If you’re learning to cook and you’re keen to improve your kitchen set up at home, having an essential list of kitchen equipment is the perfect way to get started. We explore some simple options which you can tailor to suit your kitchen size and style.A good set of pots and pans is the best place to startPrices vary for pots and pans (copper being most expensive, followed by cast iron, stainless steel and aluminium) so shop within your budget. You’ll need the following pots and pans as a basic:

 

• Frying pan with metal handle and lid. The pan should be flat-bottomed with angled sides.
• A saucepan or two (different sizes) would be ideal for boiling veggies, rice, making sauces and so on.
• A large braising or stewing pot is ideal for making soups, stocks, stews or braising meat.
• A roasting pan to roast meats or vegetables

Baking aids, bowls and mixing equipment

We could probably write pages on the various types of baking aids you could get for your kitchen but we will limit it to just a few essentials:

• Invest in a large baking pan for a large rectangle cake as well as 2 x 9” round cake pans for a Victoria sponge or simple round cake. (loaf tins, muffin tins and so on are also useful) Baking sheets are ideal for biscuits and other baked treats – get a couple of those.
• Mixing bowls of various sizes are useful for mixing cake batters, bread mixtures or icings. Stainless steel is the perfect choice for a mixing bowl as it usually keeps the ingredients cool whilst being mixed.

Utensils and knives

Gadgets are something most of us LOVE to try out in the kitchen. Big, small, fast, puzzling…they certainly have their appeal.Again, the lists of gadgets you can purchase to make the cooking process easier is endless. Here are some useful gadgets to keep on hand:

• Spoons – wooden, ladles, measuring etc.
• Spatula’s, rolling pins and pastry brushes for baking
• Whisks, openers, strainers, graters, peelers and colanders
• Zesters, Chef’s knife, paring knife and a serrated knife. Be careful when using knives for the first time. If you need some guidance, our blog on knife skills is very helpful.

‘Nice-to-have’ appliances

Time is always of the essence, and sometimes if the budget allows, these time-saving appliances really do save the day. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them. Of course if you can’t afford them yet, a little elbow-grease will achieve the same effects:

• Blender to blend milkshakes, vinaigrettes, soups and so on
• Food processor for baking or bread making. If you can’t get a processor, try a mixer.
• Pasta maker to impress your guests with home-made pasta