Rouxbe

Just wanted to know if there was a consensus on what stuff one must absolutely have in a kitchen in terms of gadgets and cookware and what can be left out. I plan to invest in decent pots and pans and some gadgets but I don't want to go into non-essentials because I expect to be moving into a shoebox-sized studio in Boston soon. I know a chef's knife, a paring knife and the knife steel are a must. And then there is a cutting board. What sort of spatulas should I go into. . . all wood, or just stainless steel? Should I buy kitchen shears? And can I live without a food mill? What are the essentials that people generally agree on? What pots and pans should I invest in?

For me all-clad is the way to go.You can buy pans every few years, or get good ones and make them family heirlooms.Get a serrated knife for cutting bread,a whetstone,and a fine mesh strainer for stocks. A food mill you can live without, but I would get a decent food processor if you have the money to do so. I love my kitchen aid stand mixer. A carbon steel wok is cheap and underrated, its good for high heat fast cooking. Buy at least one cast iron skillet. As far as spatulas I have one for nonstick, and one for stainless pans. A dutch oven is a must if you like to braise cheap pieces of meat into killer dishes.Save your money on kitchen shears, a chefs knife can do the same thing, or ask the butcher to take out the backbone on chicken for you. Good luck

You do get what you pay for, although I love my Calphalon, my cast iron skillet, wire mesh splatter top, likewise a serrated knife, heat-proof utility bowls, dutch oven (I perfer le creuset) in a couple of sizes because I make gravy, a knife steel, spatula for both nonstick and regular pans, a good size food processor (at least 11 cup) and if not a kitchen aid then a good hand blender, and pyrex measuring cups, at least two sets of measuring spoons, and storage containers, I prefer glass and tend not to break things.

Dane has outlined a good array of products. Pick the items that suit your eye and your hand. If it is not comfortable for you regardless of how good it may be, you won't want to use it.

Also, while the brand name products are very good, there are some very good products that do not have the brand notoriety or some celebrity chef promoting them. Products from Paderno, a premium manufacturer from Germany, Italy and other locations. are every bit as good as those mentioned above but can be acquired at lower prices. In addition, there are specialty manufactures that provide great stuff at good prices.

Search online stores for these products

I look for mine at the resturant supply stores, forget the department stores, and do not buy the sets of pots and pans they sell. In my first kitchen set up I paid a lot of $ for one of those impressive looking must have sets, then found I used only 3 from the set of 7, the rest went to charity. Take your time and know what you really need to have a fine working kitchen, you will also save yourself a lot of dollars.