Proficiency has different levels and while I can’t take credit for the Benner scale that goes from “novice” to “expert,” I completely support the idea that we’re all on different levels whether it’s at work or in, say, the kitchen. I’ve been cooking for a while so I’ve moved beyond “basic,” but there are plenty of you out there who are just setting up your first apartment or are just taking an interest in cooking but don’t know where to start.
Allow me to be your guide through Basicville. We’re going to take a left at pantry storage, pass through necessary utensils and knives and hit our destination of Sous Vide City because — you know — a sous vide cooker is a step above “basic” but a sous chef is something we all wish we had, no matter the skill level. Whether you’re debating the right pan (it’s cast iron, always cast iron), the best way to cook meat to temperature (snag that buy at (No. 25) or trying to get your refrigerator under control (check No. 33), I’ve got you covered.
Pantry Perfection
Let’s face it, you aren’t going to do much cooking or baking if you can’t find the essentials you need to work with in your pantry. This 14-piece food storage container system will get the basics organized, from nuts and beans to flour and sugar. These have airtight seals and come in five different sizes for organizing everything from the smallest ingredients to the largest.
The Right Utensils for Any Job
If you’re just after the basics, you have plenty of time to try out the higher-end gadgets later. Right now, we’re trying to build you an arsenal, okay? This utensil set has everything you might need to prepare a variety of things including basting, slotted, skimmer, and spaghetti spoons as well as a potato masher, turner, ladle, whisk and tongs. You’ll even get a sleek utensil holder to keep things organized.
Loaf Around
If you’re a kitchen noob, you’re probably not going to start off making homemade bread. But, a loaf pan is useful for a great deal more than just bread. Use it for meatloaf, cake, side dishes or small meals — virtually anything where you need just a small pan and don’t want to dirty a big casserole dish. This dish works from freezer to oven to table and even comes with a convenient lid.
Cuts like a Knife
You’re probably going to have multiple knife sets in your culinary pursuits but this 15-piece premium knife set is a great starting point with 10,000 Amazon reviews. The set includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch carving knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 5-inch utility knife, paring knife and six non-serrated steak knives. A knife sharpener, all-purpose shears and a wooden storage block are included for efficient storage.
You Want a Pizza Me?
Just because you’re eating a lot of pizza doesn’t mean you can’t dress it up a little. This cordierite pizza stone heats up quickly, gives those delicious crispy bottoms and offers great durability. It’s grease- and burn-resistant, coated in a non-stick glaze that prevents sticking, and is easy to wash. You can also use this stone for traditional recipes; just place in a room-temperature oven and preheat.
Holy Sheet
You’re going to want a couple of baking sheets for various things like making cookies or wings or bacon. This twin-pack of half-sheet pans is the perfect tool for a variety of things. These pans are rimmed with a reinforced, rolled edge, are rust-free, and won’t warp like typical steel pans. You can’t wash these in the dishwasher, though, but they’ll be worth hand-washing.
Carve Out a Niche
Don’t fall victim to those cheap cutting boards at Walmart; you’re going to need a large cutting board with juice grooves like this one. Available in white or black, these boards come in sizes up to 18 inches by 30 inches. Made from high-density polyethylene, these won’t warp, won’t dull your knives and won’t require you to wash them by hand. You can totally throw this in the dishwasher.
Tap into Convenience
Kitchen work is all about how to make the most happen with the amount of energy. These automatic drink dispensers make it simple to turn any non-carbonated beverage bottle into a one-handed operation. Simply place the tube in the bottle, adjust the cap to ensure a snug fit, and press your cup or bowl to the trigger. Stop lifting and pouring like a regular person; you’re a kitchen genius now.
Pump Cast Iron
Let me clue you in on something that’s going to save you a lot of money, time, and aggravation as you start your kitchen journey: Buy cast iron. This pre-seasoned skillet is a do-it-all kitchen tool that won’t crack, peel or lose its coating. In fact, it’ll only get better the longer you use it. Buy it in skillet and grill versions.
Bowl Me Over
A good set of mixing bowls is one of the first things you’re going to need and this eight-piece set will take you a long way. Crafted from tempered glass, you’ll be able to see everything inside of these, which come in 4-quart, 2.5-quart, 1.5-quart, and 27-ounce sizes. Each bowl has its own lid, too. The best part is that these nest so they won’t take up a ton of space.
Go to the Mat
You’re about to spend a lot of time standing in the kitchen … if you plan to master the craft, that is. This anti-fatigue mat is a must-have with its soft foam core that reduces stress on your knees, muscles, and joints. Add one in front of your sink and another in front of your stove to support your feet, ankles, knees, and legs. These don’t absorb liquids so they’ll easily wipe clean.
Meal Prep Pals
Listen to me: You don’t need to eat out for lunch every day. I know it, you know it, your bank balance knows it. These glass meal-prep containers will save you time and money and are just the right size for a meal at lunch. Compared to plastic, these glass containers are environmentally-friendly and free of chemicals. The locking lid creates an airtight seal and you can throw them in the dishwasher when you get home.
Hold It Together
If you’ve already gotten a start on collecting cooking utensils, maybe you just need someplace to stash them. This extra-large stainless steel utensil caddy will help organize your space and offers additional conveniences like a rotating design and divided interior for better separation. You can grab this in a couple of great colors, too, including red, turquoise, and the mint green pictured.
On Guard
You may not know this now but you’re getting ready to learn: Fried foods are great but frying makes a mess and I mean a whole mess, all over your counters, stove, backsplash, you name it. This splatter screen doesn’t seem like much but it’ll keep the grease where it belongs — in the pan. These are available in four different sizes for whatever size skillet you have.
Chop Chop
If you’re going to buy a chopper, it might as well be a cool-looking one like this mezzaluna knife that slices and dices with an effortless rocking motion. Make light work of chopping onions, cucumbers, lettuce, chocolate, nuts, herbs and more with this sharp stainless steel blade. Included with your purchase? This handy round cutting board with a concave surface to keep food where it belongs.
Pour Yourself a Mega Pint
I know this says “wine chiller gift set” but to quote Johnny Depp: “Isn’t happy hour anytime?” Sure, you can gift it or you could use it yourself complete with 14-ounce wine glasses and a 750 ml bottle. Both are made from vacuum-insulated material that maintains the temperature you want whether hot or cold. The cups even have clear sliding lids with a silicone seal to stay spill-proof and keep flying critters out of your drink.
Nice to Meat You
You’re about to discover that you don’t want to cut meat with just any knife. You need a carving knife that was built for slicing large cuts of beef. The Granton carving knife works well for everything from meat to vegetables, making it a must-have for your kitchen. This purchase includes the 12-inch stainless steel knife, an edge guard sheath, and a dual knife sharpener.
Storage Wars
Whether you have hand-me-down china from grandma or seasonal china because you’re fancy like that, you likely aren’t going to have room for all of it. Protect it with this quilted dinnerware and wine glass storage. These thick padded cases have smooth-glide zippers so you can put plates in storage and take them out with ease. This set includes enough storage for 12 place settings, including mugs.
Kick the Can-ister
Keep the essentials close at hand with this set of stainless steel canisters emblazoned with the words coffee, tea, and sugar. Crafted with a farmhouse aesthetic, these canisters are rust-resistant and hold varying sizes of staples from 11 cups down to four cups. They have airtight lids, too, to seal out odor and protect things from moisture.
Easy as Pie
You’re probably not going to be on MasterChef any time soon but that doesn’t mean you won’t crave something sweet and attempt to make a recipe to satisfy the craving. This mini pie baker cooks up to six bite-sized pies or quiches — sweet or savory — while requiring relatively little cooking ability. The non-stick interior makes it simple to clean and the included dough-cutting circles mean you get the size just right.
A Jarring Experience
Now we’re going to talk about canning — fruit, vegetables … haha, just kidding! But, I’ll tell you this, glass Mason jars are hugely useful for a variety of things, from putting together a salad for lunch to storing leftovers. These jars come with lids and bands and are food-grade, lead-free and dishwasher-safe. And, hey, someday if you decide to try canning, you’re already good to go.
Bread Winner
Chances are good that you’re going to try to bread something because plain chicken is, well, kind of boring. This all-in-one breading station easily breads and seasons meats and vegetables without requiring every dish in your house or making a mess. When you’re finished, pop all the pieces in the dishwasher. One reviewer said, “I bought this product, and was amazed at how easy it was to use.”
Foam Up
With your newfound culinary prowess on full display, you might as well start brewing up some unique beverages, which means you’re going to want to get your hands on a milk frother. Say “goodbye” to expensive coffeehouse drinks. With this foam creator, you can whip up coffees, lattes, hot chocolates, smoothies, shakes, and more. It’s also great for whisking eggs — just sayin’.
A Honey of a Deal
Take a step beyond basic with this glass syrup dispenser and send your Mrs. Butterworth’s bottle packing. It’s a minor upgrade that makes a big difference on a table when you’ve worked hard to make pancakes and waffles for the fam (or friends). Simply push your thumb to pour and release to stop automatically, and say goodbye to sticky store-bought syrup bottles.
Take My Temperature
Learn from my mistakes, young ones: You need a meat thermometer sooner rather than later. Can you believe I didn’t have a meat thermometer until I was in my 40s? I know, I know. This digital version is waterproof; works for cooking, baking, candy making, and liquids; and, has a large, easy-to-read LED screen. It reads a temperature in as little as three seconds.
Measure Up
You’re going to want measuring cups and measuring spoons and if you’re anything like me, you’re going to want them to match so go ahead and grab this set for less than $14. Made from high-quality stainless steel with colored silicone handles and clear engraved markings, you’ll have measurements from 1/8 cup to a full cup plus 1/4 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon in a design that easily stacks.
Grind It Out
File this one under “highly versatile kitchen gadgets.” This mortar and pestle set is reversible, meaning you have plenty of room to make guac or a small space to grind spices without them running away from you. Use it for salt, coffee beans, pastes, dips, dressings, seasonings and more. This purchase includes a wooden spoon and silicone lid/placement for free that’ll protect your countertops.
Open, Sesame
You’re probably not old enough to struggle with opening jars and bottles but why exert more effort than necessary? This under-cabinet jar opener grabs onto any lid whether it’s factory-sealed, childproof or tamperproof and opens it with a simple twist. It’ll work on lids of all sizes and installs with tape or screws under your cabinets so it’s hidden out of sight.
Sous Chef
Here it is, the product I promised you in the opening of this article — a sous vide cooker. While this is a few steps above “basic,” it’s not complicated to use and this set includes everything you need, from vacuum bags to a pump to a digital timer. This even comes with a recipe book so you can look like a pro even if you’re a complete novice.
Circle the Drain
Drain it, strain it and stretch it out over one side of the sink with this collapsible colander with extendable handles. Made with eco-friendly rubber and plastic, this silicone colander features an ergonomic design, non-slip handles and a large six-quart capacity — more than enough space for vegetables, fruits, beans and more. It comes in eight different colors so you can grab the one that matches your decor or mood.
Wok and Roll
A wok pan is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can buy, even if you’re not into cooking traditional Chinese dishes. The same size as a 13-inch skillet but better, this pan has a wide and deep non-stick surface ideal for everything from steaming to deep frying to boiling. This heavy-duty pan is made from rust-resistant stainless steel with an ergonomic handle and nonstick surface. You’ll get a dome lid and spatula, too.
The Sharpest Knife in the Drawer
Already got a set of knives? This in-drawer bamboo knife block holds 14 knives and has room for a knife sharpener, too. In-drawer knife organizers are great because they take something extra off of your counter and hide it away out of sight. One reviewer said, “I bought this block over others because of the low price. I did not have high expectations but it turned out to be an excellent, quality block.”
Refrigerator Refresh
We addressed your pantry with product No. 1 in our list; now, we’re going to tackle your refrigerator. This set of six refrigerator bins will organize everything from your case of Coke to up to a dozen eggs. These have handles so they’re easy to grab and pull out onto the counter and can be stacked vertically to free up extra space.
Towel Off
The thing no one mentions about cooking more is that it also results in more laundry in the form of kitchen towels. This microfiber towel set is super absorbent, generously sized, and thick and soft enough to handle any task. The manufacturer says these won’t shrink or fade either. You can’t go wrong with gray or camel but why not spice things up with yellow or purple?
Scrub-A-Dub-Dub
I’m telling you right now, the quest to find the perfect dish scrubber brush is on and if you find the right one, will you please tell me what it is? This one earns high marks for being long-lasting, durable and efficient and I love its minimalist design with a comfortable bamboo handle. Speaking of that handle, it’s long enough to keep your hands out of a mess.
Paper (Towel) Trail
When you become an independent adult, no one mentions that one of your hardest life decisions will be which paper towel holder to buy. This one from OXO (a favorite brand of mine) has a weighted, non-slip base, a convenient carrying knob, a raised lip to contain jumbo rolls and a one-handed design for tackling messes quickly. The stainless steel construction matches any decor.
Hand in Glove
Sometimes, reviews do the best talking. Read this one about these oven gloves: “Tonight I seasoned two cast iron frying pans, a cast iron wok, and a cast iron griddle. With the gloves, I was easily able to move the oven rack, even after the oven was 375 degrees hot. After my cast iron-ware baked for 10 minutes, I turned up the heat to 450 degrees. I easily got all four pieces turned over on the oven racks and turned the oven off to let them cool off.” (Thanks, Taunya R.!)