Basic Kitchen Equipment

Useful tools to create a wide variety of dishes!

  • 1 10 – 12 inch frying pan.  A versatile, durable heavyweight pan with a heatproof handle.  Treated properly, cast iron can be a wonderful non-stick surface, but if you do buy a non-stick coating, replace the pan as soon as it shows signs of wear. 
  • 2 cup small saucepan with lid for sauces and single serving sized preparations
  • 1-2 qt saucepan with lid for dinner-sized portions of rice and starchy vegetables
  • 3qt saucepan with lid for soups, steaming vegetables, larger batches for leftovers
  • 1 gallon pot for boiling pasta, seafood, corn on the cob, etc.
  • 8-9 inch square or rectangular baking pan
  • 9×13 deep-sided casserole baking pan or casserole dish
  • Set of nesting mixing bowls
  • Set of nested measuring cups, set of measuring spoons
  • Graduated 2 cup liquid measuring cup
  • Wooden spoons or heat-resistant plastic spoons
  • 1 metal slotted spoon
  • 1 Rubber or Heat-Proof Silicone Spatula
  • 1 flexible, wide and strong heat proof metal or plastic spatula for hot foods
  • 1 wire whisk
  • 1 good quality chef’s knife
  • 1 good quality paring knife
  • 1 vegetable peeler
  • 1 serrated slicer
  • Cutting Board at least 18” across, made of high grade plastic or wood.  Replace cutting boards when they start showing signs of deep grooves from repeated cuts.
  • 1 colander (strainer) If space is tight, a hand tool that is held up against a pot for straining can be useful. 
  • Individual-sized casserole dishes or deep soup bowls that can go into the oven
  • Individual portion-sized storage containers. Choose sturdy containers with tightly-sealing lids, preferably ones that can go from freezer to lunchbox, or even into the microwave.  Doubling your recipe? Make 4 servings, eat 2, store 2!
  • 2 Hot pads, 2 dish towels, scrub brush, dish drainer, hand soap

  • Helpful to Own:
  • 1 microplane for zesting and fine grating
  • Meat mallet
  • 1 heavy-duty rolling pin
  • Scoops (assorted: ice cream, sm, med, large, 1 oz, etc.)
  • Heavy-duty can opener
  • Set of graduated funnels
  • Tower Grater (or Box Grater, or Flat Grater)
  • Tongs
  • Ladles
  • Kitchen shears
  • Honing Wand/ Sharpening Steel
  • Clamshell steamer basket
  • Graduated fine-mesh strainers
  • Muffin pan (metal or silicone)
  • Pie plate
  • Loaf Pan
  • Large covered roasting pan (Dutch Oven or Turkey Roaster)
  • Lid gripper/Jar Opener
  • Digital scale for weighing baking ingredients and portion control
  • Food Thermometer, Oven Thermometer, Refrigerator Thermometer
  • Electric Appliances: Blender, Food Processor, Toaster, Mixer