Must-have Kitchen Items for Your Virginia Home

Whether you're setting up a new kitchen with brand new Stainless Steel appliances or you're updating an old one, you'll need to be aware of the latest trends and ideas.

Many kitchen tools are useful if you're a cook, chef, or someone who just likes cooking for yourself or your family.

There's everything from specialty kitchen gadgets you see on the Food Network like an Escali Analog Food Scale, Arti Bamboo Digital Food Scale, Alimento Digital Food Scale, avocado peelers, strawberry hullers,cold-brew coffee makers, or apple corers to make your cooking life easier, and sometimes even more enjoyable.

There's also the standard fare usually seen in the cooking aisle of your favorite cooking shop as well as an array of appliances that all kitchens should have in their drawers and cabinets such as wooden spoons, food processors, 1 food chopper, sink caddy, Stainless Steel Scale,

Here are some of the tools you need for cooking and some you may already have but could use an upgrade and get your kitchen looking like something straight out of a show on the Food Network.

Chef's Knife

A good knife is an essential tool for any cook. Stainless steel knives last forever, but if you're looking for something special, consider carbon-plated blades. They won't rust; they're lighter and can withstand high temperatures. But if you're just starting, stick with what works for you.

Metal Spatula

You need a sturdy spatul­a to flip, toss, and serve all kinds of foods. Eggs over easy, or fluffy pancakes, roasted vegetables, sautéed meats, baked fish … the list is endless.

Silicone Spatula

You need a silicone spatula which isn't made from Plasticor else it could melt when heated. If you're making lots of garlic things, you might consider having a separate spatula with just sweet recipes.

Whisk

A sturdy metal whisk comes in all shapes and sizes, including ones with handles that fit comfortably in your hands. Choose one with a flat surface so you can easily mix dry and wet items. Use it to beat egg whites into stiff peaks, whip cream into soft mounds, or blend oil and vinegar for salad dressings.

Slotted Spoon

A perforated (or slotting) spoon works just like a miniature strainer; it removes solid particles from liquid. Think of it as pulling potatoes or small pasta out of the hot soup.

Kitchen Shears

Super basic, super handy. Every single morning, you'll reach for scissors to chop herbs, slice meat, or trim excess fats from your food. Occasionally, you may also utilize them to cut up a full bird or trim the crust off your pie. Search for a pair that disassembles for cleaning, so dirt doesn't accumulate inside the joint.

Tongs

If you want to save some cash, you can get yourself a set of inexpensive metal tong handles. You can use these to turn the meat in the skillet, reach into the kitchen cabinet to grab something, or serve up family-style meals.

Instant-read Thermometer

It's easy to tell whether your meat has been properly cooked by checking its internal temperature. Invest in a good one to keep on hand.

Cast-Iron Skillet

Cast-iron pans are great pans for cooking meat, fish, vegetables, pasta, rice, and much more! With proper care, your cast iron skillet will last a lifetime. Learn how to care properly for your cast iron skillet, and it will serve you well through many meals.

Nonstick Skillet

Ceramic-coated nonstick skillets are best for cooking because they're easy to wash and don't contain toxic substances. They're also good for the environment since they won't leach into the air and water.

Saucepans

You need a large saucepan for making spaghetti, boiling vegetables, and simmering big pots of soup and broth. A larger saucepan (5 or 6 quarts) is ideal for cooking big meals. A smaller saucepan is useful for small things like a boiled egg, cooked grains, and hot cereal.

Dutch Oven

A Dutch Oven is a great tool for cooking stews, roasts, soups, and baked goods. It's easy to clean, durable, and versatile. So why not invest in one?

Sheet Pan

Sheet pans are really useful when making cookies, but they're also good for roasting vegetables, cooking fish, and even making pizza. They're super handy because there's no need to wash dishes after each meal.

13×9 Baking Dish

Use these versatile baking sheets to make a hearty casserole, sheet cake, or pie. They're available in lots of different colors, so pick one that goes well with your kitchen decor.

Immersion Blender

With the push of a single switch, this handy device allows you to quickly mix soups, smoothies, and pesto without having to use a lot of elbow grease. It's perfect for when you're cooking at home but don't want to be bothered by having to clean out your kitchen blender.

Box Grater

No matter if it’s shredding zucchini into healthy muffins, or softening extra-quickly melted unsalted margarine, it might require a bit more elbow grease than using a food processor, but it’s worth the effort to use a hand-held cheese grater that also doesn’t use up too much room.

Microplanes

Nothing beats a good set of microplanes for making plates look fancy when cooking or entertaining at home. They're especially useful for finely grating Parmesan cheese and citrus peels.

Prep Bowls

It's important to have a wide range of mixing bowls. Get some that are made from metals or glass so they don't absorb smells or colors.

Timers

It's important to be mindful of the timing of each step when cooking multiple items at once. You can wear oven mitt gloves to protect yourself from burning yourself, but if you don't want to bother doing that, you can just set a timer on your smartphone.

Cutting Board

Using a sturdy, stable surface for preparing your foods is key. A nice wooden cutting board can protect your knives from dulling quickly, as well as make cleanup easy.

In the end, having all the kitchen utensils you feel you will need to whip up great meals is truly important for any kitchen these days!

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