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It is impractical to create a comprehensive list of every conceivable piece of kitchen equipment one might want, since every cooks’ needs are different. However, there are some basic pieces of equipment that are in pretty much every cooks’ kitchen. You should always buy the best quality you can afford, as many of these items will last a lifetime if purchased wisely.

Utensils

• 4 mixing bowls (assorted sizes)
• measuring spoons
• 1 glass or plastic cup for liquid measuring
• 1 set dry of measuring cups
• instant read thermometer
• stainless steel wire whisk
• soup ladle
• grater
• potato masher
• long-handled fork
• bulb baster
• bottle opener
• can opener
• corkscrew
• long-handled stainless-steel slotted spoon
• 3 long-handled wooden spoons
• 2 long-handled stainless-steel spoons
• 2 flexible rubber spatulas
• 2 wire-mesh strainers
• stainless-steel colander
• rotary egg beater
• kitchen tongs
• meat pounder
• funnel
• vegetable peeler
• kitchen timer
• pepper grinder
• sturdy wooden chopping board

Knives

• 2 paring knives ( 3 1/2 or 4 inch)
• 1 chef’s knife
• 1 carving knife
• 1 serrated bread knife
• 1 boning knife
• 1 sharpening steel

Choose the best knives you can afford and keep them in a wooden block for safety. Don’t be tempted to economize here; these are your workhorse tools. If you need to, economize elsewhere and buy better knives.

Electrical equipment

For this category, keep things simple. A good blender, a kitchen scale, a good quality electric hand mixer and a toaster are all you really need.

Baking Equipment

• 2 8-or 9-inch round cake pans
• 1 square baking pan
• 2 loaf pans
• 2 baking sheets (rim less)
• 1 ovenproof glass pie plate
• 2 muffin tins
• tart pans
• rolling pin
• wire rack
• pastry brush
• one set cookie cutters
• pastry bag with decorating tips
• pastry scraper

Pots and Pans

• 3 pots (1 each of small, medium and large)
• 2 sauce pots
• stock pot with tight-fitting lid
• vegetable steamer
• 2 frying pans (preferably with lids)
• dutch oven with lid
• shallow roasting pan
• three glass ceramic baking dishes (assorted sizes)
• large roasting pan with rack