My Two Cents: What Do I Need in My First Kitchen?

What Should I Have in My First Kitchen?

kitchen tools and equipment first kitchen

Whether you are leaving home for the first time or are moving to a new location, you need to think about what basic kitchen tools and equipment you will need in your kitchen. When I moved from a house to a small apartment, I was lucky to have a few essential kitchen gadgets and even a couple of heirloom items from my mother. Even so, I had to replace some of the stuff that was worn out or that I had given to my ex. Since this was my first experience living by myself in a very long time, I had to take stock of what I needed in my new kitchen.

I knew I didn't plan on doing as much cooking as he did, so my ex took the good pots and pans and the professional knives. I kept my grandmother's pastry board and heavy cast-iron meat grinder, mainly for the sentimental value.

Once in my new apartment, I realized I was missing a LOT. I had to get new dishes, pots and pans, also a dish drying tray, trash bins, and something to wash dishes in. Now, six years later, I have a well stocked kitchen and can make healthy dinners and even bake when I want to.

What Kitchen Supplies Should I Buy Now?

Based on my experience and what I observed from my kids when they started their first kitchens, I've compiled a Kitchen Essentials List. Think about which basic kitchen tools you will use more often and that fit your lifestyle. For example, if you and your friends drink wine, a good corkscrew will be one of your must-have kitchen gadgets. I found that out the hard way, trying to open a bottle of wine with a knife!

Some Kitchen Tools Names

The first step then is to think about kitchen tools and equipment and their uses. In case some of these kitchen gadgets are unfamiliar to you, below is a diagram of some of my most used kitchen utensils.

Kitchen Essentials List

What Kitchen Items Do I Need?

I have divided the following basic kitchen tools and equipment listing by category to help you know what to buy for your new kitchen. I will provide advice on finding your basic items, or you can just follow the list and go shopping on your own.

I will also provide links to some products you can buy online from Amazon. Since I am an Amazon affiliate, I make a small commission to help pay for my site and expenses. There is no difference in price using my affiliate link; it's the same as you would otherwise pay from Amazon.)

basic kitchen tools equipment their uses

Print "What Kitchen Items Do I Need?" as PDF

MY KITCHEN ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST
Kitchen Accessories

Blender

Toaster

Small electric mixer

Electric can opener

Baking

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Oven mitts and hot pads

Baking sheet

Mixing bowls

Mixing spoons

Pie plate, ovenproof

Wire whisk

Cooking

Pots and pans

Flipper/turner

Tongs

Spatulas

Ladles

Slotted spoon

Cleaning

Dish rack and drain tray

Dish towels

Scrubbing sponge

Dish soap and dispenser

Broom, mop, and dustpan

Trash bags and trash bin

Hand soap dispenser

Food Prep

Assorted knives

Knife sharpener

Cutting boards

Colander

Turkey baster

Strainers

Kitchen shears

Potato peeler

Funnel

Manual can opener

Organization and Storage

Ice cube trays

Butter dish

Salt and pepper shakers

Canisters

Drawer organizer for silverware

Shelf liner paper

Paper towel holder

Storage containers

Aluminum foil and plastic wrap

Serving

Dinner plates, various sizes

Bowls, various sizes

Glasses

Cups and mugs

Bottle openers

Corkscrew

Tablecloth

Placemats

Napkins
Silverware

Print "Kitchen Essentials Checklist" as PDF

Basic Kitchen Tools and Utensils and Their Uses

When you are starting your first kitchen, you might not be sure what these kitchen tools and utensils are used for or why you need one and not another kind of kitchen tool. Here's a brief explanation of how I use the kitchen items that I have, and some tips and tricks about using those gadgets.

Measuring cups

Glass measuring cups are used for liquids because you can set them on a level surface and look from the outside to get exact measures. Glass measuring cups should be heat proof so you can safely use them in the microwave. Pyrex is an excellent choice for heatproof measuring cups.

Measuring tip I learned from my mother. If you are measuring something sticky like shortening or butter, let's say you want 1/2 cup of shortening, first fill the measuring cup up to the 1/2 cup marker with water, then spoon the shortening in until the water comes up to the 1 cup line. Then just lift out the shortening into your recipe and throw away the water. Voila! Exact measurement.

Measuring cups that are metal or plastic are used for dry ingredients. They come in nested sets in 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/4 cup. You can choose these in many different styles and colors to match your kitchen theme.

TIP: level off your dry ingredients with a clean dry butter knife for more accurate measurement

Measuring spoons

These are available in metal or colorful plastic, whichever you prefer, in a wide variety of styles. I have a set of each. They come in nested sets in 1 tablespoon (tbsp), 1 teaspoon (tsp), 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon.

Be sure your measuring spoon is completely clean and dry before dipping into dry ingredients. If you are using dry ingredients, level off with a dry butter knife for accurate measurement.

Mixing bowls

Joseph Joseph 9 Piece Compact Mixing Bowl, Food Prep and Measuring Set, Nest 9

Mixing bowls come in glass, crockery, metal, and plastic. I prefer vintage crockery and colorful Pyrex glass because they are durable. I would eventually like to have a stainless steel bowl set for my kitchen, too.

Nesting bowls are available in a variety of sizes, and they can be stored one inside the other for small cupboards, ideal for small kitchens.

Pictured here is an option for a colorful 9-piece BPA-free plastic set that comes with nested measuring spoons.

Cutting boards

Best 3 Wood Cutting Boards -Premium Chopping Board Block -Large Medium Small Size Set - Anti-microbial and Germ-resistant Bamboo - Heavy Use Cut Board - Great Surface For Your Knives

I have one bamboo cutting board, one small wooden cutting board, and two sizes of high-density polypropylene (poly) plastic. (I also have a round pizza board with a handle that I made in woodshop, but that's another blog!)

It's very important to avoid contamination that you use separate cutting boards for meat than those that you use to cut vegetables. Clean and dry your cutting board well. If I have been cutting meat, every so often I will clean with a good disinfectant cleaner and set out in the sun to dry.

Click the image at right to view a set of germ-resistant bamboo cutting boards from Amazon.

Spatula Sets

A good flexible spatula is invaluable for your kitchen, to scrape food from dishes or bowls. I use a heat-proof nylon spatula to loosen the edges of eggs in the pan to make a perfect omelet or easily scramble eggs. Spatulas are usually made of heat-resistant silicone.
Also sometimes known as a spatula, a hamburger flipper was called a "pancake turner" in my family. The nylon spatulas come in a wide variety of colors, also. They are not entirely heat-resistant but are safe to all non-scratch surfaces. There are also more durable metal spatulas but those may scratch your pots and pans, especially those with certain non-stick surfaces.

22-piece Kitchen Utensils Sets - Home Cooking Tools- Stainless Steel & Nylon Gadgets- Turners, Tongs, Spatulas, Pizza Cutter, Whisk, Bottle Opener, Grater, Peeler, Can Opener, Measuring Cups & Spoons

Best Value!
Pictured here is a complete 22-piece kitchen utensils set that includes spatulas, turners, ladles, tongs, whisk, bottle opener, as well as a potato peeler, pizza cutter, can opener, and measuring sets.

Kitchen Cookware Sets

GreenPan Lima 12 Inch Hard Anodized Non-Stick Ceramic Covered Fry Pan

Do yourself a favor and buy a set of good everyday kitchen cookware. I have small, medium, and large frying pans of coated cast iron, various sizes of non-stick skillets, and one stainless steel saute pan that I just love.

You can choose from metal or non-stick surfaces. If you are on a tight budget, you can visit second-hand stores but I have found brand new pots and pans at discount chains like T.J. Maxx and Ross Dress for Less for not very much money. I prefer to start with new sets because the surfaces are not damaged and I don't have to worry about getting Teflon into my food. (Teflon is out of favor now because of health concerns, but there are many better options.)

Look for non PTFE/PFOA non-stick surfaces. Pictured on the right is a healthier green option for a non-stick covered skillet that uses Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating.

Remember to soak your frying pans after use to make for easy cleanup. I use a non-scratch scrubbing sponge and dishwashing brush. Don't use steel wool on your pans

Cooking Pots Sets

To complete your cookware sets, you would need a small pan for boiling eggs or heating water, medium sized pans with covers for heating up soup or steaming vegetables, and a large pot for pasta or stew. You can choose from a variety of styles based on your kitchen's color scheme and to match your pans.

Look for non PTFE/PFOA non-stick surfaces. Pictured below is a healthier green option for a non-stick cookware set that uses Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating.

GreenPan 12 Piece Lima Hard Anodized Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set

Knives

A set of knives is essential in your first kitchen. This 13-piece starter set from Amazon is an excellent value and comes with a wooden block for safe storage.

Knife Set with Wooden Block 13 Piece - Chef Knife, Bread Knife, Carving Knife, Utility Knife, Paring Knife, Steak Knife, and Scissors

Be sure to keep your knives clean and dry. A knife sharpener is a must-have in a new kitchen. I like having a small knife sharpener that can be kept in a drawer, in addition to the sharpening rod that comes in most knife sets.

Kitchen Organizer Ideas

Finally, I'm going to show some options for organizing your new kitchen. My apartment has a very small kitchen, so keeping things organized is a must.

Also, some years ago, I had a moth infestation in my house so I stopped storing things like flour and cereal in their packages and invested in a good set of stacking storage containers by OXO. The OXO 5-piece container set pictured is a good starter set and it keeps your food fresh and airtight.

OXO Good Grips 5-Piece POP Container Set, White

Flour canister set

I have a set of vintage Tupperware kitchen canisters for flour and sugar that I found at a garage sale. These match perfectly in my kitchen, even though I'm missing the smallest size. I use them for my gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, and rice.

There are many options for kitchen canisters available, either in chain stores like Bed Bath & Beyond or online. You will want to choose a canister set based on your kitchen's color scheme and your personal style.

Here's a suggestion for an Oggi 4-piece ultra-modern canister set with airtight lid and clamp, and a cherry-red sleek Palladian 4-piece set with handy windows to check contents.

Oggi 4 Piece Stainless Steel Canister Set with Airtight Acrylic Lid and Clamp

Anchor Hocking 4-Piece Palladian Cherry Window Cylinder Set