Moving out on your own for the first time or know someone who is? Moving out on your own can be intimidating and, one of the things that can be a challenge is having the right kitchen equipment ready for your new home, but with so many gizmos and gadgets, what will be the most beneficial for the long haul and not just yard sale fodder? Here are a few things that we think are essential.
Good Knives
Some Well Loved Knives
Everyone needs knives, and they should be seen as an investment. A good set of knives can last you a lifetime if cared for properly. Our best advice is to buy the nicest you can afford and don't aim for quantity, aim for quality. A full block of knives might look good on the counter, but only some are needed. A chef's knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife. Bonus tip: keep your knives sharp and take the time to learn proper cutting techniques. It will make cooking less of a chore.
Spatulas
We love spatulas in every shape and size. From large ones to help clear out a mixing bowl to small ones to get that last little bit of peanut butter out of the jar, spatulas can save money in the long run, since less gets left behind in a jar or bowl. For instance, that last little bit of brownie batter left in a bowl in the sink could have been another bite of brownie!
Stand Mixer
A true workhorse in the kitchen. Want to mix up muffins, make whipped cream, knead some dough, or even grind meat? A good stand mixer can help! They can be expensive, but they are worth it. Besides the more you cook at home the less you will eat out, and that's sure to save money.
Food Processor
A food processor doesn't need to be expensive. There are inexpensive ones that work well. They are perfect for making pesto, tapenade, hummus, chopping up nuts, grating cheese and carrots, and slicing vegetables. Like the stand mixer, it's another workhorse that can save time and money. Some things that are expensive to buy, like pesto, can be made relatively inexpensively, and quickly with a food processor.
Pressure Cooker/ Slow cooker
It seems like not that long ago you had to buy these things separately, meaning even more gadgets in the kitchen taking up space, but now there is the luxury of having just one machine to do it. We use ours a lot to cook dried beans.
A Good Nonstick Skillet
We have tried to go cheaply here, and we suffered for it. Buy the best nonstick pan you can reasonably afford and take care of it. It will save so much time and frustration when you cook. It's not so much fun having to compensate for a crummy pan while cooking. We know, we've tried.
Those are just a few things we feel are essential in a kitchen. So whether you are moving into a place of your own or need to buy a gift for someone who is, you can't go wrong with the essentials.