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A "Lean Diet" with Cooking Utensils
Painting by Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin
Every kitchen needs a minimum set of basic utensils, cutlery, skillets, pots & pans, cutting board, etc. There is a great variance in quality and pricing. The highest quality products will generally perform much better, but very good utensils which perform well can be purchased at reasonable and affordable prices.
If you are just starting out, major stores such as Sears, JC Penney's, Walmart & Target, Bed Bath & Beyond and others carry major brands - Lodge, All-Clad, Emeril, Cusinart, Kitchenaid and more. In the long run, it is better to save for the better quality kitchen tools. Start slow and build your set over time. Within 2-3 years, your kitchen can become well equipped.
If you already have a collection of wares, but wish to upgrade, the same can apply. Purchase the best quality/value combination that you can afford, and chances are that you will never again have to purchase new cookware or bakeware.
In this section, we discuss what it takes to outfit a well equipped kitchen and build a list of products and brands which will perform and last a lifetime. We are not swayed by supporting sponsors. Instead, we reach out to manufacturers who are known for their quality and request products for testing, whenever possible, use them in our kitchen and then make full, unbiased reports.
This section is under development & will be greatly expanded with text.
Brands currently listed are those which I have personal experience with or have personally used for over 40 years.
Other products & brands will be mentioned and supported as we receive them from manufacturers and test and approve them for quality.
Bare minimum suggestions are marked in red.
Skillets, Saucepans, Pots & Pans
All-Clad
Cusinart
Emerilware
Le Creuset
Lodge
Mario Batali
• 8” Teflon Coated Skillet – Brand
• 10” Teflon Coated Skillet – Brand
• 12” Teflon Coated Skillet – Brand
• 8” Stainless Steel Skillet – Brand
• 10” Stainless Steel Skillet – Brand
• 12” Stainless Steel Skillet – Brand
• 6-½” Cast Iron Skillet – Lodge
• 8” Cast Iron Skillet – Lodge
• 10-¼” Cast Iron Skillet – Lodge
• 12” Cast Iron Skillet – Lodge
• 7-8 Qt Cast Iron (enamel) Dutch Oven – Brand
• 1 Qt Stainless Steel Saucepan – Emeril
• 2 Qt Stainless Steel Saucepan – Emeril
• 3 Qt Stainless Steel Saucepan – Emeril
• 4 Qt Stainless Steel Saucepan – Emeril
• 6 Qt Stainless Steel Pot – Emeril
• 8 Qt Stainless Steel Pot – Brand
• 3 Qt Stainless Steel Steamer with Cover – Emeril
• 20 Qt Stainless Steel Stock Pot With Insert – Brand
• 18” Teflon Coated Wok – Brand
• 16 x 13 x 4 Stainless Steel Roasting Pan With Rack & Cover – Brand
• 1-½, 2 & 3 Qt Ceramic Baking Dishes
• 2, 3, & 4.8 Qt Oblong Glass Baking Dish – Pyrex
Utensils –
• 8" Strainer - Oxo
• Can Opener – Oxo
• Cheese Grater/Rotaty – Brand
• Garlic Press – Oxo
• Gravy/Fat Separator – Trudeau
• Grilling/Serving Tongs – Oxo
• Meat Tenderizer – Oxo
• Omelete Turner-Flexible – Oxo
• Pepper Mill – Brand
• Potato Peeler – Oxo
• PopUp Steamer – Oxo
• Salad Spinner – Oxo
• Skimmer – Oxo
• Spaghetti Server – Oxo
• Spoon-Serving – Oxo
• Spoon-Slotted – Oxo
• SS 5 Qt.Colander – Oxo
• Strainer: Coarse Mesh – Oxo
• Strainer/Chinois: Fine Mesh & Stand – Selection
• Thermoteters/Leave In Meat – Oxo
• Universal Box Grater – Oxo
• Wine Bottle Opener – Oxo
• ½ Cup Small Stainless Steel Soup Ladle – Brand
• 1 Cup Large Stainless Steel Soup Ladle – Brand
• 1-½ Cup Large Stainless Steel Soup Ladle – Brand
• 1 Cup Liquid Measuring Cup – Pyrex
• 2 Cup Liquid Measuring Cup – Pyrex
• 4 Cup Liquid Measuring Cup – Pyrex
• 1 Set Dry Measuring Spoons – Brand
Knives –
Calphalon – Brand
Global – Brand
Hatorri – Brand
Henckels – Brand
Kirshaw – Brand
Kyocera – Brand
RH Forschner/Victorinox – Brand
Shun – Brand
Wusthof – Brand
• 8" Chef's Knife – Brand
• 6" General Purpose Knife – Brand
• Carving Knife – Brand
• Fillet Knife – Brand
• Paring Knife – Brand
• Serrated Bread Knife – Brand
Bowls –
• X – Brand
Machines –
• Blender: Countertop – Brand
• Blender: Smart Stick-Immersion – Cuisinart
• Food Processor: Countertop – Cuisinart
• Meat/Food Slicer – Waring
• Mixer: Bowl Lift – Kitchen Aid
