Essential Kitchen Must-Haves for Every Home Cook

Home Cook

Whether you’re an experienced cook or just settling into your first home, these kitchen must-haves will get you off to a great start.

A versatile plastic cutting board is essential for chopping vegetables, meats and other foods before cooking.

A sturdy colander goes a long way when washing fruits veggies or draining boiled foods.

Silicone Spatula

This silicone spoon spatula is hygienic and can withstand heat (up to 572degF). Its flat and rounded head works great for scraping bowls. The batter gets stuck on it easily, but a little soap and water cleans it.

Silicone is more heat-resistant than plastic kitchen utensils. It also doesn’t retain odors or colors like plastic. And it’s non-porous, so it won’t absorb bacteria or toxins like some plastics can.

The only drawback to silicone is that it is less recyclable than other plastics. But there are established procedures and markets if you want to recycle it. It takes up to 500 years to decompose in landfills. So, using it for only the longest-lasting jobs is a good idea.

Sturdy Whisk

Whisks come in various shapes and sizes to suit many kitchen tasks. Whether you need to whisk an egg wash for a pie or scramble a single serving of eggs, this versatile utensil will be handy. Navigate to sites like goodcook.com to find more kitchen essentials that will complete your kitchen.

A Danish dough whisk, a brisker, is sturdy enough to handle bread doughs and thick batters but gently sufficient for cake and muffin batters. It’s dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

A French whisk looks like a balloon whisk but is narrower and fits better in smaller bowls. It’s great for whisking custards smoothly and for mixing dry ingredients. It also works well for making a roux or a light sauce. It’s dishwasher-safe and easy to store. It’s heavier than some of our other mini whisks, and the handle is short, so it can tip out of the bowl.

Tongs

A pair of tongs is a handy tool for flipping and turning foods when cooking and helping to handle hot foods from pans. They also make it easier to serve food, especially when the item is messy or splatter-prone, like pasta and many salads.

Kitchen tongs are available in a range of styles, sizes and colors. Look for ones that feel comfortable in the hand and are easy to maneuver. Some are designed for smaller hands, and others have a locking feature that can be a convenient alternative to using a separate utensil.

Salad tongs have a spoon and spork and are ideal for serving side dishes, fruits and other fresh items. They can also be used for grabbing ice from a bucket and are a great choice to have on hand for front-of-house service.

Measuring Cups

A good set of measuring cups is essential for anyone who enjoys cooking or baking. Using these tools ensures that all your ingredients are accurately measured and that your recipes come out perfectly every time!

While some experienced cooks can eyeball measurements, it’s always best to stick to the measures outlined in any recipe. Any discrepancies in size can impact a dish’s overall texture and flavor.

Dry measuring cups are typically made of metal or plastic and contain markings for different volume units, including cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons. Flat tops also allow you to level off the ingredients for precise measurements.

A set of measuring cups will include both dry and liquid measuring cups. Make sure to purchase a high-quality set that is stackable and dishwasher-safe.

Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons are the workhorses of kitchen utensils. They can scrape non-stick cookware and are great for stirring dense blends of ingredients. They don’t conduct heat as metal spoons do and won’t melt like plastic spoons can, which makes them safer for delicate foods. Unlike the hard angles of metal spoons, the spoon’s smooth edges won’t bruise or crush ingredients either.

And because wood is a natural material, you can get a beautiful variation of color and texture to match your kitchen décor. Just remember that wooden utensils must be sanitized regularly to keep them free of bacteria and mold. They also need to be dry before being put away. This prevents them from picking up odors and bacteria they could pass on to future meals.