Essential Items You Must Have in Your Kitchen

Whether you enjoy cooking or are just starting to get into it, there are few things you need in your kitchen in order to have a smooth and hassle-free cooking experience. Some of these items may be a little pricier but they are worth every single penny and will help you a lot when you are cooking. Here are some of the must-have items for your kitchen.

Basic cookware

Every kitchen should be equipped with the basics and the first line of basic items you need is basic cookware. Cookware is general food preparation equipment like cooking pots and frying pans. There is a wide range of cookware that is available on the market and different cookware serves different purposes. Most cookware is used on the stove, but some variations can also be used in the oven.

If you are a beginner chef or just looking to stock up on kitchen essentials, you will only need to have a few cookware in your collection like a decently sized frying pan or skillet and a large pot that is big enough for soup making. You can easily find these items at the home and living section of any retail store, but a good tip is to invest in high-quality cookware because it will typically work better last longer so you will not have to replace it often. An example of good cookware would be Tefal cookware, and it is widely used in the Philippines because the built and material of the cookware can easily handle the cooking techniques and ingredients prevalent in Filipino cuisine.

Chef’s knife

Most professional chefs will have a huge collection of knives and cutting utensils but to the average person, it is not a necessity to have every type of knife. In fact, you will probably only need one or two in your kitchen and that will be enough. At the end of the day, it is not about what you use but how you use it.

When buying preparation and cutting utensils for your kitchen, look for a good chef’s knife because it can make all the difference when it comes to cooking. There are a lot of chef’s knives that are available for purchase but keep in mind to have a hands-on feel on the knife before you get it. Test out the weight and the feel of the knife to see if it is comfortable for you to use that knife. A good quality chef’s knife can be pricey but the right one will last for years so really do your research when it comes to this kitchen essential.

Basic utensils

Another line of basics you need in your kitchen is basic utensils which include a spatula, stirring spoon, tongs, and a ladle. While it might seem like a lot of items to a beginner in the kitchen, they all are quite necessary because they all have different purposes and having a variety of utensils is helpful to make different recipes. The good thing about cooking utensils is that they are the cheaper group of items so you can easily get a set of basic utensils for your kitchen, and it would not cost you much.

Before you purchase any kitchen and cooking utensils, it is important to learn about the built and materials of the utensils and to know which one is suitable for your cookware and kitchen. For example, if you have non-stick cookware, it is recommended that you get non-metal utensils so that you do not scratch your pan or pot when you use your spatula. While they are not necessary to have, utensils like a whisk and a vegetable peeler can come in handy when cooking so feel free to add them into your collection.

Air fryer

Whether you are cooking for one or feeding the whole family, convenience and speed are much needed when you are making a meal. Investing in an air fryer for your kitchen will not only save you time and effort, but you will also be able to eat healthier meals. A notable feature of air fryers is that they can fry things with a fraction of the oil of traditional deep fryers, but you will still get a similar taste and texture. This means that you can enjoy your fries without the excess greasiness.

An air fryer might not be a necessity for every kitchen because it is another pricey appliance for the kitchen, but they are worth the money and will save you time and effort in the kitchen. It is also great for amateur or younger cooks because they are easier to handle than the oven or stove. Almost all major electrical brands have their own variant of an air fryer so you will not have a hard time finding one that suits your needs and budget. A popular choice in Malaysia would be the Philips air fryer because they come in larger capacities and are very reliable.

Blender

Another essential appliance for the kitchen would be a blender that will be useful for both food and drinks. Whether it is soups, sauces, or smoothies, a blender will make it easier to prepare your favourites. You can also use the blender to prepare the ingredients you need for certain recipes like a marinade for a chicken dish or the sauce for a stew.

You can get just about any basic blender, and it would work perfectly for your kitchen, but if you can afford it, get a heavy-duty blender because those will typically last longer and can handle a higher volume of ingredients. A tip for choosing a good blender is to see if it is strong enough to crush ice or any raw produce with a hard texture. If the blender is not able to crush something relatively hard, you might not be able to get a smooth blend with it.

Reusable food storage containers

In a time where more people are becoming more concerned with food waste and trying to reduce it, reusable food storage containers are being used more often. Not only is a great way to store excess food or ingredient but it is also better for the environment because you are creating less plastic waste. You can also use these containers to store your meals for when you go to the office or school and reduce the need for disposable storage items like plastic sandwich bags.

You can find a wide range of food storage containers at the retail store or from online sellers, but it is best if you can get glass containers instead of plastic. Not only are they better for the environment but they are also dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and oven safe. Also, unlike plastic containers, glass containers do not contain chemicals or toxins that can leach into your food which makes it safer to use in the long run.