Kitchen Must-Haves
Wanting to amp up your kitchen game? Moving into a new space? Looking to get more serious about cooking? There are so many options when it comes to tools and gadgets you should have in a kitchen. I wanted to make it easier on you, so I am compiling a list of items I think no kitchen would be complete without!
The number one item I think you should invest in for the kitchen is a nice set of pans. My dad is very particular about what he buys for the kitchen – reads as many reviews and articles he can to find the best fit for him. (Also an avid Consumer Reports reader.) We both agreed that a set of pans is a great investment for any kitchen because they can make or break your cooking experience.
https://www.all-clad.com/ha1-hard-anodized-nonstick-cookware-set-2-piece-fry-pan-set-8-10-inch.html
The set we are loving right now is from All-Clad. This is a set of two pans that are non-stick, dishwasher safe, oven safe, and metal utensil safe. I love that they are super heavy and conduct heat evenly. In addition, all my food just glides out of the pan. I will note that because they are heavy, they do tend to take a little bit longer to heat up, but overall these are hands-down my favorite pans I’ve used.
The second tool every kitchen needs is more of a set of tools, rather than one piece. Everyone needs a set of spatulas and spoons with varying sizes and functions. I really like to get a silicone set of utensils because they are safe to use on any pots or pans you have.
The set that I am loving right now actually started as a joke because my parents watch a lot of QVC. One day they were showcasing the Spurtle, and we loved the name so much we just had to try it. Long story short, we loved the Spurtle and jumped at the opportunity to buy the whole set next time it was on. If you aren’t looking for something this specific, you can find great sets of utensils at stores like Target, Walmart, and even Marshalls or TJ Maxx.
My third must-have is really more of a multipurpose item that I purchased with the intention of using for one thing, and ended up using it for so many other functions. You guys, I love my Ninja blender kit. I got this set as a Black Friday deal with the intention of using it for smoothies. The set comes with the power base, large blender, two personal blender cups, lids, and blade, and a food processor bowl with sharp blade and dough blade attachments.
I love this as a must-have because if you’re looking to invest in one item due to all of it’s functionalities – this is a great pick. I use this to blend smoothies, make my Five Ingredient Banana Bread, make cookie dough, make pesto – you name it! I never expected to get so much use out of this, but I think it’s a great alternative to investing in a stand mixer (which can be incredibly pricey).
Surprise, surprise my fourth pick is another fun find that is designed to simply make life easier in the kitchen. If you are someone who cooks a lot, an automatic can opener will just help keep things moving along with ease.
https://www.qvc.com/Cooks-Essentials-Auto-Stop-Safety-Can-Opener.product.K47619.html
I love this automatic can opener because you simply place it on top of your can, press the button, and you’re done. I also love that it cuts along the natural can seam, so you don’t get any sharp edges. This is a great item for cooking with kids, or if you don’t have the ability to use a hand-crank can opener. It’s also about the size of your hand, so it is easily stored.