Tools
To live your best kitchen life now, here's what you need!Must-Have Tools
Buy the best one of these you can afford:- paring knife -- peeling apples, cutting cheese
- serrated knife -- good for meats or other slippery things; I use mine for onions and tomatoes so I don't have to fight to keep them from sliding around
- chef's knife -- good for chopping veggies and herbs
- rimmed baking sheet -- seriously, the flat cookie sheets aren't nearly as useful as a rimmed baking sheet
- large skillet -- cast iron is best (especially if you're not eating a ton of meat, it helps with iron deficiencies), but get the best one you can afford of whatever type because it's your powerhouse tool
- small skillet -- same as above
- sauce pan -- good for making rice and other grains; look for pans with a thick bottom to help evenly distribute heat; glass lids are useful for seeing what's going on inside your pan!
Doesn't have to be the most expensive, but you should own these:
- cutting board -- you're too old to cut things on the countertop; invest $12 in a cutting board
- cheese grater -- cheese is cheaper in a block and it tastes better without all the additives necessary to keep it loose in a pre-grated package
- Dutch oven -- I own one of these instead of a soup pot; can be used for soup, making roasts, and even baking bread
- roasting pan -- roasting your own chickens (instead of buying them pre-roasted) means you can control what goes into them; it doesn't take a ton of time, it's therapeutic, and it tastes so much better!
- glass baking dishes -- good for brownies, roasting veggies, making meat balls, casseroles
- batter bowl -- you can use it like a regular mixing bowl, but it also has a spout!
Useful, but not ultimately necessary gadgets include:
- microplane -- good for garlic, zesting citrus, grating some spices and hard cheeses
- mortar & pestle -- serious kitchen fun if you're into making your own fresh spice blends
Buying Second-Hand Tools
Kitchen gadgets are expensive! It is totally acceptable (and green!) to buy them at yard sales, second hand stores, or flea markets. Plus, finding deals is fun! I once found a pristine Le Creuset Dutch oven for $30... #legendary I was like that annoying woman we all know that has too many pictures of her kids...but with a Dutch oven.Used kitchen gadgets do have some pitfalls though, so make sure to inspect them carefully. Things to watch out for:
- Make sure glassware isn't chipped or cracked.
- Make sure enamel on ironware isn't chipped, especially on interior--you don't want to eat enamel!
- Make sure glassware and ceramics are intended for kitchen use--you want things that are heatproof and won't crack. Pyrex and CorningWare are great. Fire-King is another trustworthy brand. Things that are intended to withstand heat should say so on their seal/stamp, usually found on the bottom.
Get you casseroles with lids!
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