Making extraordinary dishes from plain ingredients into extraordinary, takes more than just skill and passion. You’ll need the right kitchen tools to cook with confidence rather than simply cutting or chopping. Amid so many kitchen equipment in the market, some tools are essential in every kitchen to make everything from food preparation to plating as efficient as possible. In today’s guide, we will cover the top 15 essential cooking tools that every kitchen should have. Let’s get started!
1. Chef Knives
First in the list, we have a chef’s knife. A high-quality kitchen knife is the workhorse of every kitchen. Japanese chef knives, like the Gyuto model, are widely popular and are especially versatile for various cooking tasks. But there are also other knife types like Santoku, Nakiri, bread knives, boning knives, fillet knives, etc that are made for different culinary needs. These knives excel at:
- Chopping vegetables with precision and speed
- Slicing meat with clean and effortless cuts
- Mincing herbs and garlic
- Dicing onions and other aromatics
How to Choose the Right Chef Knife?
|
Feature |
Benefit |
|---|---|
|
Blade Length |
20 to 24 cm provides optimal control |
|
Weight Balance |
Lighter weight reduces hand fatigue but balanced weights make cooking easier |
|
Edge Retention |
High carbon steel maintains longer edge retention |
|
Handle Comfort |
Ergonomic design ensures extended use and comfort |
Good Japanese knives have a harder steel than Western knives, usually between 58-66 on the Rockwell scale. This superior hardness allows for sharper cutting angles and better edge retention. If you are thinking about buying Japanese chef knives for yourself, make sure that you buy only from a quality kitchen equipment provider.
2. Cutting Boards
To use a kitchen knife properly, you’ll need a high-quality cutting board to protect its blades. Paulownia wood cutting boards and other popular options made from hinoki cypress or maple wood are the best surfaces for preventing knife chipping and other tool damage. Here are the reasons you should use a high quality cuttingboard:
- Natural antimicrobial properties
- A resistant surface that is able to withstand knife cuts
- Gentle on blade edges
- Aesthetic appeal for food presentation
Maintenance Tips:
- Oil once a month or as needed, using food-safe mineral oil
- Handwash and towel dry
- Never soak in water
- Lightly sand to rejuvenate the surface as desired
3. Kitchen Scissors
Kitchen scissors, also known as kitchen shears, are versatile tools that are great for cutting chicken, snipping herbs, opening food packages, and more. These tools are constructed with two strong blades but keep the serrated edges for a better handle. The best kitchen scissors can do anything a knife can, plus they have added features like bottle openers or nutcrackers. Professional-grade scissors feature:
- Sharp and accurate blades for the cleanest cuts
- Handle design that is ergonomic for a comfortable hold
- Ability to break down poultry
- Herb snipping capabilities
- Package opening functionality
A couple of designs even come with micro serrations for holding slippery objects and built-in bottle openers.
4. Spatula
A kitchen spatula is a tool with a long handle and a broad, flat head. This tool is used to spread or mix ingredients without breaking their texture. Offset or fish spatulas are popular types and offer the precision you need to accomplish various kitchen tasks.
- Spreading frosting on cakes
- Flipping delicate fish fillets
- Transferring cookies from the baking sheets
- Smoothing batters in pans
5. Tweezers
Tweezers are small tools used for picking up, pulling or handling tiny food objects precisely. If you buy professional-grade tweezers, they are often constructed of stainless steel and have a strong grip, with perfectly aligned slanted tips that allow for better control and accuracy. They are commonly used for:
- Removing pin bones from fish fillets
- Placing delicate garnishes
- Handling small ingredients without damage
- Creating professional presentations
Stainless steel construction ensures durability and easy cleaning, which matches the quality of Japanese kitchen knives.
6. Whisk
Whisks are the ideal mixing tool to quickly and effectively combine ingredients. Its looped wire design will help you draw air into the mixture so it works well for fluffy and smooth food preparations. This tool is used for:
- Beating eggs for omelettes
- Emulsifying vinaigrettes and dressings
- Whipping cream to a soft paste
- Straining lumps out of sauces and gravies
7. Grater
A grater is a kitchen utensil used to grate foods into fine pieces. Made with long-lasting stainless steel, the metal will not rust or corrode. It is usually made for:
- Zesting citrus fruits like lemons and limes
- Grating hard cheeses such as Parmesan
- Shredding ginger and garlic into pastes
- Grating nutmeg or chocolate for garnish
8. Saucepan
A saucepan is a deep round pan with straight, high sides used for simmering and boiling and for making sauces or soup. Its high walls assist in containing heat evenly and for reducing unsightly spills. It is used for:
- Grains such as rice or quinoa.
- Simmering soups and stocks
- Also used to reduce the sauces to your desired consistency
- Blanching vegetables
9. Food Processor
A food processor is a versatile kitchen apparatus used to chop, slice, shred, grind or puree most of your food in seconds. Speedy and efficient, it helps save time on prep. A quality food processor helps with:
- Chopping large batches of vegetables
- Making smooth purees and hummus
- Kneading heavy doughs
- Shredding cheese in seconds
10. Mixer Grinder
A strong mixer grinder is a very important kitchen appliance for making delicate pastes and spice mixes. This tool is used in the kitchen for:
- Grinding dry spices into fine powders
- Creating wet pastes for curries
- Blending chutneys and dips
- Liquefying fruits for smoothies
11. Spoons & Ladles
Spoons and ladles are serving or stirring tool with diverse uses in food preparation. People use spoons for mixing and tasting, while ladles are ideal for serving soups and stews. You can use these tools for:
- Serving generous portions of soups and stews
- Tasting sauces during the cooking process
- Stirring ingredients in deep pots
- Skimming foam or fat from the surface of stocks
12. Oven
An oven is a thermally insulated chamber used for cooking and baking. It envelops food with uniform heat in order to cook evenly from all sides. It provides stable ambient warmth for:
- Roasting whole chickens and meats
- Baking cakes and pastries
- Broiling vegetables for a char effect
- Slow cooking casseroles
13. Tongs
Tongs are like an extension of your hands, and they help you grab hot food without touching it. They are perfect for:
- Turning meat in a pan without puncturing
- Tossing salads with dressing
- Plucking pasta from boiling water
- Holding meat while slicing with Japanese knives
14. Kettle
A kettle is a small kitchen appliance used for heating water. Whether it’s tea you’re brewing or a cup of coffee ready to be poured, the kettle heats water quickly and efficiently. People often use kettles for:
- Starting stocks and soups
- Rehydrating dried mushrooms or chillies
- Boiling pasta water faster
- Brewing tea and coffee
15. Masher
A masher is a hand tool that has been designed to mash or flatten cooked foods until they thicken, can be smooth or a mixture. It’s great for potatoes, vegetables, and soft fruits. People often use it for
- Making fluffy mashed potatoes
- Mashing sweet potatoes and squash
- Creating chunky guacamole
- Breaking down tomatoes for rustic sauces
How to Build Your Kitchen Tool Collection Strategically?
It is more advisable to build up your collection over time, rather than buy entire sets that will often include things you don’t need. Start with these priorities:
- One good quality chef’s knife (Gyuto style Japanese kitchen knives)
- A reliable cutting board
- Basic sharpening stone
- Kitchen scissors
Grow the set according to the cooking activity and use. For those who work with vegetables a lot, Nakiri Japanese kitchen knives have great value, while the precise action of a Santoku is appreciated by many home cooks.
Invest in Quality Kitchen Chef Tools
Buying Japanese kitchen knives and premium culinary tools is an investment that will benefit you through years of reliable service. High-quality tools offer:
- Superior performance, reducing prep time
- Enhanced safety through predictable behavior
- Longer lifespan offsetting initial costs
- Greater cooking enjoyment and confidence
When comparing the price tag of a new purchase, look at TCO instead. A low-priced knife that you need to replace 8 times costs more than a great knife over the course of 20 years.
Conclusion
Cooking can be much less frustrating when you are using the correct tools. The best place to begin is with the basics, which should include high-quality essential items such as a good set of Japanese chef knives. They provide you with precision, control, and a level of confidence to cook when you enter the kitchen. Then combine these tools with a good cutting board, sharpener, and a few other reliable tools and everything works better.
Rather than purchasing all the tools you need at one time, create your kitchen on an incremental basis. Use only those tools that you know you will use regularly, maintain them properly, and add to them as your skill level increases. When your tools work well, then cooking no longer feels like a chore but instead it becomes something you truly enjoy.
