Kitchen Essentials for Your First Kitchen

Setting up a first kitchen can feel like a long shopping list. You do not need everything at once. Start with the tools you will use almost every day, cook for a few weeks, and add things when you notice what is missing.

Cooking

• A skillet or frying pan for most stovetop cooking.
• A saucepan or pot with a lid for pasta, rice, soup, and boiling water.
• A baking sheet for roasting vegetables and baking.

Preparing food

• A chef’s knife and a small paring knife. See our guide to choosing a chef’s knife.
• A cutting board. Wood or plastic is easier on knife edges than glass or stone.
• Mixing bowls in a few sizes, which are also handy for serving and storing.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• A colander for draining pasta and rinsing produce.

Tools for the stove and counter

• A spatula and a wooden spoon.
• Tongs, useful for turning food and serving.
• A whisk for sauces, eggs, and batters.
• A vegetable peeler, a can opener, and a box grater.

Storing food

A set of food storage containers with lids keeps leftovers and prepared ingredients organized. Our guide to glass and plastic food storage explains the differences.

Small appliances are optional

A toaster, a kettle, or a coffee maker is convenient if you use it daily. Bigger or more specialized appliances can wait until you know what you cook most. Before buying, think about counter space and where you will store it.

A few tips for shopping

• Buy fewer, sturdier basics rather than large matched sets you may not use.
• Check what is oven safe, dishwasher safe, and compatible with your stove, using the manufacturer’s information.
• Look around your home first, because you may already own some of these items.

Details change between products, so confirm specifications with the retailer before you buy.