How To Choose The Best Tools For Kitchen Use

Wondering how to equip your first kitchen, outfit a new kitchen or just looking for some fantastic new kitchen gadgets? This page, How To Choose The Best Tools For Kitchen Use, is a simple guide to help you figure out how to equip your kitchen. It includes 16 of the most useful gadgets for your home kitchen.

All of these tools are essential and basic but well-made and all are bestselling, highly ranked products available directly from Amazon. Remember, Amazon ships for free when your order is worth $25 or more.

On this page, you will also enjoy some internet success stories like Olivia, a college student striking out on her own, and Barry, the 60-year old suddenly forced into figuring out how to function in the kitchen. You may have recently been in the situation these people were in or maybe you know someone who is going to be setting up a kitchen for the first time, like your son or daughter! Hopefully, this page will be helpful to people headed for their as well as the people who are trying to help them out.

Oxo Good Grips Everyday 15-Piece Kitchen Tool Set

What a great package! If I needed a bunch of the tools that are included in this set, you can be sure that I would be buying it! The fantastic OXO Good Grips kitchen tool set includes many well-loved OXO Good Grips tools including several items discussed earlier on this page. What a perfect option for someone setting up their first kitchen or whose existing kitchen utensils need to be replaced!

Included in this set are the stainless steel holder and two turners, tongs, spoon, slotted spoon, grater, swivel peeler, ice cream scoop, potato masher, can opener, balloon whisk, spatula, meat tenderizer and pizza wheel. It is designed to be safe on non-stick surfaces, features soft, non-slip handles, is heat resistant up to 400 degrees and is dishwasher safe.

The one consistent complaint that I read about this set is that the bucket for holding the utensils really isn't as generous as it should be. If you want to store every one of the tools in the bucket, you may not want to buy this set. However, if you want simply to own all of the great tools that are included with it, I would say go for it. You can put a few of the tools that you use less frequently away elsewhere and just use the container for the tools you use everyday.

Amazon Customer Review:

"I recently upgraded my kitchen and bought this set to replace some of my older and worn out tools. Although OXO is widely considered to provide high quality tools, I was still surprised at how nice everything was for the price! All the tools seem sturdy and the nylon tips on most are great for my non-stick cookware.

My only "complaint" is that trying to get all the tools to fit in the container is a bit like playing Tetris. I still have not figured it out so some of the lesser used tools have to live in the cabinet drawer." - Rloccoco "Rloccoco"

Oxo Good Grips Locking Tongs with Nylon Heads

Definitely multi-functional, these can be used for stirring, tossing, serving and turning. These ones by Oxo are excellent and yes, I have them in my kitchen. They feature stainless-steel arms and soft grips. They feature nylon tips so that they will be safe for non-stick pans and are heat-resistant for up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The tongs lock closed and are dishwasher safe. I love them. The fact that they close may be what I like the most because they store better that way than other tongs I have owned.

Architec The Gripper 10-by-14-Inch Bamboo Cutting Board

You are definitely going to need a cutting board whether you are a keen cook or a beginner. I have never had the privilege of owning a bamboo cutting board although this one is definitely on my wish list.

Bamboo cutting boards are environmentally friendly since they are made from this renewable, earth-friendly resource which is considered to be stronger than wood but which won't harm your knives. It is a non-slip board because it features rubber feet. Measures 10 by 14 inches.

Amazon Customer Review:

"I don't normally "love" cutting boards, but I love this one. It's simple, elegant, and beautiful. The rubber grips on the bottom are great too, keeping it from slipping around and holding it off the table, so you can put it back there right after hand washing." - Aaron Shepard

Victorinox 8-Inch Chef's Knife

This knife is a fantastic 8-inch chef's knife that can be used for chopping, dicing and slicing. (The chef's knife is the most used knife in my kitchen.) This knife is created from one piece of high-carbon, stain-resistant steel with a slightly sloped cutting edge, pointed tip, and very sharp blade. The Fibrox handle is slip-resistant and made of hygienic nylon and the knife is dishwasher safe.

Victorinox 3-1/4-Inch Paring Knife with Large Handle

This is a 3 1/4 inch paring knife useful for coring, dicing, and mincing both fruits and vegetables. It is made from stain-resistant, high-carbon steel. The knife has been designed to be comfortable with a synthetic polypropylene handle. The knife is nicely tapered from base to tip. Hand washing is recommended.

Oxo Good Grips i-Series Y Peeler

It wasn't my intention to fill this page with OXO products but there is no denying this one. OXO's Good Grips i-Series Y Peeler is simply the bestselling peeler on Amazon and also has the most impressive five-star customer reviews of any of the peelers. It features an extra-hardened stainless steel blade that stays sharp and can be replaced (who knew?) with an OXO Peeler Bade Replacement Cartridge. The handle is a non-slip, contoured one. Dishwasher safe.

Pyrex Smart Essentials 8-Piece Mixing Bowl Set

These bowls are easy to handle, extremely functional and quite durable making them an excellent choice for your first kitchen. Since they are made of Pyrex glass they are non-porous (which means they won't absorb food odors or stains) and they are safe for oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, and dishwasher use!

Amazon Customer Review:

"Pyrex doesn't need a review--it's great stuff. Non-pourous so it doesn't soak up tastes and smells that can never be washed out. Tough and beautiful, Pyrex does it all.

So the bowls are a no brainer, but why buy these instead of others? The tops of course are the difference. I've found that most Pyrex bowls with tops I had looked at didn't fit on their bowls very well or were made out of materials which didn't seem like they would outlast me--as they should. These tops are durable, make a good seal that wont pop off or leak. And they're labeled with the various volumes of the bowls.

The size range of the set is also very good--from one the size of a cereal bowl to one large enough for a pot-luck salad without being so big that it wouldn't fit in a kitchen cabinet--and they all fit inside each other without the smaller ones rising above the rims of the larger ones.

You can put all the bowls inside each other then close them all up with the largest top--with enough room to put paper towels between each bowl and the next for safety."

Calphalon 3pc Wood Utensil Set - Wooden Spoon, Turner & Slotted Spoon

You can simply go to the dollar store and grab a few wooden spoons and then, when they have aged, it is a simple matter to throw them away and replace them with new ones. Alternatively, you can go for a nicer wooden spoon like this one by Calphalon which is made from beech wood and features comfortable handles and a natural oil finish. By the way, your wooden spoons will last much longer if they are handwashed.

I have a few inexpensive wooden spoons. Once upon a time, I had a lovely handmade one that was so comfortable to work with...I do wish that we could have that one back!

A Wilton Easy Flex Silicone Spatula 3 Piece Set

Wilton's Easy Flex Silicone Spatula set is great and will resist stains and odors. Exactly what you need for scraping bowls clean and for scraping that last bit of soup out of the can! (We used ours for that later purpose just yesterday.)

Amazon Customer Review:

"These are sturdy, well made and attractive. The price is RIGHT: Think of it as buying one spatula and getting 2 FREE as a bonus. Highly recommended. Don't be fooled by the photograph. These spatulas are workhorses. - SDK

Oxo Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk

The review that this Amazon Customer gave says it all so I am not going to even try to describe it any better than Mrs. Ryan already did!

Amazon Customer Review:

"When shopping for a whisk last year I was tempted to get a somewhat cheaper one, until my husband pointed out that this one was particularly well-made, and the ferrule joined seamlessly with the wires -- which meant no food residue trapped inside, easier cleaning and no rusting. Trust me, not all whisks have wires sealed in at the base!

Well, he was right. The contoured, easy-grip handle is a bonus. This whisk is so stury, I doubt I will ever have to buy another. It's also a good medium size, versatile for eggs and everything else I've ever needed a whisk for. Perfect!" - A. Ryan

Anolon Advanced 8-Inch and 10-Inch Open French Skillet

Choose both a small and a medium-sized non-stick skillet to start out. A good one will be a bit heavy and have oven-proof handles. The 8-inch and 10-inch sizes shown here are perfect for cooking eggs, a single hamburger or sauteing a couple of pieces of meat. Eventually, you will want to add a large one.

The Anolon Advanced skillets are made of heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum for heavyweight, professional performance. They feature a stay-cool, durable and comfortable handle and a Dupont Autograph 2 nonstick coating on the inside and the outside. However, the bottoms are uncoated to allow for even heating. Oven safe to 375 degrees.

Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized Saucepan with Lid and the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Sauce Pan

When you are buying your pots and pans, you can buy them singley or you can by them as a set. Most likely if you are just setting up a kitchen, you need to spread your dollar around a bit so buying one or two is probably easier than buying a whole set. Fortunately, Amazon's bestselling pots also tend to be deeply discounted and therefore quite economical. I'd recommend a large one (say 3 to 4 quarts) and a medium sized one (about 2 quarts.) This will also allow you to learn what it is you like about pots and pans before you invest in a whole set.

At an excellent price point, you just may want to consider this pan. It features straight-sided sides, is made of a heavy aluminum with a thick bottom and is anodized for hardness and stick resistance. It is hard, too, to resist the Amazon Customer Reviews on this pan. There are over 380 of them with over 250 of them being five-star reviews. I encourage you to read all of the reviews on this pan.

This will be the pan you use for making soups, sauces, mashed potatoes, vegetables and tomato sauce. A good size is perhaps 3 to 4 quarts.

MIU Stainless-Steel 7-Piece Measuring Cup Set & Oxo Good Grips Measuring Spoons, Stainless Steel

The MIU measuring cups include 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, and 1 cup measures. They are made from 18/10 stainless steel that does not rust, stain, or corrode.

Amazon Customer Review:"

"I used these a LOT over the last few weeks with all the holiday baking and cooking to do. They feel good in your hand and are a snap to clean up (by hand or in the dishwasher). They also come in handy if someone tries to steal some of the cookie dough -- just give them whack with one of the cups you have on the counter -- even the 1/4-cup one can deliver a blow strong enough to deter such a thief!!!" - Thomas A. Hewlett "NewfieTom"

My preferred measuring system is the Tupperware way!

For more than twenty years I have been using and loving my Tupperware measuring cups. They are the older style that Tupperware has discontinued which is no longer available brand new.

If you are interested in this particular type of measuring cups and spoons, you are going to have to look further afield than Amazon.com and I recommend eBay. Remember that sellers usually only have one of an item available at any time so if you see a set you like, don't wait because when the auction closes the item will be gone.

By the way, you can click on the picture, the title or the Bid Now button to go to the seller's page of information about the item and you will be under no obligation to buy whatsoever. If you choose to track down some of these great Tupperware measuring cups, I wish you good luck and happy bidding!

Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup, Clear with Red Measurements

I love our Pyrex glass measuring cup, it is great for measuring liquids as you might expect but it will also go into the microwave when you need to melt or heat something. Mine is naturally an older model than this one, but essentially it is the same. This measuring cup is sturdy and microwave proof. It features comfortable handles and red measurement markings.

Amazon Customer Review:

"I had a Pyrex 2-Cup Measuring cup for about 20 years. It never chipped or cracked after multiple uses from microwave to fridge to dishwasher. Great quality, very durable. Bought this one to replace mine after my husband used it as a tool working outside. Great product but, I recommend kitchen/indoor use only :-)." Judy, Judy, Judy "Hey Jude"

Range Kleen Bake and Roast Pan

The 13 by 9 inch pan can be used for meals at any time of the day to bake a cake, a casserole or even a small roast. The Range Kleen features the best customer reviews. I have had a few cheap pans over the years and never treated myself to a good one, choosing instead to replace the old one with a similar quality pan. Next time, I just might choose a better quality pan!

Nordic Ware Baker's Quarter Sheet with Storage Lid 9 Inch by 12 Inch.

You'll use a rimmed baking sheet for pizza, cookies, roasting vegetables, oven fries and so much more. It was hard to narrow this choice down to one pan. In the end, I choose to feature the bestseller that was not used by people who are very serious bakers. I thought this one was a good compromise and it has solid customer reviews.