie pan ready to go. To be prepared for every
birthday and holiday, make sure you have the following on hand:
Round Cake Pans (at least two)
Springform Pan (9")
Rectangular Baking Pan (13" x 9")
Square Baking Pan (9" x 9")
Loaf Pans (at least two)
Flat Baking Sheet
Baking Sheet with Rim
Glass Pie Plate
Muffin Tins (at least two)
Flour Sifter
Rolling Pin
Cooling Racks
Pastry Brush
Pastry Bag with Decorating Tips
Splurges:
Tart Pans
Jelly-Roll Pan
Angel Food Cake Pan
Bundt Pan
Palette Knife for Cake Decorating
Pastry Blender
Pie Weights
A variety of retailers offer the equipment listed above. For the best prices, try local
discount or department stores. For the best selection, turn to local kitchen stores or
mail order retailers like Chef's Catalog at http://www.chefscatalog.com or (800) 884-2433 and Williams-Sonoma at http://www.williams-sonoma.com or (800) 541-0015. Additional suppliers can be found in the GourmetSpot Equipment category. Happy cooking!