Everything You Need To Stock Your Kitchen

It’s all about everything you need to stock your kitchen today. Here’s the deal, if you have the right tools, you can cook from scratch and eat at home. Are you as concerned as I am with the amount of food recalls the US is having right now? There is also the high cost of food these days.

Let’s be honest there have been way too many food recalls the last few years. The ones I’m aware of are E.Coli and Salmonella. I would rather eat at home, what about you?

Just so you know the picture above is NOT my kitchen, but I would LOVE that kitchen! I have a very tiny kitchen with limited counter space, but it works. I think I am over the top with kitchen tools, utensils and equipment, I must confess.

I buy the best “stuff” the first time so my kitchen items will last at least 20 years or more. Here’s the deal, today I am posting items I may or may not have. Some may be items that are on my wish list.

When I worked 60-70 hours a week when I had my bank job or mortgage company I got take-out food all the time. I don’t like standing in line for take-out meals. Plus, I put on about 50 pounds by eating that food, no exercise, and sometimes I ate at 10:00 at night.

I never had a lunch hour because I had deadlines and goals that had to be met every single day. When I closed my mortgage company after almost 15 years I vowed, I will never again stand in line to eat out or pick up any meal. I have eaten out a few times but it’s not fun to me like it used to be when we’d have a special night out with our young family of girls.

I would rather save the money and eat at home. It’s who I am. Plus, Mark loves the smell of food cooking in the kitchen.

I have to share one more thing with you. When I lived in Riverton, Utah I had the best neighbors because they would bring me homemade meals once in a while.

They were like gold to me, worth more than my cute neighbors probably could even imagine. They would bring just enough dinner for two people, Mark and I loved it.

If you need a wedding gift for someone, any of these kitchen items would be perfect. If you have a college student, give them a “college shower.” Trust me, they need some of these items.

Make sure you have a good quality slow cooker that can maintain the correct temperatures. I tried using my daughter’s slow cooker recipes in her slow cooker and they did not cook correctly.

It’s about 22 years old and I am thinking it’s not cooking safely anymore. I wonder if the temperatures are not where they should be. Anyway, here are two that I have and love: Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker, 6-Quart and Cuisinart PSC-350 3-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

What You Need To Stock Your Kitchen:

I love putting things in alphabetical order and I color-code all my food storage buckets, it’s who I am. Let’s get started and please tell me some items I can add to this list if you think of any that I have missed.

1. Aprons: I love my denim apron more than any other one because it doesn’t show grease spots. I bought it years ago and I can’t find another one just like it. Most of the time I don’t wear an apron, but when I need one I use my denim one.
2. Biscuit cutters: It’s great to have biscuit cutters because we can stretch a meal with homemade biscuits. These are my favorite biscuit cutters: RSVP Stainless Steel Round Biscuit Cutters with Fluted Edge, Set of 4
3. Blender: I have both the Vitamix and the Blendtec because I used to do demonstrations showing people how to make smoothies with freeze-dried fruit and with fresh fruit and vegetables.
4. Bosch bread mixer: I have tried other bread machines and hands down the Bosch beats all the rest. I am actually on my third Bosch bread mixer. I gave my second one to a daughter so I could purchase the latest model to teach people how to make bread at my local Bosch store.
5. Bottle opener: I could not find the kind of quality bottle opener I wanted in my little town of St. George, Utah. I ordered this one online: OXO SteeL Stainless Steel Bottle and Can Opener. I realize a lot of the food in cans we buy now have a pull tab to open cans, but I still want a bottle opener for my kitchen.
6. Bread knives: If you make bread you must have a good serrated bread knife to slice your bread on a wooden cutting board. I have several and I wash them by hand to protect them and extend the life of the knives. Here’s a good knife: Wusthof Classic 10-Inch Bread Knife. Save your money for a good knife, you’ll be glad you did when you slice your homemade bread. I promise.
7. Bread pans: I actually have stainless steel one-pound loaf pans that I can’t find anymore. I have had them for at least 15 years. These are close to the one-pound bread pans I have: Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Bread Pan, 7.75 Inch x 3.75 Inch x 2.75 Inch
8. Can openers: I always have at least three or four, maybe five can openers at any one time. In an unforeseen emergency or disaster, we may need them to open cans of food. If we only have one can opener and it breaks we will not be prepared to fix meals after a disaster. These are the ones I buy: Swing-A-Way 407BK Portable Can Opener, Black
9. Cake decorating tools: I love watching my grandkids frost cakes and cupcakes, so I always have some decorating tips they can choose from. Here’s a good set: Wilton 2104-1368 46-Piece Deluxe Cake Decorating Set
10. Cake pans: I typically only make 9-inch by 13-inch cakes, but I have on occasion made a two-layer cake. I also make the famous Texas chocolate sheet cake on a cookie sheet. Oh, of course, I make my chocolate bundt cakes as well! Here is a good cake pan I’m saving my money to purchase: Lindy’s Stainless Steel Covered Cake Pan, Silver
11. Cast iron pans: I have been collecting Lodge cast iron pans and Dutch ovens for a few years now. If you have one of these Lodge Dutch ovens you can cook outside (and survive a disaster) if you store some charcoal in airtight containers. I suggest you purchase the charcoal without the “lighting” chemicals because it will last indefinitely if kept dry in an airtight container. I highly recommend this Dutch oven: Lodge Camp Dutch Oven, 6 Qt. I can’t lift an eight-quart Dutch oven, so I use the six-quart with the lid that you can place charcoal on the top and of course underneath the pot.
12. Cheese graters: every kitchen needs a cheese grater or two, right? I use this one for salads: Zyliss Classic Rotary Cheese Grater, this one is like the restaurant Olive Garden uses. Buying grated cheese in bags is popular, but we still need one of these: OXO Good Grips Box Grater
13. Cheese slicer: do you love thinly sliced cheese for crackers? This is my husband’s favorite one: Cheese Slicer by Bjorklund
14. Chopper: I know we can all chop vegetables by hand with a good knife, but sometimes we want a finer texture so this is a great one for that: Cuisinart CTG-00-SCHP Stainless Steel Chopper
15. Colanders: I have several sizes because I cook so much from scratch. Here are some stainless steel ones: ExcelSteel Stainless Steel Colanders, Set of 3
16. Cookbooks: I love cookbooks, I love looking through them at used bookstores. My favorite cookbooks are written by the Amish.
17. Cookie cutters: I have arthritis so I have purchased several of these: Wilton Comfort Grip Heart Cutter
18. Cookie scoops: if you make cookies, I know teaspoons work great, but these work even better: OXO Good Grips Medium Cooke Scoop
19. Cookie sheets: if you make cookies or Texas sheet cake these are the pans for you: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet
20. Crock for storing utensils: I have two large crock storage containers for some of my large kitchen utensils: CHEFS Fresh Valley Farm Tool Crock
21. Crockpot: I like to buy the real deal as in Crock Pot: Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker, 6-Quart. I also have the 3-1/2 quart Cuisinart one shown above.
22. Cutting boards: just giving you the heads up here, please use a wooden cutting board or you may ruin the blades of your knives.
23. Cutting mats: I have a few cutting mats that I use with my cheap knives, but not my good knives because they make my knives dull. I use one for meats and throw it in the dishwasher.
24. Danish Whisk: you know by now I love my Danish whisk because you can make thin cookie batters, brownies, muffins, and pancake mixes with these: Danish Dough Hand Whisk / Mixer 11″ or 14″
25. Dehydrator: my favorite dehydrator for short-term food storage only is this one: Excalibur 3926TB Food Dehydrator, Black
26. Double boiler pan: these are great for candy or melting chocolate.
27. Dutch ovens: my favorite one is the Lodge Dutch oven with this lid because you can cook outside if you have stored charcoal without the chemicals in an airtight container: Lodge Camp Dutch Oven, 6 Qt
28. Egg slicer: I love sliced eggs on just about every salad and many casseroles.
29. Fire extinguisher: every kitchen needs a fire extinguisher. I have different types of fire extinguishers you need to use for the different types of fire you may encounter. I have this one: Kidde 21005779 Pro 210 Fire Extinguisher, ABC, 160CI I highly recommend this Kidde ABC fire extinguisher.
30. Food Processor: you can chop, slice, grate, and mince just about anything.
    

    Which Fire Extinguishers Should I Use:

    A: is for Common Combustibles, Wood, Papers, Textiles, Plastic, Rubber, etc.

    B: is for Flammable Liquids, Gasoline, Heptane, etc.

    C: is for Electrical Equipment, Switches, Outlets, etc.

    It is extremely important to identify the type of fuel to select the correct method and agent for extinguishing the fire.

    I recommend that everyone go visit their local Fire Department and have them show them how to use a fire extinguisher.

31. Flashlights: these are my favorite because they do not require batteries: Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight with Integrated Solar Panel
32. Funnels: I love stainless steel ones: Norpro 3-Piece Stainless Steel Funnel Set I also use this one all the time: Prepworks by Progressive Canning Funnel for Regular and Wide Mouth Jars
33. Fly swatter: need I say more….you can get these at your local dollar store outlet.
34. Garlic press: who loves fresh garlic? You can almost smell it cooking, right?
35. Gravy ladle: my family loves gravy. I recently learned that some people don’t like gravy at all. Oh my goodness, I put it on everything on Thanksgiving Day! I put gravy on the mashed potatoes, dressing, and the turkey! Life is good with gravy!
36. Griddle: everyone needs a good griddle. I use them for grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes, and sometimes even scrambled eggs and bacon.
37. Hand blender: I use this when I have lumps in my gravy: Proctor-Silex 59738A Hand Blender
38. Handcrank beaters: these are great for every day and if we lose power we can mix up any meal. OXO Good Grips Egg Beater
39. Hot pads: get a good set or two. I even started using mitts that are good up to like 500 degrees or so.
40. Ice cream scoop: everyone needs a good ice cream scoop. My favorite is from Pampered Chef.
41. Kitchen Aid electric hand mixer: I use one of these for my whipped cream or small thinner batters if I’m in a hurry and don’t want to drag out my bigger Kitchen Aid stand-up mixer. KitchenAid KHM512ER 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer, Empire Red
42. Kitchen Aid stand-up mixer: I bought the 6-quart version, but my daughter tried to make whole wheat bread with hers and it burned up the motor. Just giving you the heads-up here. I only use mine for making cakes, cookies, or light batter-type foods. I use my Bosch bread mixer for cinnamon rolls, bread, French bread, etc.
43. Kitchen shears: I use kitchen shears to cut up parsley, Cilantro, or whatever needs a few snips.
44. Kitchen dishrags: everyone needs a few good dishrags, right?
45. Kitchen towels: I buy white towels and dishrags and I bleach them when I wash them. I buy them in bulk at the local box store in town.
46. Kitchen dish drying mats: these are fabulous: Norpro 16 by 18-Inch Microfiber Dish Drying Mat, Gray. They work great for my “hand wash only” pans, knives, etc.
47. Knives: buy the best set of knives your budget can afford and wash them by hand and dry them completely. Get them sharpened at least once a year.
48. Lasagna pans: I love the stainless steel ones, buy once for life I say. All-Clad 00830 Stainless-Steel Lasagna Pan with 2 Oven Mitts/ Cookware, Silver
49. Lettuce knife: these keep your lettuce from “rusting”: Zyliss Lettuce Knife
50. Measuring cups: I remember buying these plastic ones from a “home party” deal and you can hardly read the measurement numbers on them. I’m going to order some for my daughter right now because I’m at her house I can’t find the correct measuring cups because I can’t see the numbers: Bellemain Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set, 6 Piece
51. Measuring spoons: I love stainless steel ones, I feel they are cleaner: CIA Masters Collection 6 Piece Measuring Spoon Set
52. Mixing bowls: we can all use some good stainless bowls: Cuisinart CTG-00-SMB Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids, Set of 3
53. Mushroom slicer: I love having one of these for my spaghetti sauce, pizza, or salads: Norpro Mushroom Egg Slicer
54. Oxo containers: I use these for my food storage items I take out of my #10 cans: Norpro Mushroom Egg Slicer
55. Pancake turner: oh my gosh, I’m at my daughter’s and I am going to throw out her pancake turner tomorrow! It’s so floppy and I can’t even flip pancakes. I just have to laugh because a pancake turner is the last thing we want to spend our money on to replace it! OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Flexible Turner
56. Pans, I love buying all my daughters Farberware pans because they are fairly cheap. They make soup pans, double boilers, and saucepans, and my favorite is the 4-quart with two handles. It’s a keeper. 
57. Pastry blender/cutter
58. Pastry brush: I use a pastry brush to clean out my Bosch bread mixer and to brush egg whites on French bread.
59. Pie pans: I  have two pie pans, I’m not a very good pie maker, but I sure love homemade pie.
60. Pizza cutter: I use my pizza cutter to cut pizza and my homemade crescent rolls.
61. Potato masher: I know some people mash their potatoes in a stand mixer, I prefer a few lumps so I use this one: Kuhn Rikon Potato Masher
62. Pressure cooker: I highly recommend the electric Fagor pressure cooker because I have taken classes using this one as well as taught classes on how to use it. Fagor 670040230 Stainless-Steel 3-in-1 6-Quart Multi-Cooker
63. Rice cooker: you can buy a separate rice cooker, but you can use a saucepan or an electric Fagor pressure cooker as well.
64. Rolling pins: everyone needs a good rolling pin for pies, cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls, and cookies.
65. Silicone mitts: I started using mitts rather than hot pads (I still use hot pads, but for baking bread, I use my mitts): Oven Mitts Gloves, Heat Resistant Silicone BBQ Grilling Gloves, for Cooking, Baking, Barbecue, Smoking & Potholder
66. Silpat mat: I like using these for baking cookies or things like French bread because I can skip the parchment paper or vegetable spray. Silpat AE420295-07 Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat, Half Sheet Size, 11-5/8″ x 16-1/2″
67. Slotted spoon: slotted spoons are a must-have in the kitchen. They can drain and stir at the same time.
68. Soup ladle: we all need a soup ladle in the kitchen, soup is a money saver for my grocery bill.
69. Soup pot: do you love to make soup as much as I do? Everyone needs a soup pot in the kitchen.
70. Spatula’s: you can never have just one in the kitchen, we need three or four, right?
71. Storage containers: I listed the OXO containers above, but I use Rubbermaid containers for storing stuff in the refrigerator. I use 5-gallon buckets with Gamma Lids as well for just about everything.
72. Thermometer: I use them for bread, meat, and candy. It’s good to have a few different thermometers.
73. Toaster: I have a four-slice toaster that has wide slots for bagels.
74. Tongs: I like the kind that “lock” so they don’t take up as much room in the kitchen drawers.
75. Vegetable brush: these are great for scrubbing potatoes, carrots, etc.
76. Vegetable peeler: everyone needs a good vegetable peeler in the kitchen, and maybe even two of them.
77. Wheat grinder-I prefer the L’equip: NutriMill Classic Grain Mill 
78. Whisks: I love stainless steel whisks in the kitchen: Norpro 3 Piece Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk Set
79. Wooden spoons: I use wooden spoons occasionally, not often, but I like them for some recipes.
80. Manual timer: oh my goodness, thanks to Beth for reminding me that we need one of these for sure.

Final Word

If you think of some kitchen items I need to add to this list, please tell me and I will add them. May God bless you for your efforts to be prepared for the unexpected. Please stay well and keep prepping. Linda

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Copyright Images: Deposit photos_10855312_m-2015