Reddit reviews Calphalon Nylon Utensils Spoon, Slotted Spoon, Slotted Turner, Pasta Fork

While they're a fantastic tool, a stand mixer is expensive. However, having a mixer on hand can be insanely useful. A decent handheld mixer can do the job for way less. Aside from that, these would be my suggestions.

1.) Knives. Get something decent and try to learn to keep them sharp. you don't need a huge knife block, 2 or 3 basics will do the trick. A small and large basic knife and a serrated knife will be plenty to start with. A set of basic cutting boards to go with these as well. Get more than one because you shouldn't cut raw meat on the same board as cooked meat or veggies and so on.

2.) Measuring tools. 1 set of measuring cups, 1 set of measuring spoons, 1 liquid measuring cup. I prefer metal for the first two and pyrex for the last. In my experience the numbers wear off the plastic ones pretty quickly and they stain. And yes you need all 3, liquids are measured differently than solids.

3.) Graduated mixing bowls. Pyrex are also great for these. I have this set and they have served me well.

4.) Pans. These really depend on what you want to do. If you want to focus more on cooking start off with a few basics. A larger stock pot, a sauce pan, one or two frying pans (i prefer to have multiple sizes) and some basic pans for the oven. A 13x9 metal or glass pan is a must have for me as well as an 8x8 or 9x9 square pan. If you want to bake as well you'll need to add cookie sheets and possibly a few more specialized items like muffin pans. Nonstick is sometimes frowned upon by chefs and cooks, but truth be told they're fine for most applications. Personally, I highly recommend against silicone pans. In my experience they smell foul and are a pain to clean.

5.) Utensils. Do not get the cheap shitty plastic set. Just don't. It's a waste of money. I cannot count how many cheap plastic spatulas I've thrown out because they melted or peeled or something. Go with silicone instead. You can use metal, but keep in mind metal tools+nonstick pans=scratched ruined pans. (This does not apply to spatulas used for things like stirring or spreading frosting btw, only to ones you will use on your stove). As for as what you'll need, I would suggest a set of wooden mixing spoons, and a set like this that includes the basic items; a normal spoon, a slotted spoon, a turner, and a pasta fork.

6.) Specialty utensils. Once again, these depend on what you want to do. Whisks are handy for a lot of things and a box grater comes in handy. A silicone pastry brush is nice for certain things and easier to clean than a normal one. A basic strainer was something I didn't realize how useful it was til I got it.

8.) Other Basics: Oven mits, towels, kitchen twine, tupperware in multiple sizes, egg separator, can/bottle opener.

9.) A basic cookbook. I'm a huge fan of this edition of the BH&G cookbook. On top of a lot of basic, fun recipes it includes a lot of extra information about tools, techniques, and some nifty tips and substitutions. I have a separate binder of my own recipes, but this is my most referenced cookbook.

What sorts of food are you hoping to learn to cook? I can expand on any of this depending on your interests.

Toaster oven: I always suggest Cuisinart. They make a good small kitchen appliance. Reliable, and while more expensive than others, it's worth it.

Microwave: You may never have time to cook an actual meal.

Cooking utensils: Calphalon Nylon. Good value.


Crockpot: Showing up on a lot of suggestions. A mini will serve you well unless you're feeding large quantities of people.

Dish rack, a sturdy (large) trash can, laundry bags and smart storage, and kitchen shears.