Kitchens are just as crucial to an efficient household like any other room. Here are 12 kitchen must-haves that will help you stay organized and cook like a pro, no matter your expertise level! Starting from the kitchen timer to the kitchen knife set.
Cooking is one of those things where everyone has their unique style or approach. But it’s essential to find the right tools for the job, so there’s not much guesswork involved. With these 12 essential kitchen must-haves, you can make anything into a masterpiece.
Kitchen Timer
An important part of cooking is timing. You can’t take it too seriously, but if you’re not careful, your food could be so overcooked it’s inedible or so undercooked it’s unsafe. That’s why buying a kitchen timer an essential piece of any kitchen.
Food Processor
This is a staple for anyone who loves throwing many ingredients into one bowl and blending them into something delicious. It’s incredibly efficient, and there’s a ton of room on the bottom for chopping and slicing your ingredients, so they get chopped evenly.
Slow Cooker
Nowadays, everyone’s favorite multitasking appliance, the slow cooker, is excellent for easy weeknight meals, from stews to soups to soufflés! You can leave it cooking while you do other things or keep it going while taking a break from work.
Coffee Maker
The morning rush is a good time to brew a cup of joe, but that doesn’t mean you have to burn your tongue or lips on that first sip! There are tons of different coffee maker technologies, from Keurig machines to french press pots to automatic drip makers. They all get the job done, and I love my French Press drip-maker because it gives me a solid cup of coffee with a slow flow of liquid.
Griddler or Pancake Pan
I remember the days when I’d make breakfast for my family, and if we were going out for the day, we would all go without anything. But now my family is the opposite. I make breakfast for them, and they help me eat it all! So I use my griddle or pancake pan for cooking up things like pancakes, french toast, bacon and eggs, and hash browns.
Electric Kettle
There are many different makes and models of electric kettles out there, so if you have a specific one in mind, you can find it at Target or Homegoods, if not your local department store or grocery store.
Blender
Blenders are great for making soups, smoothies, and sauces. They come in all different sizes, so you can choose the one that fits your needs. For example, if you’re trying to eat healthier, you can make healthy smoothies by choosing fruit that’s lower in sugar, like berries or strawberries (they’re also good for your skin). You can also use them to make vegan milkshakes that are tasty.
Coffee Grinder
Coffee grinders are one of those things where it’s worth investing in a quality product if you play coffee games all day long like I do (see below). But if you’re starting out, you can find an affordable coffee grinder that will last you years.
Can Opener
Some people have never used a can opener in their whole lives! I mean, I still have my dad’s old-fashioned metal can opener used to cut around the top of the can instead of cutting right through it. It’s pretty effective if you need to open up a few cans before freezing them or making soup or whatever. But with all the electric can openers out there these days, it makes sense to upgrade!
Cast Iron Skillet
Another classic, cast iron skillets, are really affordable and will last you for years. They’re great for searing meat or making pancakes or eggs or seafood or just about anything else. And because they’re enameled, the food doesn’t stick very quickly, so you don’t have to worry about it!
Instant Pot
If you haven’t heard of the Instant Pot, you’ve probably been living under a rock! But, it’s a chef’s best friend because it does everything from sautéeing to steaming to slow cooking to boiling (and there are all kinds of different models out there). It is an impressive cooking tool, and it’ll make your life a lot easier.
Knife Set
Knives are essential to have on hand. Unfortunately, they’re also one of those things that can get expensive quickly depending on the quality of the knives you want, but they’re worth it if you can afford them! If not, check out Homegoods or Target for a good, reasonably priced knife set. Even one good knife is better than none!
Vegetable Peeler
A vegetable peeler can help you get past a recipe that calls for a lot of prep work if you’re in a hurry or want to get something simple on the table fast. I do a lot of prep work for recipes that call for peeling and dicing, but I love using an excellent, sharp vegetable peeler instead. It makes everything so much easier!
Many of the items in this list are available at HomeGoods, Amazon, Target, or Ikea. This is a pretty nice list for people looking to save money and still enjoy the luxury of the kitchen and cooking experience.