Cookware
Bakeware
Knives
Measuring Equipment
Utensils
Electrical Equipment
Follow our simple guide to the most essential items for your kitchen.
Saucepans
It’s well worth investing in a set of good quality pans - they could last for years and cooking will be made easier with better results. It’s essential to choose pans with heavy, smooth bases and tight-fitting lids as food will cook more evenly and quickly. Heavy bottomed, hard anodised pans with stainless steel handles are ideal because they are durable, can go in the oven and are not too heavy to handle. Care will need to be taken to ensure that the non-stick coating doesn’t get damaged over time. Start off with a minimum of the following four pans and add to your collection over time:
Medium Frying Pan - For sautéing, stir-fries, omelettes and pancakes.
Large Casserole - For soups, stews, casseroles and cooking pasta.
Medium Pan – For cooking vegetables and rice.
Small Pan – For heating milk, boiling eggs and making sauces.
Tins - At least two ovenproof tins are needed in most kitchens although you may wish to add a couple of cake tins and perhaps a Yorkshire pudding tin. Choose only top quality tins that won’t warp in the heat of the oven – those with hardened non-stick surfaces are the most useful and will last for years.
Large roasting tin - A large roasting tin will cope with most joints of meat and poultry - and is also useful for poaching fish and baking vegetables.
Large baking tray - A baking tray is a must-have for batches of biscuits, oven-roasting chips and for cooking fish.
There are many different knives on offer, but it’s probably best to start off with just a couple and then increase the collection as you become more confident. Avoid cheap knives at all costs and don’t even think of buying sets with serrated blades – although a good bread knife would be the exception to this rule. It’s possible to find knives made from high quality stainless steel with comfortable, tough plastic handles that are both economic and long lasting – a Cook’s knife of this type will cost around £15.00. (A simple knife sharpener will help keep them in tip-top condition.)
To start your knife collection, choose the following:
19cms Cook’s Knife
10cm Vegetable/Paring Knife
Serrated Bread knife
A knife sharpener
To get the best from any recipe, it’s essential to follow the recommended measurements accurately. This is particularly important for baking and dessert recipes. Measuring scales, spoons and jugs will help ensure perfect results.
Set of Scales - Digital scales will give the most accurate results. Choose those that can be switched between metric and imperial measurements and that can be reset so that any bowl or container can be used on them.
Measuring Jug - Essential for measuring liquids - although you can also weigh liquids and convert from grams to millilitres on decent digital scales. Choose a jug with clearly marked increments that will measure both metric and imperial quantities. A heavy-duty glass one is ideal as it will take very hot liquids and shouldn’t discolour over time.
Measuring Spoons - Very important if you need to follow a recipe closely and will help ensure good results. Don’t rely on dinner service teaspoons and serving spoons as they are not an accurate measure.