How to Stock a Basic Kitchen

Stocking a kitchen for the first time takes some planning.

If you have just moved into your first apartment or home, you will want to stock your kitchen with both utensils, cooking instruments and some basic food items. Even the most basic kitchen requires you to have a few essential items for food preparation. Once stocked with the basics, your kitchen will be ready to use.

Instructions

1. Buy some cookware. Look around for sales whenever you can. Your cookware should include a small 6-inch frying pan and a larger 8-inch or 10-inch frying pan. Also good to have are 1-quart and 4-quart sauce pans with lids.

2. Purchase small electrical appliances including a toaster, a kettle and perhaps a coffee maker. Other possible electrical items would include a can opener, small microwave, an electric mixer and blender.

3. Buy a set of flatware that includes knives, forks and spoons. You will also need a set of dishes, glasses and mugs. When buying these be sure to pick up a dish rack for drying the dishes. Don't forget to buy dish cloths, towels for drying and the necessary cleaning products like dish soap, scrubbing pads and sponges.

4. Pick up the extra utensils such as a cheese grater, a set of mixing bowls, a cutting board or two, corkscrew and bottle opener, tongs, spatula, ladle, whisk and set of knives.

5. Pick up the basics for your fridge and pantry. Start with spices, flower, cornstarch, sugar, coffee and tea.

6. Pick up items you would keep in the refrigerator like ketchup, mustard, jams, olives and pickles. You should also pick up canola and olive oil for the odd food items you may want to fry. Vinegars and salad dressings would round out your basic food requirements.

References

• OChef: How to Stock Your Pantry
• Family Education: Stocking a Healthy Kitchen
• The Place for Cooks: Stocking a Kitchen 101