Equipping a new kitchen can be quite a challenge, primarily because there are so many different kitchen and food preparation tools to pick and choose from. 

So what kitchen equipment should you focus on? Our guide explores the top 5 kitchen equipment and their uses. 

Top 5 Kitchen Equipment and Their Uses

There are five basic categories of kitchen equipment you will need if you want to effectively prepare healthy and tasty meals. These basics include electrical appliances, utensils, bakeware, cookware, and serving or storage goods.

For each of these major kitchen equipment categories, there are a few different product types. Let’s take a look at the most important items to invest in for each of these categories.  

1. Top 5 Electric Kitchen Appliances

Electric kitchen appliances can make food prep a lot quicker and easier, but too many of these electronic devices become a nuisance in a small or minimalist kitchen. Electronic devices tend to be time-consuming to clean and they can take up a lot of countertop space. As a result, items like miniature food choppers, salad spinners, pasta cookers, rice cookers, and pastry blenders often end up unused. 

There are, however, a couple of items that will prove useful many times in your life, including the following kitchen essentials.  

Food Processor

A food processor functions like a blender but is a bit different. This type of electric device is designed with a large rotating blade. The high-speed blade is designed to chop or slice foods like vegetables. Food processors can come with various attachments so you can chop or process foods in different ways.

Ultimately, the main goal of this device is to slice and dice foods quickly so you won’t have to spend hours chopping away on a cutting board. 

Immersion Blender or High-speed Blender 

A high-speed blender (or immersion blender) is a tool you will likely find in almost every kitchen. These compact devices are a lot like food processors but are designed with a smaller rotating blade. This blade is designed to puree foods, crush ice, and can be used to create whipped foods like whipped cream or instant puddings.  

Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers can be a dream for any family who loves making stews and soups. This type of electric device is designed to cook food under high pressure. The high temperature combined with high pressure softens tough foods like meats so you can prepare tasty dishes in less time.

Electric pressure cookers can also be used for cooking other foods like rice and grains, and some people even use these machines for baking.  

Electric Mixer

A large standing electric mixer can be a good option if you love to bake. This device is designed to mix cookie dough and other ingredients to produce all sorts of baked treats. If you don’t bake that often, then a handheld mixer can also be a good alternative since it offers the same functionality but takes up less cabinet space.

Electric mixers can be useful for producing all sorts of baked foods, instant puddings, or whipped dishes. 

Air Fryer

Air fryers are trending right now because these kitchen appliances make it easy to fry and grill foods within minutes without using oil. Air fryers can be used for frying just about anything from fries to meats.  

2. Top 5 Essential Utensil Sets

You can’t cook effectively without utensils. Here is a quick look at some of the must-have handheld kitchen utensils every kitchen should have.  

Knife Set

Every kitchen should have a good knife set. This should include serrated knives, a bread knife, sharp blades, carving knives, chef knives, knife sharpeners, and a paring knife.

These sharp food prep supplies allow you to cut and prepare all sorts of foods and are the foundation for every minimalist kitchen.  

Kitchen Spoons

Cooking involves a lot of scooping, stirring, and serving. It is best to have an assortment of spoon types like wooden, slotted, serving, and metal spoons (good heavy-duty options). With a diverse spoon set, you can easily serve different types of foods and prepare meals without damaging your cookware.  

Kitchen Shears

Kitchen shears can be a very handy piece of kitchen equipment because it is useful for manually cutting just about anything from aluminum foil to food. This kitchen tool will be used just about every time you cook food. 

Kitchen Utensil Set

Utensils sets can make it easier to prepare different food types without scorching your hands. Silicone utensils are a good option if you have non-stick cookware while stainless steel utensils can be a better option if you are buying for durability.

A good kitchen set should include various types of utensils like a masher, turner, noodle server, skimmer, and more.  

Cutlery 

Naturally, your kitchen will also need a good set of cutlery, which should include forks, knives, steak knives, spoons, and teaspoons. Cutlery is mostly used for eating but can also be handy during cooking.  

3. Top 5 Bakeware Essentials

Baking can be a lot of fun if you have the right equipment. Here are some basic baking essentials that every kitchen needs. 

Mixing Bowls

Mixing bowls – like plastic or metal bowls – are very handy when you are measuring out liquid ingredients or dry ingredients for baking. Your kitchen should have a set of mixing bowls that vary in size.

Measuring Spoons and Cups

You will need one set of measuring spoons and one set of measuring cups as well as a measuring jug. Without these basics, it becomes very hard to measure out the necessary amounts of ingredients required for your recipes.  

Baking Dishes

Baking dishes like pans can be popped into the oven so you can turn your dough into a cake shape while baking it. It’s always good to have a couple of baking pans of different sizes and shapes. 

Aluminum pans are very simple to use and durable but many prefer the flexibility of silicone pans since it is easier to get baked foods out of the pan.  

Baking Sheets

You will need some baking sheets so you can prepare foods like cookies. Baking trays are also great for baking other food types like steak or chicken. 

Mixing Utensils

A few baking mixing utensils like a whisk, spoon, rubber spatula, and attachments for your mixer can also be very handy while baking.  

4. Top 5 Cookware Essentials

Naturally, you will need some cookware in your kitchen to whip up tasty meals. While extra cookware like a food warmer, rice cooker, and pasta cooker can come in handy, you should be focusing on basics like the following. 

Dutch Oven

This flexible pot, also sometimes referred to as a casserole, can be used on the stovetop or inside the oven. They are usually made from ceramic or cast iron with a ceramic coating and are a must-have since they can be glorious for preparing all sorts of soups, stews, and other foods.  

Food Pans

With their large cooking surface, food pans are ideal for preparing all sorts of meals in much less time. A variety of pan sizes and skillets are ideal for preparing meats or sauces.  

Non-Stick Pan

Every kitchen should have at least one pan with a non-stick surface to bake delicate foods like eggs without ruining the food. A non-stick pan is also ideal if you don’t like scrubbing, but keep in mind that you cannot place them in the dishwasher. 

Pot Set

Your kitchen should have a good pot set or skillet set with a range of pots that vary from small to large. The pot set you choose will vary based on your family size. With a good pot set, you can cook all sorts of yummy warming dishes.  

Glass Cookware

If you love preparing foods in the microwave, then glass cookware sets can be a good investment. The all-glass heat-tolerant cookware can be very flexible since it can be used inside your microwave and can double as a storage container for the fridge.  

5. Top 5 Food Storage and Serving Essentials

After whipping up your meals, you will need to find some way to serve or preserve your foods. Here are the five basic must-haves for serving and storing foods.

Serving Bowls and Trays

It’s good to have a couple serving bowls that vary in size so you can stylishly serve cooked meals. Serving bowls are also great for holding tasty cold foods like salads.

You will also want to include at least one good tray in your kitchen set. Trays can be very handy for carrying foods out to your garden or for aesthetic appeal when setting the table. 

Dinnerware Set

Plates, side plates, bowls, and coffee mugs. What kitchen can function without these? A good dinnerware set can be a lifelong investment and will be used countless times by your family. 

Pantry Storage Containers

Pantry storage containers are much more than just beautiful. These storage containers will also preserve dry ingredients much better and will allow you to easily see when foods have gone bad. Consider getting a variety of clear acrylic pantry containers so you can easily store different amounts of food.

Plastic Food Storage Containers

Plastic containers are a must because they allow you to conveniently store and preserve food in the fridge. Ideally, your kitchen should be stocked with a wide range of plastic container sizes and shapes to accommodate various food types and amounts.  

Lunch Boxes

Your kitchen also needs a couple of good lunch boxes. A lunch box can make it easier to stick to a meal plan and will keep you from indulging in too many unhealthy snacks while you travel or are at work.  

Final Thoughts

With the 5 kitchen equipment and the uses we discussed for these different food prep categories, there isn’t a meal on earth that you won’t be able to whip up. We hope you enjoyed our guide and invite you to check out more of our guides on Cook Room Kitchens. With our food prep supplies and tips, you will be able to whip up the best-tasting and healthiest meals.