20 Common Kitchen Tools You Need

Maybe you’re a first-time homeowner, or just heading out on your own for the first time. You might feel that you’re entering uncharted territory, and it’s quite possible that you aren’t aware of everything that you’re going to need. You’ll love these 20 common kitchen tools you need to stock up on right now. 

Common Kitchen Tools You Need 

That’s especially true for tools and gadgets that you need around the kitchen. Fortunately for you, I’m here to help you with a number of them. These are 20 Common kitchen tools that everyone needs to have in their kitchen. 

1. Timer

I must confess, I use a timer to remind me to turn the hose off outside. It’s my all around kitchen/garden timer.

It’s difficult to keep track of cooking times when you have a million other things running through your mind any given day of the week. If for whatever reason your stove or microwave doesn’t come with a timer, it will be important that you get yourself one, unless your family likes everything extra toasty or crispy.  

2. Mixing Bowls

Make sure that you have a number of mixing bowls, most preferably metal or glass ones. They come clean easier and are a necessity when you are mixing a delicious cake batter, tossing salads, or whipping up a topping. I love stainless steel bowls because I can wash them by hand or put them in the dishwasher. This is a great set: Mixing Bowls

3. Cutting Board

Having a cutting board in your kitchen will not only keep your countertops and table surfaces pristine and unscathed, but it also allows for a quick and easy cleanup. A cutting board is also friendlier by keeping your knife blade sharp too since the cutting board surface is relatively soft! Bamboo Cutting Board I highly recommend two cutting boards, one for meat/fish and another one for fruit and vegetables.

4. Kitchen Shears

Kitchen shears are another common kitchen tool you don’t want to be caught without in your kitchen. They’re great for cutting open food packaging, slicing and dicing veggies, along with trimming away undesirable fat from meat. It’s best if you purchase a set of shears that you can easily disassemble so that you’re able to clean them properly.  These are the ones I have had for years: Pampered Chef Kitchen Shears

5. Cast Iron Skillet

Not too many of your kitchen tools will last a lifetime like a cast-iron skillet will. They can handle extremely hot temperatures, while retaining a lot of the heat for longer periods of time than almost any other skillet. Not to mention that they also have a nonstick surface that’s ideal for searing meats, scalloping potatoes, and caramelizing your favorite veggies. While a cast-iron skillet may appear to cost you a small fortune, it’s one of those kitchen investments you can’t afford to go without.  Cast Iron Cooking Set or Cast Iron Griddle

6. Sheet Pans

It becomes almost next to impossible to bake your grandmother’s famous sugar cookie recipe or to throw a pizza in the oven without one or two sheet pans at your disposal. You can even line them with foil for easy cleanup. Check out these amazing sheet pan recipes that will feed the whole family. Oh my gosh, I think of cookie sheets and I think of cookies like I need to make some right now. My Favorite Cookie Sheets

7. Colander

A colander is nice to have in order to drain boiling foods and pasta, along with using one to rinse off fruits and veggies. I have several sizes I use every single day. This is a great Stainless Steel Colander Set

8. Immersion Blender 

You’ll have no trouble parting ways with your traditional standup blender once you’ve made the switch to an immersion blender. It will save you a whole lot of room in your kitchen, while it’s even easier to use. An immersion blender can blend all your favorite smoothies, soups, or mixing salad dressings or creamy pesto. 

9. Baking Dish 

Serving a hearty meal or whipping up a delicious casserole requires a dish that’s not only spacious, but versatile too. That’s where a baking dish comes in. Make sure that you get one that’s at least 9 by 13-inch and is similar in color to your other dishes. These are perfect for lasagna or baking a cake: Stainless Steel Baking Pan

10. Dutch Oven

Like the cast-iron skillet, the dutch oven is one item that every homeowner should have, but will also cost you a bit more money. It’s best to go with one that’s at least 5 to 6 quarts, perfect for feeding an entire family, plus some. It works just like a slow cooker where it can be left to stew over the stove for a number of hours, used in the place of a saucepan, or even placed in the oven. 

Just remember those “Cute Colored Ceramic” Dutch Ovens (shown above) are not suited to cook outside over a fire. This picture is of my sourdough bread rising. How To Make A Sourdough Starter + Bread

I highly recommend buying Dutch Ovens with a lid that have a lip on top like this one: 6-Quart Lodge Dutch Oven

11. Metal Tongs

Metal tongs can be a life-saver for your fingers and a safer way of turning over meat and checking a meal that’s roasting in the oven. 

12. Whisk

A metal whisk is ideal for mixing baking ingredients, whipping up eggs, and making just the right batter for homemade pizza dough. They come in all different shapes and sizes so get the one that best fits your preference. 

13. Chef’s Knife

A chef’s knife is another common kitchen tool that you’ll be using a lot. Stainless steel is the way to go, and be sure that you get one that you feel comfortable with, neither too heavy nor too flimsy.  If you have a chance to go to Costco watch for their Roadshows on “Cutco Knives”, they are my favorite. I always say buy right the first time. They have them a lot cheaper at the roadshows at Costco. Here are the ones I have: Cutco Bread Knife, Cutco Cheese/Tomato Slicer, and this one for chopping Cutco Santoku

14. Bottle Opener and Can Opener

A bottle opener is another kitchen gadget that allows you to open wine bottles and other types of bottles in your home. Even if you’re not interested in drinking alcoholic beverages but enjoy a swig of root beer every now and then, a bottle opener will come in handy to open old fashioned root beer bottles that are still used today.

15. Food Processor

Food processors are another excellent tool that can take all the heavy mixing and cutting work off your shoulders, whether you’re having to knead bread dough, beat a cake batter, slice, dice, chop, or puree almost any type of food that you can think of. 

16. Silicone Spatula

Silicone spatulas are great for mixing and scraping all the ingredients from the edge of a mixing bowl. They also work great while whipping up a creamy frosting or other sweet toppings. Skip the rubber, and make the decision to go with silicone, so that your spatula doesn’t begin to melt under extreme heat.  

17. Metal Spatula 

Not only will you need silicone spatulas, but a good metal one too. That way you can use it when sauteeing sizzling meats, roasting vegetables, or simply flipping fluffy buttermilk pancakes. 

18. Stock or Soup Pot

Some people would argue that a stockpot is not an essential kitchen tool, but I’d be willing to argue on that one. Stockpots are something you’ll need, especially during the winter if you enjoy making chili, soups, broths, or even jams and jellies. In case you missed this post How To Cook Quinoa and Store It (I used a pot similar to this one).

19. Measuring Cups and Spoons

Baking and cooking become a whole lot harder if you don’t have a good set of measuring cups and spoons to help you follow your favorite recipes’ directions. 

20. Instant Read Thermometer

Last, but still very important, is having an instant-read thermometer that can ensure that every meat that leaves your oven is properly cooked. Here’s more info on food-safe temperatures that you should be aware of. 

Final Word

These are 20 common kitchen tools that will make your life a whole lot easier when you are preparing or cooking. What are some other common kitchen tools that you’d have a hard time living without? What do you think about these common kitchen tools you need? The more we cook from scratch the better off we will be. Please keep prepping. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Timer for your Kitchen Deposit photos_66202471_s-2019, Soup Pot Deposit photos_14215244_s-2019, Kitchen Sink Depositphotos_63256063_s-2019, Cast Iron Skillets Depositphotos_104363644_s-2019,