I just moved to my own apartment, what all do I need for the kitchen?!


Question: I just moved to my own apartment, what all do I need for the kitchen?
cooking utensils, pots and pans, bake ware, small appliances, other?

Answers:

Start with the most basic things. I seriously doubt you're in dire need of muffin tins right now. I did fine without them for over 20 years...

sharp knives (for cutting meat/vegs/fruit)
plates, cups, glasses, utensils (forks, spoons, knives)
pots/saucepans (stainless steel for now; you can graduate to copper later)
baking pans (size depends on what you like to make: 9x13 is very handy)
mixing bowls
measuring cups & spoons
colander
spatulas
pot holders
towels
sponges
dishwashing liquid

food processor or blender, if you make the sort of things that require one; don't clutter your counter with either if you don't.

The Joy of Cooking (by Irma S. Rombauer)

The rest will reveal itself to you. I've lived for years without microwaves, toasters, coffee machines, whisks, etc., etc., even though I use them all several times a week now. Your cooking/eating habits will dictate the rest. Whatever you do, don't listen to these people sending you to some high-end store to outfit your kitchen to look like Martha $tewart's at this stage in your life... especially if you're not Martha Stewart.



Depends on how much you like to or are willing to cook! Check out Target or Walmart if you are short on cash and don't need top of the line, or go to the garage sales, and I'm betting you just need basics since you are asking what you need.
I usually start by cleaning then lining the drawers and cabinets with a contact paper.
You need some basic eating utensils, utensil holder that fits in the drawer. Sharp knives. Plates and bowls (Correlle is almost unbreakable and inexpensive.) If you buy a Correlle set it usually should have some coffee cups too and salad bowls. Drinking glasses.
Can opener (mechanical works fine and works if the power goes it).
A couple of spatulas, one smaller one larger. One spoon that is large enough to dip soup or boiled foods out of of a pot. A colander to drain pasta, ground meat, etc. A steamer that is either able to fit in a pot or goes into microwave (if you get one).
A cookie sheet, a glass casserole pan, a small and a larger skillet, a small pot and a larger pot. The pots need lids and should fit the skillets somewhat as well (Easiest is to buy a set in box as you are starting out)
Ninja Master Pro as it comes with different attachments, you can use it as an awesome blender, food chopper, etc.
Microwave is not required but makes it a lot easier.
Coffee maker or at least a kettle that goes on the stove and you can quickly heat and boil water for a number of things.
The Griddler is awesome especially if you are short on time or don't want to dirty lots of stuff, you can grill steak and chicken and chops, fish on top of it, fold it open and make pancakes, hashbrowns, make a panini sandwich with the lid closed on your sandwich etc.
Get some hand towels, a pot holder, dish soap, paper towels, sponge (disinfect 1x a week by wetting it and microwave for 45sec-1 min).
Storage containers (get a set), Storage bags (sandwich and storage), Green bags if use a lot of veggies and fruit, Foil, Plastic wrap.
Mixing bowl set, you really only need three sizes but if short on cash use your storage containers (Tupperware stuff). A couple measuring things: dry cups set, tsp/Tbs set, and liquid cup.
Wine opener, a couple of wine glasses, just to look sophisticated until you are 21 (?). Shot glass.
Buy the minimal you need at the moment and increase as you can.



Check out your favourite TV chefs latest cook book. OR the JOY OF COOKING - they have lists of what you need or go to a cook wear store and check out the stuff. Do you like to cook, are you a good cook, what is your budget? etc etc etc. Cheap is often nasty. Don't buy pasta machines unless you are already into making home made pasta.

Cast iron cookwear, La Creuset bake wear, Heavy stainless steel pots and pans with riveted handles and lids that can withstand going into the oven - Lagostina makes a great set. Stay away from non stick stuff if you can help it. That stuff just ends up in the food.

check with Consumer reports about small appliances but most Kitchen Aid stuff is quite "skookum" and will endure years of abuse. Pay $100 for a toaster and the same for your coffee maker unless of course you are a cappucino person and then it is worth getting an espressso machine from Starbucks and your own coffee grinder, etc. You don't need to buy their coffee though.

Bake wear - one of each of muffin tin, 2 glass 9 inch pie plates, one glass 9 x 13 baking dish, 1 ten inch springform pan, 2 9 inch round cake pans, 2 or 3 cookie sheets with sides, cooling racks, dry and liquid measuring cups and a set of measuring spoons, a small weigh scale, mixing bowls - stainless steel - a set of 4 from small to very large, and all sorts of gadgets from peelers to cherry pitters, lemon zesters, etc. Don't buy cheap crap. Buy European or Swiss stuff. Good knives - a descent set of Wusthoff - in a knife block too. If you are short of funds then Henkels are fine if they are made in Germany. I have Victorinox which are made by Swiss Army Knife Co and have used them for 30 years. A couple of cutting boards - not wooden ones but the white plastic ones that you can bleach and keep sparkling white!

OR
when I was in college I got everything second hand and lived with all that stuff until I could afford the good stuff. BUT having good cookwear makes dining at home a pleasure and in the long run saves you lots of money. My son says that his $400 coffee machine paid for itself in a month of not buying coffees out everyday. He makes morning coffee for his wife and himself and makes breakfast for his sons every morning... it is part of the daily ritual.

Have fun.

chef



Congratulations on your new apartment!

Do you know how to cook? If not, all the pots and pans will not be a help to you.
A microwave is a must now days. Be sure it is a 1100w and not a 700w.
Read the booklet that comes with the microwave.

You can buy frozen dinners and pop them into the microwave. Read and follow the direction on the boxes. Always buy the leading brands. Ask a clerk to show you the top brands.

If you want extra vegetables, you can buy them in cans or frozen. Just heat and eat. This can be done in the microwave too.

But if you want pots and pans, go to a department store such as Sears, Walmart, etc and go to their kitchen sections. You will find all type of pots and pans sets. Always get lids too.

A skillet comes in handy for fried foods and steaks. Buy lid too.

Toaster.

Toaster oven that sits on the counter so that you do not have to turn on the oven.

Cookie sheet for cookies.

Cake pans. You will need two most of the time.

Pie pans.
(You can buy delicious frozen pies already cook. Follow directions on the box. Our favorite is key lime pie.)

Oven casserole dishes. They come in all sizes.
Make sure you buy one size that will fit inside your microwave and has a lid.

Crock pot. Read the booklet before using.

Coffee pot. Try to read the booklet or directions before you buy. There are many different types.

Spatula for turning over items such as fried eggs, fish, meats.

Lettuce spinner for drying lettuce.

Measuring spoons.

Measuring cups.

Paper plates for sandwiches so you won't have to wash a dish.

Dishes.

Glasses.

Forks, knives, spoons.

Sharp knives.



toaster
set of 3 teflon frying pans
saucepans - 3 sizes
dishrack
dishes, glasses, cutlery, knives
set of utensils - big spoon, spatula, etc.
colander
dishtowels, pot holders, throw rug
Mixing bowls
garbage can



Amazing!Try the above link & have fun!
http://pageflakes.info/53762/cooking-utensil

http://pageflakes.info/53762/cooking-utensil



Toaster
Blender
Eating Utensils
Plates, Bowls, etc.
Brownie pan, Cake pan, Cupcake pan, etc.
Oven mittens.
Microwave
Coffee maker
Water Jugs, etc
Colander
Dish towels

Hope I helped!!

My mind...




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