Well-Equipped Kitchen List
I am a big believer in the old saying: “Use the right tool for the job.” The following is a dream list of tools and appliances will allow you to do virtually any kitchen task. Together, they will give you a very well-equipped kitchen. I have at least one of everything on this list, which I have accumulated over many years. I believe in balancing quality, functionality, and value, so you won’t see much fancy kitchenware recommended here. Some of it is commercial grade, which is often less expensive than residential grade. Many tools are Oxo brand. Virtually everything they make is well made and well thought out.
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Apple corer (see Corer)
Bag filler (Jokari, for filling vacuum sealer and plastic storage bags)
Blender: I like both Ninja and Kitchenaid
Bowls (see Mixing Bowls)
Butane Portable Tabletop Burner and butane canisters: This one burns both butane and propane is also good for camping.
Brown paper (see Brown Paper Bags)
Brown paper bags (I use lunch bags and tear them open)
Brushes (these don’t last a long time, so don’t spend much on them)
Cast iron pot (see dutch oven)
Cast iron skillet set (I like Lodge brand)
Chainmail scrubbing pad (for cast iron and carbon steel)
Chinois strainer (so-called “Chinese cap”), preferably with fine mesh, stand, and a push stick
Chopsticks:
cooking (these are longer than chopsticks used for eating)
eating
Cleaver (meat cleaver) I have a Wusthof, but this one is a better value)
Cocottes, small
Cooking spray
Cooling racks, set
Coravin wine preservation system
Cutting board TrueBoard (20% DISCOUNT: CHEFSAPPRE20); this is a good set
Deep fryer with basket
Electric (on this one, the oil can be drained easily and the unit can be cleaned easily)
Donabe hotpot
Dutch Oven (I like the Lodge brand)
Egg topper: Plunger type ; Scissor type
Fish Spatula: This will become a go-to tool.
Food processor (I use a food processor often, but I bought mine at yard sales. If I bought one new, the Ninja is a good choice)
Graters:
Shark skin (for wasabi or ginger)
Grill pan, cast iron
Grills:
George Foreman hamburger grill (I have the original version, which is great for grilled sandwiches)
Ice Machine (countertop)
Ice Machine (15″ undercounter) & Cleaner
Kitchen Torch (see Torch)
Knives, set (see my blog post called “Essential Kitchen Knives: The Ultimate Guide for Home Chefs”). For individual knives:
Cleaver (see Cleaver)
Steak Knife Set (See Steak Knives)
Ladle: see Cooking Utensils Set
Mandoline: I have a very expensive French mandoline and a very inexpensive Chinese type mandoline. I use only the latter.
Chinese type (plastic, inexpensive)
Marble pastry slab, about 16” x 20”
Measuring cups (this set includes 2/3 and 3/4 cup)
Measuring spoons (I use this magnetic set almost exclusively; it includes 1/8 tsp., 3/4 tsp. and 1/2 Tb.)
Metal spatulas: see Cooking Utensils Set
Mixer (see Kitchenaid Mixer)
Mixing bowls:
Mortar & Pestle: Japanese; Regular
Needle-style meat tenderizer (also called a needler)
Offset spatula: https://amzn.to/4n0Efzl
Panini Press (see George Forman hamburger grill)
Pasta Pot: See Steamer/Pasta Pot
Pastry Bag with assorted tips (buy good tips, which will last a lifetime; bags will need to be replaced periodically)
Piping Bag (see Pastry Bag)
Pizza Oven
Ooni 12″ Duel Fuel (wood, and propane too with an extra attachment)
Pots and pans set: This is a tough category. There are so many choices. I have bought a lot of my pots and pans piecemeal and some of them are commercial grade, but this set is economical. With a few exceptions, I don’t use nonstick.
Sauce Pan 4 qt. (for risotto)
Stockpots: I have 4 different sized stock pots. This is a good starter size (12 qts.)
Ravioli cutters (round and square)
Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
Ricer (if you have one of these babies, you don’t need a manual food mill)
Roasting pan and rack
Roasting pan – disposable (for smoker, 9″ x 13″)
Rotisserie oven, with basket: I prefer the Ronco brand. I’ve had mine forever.
Rubber-edged paddle for Kitchenaid mixer: https://amzn.to/48B8pTH
Sheet pans: a full-size sheet pan is 18″ x 26″ (bigger than most people need), a half sheet pan is 13″ 18″, and a quarter sheet pan is 9.5″ x 13″. Half sheet pans are best for home use. Quarter sheet pans really come in handy. The more you buy, the less you pay per pan. You will be glad you have a good supply.
Silpat baking sheet
Sizzle platters/plates: Possibly the most-used kitchen tool. Can’t have too many.
Skillet: See Pots & Pans
Skimmer: See Cooking Utensils
Slow cooker: Great for braising
Smoker: Love my Masterbuilt electric smoker
Sous Vide Devices:
Anova and basin and clips: This can be used in any stockpot, but I recommend buying the basin too, which keeps the heat in.
Sous Vide Supreme Water Oven (this works great, but don’t leave water in it or it may develop pinhole leaks)
Spatulas
metal: See Cooking Utensils
rubber (high heat)
Spice grinder (an electric coffee grinder works great, but it is best to have one that is dedicated to spice grinding, unless you like spiced coffee)
Spray bottle (water)
Spreader (for cheese, jam, etc.)
Springform pans 9″: https://amzn.to/4cU3DSC
Stainless steel bowls: See Mixing Bowls
Steamer/Pasta Pot, with pasta and steamer inserts
Stock pot: See Pots & Pan/Stockpots
Thermometers
Meat, with probe and remote readout (for oven, grill, or smoker)
Tongs: Extremely essential tool; this one is commercial grade, with no hinge or annoying lock. I suggest buying 3-4.
Torch: Just replace the butane canister instead of refilling
Truffle slicer: You won’t need it until you need it.
Whisks: It’s helpful to have different sizes
Wok and cast iron ring: A carbon steel wok is best for conducting heat.
Wok spatula: www.foodservicewarehouse.com/asian-restaurant/wok-spatulas
Wood chips for smoking, assortment
Ziploc bags, assorted sizes
