Whether you’re heading off to university, moving into a new home or just looking to expand your cookware collection – these kitchen items are essential.

Cooking can seem daunting for anyone new to the kitchen however with so many fantastic chefs sharing their love for food, and recipes online, it is super easy to get into the groove of eating homemade delicious meals. Of course if you’re looking to go ‘pro’ then we suggest upgrading and expanding some of these items over time. Our Thermapen cooking thermometer will definitely stand the test of time though, helping anyone from basic kitchen skills right the way through to top chefs. So let’s get started…

A reliable kitchen Thermometer

Whether you’re a beginner or pro in the kitchen, checking that your food is cooked safely and correctly is a must. The best way to do this is by using an accurate digital thermometer.

The Thermapen ONE reaches temperature in just 1 second, is waterproof and perfect to test everything from roasted meats, BBQ food, desserts and even sauces.  It’s super easy to use with automatic sleep mode, a backlit and 360° rotating display. Simply insert the probe into your chosen food/liquid and wait a second before reading the temperature, ensuring your food is cooked perfectly and you never have to guess again.

Pots and Pans

There are a few basic pots and pans which will happily see you through from dish to dish. We recommend purchasing:

• Large saucepan – this is perfect for boiling pasta and batch cooking such as stews and Bolognese
• Small saucepan – ideal for cooking sauces, boiling eggs and vegetables etc.
• Frying pan – preferably a large non-stick one. This is great for frying up pancakes, browning meats and stir fries.
• Roasting tray – an essential when you’re looking to cook large joints of meat or roast up some veggies.
• Oven tray – a kitchen staple for everything from oven chips to homemade cookies.
• Glass Baking Dish – there are many names for this but a rectangular glass dish is fantastic for cooking your lasagne, enchiladas and casseroles in.

Knives

Every kitchen needs a good set of knives. The basics include; a small paring knife, a serrated knife and a larger chef’s knife. Of course if you buy a set from somewhere they often include a few other sizes which will always come in handy.

Utensils

This section covers all the odd little items that you will find yourself needing on a day to day basis. This includes; a ladle, large serving spoon, slotted spoon, slotted turner, tongs and a slotted masher. These basics will help you to fry, stir, mash and drain your wonderful dishes. We would also recommend including; a cheese grater, a sieve, a colander, a tin opener, a garlic crusher, a peeler, a spatula, a wooden spoon and a hand whisk (you can upgrade to an electric hand whisk if needed).

Chopping boards and Mixing Bowls

Preparation of food is made so much easier when you have the right tools for the job. A large chopping board is perfect for joints of meat and large veggies such as sweet potato, while a small one is great to have on hand for quickly dicing up some carrots or herbs.

The same rules apply for mixing bowls – a larger one is ideal for baking cakes or tossing together some spices with meat. A small mixing bowl is essential for making sauces and separating eggs.

Measuring Equipment

How else will you know what 130g of plain flour looks like? A simple set of kitchen weighing scales is a must have. We also suggest purchasing a nice measuring jug for your liquids and a set of measuring spoons for smaller tasks such as “1/4 tablespoon of cinnamon”.

Accessories & Serving Food

For serving up your delicious creations you will of course need the staple items such as; breakfast bowls, dinner plates, sides plates, a couple of serving dishes and some cutlery!

You should also buy the basics such as tea towels, a pot stand (stops hot pans from burning your worktop), apron and oven glove.