Six Basic Kitchen Tools You Should Buy

Whether you’re living on your own for the first time or studying to become a cook (maybe both!), having a basic kitchen set is not only a great graduation gift, but an excellent investment – especially when you have roommates.

Here are six basic kitchen tools you need to get started:

1. Frying pan
Frying pans are the workhorses of good kitchens, capable of browning, frying, and even sautéing. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good non-stick pan with a thick bottom and a lid.

Though this can be expensive at first, non-stick pans are a blessing for beginner or amateur cooks because they’re much easier to clean.

2. Non-stick Sauté pan (with handle)
Having a multipurpose pan that does everything a frying pan can do plus a little more for soups and sauces is always a plus. Think of the sauté pan as the deeper version of the frying pan.

When getting one of these, a two-quart pan should be the perfect size for cooking basically anything, pasta, to vegetables, or even rice.

3. Knife (and knife sharpener)
What you want is a good, sharp knife that will keep its edge for a long time. If you can’t blow your budget on an expensive knife, a cheap one will do as long as you sharpen it regularly.

A bit of advice: the secret to a good knife is in the handle. It should feel comfortable and well-balanced in your hand. A knife with a good weighted handle will do most of the chopping and make it easier.

4. Spatula
A good spatula is indispensable, especially when it comes to things like scrambling eggs or removing cookies, and you can get one for cheap. Make sure to get a slotted spatula that lets you remove excess liquids and oils.

5. Measuring cups and spoons
These should be self-explanatory. Because you want spoons and cups for precise measuring, consider investing in durable ones that are microwavable and don’t dent easily.

6. Cutting board
Wooden cutting boards are best for knives because it keeps them in peak condition for longer. Separate ones for different meats (beef, pork, chicken, etc.) are ideal, but a good hardwood board will do as long as it’s sanitized properly to avoid contaminating your meats.

Remember the saying: buy a good tool once and you’ll never have to buy it again. The same goes for kitchen tools.