What kitchen essentials do I need?
In every kitchen, several tools are crucial when prepping or cooking a meal. If you are often cutting, chopping, and dicing ingredients, a good quality chopping board, kitchen knife, and knife sharpener is important. Bakers will always have their sturdy and reliable baking trays ready to go in the oven. Foodies and home cooks are always reliant on their sturdy frying pans to whip up a delicious meal. Whether you're setting up a new kitchen, trying to scale down on an overload of gadgets or refining a chef's kitchen arsenal, here are the top kitchen tools every home cook or chef needs.
1. A good set of chopping boards
One of the most basic kitchen tools you'll need even if you hardly cook! A good chopping board is durable, has a knife-friendly surface, and protects your kitchen countertop surface during all the prep work. We recommend having a few chopping boards to prevent cross-contamination from fresh poultry. Various types of chopping boards are made from different materials like acacia wood, BPA free plastic, bamboo and more, so it ultimately depends on which type you're looking for. We love this set from Joseph Joseph, that features separate boards to help prevent cross contamination.
Product recommendation: Joseph Joseph Folio 4 Piece Chopping Board Set
- 4 colour-coded chopping boards with non-slip feet
- Knife-friendly textured cutting surfaces
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
2. A good knife block set
A knife block makes knives readily accessible and helps protect them in storage. Also, your knives will stay organised and the block keeps the blades out of reach of young children all while looking stylish on your kitchen countertop. If you don't cook very often, you'll only require the essentials: a chef's knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife. We recommend a good knife block set as it's more value for money than purchasing each knife individually. Global knife blocks are beautifully crafted from Japan and designed for everyday cooking. If you prefer German knives, go for a Wusthof knife block.
Shop all knife block sets here!
3. A set of utensils for turning and stirring
The most common utensils you can find in a kitchen would be a spatula, a turner, a ladle and a cooking spoon. These utensils are the driving force behind most of your cooking and prepping, and you simply can't do without them. These kitchen utensils are made using various materials. If you have nonstick cookware, it's best to go with wooden or silicone material as it is gentle on the cookware's surface and will not easily cause unwanted scratches. Ultimately, you can purchase each utensil individually or even get them as a set.
Product Recommendation: Dreamfarm Set of the Best 5 Utensils
- Set of 5 essential utensils – scraping spoon/ladle, slotted spoon, flexible chopping spatula, silicone scraping spoon, and silicone jar spoon
- Made from high-quality silicone
- Safe to use on non-stick cookware
- Dishwasher safe
4. A versatile stockpot
A stockpot is a versatile pot for cooking soups and stocks. Stockpots are great for cooking meals for bigger groups. It's also a great option to use if you just want to make a big portion of soup. When shopping for a stockpot, make sure you choose one compatible with your cooktop. We stock a range of stock pots to suit all cooktops including Induction stockpots.
Product Recommendation: Essteele Per Vita Stockpot 24cm 7.1L
- Mirror polished 18/10 stainless steel for maximum durability and stain resistance
- European designed wide rim for dripless pouring
- Tight-fitting lid to retain heat, flavour and nutrients
- Suitable for all heat sources, including induction
5. A good set of pans
A frypan may probably be the most common cookware in any kitchen. Use it for stir-frying your vegetables, searing your juicy steaks or making delicious fluffy pancakes for breakfast. Your pans come in various materials and surfaces, so it's best to know which you prefer for everyday use. A stainless steel cookware set offers quick and even heat distribution, allowing you to cook your meals fast. If you prefer a hassle-free and easy to clean surface, go for non-stick pans. If you often cook at home, we highly recommend purchasing a cookware set as it has all the cookware essentials. Getting a cookware set is also far more affordable than buying items individually, and the set allows you to cook a variety of dishes simultaneously.
Product Recommendation: Scanpan Impact 5 Piece Cookware Set
- Made from high quality 18/10 stainless steel
- Mirror polish interior with capacity markings
- Compatible with all heat sources including induction
6. A mixing bowl for prep work
Having a mixing bowl is such a versatile and functional tool to own in a kitchen. It is great for mixing ingredients, serving salads, or being used as a fruit bowl. Ideal as an everyday serving piece or a kitchen helper, the mixing bowl is a must-have. You'll thank us later for this!
Product recommendation: Avanti Mixing Bowl 2L 22.5cm
- Made from quality stainless steel
- 2L capacity to accommodate large tasks
- Can whip up six eggs for an omelette and countless other tasks
- Dishwasher safe
7. A complete measuring set
Measuring cups and spoons will be your best kitchen helpers if you often spend more time baking. Use measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure the volume of liquids or solid ingredients. These simple tools help to ensure your cookies, pastries, bread, etc. come out deliciously baked. Measuring sets also come in various styles, designs and forms. Most of these tools are also stackable, saving you plenty of space in your kitchen drawer.
Product recommendation: Avanti Bakers Measurement Set
- Includes 13 different measurements for every job
- Made from polished stainless steel
- Follows the Australian metric system
- Dishwasher safe
8. A strainer suited for everyday tasks
A strainer is used mostly to strain liquids, separate solids from liquids, or sift fine ingredients like flour or cocoa powder. Trust us when we say that having a fine-mesh strainer is one of the best multitasking tools in your kitchen arsenal.
Product recommendation: Avanti Stainless Steel Strainer with White Frame 15.5cm
- Ideal for straining liquids, sifting fine ingredients, and separating solids from stock or broth
- Made from stainless steel mesh
- Sleek ergonomic handle
9. A convenient baking tray
A baking sheet is essential even for a minimalist kitchen. Whether you're a professional pâtissier or a passionate home baker, you'll need quality baking trays. A good quality baking tray will ensure your cookies, pastries, brownies and biscuits are baked to perfection. Baking trays are also great for roasting vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots, which you can easily make a tasty meal out of.
Product recommendation: Bakemaster Baking Tray 35x25cm
- Made from heavy-duty carbon steel
- Double non-stick coating for easy food release
- PFOA, PTFE and BPA free
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
10. A multipurpose heat resistant trivet
Trivets are surface protectors to keep your table surface protected from hot dishes. They come in various shapes and colours. Some feature beautiful artwork illustrated to style the table. Among the most preferred and easy-to-clean trivets are those that are made from silicone. Silicone trivets are heat resistant and anti-slip to provide an additional grip so your dishes can remain in place on the table without accidental spills.
Product recommendation: Le Creuset Satin Black Silicone Round Cool Tool
- Can withstand temperatures up to 250C
- Surface protector for use under hot cookware and items that can scratch delicate surfaces
- Anti-slip mat for use under cutting boards and mixing bowls to prevent slipping
- Potholder for handling hot cookware and kitchenware
- Handy jar-gripper for opening difficult jars and containers
Next Read: Top 5 Best Frypans in Australia
