Most Essential Kitchen Tools Every Cook Should Have in the Kitchen

Introduction

A kitchen is a place where creativity and gastronomic dreams come to life. However, it can also be a daunting place for those who are new to cooking or lack the proper equipment. While there’s no definitive list of essential kitchen tools, we’ve compiled a comprehensive one that will help set you up for success in the kitchen. From pots and pans to measuring cups and spoons, this list has everything you need (and then some) to get started on your culinary journey. Happy cooking.

Importance of Kitchen Tools

The kitchen is one of the most important parts of any home. Not only is it where food is prepared and eaten, but it's also often the heart of the family. Because the kitchen is so important, it's important to have the right tools in it.

Types of Cooking Tools

There are many different types of cooking tools that can be used in the kitchen. Some of the most popular tools include pots and pans, knives, cutting boards, and utensils.

 

Pots and pans are necessary for cooking on the stovetop. There are many different types of pots and pans, including saucepans, Dutch ovens, and skillets. Pots and pans come in a variety of sizes, so it is important to choose the right size for the dish you are cooking.

 

Knives are another essential tool for cooking. A good knife can be used for chopping vegetables.

The Standard Kitchen Spoon

The kitchen spoon is a versatile instrument that has been used for centuries. It’s helpful for scooping, stirring, and holding food while cooking. There are two types of kitchen spoons- the solid spoon and the slotted spoon.

The Soup Ladle

This big spoon is curved or designed with a long stick handle and a very big, cup-like spoon basin at the end. The handles sometimes have a curve or hook on the end for hanging or for making sure the ladle doesn’t slip inside large pots while cooking or serving. The Soup Ladle is ideal for removing soup and stews from larger pots to smaller ones or for serving individual bowls. Again, this instrument has been around for centuries, but stainless steel versions are the best to work with today.

The Ice Cream Scooper

The Ice Cream Scooper is a tool that makes it easier to scoop ice cream. The scoop has a strong handle and deep-curved spoon that helps the ice cream curl up into a ball. The Scooper is typically either static (with no separator function) or has a separator function. The separator function makes it easy to remove the ice cream from the spoon once scooped, as it slices the ice cream from the surface of the spoon.

The Spatula

Yet the spatula is not technically a spoon, it is a close cousin... although there are various sorts of spatulas. A good example of a spatula is an omelette spatula. Because it's flat, you can slip it beneath food and pick it up to serve from a hot skillet or turn it to cook the other side. It can also be used as a stirrer and a quick blunt knife during cooking, but none of these functions work particularly well. Spatulas are normally large and sometimes slotted, but in a busy kitchen, having two versions, one large and one little, works best.

The Basic Kitchen Knife

The Basic Kitchen Knife is large and sharp, with a blade length of half a foot or more. It's great for dicing, slicing, or separating large and medium-sized food bits. This is a basic kitchen item in any operating kitchen, and many skilled chefs prefer to use their own custom blades rather than generic versions. For any cook, it's the go-to cutter and a must-have.

The Boning Knife

This tool, which has a long thin blade, is great for separating meat from bone in fish. It cuts like a conventional blade, but the thinner design makes it easier for the cook to poke into the meal and make a better cut. Special meat cuts, such as filets, can also be sized with this equipment.

The Knife Sharpener

Most knife sets include one, although they can also be purchased independently. A lengthy metal rod with a handle is what the Knife Sharpener looks like. However, if you feel the rod's surface, you'll notice that it's rough. The kitchen knife is cut against this surface in a frictional cutting motion, which resharpens the blade's edge. Cooks use this instrument on a regular basis to keep their blades sharp, but users must be cautious because sharp edges cut through fingertips and hands very quickly, often before the user realizes what has happened. A blunt knife with pressure is sometimes simply a safer option.

Tongs

This tool is available in two sizes: small and large, with ordinary metal or covered ends. Tongs, in any shape, are fantastic for grabbing food and moving it around, especially when it's hot. When barbecuing or working over an open flame, tongs are must-have equipment since they allow the cook to flip food, move it around, position or remove it for serving, and do so without burning their hands. Tongs also help to reduce cross-contamination by keeping hands away from the food while cooking. When the meal is either cooking or being served, think of them as an extension of your fingers in the kitchen.

The Kitchen Peeler

If someone got into trouble in the army during the war years, he would be thrown into a room full of potatoes and handed a bucket and a peeler tool, working days on end skinning potatoes for cooking, or so the cartoons went. The peeler is still used today, and it is necessary for removing the outer skin of vegetables in a safe and efficient manner.

Measuring Cups

You'll need a set of measuring cups if you make a lot of recipes and bake a lot. These are available in a variety of sizes, each having its own specific measurement and containment. These cups are essential in baking and cooking for those who want to follow recipes to the letter.

The Rolling Pin

If you plan on doing a lot of baking, you'll need a simple way to flatten dough. The rolling pin has been an essential baking tool for flattening food for ages. It's also a great way to get folks out of the kitchen early if they're trying to sneak food.

Conclusion

This list provides some of the essential kitchen tools that every cook should have. With these tools, you will be able to cook a variety of dishes. Be sure to add these items to your shopping list and start cooking like a pro!