From Cookware Sets to Mandolines: The Essential Kitchen Tools for Amazing Meals

If you enjoy being in the kitchen, you should have the proper equipment. The right tools will make cooking more enjoyable for you. However, there is no need for a kitchen filled with gadgets. All you need is a few well-chosen tools.

Here are the essentials worth having, plus a few extras that earn their spot on the benchtop. Let’s jump in and take a look.

Cookware Set

A quality set is a useful addition to any kitchen. Buying a set is often more affordable than purchasing individual pieces, and having matching cookware makes cupboard storage easier. Generally, a cookware set features pots and pans, with each piece suited to a different cooking task.

Small saucepans will be perfect for sauces, custard, melting butter, and heating soup. Medium-sized saucepans with lids will be perfect for steaming vegetables, boiling eggs, and small quantities of pasta.

The stockpot is the largest pot. It should be used to prepare bolognese, curries, stews, and large portions of pasta. It should be used in case you want to make food for many people.

In a cookware collection, there are several frypans. Small frypans are good for making eggs and toasting nuts. Medium-sized frypans are used to cook steak, stir-fries, and pancakes. Some cookware sets have a deep sauté pan, which is used for cooking one-pot meals with lots of sauce.

Benefits extend beyond the aesthetic aspect. The dishes included in a set are uniform and cook food evenly throughout. The lids that come with sets create an efficient seal and trap the heat and moisture, saving energy. Moreover, most sets can be used with gas, induction, or electric stoves, so you are not limited in their usage.

Cookware is fairly easy to maintain, but the cleaning method depends on the material. Let pots and pans cool before washing to avoid damage from sudden temperature changes. For nonstick cookware, avoid abrasive brushes and metal utensils that can scratch the coating.

For most pots and pans, warm soapy water and a soft dishcloth are enough. Soak stuck food rather than scraping it off. Stainless steel can handle more thorough cleaning, and stubborn stains can often be removed with bicarbonate of soda and water. Cast iron, however, requires special care to prevent rust.

Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions, as cleaning recommendations vary between materials and coatings. With proper care, quality cookware can last for years.

Knives

A sharper knife is more useful and safer than a duller one, and it makes preparation easier. There are only three you’ll need: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife.

The chef’s knife is used for all the hard tasks, like cutting onions and slicing meat. The paring knife comes in handy when peeling and doing small tasks, while the bread knife cuts through bread without squashing it.

Blender

The blender is a lifesaver on busy mornings when you don’t have time to prepare breakfast. Just put some fruit, yoghurt and milk in the blender and have a healthy smoothie in less than one minute!

It is not only for beverages. It can be used to blend soups, pesto, sauces, pancake batter and even dips such as hummus. Look for one with a strong engine and a durable jug that will easily blend ice and berries.

Rice Cooker

A rice cooker takes the guesswork out of making perfect rice. Simply add the rice and water, press a button and let it do the work for you.

There will be no burned bottoms or soggy grains anymore. Most models automatically switch to the keep-warm function once the rice is cooked, so it’s ready to serve whenever you get home. They can also steam vegetables, cook porridge and even bake cakes. 

Bread Maker

Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked bread filling the entire house. The bread maker will knead, rise, and bake your loaf for you, and you just have to supply the ingredients.

Set the timer and go to sleep; come morning, there will be a nice hot loaf waiting for you. You could even bake pizza dough, scones, and jam in it and rest assured that you know what ingredients go into your food. 

Mandoline Slicer

With a mandoline slicer, you can get quick and even cuts. It’s perfect for preparing potato bake, home-style chips, coleslaw, cucumbers and pretty salads.

As the cuts are even, so are the cooking times. There will be no vegetables that are half raw and half burnt. Adjustable blades allow you to cut anything, from paper-thin to big chunks. The blade is very sharp, so you should always wear the finger guard.

The right kitchen utensils can make preparing meals much more enjoyable. Start with a decent cookware set and a good knife, then add other pieces as your skills and interests develop. Quality, not quantity, should always be considered, and you should care for your utensils.

Before long, you’ll feel more confident in the kitchen and be serving meals you’re proud of. Happy cooking!