A Thorough Checklist for a Well-Stocked and Functioning Kitchen
Make sure your kitchen is ready for action with this list of must-haves
If you are setting up a first home, looking for a housewarming gift, or just find yourself often missing a key cooking tool, this list of essentials and nice extras is here to help. From pots and pans to measuring cups, see which pieces best suit your kitchen and your personal cooking style. Renovating your kitchen? This list can help you personalise your storage plan.
Small appliances
- Handheld or standing mixer
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Blender
- Food processor
- Kettle (stovetop or electric)
- Juicer
- Immersion (stick) blender
- Coffee grinder
- Coffeemaker
- Rice cooker
- Slow cooker
- Ice-cream maker
Bakeware
- Nesting stainless steel or glass mixing bowls
- Muffin pan
- Rolling pin
- Sieve
- Cake tin
- Pie pan
- Loaf tin
- Medium and large rectangular baking dishes (safe for freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher)
- Cookie cutters
- Biscuit cutters
- Offset spatula
- Ramekins
- Pastry cutter
- Pastry scraper
- Cake stand
- Marble pastry board
- Springform cake pan
- Pastry bag and tips
Cookware
- Stockpot
- Small and medium saucepans with lids
- Casserole dish
- Cast iron frying pan
- Medium and/or large skillet
- Nonstick omelet pan
- Steamer or steam basket
- Teapot
- Roasting pan with rack
- Butter warmer
- Pan for deep frying
- Mesh splatter guard
- Lobster pot
Linens
- Oven mitts
- Apron
- Tea towels
- Microfibre cleaning cloths
- Rags
- Placemats or tablecloths and napkins for kitchen table
Knives
- 20- or 25-cm chef’s knife
- Paring knife
- Serrated knife
- Sharpening steel and knife-honing stone, or electric knife sharpener (for maintenance only; all knives need occasional professional sharpening)
- Cutting boards
- Knife holder
- Carving knife
- Boning knife
- Shellfish opening knife and protective glove
Weights and Measures
- Nesting dry measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Instant-read cooking thermometer
- Kitchen timer
- Meat thermometer
- Digital scale
Storage and Organisation
- Lidded refrigerator and freezer-safe food storage containers
- Airtight food storage jars for pantry and benchtop
- Canister to keep frequently used kitchen tools close at hand
- Drawer organisers
- Silverware caddy
- Cabinet risers
- Baskets for pantry organisation
- Small laundry hamper
Reference
Did we miss anything? Share your own kitchen essentials in the comments!
MORE
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Why Not Hang Your Pots and Pans?
8 Kitchen Additions That’ll Make Life a Little Bit Easier
- General cookbook
- Favourite cookbooks
- Recipe box, binder or tablet
- Cooking conversion chart
- Tablet holder
- Cooking apps
- Wine guide
Did we miss anything? Share your own kitchen essentials in the comments!
MORE
Must-Have Items for a Smooth-Running Household
Why Not Hang Your Pots and Pans?
8 Kitchen Additions That’ll Make Life a Little Bit Easier
- Salt and pepper mills
- Can and bottle opener
- Corkscrew
- Wooden spoons
- Tongs
- Ladle
- Rubber spatula or scraper
- Whisk
- Vegetable peeler
- Kitchen shears
- Box grater
- Microplane grater
- Colander
- Citrus juicer
- Potato masher
Nice extras: