Toggle sidebar

Kitchen Tools For a Beginner

N

natron20

New member
Oct 11, 2006
3,173
602
0
I’m trying to make an effort to apply myself to learn healthy cooking.

What kind of tools of the trade would you suggest for someone trying to learn? I’m essentially starting from scratch. My new home will be ready in a few weeks, and it has a brand new kitchen with a new gas range. I was at a charity auction trying to squeeze a few more bucks out of a fellow bidder, and ended up with a Kitchen Aid stand mixer on accident, but that’s not going to do much good with healthy options.

I would like a grill, and am curious about sous-vide. Any other tools or gadgets I should consider?
 
M

-Mav-

New member
Jun 19, 2017
4,693
12,354
0
No kitchen is complete without a Popeil Bernzomatic torch.

 
  • Like
Reactions: Kaizer Sosay, homeytheclown, AustinTXCat and 3 others
A

Anon1711055878

Active member
Jul 20, 2007
5,692
4,803
60
Decent set of heavy-bottom pots and pans, a cast iron skillet, and a chef knife (Victorinox is a good starter knife). That's really it. I'd hold off on gadgets and sous vide until you get the basics and learn your way around the kitchen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chroix
H

Hank Camacho

Well-known member
May 7, 2002
27,426
9,998
113
Buy 4 Hour Chef and follow that. It is a big book but mostly full of pictures and has short, easy instructions on how to get set up in healthy cooking and then a guide for learning how to increase your abilities at your leisure.

It has a basic gear set up that you can buy cheaply off Amazon.
 
R

rudd1

New member
Oct 3, 2007
14,419
21,101
0
-gadget: rice cooker.

-i am a *very* good home cook. This is all you need: Dutch oven (5-8 quart). A nice chefs knife and a paring knife. Wooden spoon. A dutch oven is a roasting pan/frying pan/stock pot all in one. Everything else is non-essential.

-an additional cast iron stock pot and frying pan is acceptable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JDHoss, WayneDougan_rivals170043, Gassy_Knowls and 1 other person
M

-Mav-

New member
Jun 19, 2017
4,693
12,354
0
rudd1 said:
-gadget: rice cooker.

-i am a *very* good home cook. This is all you need: Dutch oven (5-8 quart). A nice chefs knife and a paring knife. Wooden spoon. A dutch oven is a roasting pan/frying pan/stock pot all in one. Everything else is non-essential.

-an additional cast iron stock pot and frying pan is acceptable.
Click to expand...
Wooden spoon? A wooden spoon? C'mon dude, throughout the years we uncouth plebes have looked to you for haute recommendations in all aspects of life, and you've always come through. Always. We need the good recs -- the Glengarry recs, if you will.

Help us, Obi-Rudd1, you're our only hope.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kaizer Sosay, AustinTXCat and Gassy_Knowls
G

gollumcat

Well-known member
Feb 3, 2004
6,667
12,929
103
Can it core a apple? Sounds like you want to be “Chef Of The Future”.

 
Last edited:
D

dgtatu01

New member
Sep 21, 2005
8,673
2,622
0
Pots & Pans:
Non stick skillet
Cast iron skillet
Ceramic coated Dutch oven
Stock pot
Sauce pan

Tools:
Great knife
Metal spatula for cast iron
Plastic spatula for non-stick
Wooden spoons and spatula
Wisk

Miscellaneous:
Non stick cookie sheet
Broiling pan
Crock pot
Blender

That would be a good start imo.
 
R

rudd1

New member
Oct 3, 2007
14,419
21,101
0
-simplicity is elegance, mav. Less stuff...higher quality.

-other basics: colander, pyrex measuring cup and a food processor.

-fun things to use once you get the basics down: mortar and pestle, mandoline, sieve and pestle, assorted zesters/graters, high quality kitchen shears and an immersion blender.

-a copy of larousse gastronomique(sp) and the flavor bible should be in any serious persons kitchen as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JDHoss, AustinTXCat and -Mav-
R

rmattox

New member
Nov 26, 2014
6,786
4,006
0
Pots and pans made only of stainless steel or cast iron.....I differ from others on non-stick pans as the coating comes off on every one I've owned.

Good coffee grinder

Bunn Coffee maker

Flat cast iron griddle that is long enough to cover two burners on your gas stove

Good counter top oven for quick baking jobs

Deep fryer My friend told me of one that filters the oil reducing the need for frequent changes

Good food processor and blender.

Electronic meat thermometer.
 
D

dgtatu01

New member
Sep 21, 2005
8,673
2,622
0
Also TJ Maxx is a great place to get pots and pans. They always have some good stuff at more than 1/2 what it would cost at BBB, Wiliams Sonoma, or Macy's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JDHoss
M

mktmaker

New member
Jun 5, 2001
3,967
2,423
0
Cookware
1. NON-STICK FRYING PAN
Every household needs a non-stick pan for breakfast duty since eggs and pancakes are best made on a non-stick surface. It’s also a super versatile pan that can be used for searing meats, sauteing vegetables, and making sauces. Just be careful to use non-abrasive tools on the surface! We like this stainless steel frying pan and this aluminum one. Buying a two-piece set lets you have two sizes around and makes it possible to cook two things at the same time.

2. SAUCEPAN
A saucepan is perfect for when you need to cook something with liquids, such as boiling pasta and vegetables or simmering sauces and beans. A 4-quart saucepan is easy to maneuver and handle, and is great whether you’re cooking for 1 or 4. Try this 3.5-quart non-stick one or this 4-quart stainless steel sauce pan.

3. STOCK POT
For bigger batches of soups, stews, and pasta, you’ll want to have a 12-quart stock pot around. Its base allows for even heating, so your soups cook evenly.

4. SHEET PANS
These pans can get a lot of action, including roasting vegetables, baking meats, toasting nuts, and of course, baking cookies. They also make for an easy clean-up with sheet pan dinners.

5. GLASS BAKING DISH
Glass baking dishes are perfect for baking things like casseroles and enchiladas in the oven. Because it’s microwave-safe, an 8-inch size can fit into a microwave for the times you need to pre-cook vegetables for the quick Microwave & Saute Cooking Method or even to fully cook veggies when your oven and stove are all occupied.

https://www.cooksmarts.com/cooking-guides/create-a-functional-kitchen/20-must-have-kitchen-tools/
 
M

mktmaker

New member
Jun 5, 2001
3,967
2,423
0
Utensils
6. KNIVES
If you’re cooking, you’re going to be using a knife. If you only have money and space for one knife, get a chef’s knife. You will use this knife for 90% of your food prep, so buy a nice one and take care of it. However, we highly recommend getting a serrated knife and a paring knife as well since they serve different purposes – serrated knives let you slice through tomatoes and bread with ease, and paring knives are great for smaller, more delicate jobs, when a big knife just doesn’t cut it. (We like to use the Global grand, but buy whatever feels right in your hand!)

7. MEASURING SPOONS
Even if you like to “eyeball” ingredients, it’s handy to have a set of measuring spoons around for the times you need precise measurements. But also, they double as mini spoons for scooping spices and dried herbs! This magnetic set hereis narrow enough to fit into spice jars, and they stick together so you don’t ever have to worry about losing the teaspoon or misplacing the tablespoon!

8. MEASURING CUPS
Measuring cups are absolutely crucial If you’re a baker, but it’s also great for everyday cooking. We like to keep a 4-piece set for measuring dried ingredients and small amounts of liquid. A 1-quart glass measuring cup makes measuring liquids a lot more convenient and efficient, and you can also make sauces and vinaigrettes right inside and then simply pour it into whatever you’re cooking up.

9. WOODEN SPOONS
Wooden spoons are not abrasive on your cooking surfaces and they’ll last forever. Just don’t put them in the dishwasher! Choose a set that has a variety of wooden spoons, like this 6-piece set, so that you can use it for different kinds of cooking.

10. FISH TURNER
While this handy tool is advertised as a fish turner, it can be used for anything. The wider base of this tool makes it easy to flip burgers, fish, over-easy eggs, and even pancakes. The thin, beveled edge makes it easy to slide beneath the foods you are flipping, and the slots allow any grease to drain.

11. PEELER
When you’re setting up your kitchen with the basics, you want to make sure you have a good, sharp peeler to remove the peels of vegetables, shave off cheese, or make veggie ribbons.

12. WHISK
While forks and chopsticks can be handy, a whisk is quicker and more efficient for emulsifying ingredients like vinegars and oils. We make vinaigrettes and marinades to season up salads and everything else almost nightly, so a whisk comes in very handy!

13. TONGS
Tongs are like your extended hands and are super useful in the kitchen! Not only are they used to flip big pieces of food, but they also help move ingredients around in a frying pan or on a sheet pan without the risk of burns.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JDHoss
AustinTXCat

AustinTXCat

Well-known member
Jan 7, 2003
52,037
305,668
113
mktmaker said:
Utensils
6. KNIVES
If you’re cooking, you’re going to be using a knife. If you only have money and space for one knife, get a chef’s knife. You will use this knife for 90% of your food prep, so buy a nice one and take care of it. However, we highly recommend getting a serrated knife and a paring knife as well since they serve different purposes – serrated knives let you slice through tomatoes and bread with ease, and paring knives are great for smaller, more delicate jobs, when a big knife just doesn’t cut it. (We like to use the Global grand, but buy whatever feels right in your hand!)....
Click to expand...
In this space, when in doubt, go with the Germans. Wusthof or Zwilling. Watch out for substitute, outsourced Chinese crap masquerading as quality German cutlery. Ya pay for what ya get in this space.

KitchenAid mixers still rule the modern world. True story.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mktmaker and rudd1
R

RacerX.ksr

New member
Sep 17, 2004
132,592
114,514
0
AustinTXCat said:
In this space, when in doubt, go with the Germans. Wusthof or Zwilling. Watch out for substitute, outsourced Chinese crap masquerading as quality German cutlery. Ya pay for what ya get in this space.

KitchenAid mixers still rule the modern world. True story.
Click to expand...

I have Henckels. 8"chef, 6"utility, 4"paring, bread knife, and heavy cleaver.

Also have a KitchenAid artisan. Use it for grinding meat more than I do for baking.

I've got a 12" Lodge CI skillet like you posted earlier, too.

You've got good taste in kitchen equipment my man.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mktmaker, JDHoss and homeytheclown
N

natron20

New member
Oct 11, 2006
3,173
602
0
I’ve got a lot of googling to do to even understand some of this stuff. :flushed:
 
R

rudd1

New member
Oct 3, 2007
14,419
21,101
0
-natron, grab the better homes cookbook. Lots of basic info and simple recipes to keep you going for a bit. Get the one in ring binder form if you can find it.
 
H

Hank Camacho

Well-known member
May 7, 2002
27,426
9,998
113
funKYcat75 said:
No no no. You all have it all wrong. Find a sweet 40-something soccer mom that is slangin’ Pampered Chef and she will let you know what you need. Bonus points if she has an idiot 18 year old son who is selling Cutco knives.
Click to expand...

Make SURE you follow her on facebook as she reaches her dreams, too. She's doing this for her family. And because she's too lazy to work.
 
LineSkiCat14

LineSkiCat14

Well-known member
Aug 5, 2015
37,306
57,118
113
When you go to buy measuring cups and spoons, buy a 2nd set of each. Much easier to have a 2nd one when you're working with dry AND wet ingredients.. not having to wash one out every time.

Don't buy cheap cutlery. You don't have to go crazy, but buy something that will last and is well balanced.

Chances are most "gadgets" rarely get used. An avocado slicer or holder? You'll forget you even have it.

.. finally, sell your kitchen aid blender.. You're cooking, not baking.. use the money on the above items.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tinker Dan, mktmaker and rudd1
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom