Last week I posted the first of my Basic Kitchen Needs List; this is Part 2.
We all have many needs when we are stocking our kitchens with the tools we need to bake and cook. With Father’s Day approaching, here are a few things on my list you may want to consider – if he loves to cook or bake – to get him for his special day. If not a gift for a father, perhaps for a new bride or maybe to add to your own kitchen essentials.
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So here is a continued list of my Basic Kitchen Needs List.
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
I like using stainless steel mixing bowls. While I have many others that are wonderful, like my mixing bowls from Williams Sonoma that are ceramic and I use them for many things. But as for baking I still love my stainless steel mixing bowls. There are several reasons why: they are light, easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and easy to store.
I usually place my bowl on a silicone hot pad or a kitchen towel if using my mixer so it doesn’t spin when I am using both my hands to beat whatever is in the bowl. There are bowls that have a rubber grip on the bottom of each bowl, and I have listed below where to find them.
I like that the stainless steel bowls have a lip around them; the various sizes are helpful and perfect to put in the freezer when you are making whipping cream, as I did in my last post on How to Make Tiramisu.
MEASURING CUPS FOR WET INGREDIENTS
For wet ingredients, I like using my Pyrex 2 cup measuring cups. I have had Pyrex ones for over 20 plus years, and I love them! I also have one cup, four cup, and eight cup Pyrex measuring cups/bowls.
I like using these because I can use them for more than measuring. There are times that my son or I will mix our pancake/waffle batter in the four cup ones because they make pouring so much easier. However, if you have a larger family and need a bigger bowl to mix your pancake batter in, then there is an eight-cup one that is slightly more substantial. I have looked at purchasing a few others, but haven’t; they are by OXO. Sur La Table also has the Pyrex ones online for less than $10.00 one cup and two cup sizes.
STAINLESS STEEL SHAKERS WITH LIDS
I recommend having at least two to three of these: one for cocoa, one for cinnamon sugar, and one for powdered sugar. These are great to use when I am baking, also to decorate my pancakes, french toast, or to top off the whipped cream or steamed milk for my coffee or hot cocoa. I love using these, and I like using them for a few reasons: the size of the holes; they have lids to keep the moisture out, the tops can be screwed on, they are stainless steel, and they are easy to clean. I keep them in a dry, dark place so that moisture doesn’t get in them.
Whisk
I like my Pampered Chef Whisks which have lasted me over 21 years.
They are easy to clean; I just drop them in the dishwasher for a good cleaning. They have more wires than many of the whisks on the market so that they produce more air for a quicker whip and add more volume in your results.
These are stainless steel and come with a warranty. I hope you can find a local Pampered Chef rep; but if not, here is my Pampered Chef representative Liz Losey whom you can reach out to. She ships to all over the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii.
There are many other brands of whisks out there, and a few others I have are from Sur La Table and OXO. Also, below are some choices on Amazon with great reviews and many have purchased them.
*Disclosure: I have not tried these, so I don’t know the quality of these products, but they do have great reviews, which I always read when purchasing anything.
RUBBER SPATULAS
I have and use Pampered Chef Rubber Spatulas which I love; they last forever, and in my case 20 plus years. I did have to replace one of mine… my fault, I threw it in my sink; unfortunately, there was a knife in there, and someone cut it by mistake. (not saying who)
Scrappers come in various sizes:
- Classic Scraper is 11″ long, Skinny Scraper is 10¾” long, Small Mix ‘N Scraper® is 10½” long, Large Mix ‘N Scraper 12¼” long.
- Some of their features are: Heavy-duty heads are fused to the nylon handles for strength and durability; they won’t come apart, split, stain, burn, melt or crack. Silicone heads are heat resistant to 650 degrees F, and nylon handles are heat-resistant to 450 degrees F; they are dishwasher safe and come with a three-year guarantee.
The Mix ‘n Scraper has a spoon-like curve and is great for mixing. The smallest one is great for scraping-out a jar when there is a little left in the bottom or on the sides.
With so many choices out there to choose from, here are a few more that have great reviews and most people seem to be pretty happy with their purchases. However, I do love my Pampered Chef ones. Here is how to get your Pampered Chef ones from my Representative, Liz Losey; click here to get to her website.
*Disclosure: I have not tried the others, so I don’t know the quality of the products, though they do have great reviews.
PYREX BAKING DISHES WITH LIDS
I think everyone needs glass baking dishes. Whether you are baking brownies or cooking a lasagne or casserole, these are great essential tools for your kitchen. They are useful for cold dishes, too. I have suggested these before in my earlier post on How To Make An Easy Tiramisu. The reason I love glass baking dishes is that you can see the layers, just like you see in my Tiramisu dish, and it’s pretty!
These baking dishes are varied in size and deeper than other pans; they even have lids.
What sizes you should have in your kitchen:
one (1) 13×9 inch glass baking dish with plastic lid, one (1) 8×8 inch glass baking dish with a plastic lid, and one (1) 7×11 inch glass baking dish with a plastic lid, one (1) round 9 inches. Of course, you can add to this collection.
Because they are made from pure Pyrex glass, they are microwave, dishwasher, preheated oven, and freezer safe; lids are BPA-free, can be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher, and are microwave safe. They are made in the USA.
Corningware or Colorful Bakeware
This is the same as Pyrex Glass Bakeware. I like using bakeware with a little flare, and most of mine are white because I can decorate with accessories adding color to my table. I like accessorizing with napkins, placemats, table cloths, candles, and glassware, although there are some I love that are in color, like these from Sur la Table.
Cooling Racks
I know that I continue to talk about Pampered Chef, but I do love my Pampered Chef cooling racks! I have had them for over 20 years, and they have never discolored or rusted; I haven’t had any problems whatsoever! My family and I use them for not only cooling our baked goods, but we use them when we take things out of the oven and need a place to put hot dishes.
They are some of the best out there, and I am not saying there aren’t others on the market that are just as good. Below are a few other choices at Sur La Table or Amazon:
Pot Holders
There are many Pot Holders out there. I have some from Sur La Table that I like because they are the perfect size for my hands, and you have many choices from mitts to flat from cotton to silicone. The best way to find the one that fits your hand or for others who will be using the same kitchen, try some on if possible, or simply replace it with the same size as the ones you have used before. We have mitts, but for me, they don’t work because I have small hands; however, mitts work well for my husband. So again, get a few different kinds and see what works best. If you are getting them as a gift, give a variety.
I hope this list will help you stock your kitchen with the essential kitchen tools you or someone you know need. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so that you can get my latest post and keep up with me.
