7 Kitchen Tools Every Aspiring Chef Needs

7 Kitchen Tools Every Aspiring Chef Needs (And 1 It Won’t Hurt to Own.)

Throughout this blog, I have put together recipes from all over the world, for you to enjoy. However, if you are just starting to experiment with the art of cooking, you may not be equipped. For that reason, I have put together a list of tools that every aspiring chef needs in their kitchen. Walking into a kitchen equipment store will leave you confused, there is so much choice that it's not always clear where you should start. There are no fancy gadgets here, just the necessary tools to cook up some tasty dishes. 

Kitchen Knives

An aspiring chef needs only two knives to get started. Those two knives are:

·         The Chef’s Knife – This knife is your partner in the kitchen. It will be your go-to tool for nearly all cutting needs. For that reason, it needs to be comfortable to use. Many chefs opt for a blade heavy knife, to help with cutting, but the weight will depend on your preference. An 8-inch blade is the most popular in terms of length. Too long can feel difficult to handle and too short will not be able to handle large volume. Most importantly, the knife wants to be sharp and stay sharp. A dull knife is a dangerous knife. – Here is a more detailed guide to help you buy the perfect chef’s knife.

·         The Paring Knife – Despite its size (2-4 inch blades are the most common), a paring knife is still a vital tool in your kitchen arsenal. The lightweight and shorter blade are great for all the fiddly tasks your Chef’s knife can’t quite handle. You want to make sure the knife fits well in your hand, and regularly sharpen your blade.

While knife shopping, a serrated knife for bread would also be handy, but not necessarily essential. 

Chopping Board

Luckily, buying a chopping board is not as complicated as buying a knife. You really need only two boards; a wooden board for vegetables and a plastic board for meat. You want boards that give you enough size to work with, without being so large that they take up all your worktop space. For weight, again, it is finding the balance. The board wants to be heavy enough to stay put when you are chopping, but be light enough that you can carry it around the kitchen.

A Mixing Bowl

A large glass mixing bowl is essential. I say glass as it is easier to clean, can be microwaved (depending on the glass), and won’t react to food. Have you ever tried baking a cake without a mixing bowl? Don’t. It will also serve you well for marinating meat in the fridge.

Measuring Jug and Measuring Spoons

1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 300 milliliters of milk. Recipes are often laid out as such, mine are for example. That means you need the tools to get those measurements correct. Cooking, especially baking, is a science after all. A glass measuring jug and a set of plastic or metal measuring spoons (preferably with both metric and imperial measurements labelled) will ensure you have an easier time in the kitchen. 

Colander/Strainer/Sieve

 

Draining pasta and potatoes, washing vegetables, getting lumps out of flours. Having a colander, a strainer, or sieve to hand will make this job a whole lot easier.  A solid plastic colander for vegetables is best, and a fine mesh metal sieve will work well for getting rid of any big lumps where they aren’t wanted. An honorable mention would be a salad spinner, which serves a similar function to a colander and is great for drying off salad you have washed. 

Kitchen Utensils

Often sold in a set, a selection of kitchen utensils will ensure you are ready for anything. Solid wooden spoons look great in a kitchen, a metal whisk will help with any sauces you are crafting, and a good pair of tongs and a spatula will just make cooking easier. A vegetable peeler is also something you should add to your kitchen utensil arsenal. A y-peeler is my go-to choice for ease of use, but it will be what works best for you. Finally, don’t get caught without a tin opener. Many tins are now ring pull but its embarrassing to get caught out with a tin you can’t open. 

Frying Pan/Saucepan

How can you cook, without something to cook in? There are many other things a fully stocked kitchen needs (baking trays, muffin tin, roasting pans, etc.) But you can get started with your cooking by owning both a frying pan and a saucepan. As an amateur chef, the best choice is a non-stick frying pan. Cast iron is great, but not cheap. However, cheap is not better so to ensure you get a frying pan that lasts, you should be prepared to spend some money. Again, a saucepan is an investment so don’t opt for the cheapest. A stainless steel saucepan is a middle ground for affordability and quality. You will want to ensure your saucepan has a heavy base that holds the heat well. It is also best to buy saucepans in a set of three. Three different sizes to meet all of your cooking needs

A Pestle and Mortar (Not Essential)

The pestle and mortar are on this list, not because they are essential, but because I love them. Grinding up your own spices is fun and really gets you involved with cooking. The aroma of freshly ground spices will fill your kitchen. A granite pestle and mortar will allow you to get both slightly cracked spices and fine powders.

Make Life Easier By Having The Right Tools

The saying goes that “a man is only as good as his tools”. That’s definitely a debatable phrase, but having these essential kitchen tools will make your life that much easier. 

Do you have any kitchen tools you can’t live without?