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Basic kitchen items and how to use them
arkonite_babe
Posts: 7,366 Forumite
This list has been compiled for all of those who are starting out for the first time, or for those who have never really cooked before and, clearly, will be a helpful guide for those of you about to send your younglings off to university on their own. Hopefully it will help you decide what equipment you need for your kitchen and how to put it to good use. We have threads on various items of kitchen equipments, to see them ---> Click Here
Can Opener
Not all cans have ring pulls!! There are lots of different types available, from basic openers to electric versions. This is a personal choice depending on budget and ease of use The type shown, either in metal or plastic, is a good starter.
Colander
This looks like a large metal or plastic bowl studded with holes which is used for draining water or liquids from food such as spaghetti. It can also be used with a saucepan to create a steamer for vegetables and fish etc. (Just put the saucepan lid on top of the colander.)
Chopping Board
For cutting items on, saves damage to your worktops. They can be made from wood, plastic or glass. Remember not to prepare vegetables on the side that you have prepared raw meat on. Plastic is easy to care for as are wooden ones. Plastic ones are easier to sanitise after cutting meat on and are mostly suitable for dishwashers. Glass is long lasting, but noisy when chopping on and can blunt your knives after a short period of time. To see a thread discussing which boards to use and why ---> Click Here
Grater
Essential item for grating cheese, vegetables etc.. Metal is more durable but plastic is easier to look after. Personal preference on this really.
Knife (sharp)
Essential item for cutting and chopping. Choose one which is suitable for all types of cutting. Fruit, veg, bread etc. One which has a sturdy blade is essential as a flimsy blade may cause injury or may make cutting items such as vegetables very difficult. Good handles which are easy to grasp help with control, and keeping them sharp means that you need less power to cut and so again have better control, and you just know that a knife too blunt to cut properly will still be sharp enough to give you a nasty cut if it slips. For more on knives ---> Click Here
Measuring Jug
This can be used for measuring wet or dry ingredients. Usually found in glass or plastic. Glass is easier to care for as some foods, such as tomatoes, will stain a plastic jug. Some have measurements on the side that are not just imperial and metric (ounces or grams) but also in american cups which can be useful for making recipes found on line.
Mixing Bowl
For mixing batter, beating eggs, making cakes etc. Can be made of plastic, glass or ceramic. Glass and ceramic are easier to look after. Plastic can stain easily.
Potato Masher
These are used for mashing potatoes and other vegetables. They can be plastic or metal. It is best to choose one which has a comfortable handle, one that is easy to grip securely.
Roasting Dish
For any items which need to go in the oven. Available as metal or ceramic. many ceramic oven dishes are safe for using in the freezer, this may be to your advantage if you wish to prepare something in advance then serve staright to the table from the oven. A cheaper metal tray such as a turkey roaster will also do your job and can be disposed of easily when they get tatty.
Rolling Pin
For rolling pastry, but can also be used to bash spices in place of a pestle and mortar, cracking nuts open, crushing ice etc. Wrapping the desired item in a clean tea towel or some cling film first is a good idea for larger things. Bash spices in something metallic to save cracking ceramic pots.
Saucepan, Medium non -stick
This can be used for heating things through, making sauces, scrambled eggs, gravy or soups, and vegetables of all descriptions. The non stick coating is usually known as "teflon". Metal utensils will scratch this, so it's best to use plastic or wooden utensils here.
Scales
For weighing dry goods such as flour or sugar. Most sets of scales will weigh in pounds and kilos. Scales can be digital, balancing or spring types. Balancing or spring types would be easier to use as you won't have to worry about batteries running out when you need them!! Some come provided with their own measuring bowl, others have flat tops to let you use any sort of bowl or plate you like. They should have a way of setting the scale to zero as you add each new ingredient to save you having to do sums. To read more on kitchen scales ---> Click Here
Scissors
Handy for snipping herbs such as chives or opening those impossible packets. A cheap pair from a poundshop will suit your purpose here. Specialist kitchen scissors are available, but can be expensive.
Vegetable Peeler
Looks like a knife with a double blade. Removes skin from vegetables in thin slices. They are more economical than using a knife, and safer too.
Wok
This is basically a Chinese frying pan. It is more versatile than a normal frying pan as it is deeper and so can be used as a large saucepan as well as for frying items. It is available as a non stick or steel item. Non stick is easier to use and care for. Steel ones, if neglected can go rusty quite easily.
Wooden Spoon
For stirring and turning, more effective than metal as it will not scratch any non-stick items.
Kitchen Spoons
Other things to include in your kitchen basics are……..
Cling film, tinfoil and a pair of oven gloves!!!
CAUTION!!!
Do NOT use oven gloves when they are wet. You will burn yourself severely. - squeaky
Don’t forget, you will also need knives, forks, spoons, cups, plates and washing up equipment.
Can Opener
Not all cans have ring pulls!! There are lots of different types available, from basic openers to electric versions. This is a personal choice depending on budget and ease of use The type shown, either in metal or plastic, is a good starter.
Colander
This looks like a large metal or plastic bowl studded with holes which is used for draining water or liquids from food such as spaghetti. It can also be used with a saucepan to create a steamer for vegetables and fish etc. (Just put the saucepan lid on top of the colander.)
Chopping Board
For cutting items on, saves damage to your worktops. They can be made from wood, plastic or glass. Remember not to prepare vegetables on the side that you have prepared raw meat on. Plastic is easy to care for as are wooden ones. Plastic ones are easier to sanitise after cutting meat on and are mostly suitable for dishwashers. Glass is long lasting, but noisy when chopping on and can blunt your knives after a short period of time. To see a thread discussing which boards to use and why ---> Click Here
Grater
Essential item for grating cheese, vegetables etc.. Metal is more durable but plastic is easier to look after. Personal preference on this really.
Knife (sharp)
Essential item for cutting and chopping. Choose one which is suitable for all types of cutting. Fruit, veg, bread etc. One which has a sturdy blade is essential as a flimsy blade may cause injury or may make cutting items such as vegetables very difficult. Good handles which are easy to grasp help with control, and keeping them sharp means that you need less power to cut and so again have better control, and you just know that a knife too blunt to cut properly will still be sharp enough to give you a nasty cut if it slips. For more on knives ---> Click Here
Measuring Jug
This can be used for measuring wet or dry ingredients. Usually found in glass or plastic. Glass is easier to care for as some foods, such as tomatoes, will stain a plastic jug. Some have measurements on the side that are not just imperial and metric (ounces or grams) but also in american cups which can be useful for making recipes found on line.
Mixing Bowl
For mixing batter, beating eggs, making cakes etc. Can be made of plastic, glass or ceramic. Glass and ceramic are easier to look after. Plastic can stain easily.
Potato Masher
These are used for mashing potatoes and other vegetables. They can be plastic or metal. It is best to choose one which has a comfortable handle, one that is easy to grip securely.
Roasting Dish
For any items which need to go in the oven. Available as metal or ceramic. many ceramic oven dishes are safe for using in the freezer, this may be to your advantage if you wish to prepare something in advance then serve staright to the table from the oven. A cheaper metal tray such as a turkey roaster will also do your job and can be disposed of easily when they get tatty.
Rolling Pin
For rolling pastry, but can also be used to bash spices in place of a pestle and mortar, cracking nuts open, crushing ice etc. Wrapping the desired item in a clean tea towel or some cling film first is a good idea for larger things. Bash spices in something metallic to save cracking ceramic pots.
Saucepan, Medium non -stick
This can be used for heating things through, making sauces, scrambled eggs, gravy or soups, and vegetables of all descriptions. The non stick coating is usually known as "teflon". Metal utensils will scratch this, so it's best to use plastic or wooden utensils here.
Scales
For weighing dry goods such as flour or sugar. Most sets of scales will weigh in pounds and kilos. Scales can be digital, balancing or spring types. Balancing or spring types would be easier to use as you won't have to worry about batteries running out when you need them!! Some come provided with their own measuring bowl, others have flat tops to let you use any sort of bowl or plate you like. They should have a way of setting the scale to zero as you add each new ingredient to save you having to do sums. To read more on kitchen scales ---> Click Here
Scissors
Handy for snipping herbs such as chives or opening those impossible packets. A cheap pair from a poundshop will suit your purpose here. Specialist kitchen scissors are available, but can be expensive.
Vegetable Peeler
Looks like a knife with a double blade. Removes skin from vegetables in thin slices. They are more economical than using a knife, and safer too.
Wok
This is basically a Chinese frying pan. It is more versatile than a normal frying pan as it is deeper and so can be used as a large saucepan as well as for frying items. It is available as a non stick or steel item. Non stick is easier to use and care for. Steel ones, if neglected can go rusty quite easily.
Wooden Spoon
For stirring and turning, more effective than metal as it will not scratch any non-stick items.
Kitchen Spoons
Other things to include in your kitchen basics are……..
Cling film, tinfoil and a pair of oven gloves!!!
CAUTION!!!
Do NOT use oven gloves when they are wet. You will burn yourself severely. - squeaky
Don’t forget, you will also need knives, forks, spoons, cups, plates and washing up equipment.
0
Comments
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how I hate seeing a thread with no replies on
surely one of you must have found this useful or could have said they did after all the effort put into it
maybe you all know what these basic things are for:)0 -
And this is where you use all of the above...
Its called a Kitchen...
HTH0 -
ET03 wrote:how I hate seeing a thread with no replies on
surely one of you must have found this useful or could have said they did after all the effort put into it
maybe you all know what these basic things are for:)
As yet it's a work in progress and wasn't really meant for public consumption.
Some of the descriptions need tweaking to help complete novices, the items could be listed in groups or just alphabetically, and in some cases there are discussions on the forum (such as chopping boards) that we could link to, all of which need tracking down.
And I'm sure members will have things they'd like to see added too. Hi, I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style and the Consumer Rights boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and can move and merge posts there. Board guides are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an inappropriate or illegal post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. It is not part of my role to deal with reportable posts. Any views are mine and are not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.DTFAC: Y.T.D = £5.20 Apr £0.50
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Its an interesting thread or it might be when its ready for public consumption.0
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I'm not sure I like the look of that nut cracker, you would end up with nut shells all over the place. This is the one I use, it was expensive but I've had it for a long time and it is very easy to use and gathers up all the shells.
http://thecookskitchen.com/browse_2934?PHPSESSID=74f178f6c2a597d9fc85f7573016a4dd0 -
Where have all the other posts gone?0
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I think I replied on the wrong thread. Can anyone help me find the thread with the picture of the weird nutcracker and the egg suckers please.0
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The posts were split off into the thread:-
Guess the kitchen itemHi, I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style and the Consumer Rights boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and can move and merge posts there. Board guides are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an inappropriate or illegal post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. It is not part of my role to deal with reportable posts. Any views are mine and are not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.DTFAC: Y.T.D = £5.20 Apr £0.50
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Thanks squeaky. Why were they split off? Just wandering.0
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They were split off because this is meant to be a thread containing helpful simple information for those who need it, and not a guessing game. Rather than just remove them I split them off into a thread of their own.Hi, I'm a Board Guide on the Old Style and the Consumer Rights boards which means I'm a volunteer to help the boards run smoothly and can move and merge posts there. Board guides are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an inappropriate or illegal post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. It is not part of my role to deal with reportable posts. Any views are mine and are not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.DTFAC: Y.T.D = £5.20 Apr £0.50
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