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How to Outfit Your Kitchen

Created January 10, 2017
Be a confident cook and host when your kitchen is equipped with the following essential cookware.


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Essential Kitchen Tools


Whether you cook with a stove, microwave, convection oven or electric appliances, you’ll want to be sure these kitchen tools are on hand:

  • Measuring spoons, dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups
  • Rubber spatulas
  • Mixing bowls (a set of 3 is ideal)
  • Wooden cutting board (for non-meat foods)
  • Plastic, dishwasher safe cutting board (for meats)
  • Wooden and plastic spoons (for mixing and stirring)
  • Stainless flatware (forks, spoons, knives)
  • Dinnerware and glasses
  • Electric or hand mixer
  • Wire whisk (for mixing dry and liquid ingredients together)
  • Wide metal or plastic spatula
  • Colander (free-standing sieve)
  • Strainer (hand-held sieve)
  • Knives (including a paring knife, serrated bread knife, chef’s knife, knife sharpener, and knife block)
  • Toaster or toaster oven
  • Rolling pin
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Can opener
  • Kitchen scissors (for food only)
  • Timer
  • Bottle opener
  • Tea kettle

Oven Cookware & Bakeware


You’ll be able to bake most foods with these items on hand:

  • Pot holders
  • Silicone pans and potholders (clean-up is easy and pans stay cool)
  • Cookie sheet
  • Muffin pan
  • Rectangular pan
  • Square pan
  • Round layer cake pans (2)
  • Pie plate
  • Lasagna pan
  • Roasting pan with lid
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Loaf pans (2)
  • Jelly roll pan (15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch)
  • Pizza pan (14 inches)
  • Ceramic bread stone
  • Angel food cake pan (tube pan) (10x4 inches)
  • Casseroles with lids (1-, 2- and 3-quart)

Microwave Cookware (designed for microwave ovens)


  • Microwave-safe casseroles (2-quart and 3-quart)
  • Round or oval bowls with lids
  • Microwave-safe plates
  • Quiche dish
  • 2-cup measure
  • Rice cooker and steamer
  • Omelet pan
  • Popcorn popper
  • Omelet pan
  • Egg poacher
  • Bacon/meat grill with splatter cover
  • Browning griddle
  • Syrup dispenser
  • Bowls, cups and plates

Range Cooking

  • Saucepans with lids (1-, 2- and 2 1/2- or 3-quart)
  • Wok
  • Griddle
  • Frying pans (various sizes)
  • Long-handled spoon with heatproof handle
  • Soup ladle
  • Pancake turner
  • Tongs

Optional Cooking Equipment

  • Coffee maker
  • Covered rolling pin and pastry cloth
  • Pastry blender
  • Biscuit cutter
  • Cookie cutters
  • Frosting decorating bag
  • Skewers
  • Corn picks
  • Garlic press
  • Wine corkscrew
  • Pastry brush
  • Grater
  • Juicer
  • Ice-cream scoop(s)
  • Custard cups
  • Cookie press
  • Bundt cake pan
  • Jelly roll pan
  • Springform pan
  • Tart Pan
  • Metal spatula
  • Ruler