Cookware Buying Guide - The Basic Essentials For Every Kitchen

Are you confused by the huge array of cooking equipment that’s out there?

Are you not convinced you need every whiz-bang gadget you see advertised on TV?

Do you just want to know what you need to create some nice, basic meals for you and your family?

Thanks to the popularity of cooking shows and food magazines, there’s never been a more vast array of kitchen stuff on offer to fill our cupboards. Of course, you don’t really need all of them, but it’s important to start from a good foundation.

What this section will give you is a list of basic things you need for a productive kitchen. From here you’ll have the foundation to make some memorable (and simple) meals! See my other pages in the Kitchen Equipment section for suggestions on crockery, cutlery and glassware.

First and foremost, you need a good, reliable oven and stove. Get the best you can afford. I personally like gas stoves because of the greater control over heat you get. Of course, you may not have access to gas so electric is good – such as ones with ceramic cook tops. The new induction heating stovetops are very interesting too, but I haven’t had any experience with them.

The other things you’ll need are listed below, in no particular order I’ll let you decide how many you need of each, but one thing I will say is buy quality. Buy the best you can afford, look after them, and they'll last you for years. I have some good quality knives that were expensive when I bought them, but 10 years later they're still as sharp and reliable as ever.

• Range of sharp knives in different lengths. About 3-4 should do
• Saucepans, preferably several of various sizes
• Shallow baking dishes, again preferably of various sizes
• Frying pan (try to get a non-stick coated one)
• Ovenproof casserole dish
• Microwave-proof dishes (plastic ones are OK)
• Large and small mixing bowls
• Cake tins
• Baking trays
• Set of weighing scales
• Set of standard measuring cups (imperial or metric, depending on where you live!)
• Set of standard measuring spoons
• Set of metal skewers
• Fine mesh strainers (small and large)
• Colander (for draining pasta)
• Chopping boards (try to get 4: one for red meat, one for white meat & fish, one for vegetables and one general purpose one for cutting bread etc. Also, try to get them in different colours so you know which one is for what food)
• Rolling pin
• Pastry brush
• Oil brush
• Cheese grater
• A couple of potato peelers
• Egg whisk
• Potato masher
• Set of wooden spoons
• One or two spatulas
• Can opener
• Pair of scissors (for cutting up herbs and other general duties)
• Oven mitts
• Timer
• Cooling racks
• Straining spoon
• Serving spoon
• Metal tongs
• Plastic tongs (for use in non-stick cookware)

This is by no means an exhaustive cookware buying guide, or list of cooking equipment. You will find your needs may differ depending on what you cook. Over time, though, you’ll build up a nice little collection!

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