Basic kitchen essentials

Whether you’re planning to stock your own kitchen or are buying kitchenware for someone else as a gift, you may not know exactly where to begin. You can make your choices easier by understanding kitchen basics: what does every kitchen need? Stocking a kitchen from scratch can be a major undertaking, but it is also a great time to select the appliances and cookware that will help you the most in the future.

Major kitchen appliances

When starting out, every kitchen has basic requirements of an oven, a stovetop, and a refrigerator. You can choose a gas stove or an electric stove. To save on electric bills, you might want to consider an Energy Star-certified refrigerator.

Energy Star Refrigerators

Depending on the volume of cooking and entertaining you plan to do, you might want to consider a double oven to facilitate easier cooking for a crowd. You will also ensure faster cleanup if your kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher.

Basic cookware

For recipe preparation, a must for every kitchen is a good set of measuring spoons and measuring cups. You will also want a good set of knives, mixing bowls, peelers, whisks and mixing spoons. Once you’re ready to cook, of course, you’ll need a great set of dependable, durable pots and pans that will stand the test of time.

Pots and Pans

Some cooks prefer stainless cookware, whereas others prefer pots coated with Teflon or other non-stick coatings. Cookware is a personal preference, but getting starter sets has never been easier, and each manufacturer has several to choose from.

Small kitchen appliances

Small appliances are an absolute must for an efficient kitchen. Can openers, mixers, blenders, and food processors will serve many purposes in your cooking.

Food processors

If you are short on space, consider an under-the-counter can opener, like Black & Decker’s, or a small utility cart for added storage for those appliances you use less frequently. And don’t feel pressure to splurge on a counter space-eating appliance right away…a hand-cranked can opener or a hand mixer will work just fine at first, until you determine how much cooking and baking you’ll be doing.

Black & Decker Spacemaker" Under the Counter Can Opener, Black

Appliances come in a wide variety of colors and styles, and so the choice is really yours as to which works the best with your décor. You might not want to stop at the basics, either: microwaves, toasters, mini-ovens and steamers can assist with quick meals, and if you’re not a morning person, consider a coffee maker or espresso machine. Or if you’re short on space, consider a french press, which makes great coffee in the perfect quantity for one or two people.

Serving dishes

Once you’ve whipped up dinner, you’ll need something to eat from – dishes, bowls, plates, mugs, and glasses – and utensils to eat with, be they silver or plastic. You can buy full sets of plates from a variety of stores; consider places like Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn. For the cost-conscious, Target has a variety of quality dishware.

Dinner plates

Basic Cookbooks

A new kitchen is a great opportunity to try out new recipes! A tried-and-true cookbook featuring items from soups to nuts is a welcome addition to any kitchen. There are many options for the novice chef. Consider The Joy of Cooking, the Silver Palate Cookbook, or How to Cook Everything. If you’re more adventurous, you might want a subscription to a cooking magazine like Bon Appetit.

Decorating your kitchen

It is great to have a well-coordinated kitchen, and having the best designer colors to choose from makes it just that much better. Consider stainless steel gadgets and appliances, or maybe colorful dishware to accent a black or neutral-toned kitchen. There’s plenty of funky cookware out there too. Kitchen towels and pot holders also come in a wide variety of decorator colors and add that perfect accent to your kitchen’s décor, too.

Keeping your kitchen clean

To be a great chef, it helps to be great at cleaning your kitchen. To keep your kitchen sparkling fresh, be sure to have a well-placed trash receptacle handy, as well as recycling bins for glass, tin and plastic containers, too. A well-stocked kitchen should always have the latest cleaning products on hand to safely clean and protect your appliances, cookware, and countertops. Cutting boards are great for protecting your countertops from bacteria and scratches, and there should be a paper towel holder on hand for quick clean ups for those unexpected spills.

Cutting boards

And if you have granite countertops, there are special cleansers designed for them as well. To help eliminate odors left over from cooking, don’t forget to stock up on air fresheners or an ionizer, which works well in homes with open floor plans or kitchens that are very close to living areas. Be sure when selecting dishwashing detergents that they are safe for the environment. The best ending to any meal is a kitchen that is sparkling clean and ready for the next cooking and dining experience!

As you can see, there are so many items that can outfit a kitchen, you’ll probably never stop finding new and interesting pieces to add to your kitchen. With the right kitchen appliances, you’ll want to keep trying exciting recipes and foods to keep those pieces in use.