Shirley's
Recommendations for Equipment for the Starter Kitchen
Most important tip: Never pay full-price retail! (More on sources of
equipment later)
Knives
1 chef's
knife, 8" -- once you get used to it, you will use it for just
about everything
1 paring
knife, 3"
1 serrated
bread knife, 10"
1 sharpening steel, 10" -- if you get into the habit of using this
regularly, you will be glad you did
1 knife block or other knife storage/protection
2 cutting boards, polypropelene, large enough to be useful, but small
enough to fit in your dishwasher
Pots & Pans
3 saucepans, 1 quart, 2 quart & 3 quart., with lids
1 multi-use
"stock" pot, 11 - 12 quart (not smaller no matter what the
salesperson tells you) with a pasta insert and steamer insert
2 frypans, 10" and 12" OR 8" and 10", OR a 10" frypan and 3 quart saute
pan (depending on what you like to cook)
1 quart or 2 quart saucier
(optional but really nice)
1 12"
chef's pan with lid -- looks like a civilized wok OR 1 14"
wok with lid
1 Dutch
oven, 4 1/2 - 6 quarts
1 baking dish 13" x 9" x 2"
1 roasting pan, 16" x 12" x 5"
1 glass casserole dish (microwaveable) -- 2 1/2 - 3 quarts, with
lid
1 pressure
cooker, 7 1/2 - 8 quart -- extremely useful and no longer scary to
use
Utensils
Nested stainless steel mixing bowls, the more the merrier, at least 4 (wide
may be easier to store than deep, or
vice versa)
1 set measuring
spoons
1 set dry
measuring cups, stainless steel
1 set liquid
measuring cups, glass (good for in microwave) or plastic
(angled)
1 vegetable
peeler
1 instant read thermometer
1 oven thermometer
1 refrigerator/freezer thermometer
1 turner, solid
1 turner, slotted
2 stirring spoons, wood or plastic, one solid, one slotted
2 heat-resistant
silicone spatulas, one flat the other curved
("spoonula")
1 soup ladle, 4 ounces
1 whisk
10 - 12" long, (not the ones with the skinny wire handles)
1 potato masher
1 pair 12"
non-stick tongs, locking
1 funnel
1
corkscrew
with integrated foil cutter and bottle opener
1 rasp or citrus grater
1 can opener
1 kitchen
timer
1 pepper mill
1 garlic
press
2 wire mesh
strainers, small & large
1 colander,
5 quart, with base
1 pair kitchen shears
1 box
grater
1 ice cream scoop
1 cake tester
1 tape measure
1 rubber
jar opener
1 salad spinner, but only if you make a lot of salads
1 bulb baster, if you roast a lot
1 mesh
skimmer (optional but very handy)
1 utensil
holder, to keep most often used tools out and ready by the
stove
Baking Equipment
1 square pan, 9" x 9"
1 rectangular pan, 13" x 9"
2 round cake pans, 9"
1 springform pan,
9"
2 loaf pans, 9 x 5 x 3
1 glass pie plate, 9"
1 muffin tin sheet (for 12 medium size muffins)
2 aluminum
half
sheet pans, 18" x 13", with racks that fit inside them if you can
find them, otherwise
1 - 2 wire
racks
1 rolling pin
1 dough rolling board or mat
1 bench
scraper
air tight tins for flour & sugar
2 "pastry" brushes, one for butter, oil or dry dusting, the other for
savory brushing (of strong ingredients, like garlic)
Small Appliances
1 toaster oven
1 kitchen scale
1 blender
1 food processor if you have the room and will use it, otherwise a
mandoline and a blender and a box grater can substitute
1 stand mixer, if you are a baker (otherwise, for making dough and many
beating tasks, a food processor would be fine)
Storage containers
A bunch, all sizes, clear
Other
pot holders
dish towels
apron
Some places to buy kitchen stuff online
Home cookware
- A Best Kitchen
- Baker's Catalogue
- Caplan Duval
(discounted Le Creuset & china)
- Chef's Catalog
- Cooking.com
- Crate and Barrel
- Cutlery and More
- Fantes Kitchen Wares Shop
- Good Cooks Online
(French cookware)
- Happy Cookers (Shop
on-line or visit store in Hollister CA)
- Hollingsworth
(butcher block products)
- John Boos & Company
(butcher block products)
- Kitchen Krafts
- Professional Cutlery Direct
- Sur La Table (expensive
but well-stocked)
- Williams-Sonoma
(expensive)
- Restaurant Equipment & Supplies
- Central Restaurant
Products
- Economy
Restaurant & Bar Supply
- Food Service Direct
- Ledyard (Check
on-line catalog, then call to order & pickup in Santa Cruz)
- Next Day Gourmet
(On-line catalog & ordering)
- Peerless Restaurant Supplies
- Restaurant-Store.com
- Sharpknives.com
- Superior Products
(Order on-line from printed catalog or visit store in San Jose CA)
- Wilton (cake decorating
supplies)