There is a kitchen tool for everything. Most of these tools promise to make your life easier, your cooking routine simpler and your home cooking more delicious. The truth is that most of these tools just become glorified clutter in your well used kitchen. There are however a few handfuls of tools that are worth their weight in gold in your home kitchen and I'm here to share them with you.
Kitchen Tools That You Won't Want To Live Without
- A good cast iron pan. I actually have a few of these in different sizes. They last forever and heat evenly they are my number one must have for any from scratch home cook.
- A great set of hight quality knives. If you buy quality knives you will have them forever and you will thank yourself every time you need to slice a nice cut of meat, sourdough bread or watermelon. I have had the set linked for 10 years and they are used every day and still work amazingly well and sharpen easily.
- An enamel coated Dutch Oven. I have had mine for years and I use it for everything from roast to soup to homemade Bolognese, and even sourdough bread.
- A set of stainless steel pots and pans. I prefer no coating on my pots and pans. Basic stainless steel works great when used properly and heated before use. stainless is also healthier for you than non-stick. The linked set is exactly what I have, but I purchased at Costco when they had a deal, look around and sometimes you can get these for great prices!
- Simple set of mixing bowls. I like glass because they are super affordable but pottery works well also.
- A few large stainless steel mixing bowls. I use these for making large salads, mixing homemade sausage, holiday stuffing you get the picture.
- High quality baking set. This should include cooling racks a few baking sheets, a bread pan, muffin tin and cake pan. I use everything in this set and have never needed more, but you can always add if you become an avid baker. Again I chose stainless, but you can find non pfoa non-stick versions as well.
- Cusinart food processor. Yep, this might seem frivolous, but it's a workhorse. Mine was a hand-me-down. It's over 15 years old and still works like a charm for everything from pesto to grated cheese. This is a game changer for the from scratch cook.
- High quality blender. You will use it more than you think. I like the ones with glass or metal canisters for making baby food and soups. I use mine to make homemade tomato sauce regularly. Again mine came from Costco when on sale and I have had it for years.
- Citrus press. I never knew what I was missing, I use this thing all the time for quickly juicing a lime, lemon or even an orange.
- Cooking utensil set. I like to have a set of nice wooden spoons a few spatulas some metal others silicone and even wood, a few silicon or stainless steel whisks. A nice stainless steel ladle is a plus.
- Potato masher. You can use this for potatoes obviously but also egg salad and so many other things.
- Stainless steel strainers. I use these for draining pasta, dusting powdered sugar and even cleaning veggies, this comes in my linked utensil set.
- Emersion blender. Makes making soup or homemade tomato sauce and even homemade mayo so much easier!!
- Zester or grater. I use my grater zester combo way more than I ever thought I would and I have to say it's amazing and dual purpose.
- Toaster.
- Hand mixer. Don't get me wrong I love my kitchen aid stand mixer, I have had it forever and I use it a ton, but if it's not in the budget a regular old hand mixer will do the job.
- Measuring spoons and cups. So necessary for everything, believe me you need them.
- High quality wooden cutting boards. I don't use plastic cutting boards I Like the way wood ages if you care for it well.
- Pot holders. You will need them... believe me!
- Garlic Press. You can use this for more than just garlic. I use it for ginger and turmeric as well.
- Meat tenderizer/pounder. Self explanitory
- Vegetable peeler. This is an inexpensive tool that will save your fingers while peeling vegetables
- Can opener. I prefer to cook from scratch but when the occasion arises that I need some sort of store bought canned item I don't hesitate and having the ability to open it is a plus!
- Tongs. I use these for everything from stirring oven roasted veggies to grilling meat. They are a must have!
Extra Kitchen Tools You Might Want As You Start to Cook More At Home
An Instapot. I use my instant pot for way more than I ever thought I would. It's great for homemade bone broth, yogurt, and rice. It really is an amazing little gadget.
A Crock Pot. When the weather outside gets colder, my crockpot becomes a fixture in my kitchen. Although it's primarily used seasonally, it's a workhorse and makes my busy life and cooking routine way easier.
An Air fryer. This is a new one for me, but I love it. My little air fryer can do pretty much everything my convection oven can do and more. It's small but mighty and gives new life to leftovers.
A Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. Like I said before this isn't 100% necessary, but I use mine all the time for cakes, bread, even shredding chicken. It's awesome and they last forever.
Meat Grinder. This definitely isn't for everyone, but if you have ever made your own sausage or hamburger even you know how wonderful these tools can be! Mine doesn't get a tone of use, but a few times a year we pull it out and make big batches for the freezer.
