Cooking for yourself in an age of takeout and food delivery apps is not easy, but it is one of the most rewarding things you can do. And with the right home kitchen equipment, it's a great way to save money! Great equipment may cost more upfront but will likely save you bundles of cash in the long run.
We scoured the internet for the best products you can purchase online to get you cooking at home and included a buying guide to make sure your kitchen is properly and affordably stocked.
These products are high-quality, beautiful, and worth their price. Of course, you should buy items related to the types of meals you typically cook, but these are great items to get started.
3-Piece Set
$44.88
Size | 8, 9.5, and 11-inch diameters |
---|---|
Materials | Aluminum |
$110.95
Size | 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches |
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Materials | Maple wood |
3-Piece Set
$24.95
Size | 1.5, 3 and 5-quart |
---|---|
Materials | Plastic |
ZNBF30500Z
$174.99
Size | 64 ounces |
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Materials | Steel blades, plastic containers |
PT12
$26.99
Size | 2.75-inch probe length |
---|---|
Materials | Antimicrobial plastic, stainless steel |
P115C
$36.05
Size | 8.5 x 6 x 1.5 inches |
---|---|
Materials | Plastic and stainless steel |
10938-01B
$17.98
Size | 34-ounce capacity |
---|---|
Materials | Glass and stainless steel |
10-piece set
$99.95
Size | One 2.8-qt. container, one 2.7-qt. container, one 2.2-qt. container, one 4.4-qt. container, two 1.1-qt. containers, two 0.6-qt. containers and two 0.4-qt. containers |
---|---|
Materials | Plastic and silicone |
KSM75
$259.00
Size | 4.5 quart bowl |
---|---|
Materials | Stainless steel bowl |
Image | 1 ![]() Wusthof | 2 ![]() T-Fal | 3 ![]() John Boos | 4 ![]() OXO Good Grips | 5 ![]() NutriBullet | 6 ![]() Lavatools | 7 ![]() Escali | 8 ![]() Bodum | 9 ![]() OXO Good Grips | 10 ![]() KitchenAid |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Pro Cook's Knife (10-Inch) | Specialty Nonstick Fry Pan Set | Maple Wood Edge Grain Cutting Board | Good Grips Mixing Bowl Set | Blender Combo | Javelin Instant Read Thermometer | Primo Precision Kitchen Food Scale | Brazil French Press Coffee and Tea Maker | POP Container Set | Classic Plus Stand Mixer |
Features | A Professional-Quality Versatile Knife | A Nonstick Skillet Set That Makes Cooking a Breeze | A Cutting Board to Last a Lifetime | Convenient Ergonomic Mixing Bowls | A Great Blender to Whip Up a Variety of Dishes | A Fast and Accurate Thermometer with a Range of Uses | Best Digital Scale for Your Kitchen | A Simple Design That Makes Really Good Coffee | Get Your Pantry Organized | A Durable Product That's Much More Than a Mixer |
Price | $39.95 | $44.88 | $110.95 | $24.95 | $174.99 | $26.99 | $36.05 | $17.98 | $99.95 | $259.00 |
Size | 8 inches | 8, 9.5, and 11-inch diameters | 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches | 1.5, 3 and 5-quart | 64 ounces | 2.75-inch probe length | 8.5 x 6 x 1.5 inches | 34-ounce capacity | One 2.8-qt. container, one 2.7-qt. container, one 2.2-qt. container, one 4.4-qt. container, two 1.1-qt. containers, two 0.6-qt. containers and two 0.4-qt. containers | 4.5 quart bowl |
Materials | Carbon steel | Aluminum | Maple wood | Plastic | Steel blades, plastic containers | Antimicrobial plastic, stainless steel | Plastic and stainless steel | Glass and stainless steel | Plastic and silicone | Stainless steel bowl |
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Stocking your home kitchen can seem like an overwhelming and expensive task. But it doesn't need to be, as we have created a buying guide for you to choose the absolute best for your culinary journeys.
You don't need to buy a lot to make almost any dish you want. Save the specialty purchases for things you really know you'll end up using.
At the end of the day, cooking is about using blades and fire to prepare food. So safety is of foremost importance. When purchasing a kitchen product, make sure it is made from a durable and safe material.
We have been cooking food throughout human history, and you really don’t need a ton of equipment. The most important tool in your kitchen is your knife. And unless you’re getting adventurous in the kitchen, you really only need three knives: a chef’s knife, a paring knife, and a serrated knife.
Most knife aficionados advise against purchasing these in a prepackaged set, as you will save money in the long-term by buying three high-quality individual knives over time, and as needed. Since it’s the most versatile, a chef’s knife is a great starting point.
Remember to keep your knives sharpened with a honing steel, as well. Dull blades lead to cut fingers!
Much like the knives used on it, a well-cared for cutting board should last you a very long time, so it’s a good item to splurge on.
There is an ongoing debate about whether wood or plastic is the better material. Most professional chefs prefer wood as it is generally better for the blades of your knives. But wood also requires more upkeep and should be rubbed down with oil once a month.
Whichever you choose, the most important thing is its size and weight. You want a large, heavy cutting board that isn’t going to slip around your countertop.
A good nonstick skillet is one of the most useful tools in a home kitchen simply because you can cook nearly anything in it. Remember to get one that is oven safe for even more uses, and dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
For things that can’t be cooked in a skillet, there are saucepans. You really only need two--a small one and a large one--and they are often sold in sets. When buying a saucepan, the important thing to look for is a heavy bottom. This will allow more heat to be retained and evenly distributed.
Mixing bowls are great but can often cause chaos in your cabinets when not being used. Look for a stackable set, making it easy to find the perfect bowl for whatever you are cooking. Also, consider buying mixing bowls that have a spout. There's not much worse than your freshly-mixed concoction decorating your kitchen floor!
If you want a gourmet experience from the comfort of your dinner table, you may need some extra equipment.
Have you ever wondered how good restaurants always seem to cook your steak perfectly medium-rare every time? It’s because everything is temperature-controlled with instant-read thermometers.
Being able to quickly and accurately measure the internal or external temperature of your food is often the difference between a mediocre meal and a delicious one.
Blenders are amazing pieces of equipment, and a good one can really elevate your homemade dishes. The quality of the blender is why your homemade frozen daiquiris never taste as good as they do at that beach resort. Look for a restaurant-quality blender that can crush ice and make pureed soups.
If you work with a lot of spices, a mortar and pestle are necessary. Chefs and home cooks alike swear by them for grinding anything. Just make sure you get either wood or stone, as they are the most durable.
Lastly, if you are serious about your home cooking, a stand mixer is a necessary addition to your kitchen. They are expensive, but they're also the best all-around machine you can buy for your kitchen. Its functions are seemingly endless and fully customizable. You can buy various attachments to turn it into a real multitasker.
Every baker should have a digital scale, particularly one that can measure various units like ounces, grams, and pounds. Furthermore, you want an accurate scale that has a tare function. This allows you to subtract the weight of the container, allowing precise measurements of your ingredients.
You will also need a good set of measuring cups, and like mixing bowls, these can be purchased in stackable sets which really lend themselves to both the organization and aesthetic of your kitchen.
The sieve, another friend of the baker, is the difference between a soft, velvety batter and a chunky, dry one that immediately falls apart. It is best to get a stainless steel conical sieve if you plan on getting a lot of use out of it.
As for oven mitts, look for ones with five individual fingers rather than the traditional “mitten style.” It is simply easier to maneuver scorching hot containers with the five-finger style, a lesson that you don't want to learn the hard way.
Caffeine is the world’s most widely consumed drug, and a staple of most Americans’ diets. There are countless styles and methods of coffee available, but when purchasing a coffee maker, the most important question to ask yourself is this: “Do I want to wait a bit longer for better coffee?”
If your answer is “No, I need the caffeine immediately!” then perhaps a drip machine is for you. If you spare a few minutes of prep time, something like a French press will reward you with a superior cup of coffee. If you want to go all out to feed your caffeine addiction in style, then consider an espresso machine.
Or maybe you’re more a fan of carbonated drinks. As flavored sparkling water becomes more and more popular, it’s also becoming more expensive. Save some money and get creative in the kitchen with a soda maker.
Regardless of your drink of choice, you will need glassware. It's nice to have matching sets, although the right mix of different styles can add an eclectic aesthetic to your kitchen. If you enjoy a glass (or two) of wine with dinner, invest in proper wine glasses. They make a huge difference in the taste of your wine.
There is nothing worse than a messy kitchen. Not only is it unhygienic, but it’s also no fun to cook in a cluttered environment. Keep your workspace clean and focus on building flavors with just a few affordable items.
Airtight containers can be used to store everything from rice to coffee, and they generally take up less space than the items’ original container.
Shelf inserts and drawer organizers can maximize the space you are working with while also allowing for easier access. And of course, a spice rack is a great way to organize those countless jars and get to them quickly when needed.
We love food, cooking, and drinking as much as you do! So check out our other articles for more must-have kitchen items.
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