Okay, today’s post starts with a little exercise. No, I’m not going to ask you to get on the treadmill—after all, where would you hang all those clothes piled on top of it? It’s very simple and you won’t even break a sweat. Ready?
Quick, go to your kitchen. Think of all the great meals you’ve made in there, the happy recipe accidents that ended up even better than the original, the day you finally conquered pie (yay!), and all the smiles on people’s faces after you’ve fed them something they love. Now look around and tell us:
What are some of the things in your kitchen that you consider absolutely essential? Stuff you just can’t live without?
Got it? It can be anything at all: tool, gadget, appliance, food item, or even something as simple as a step stool. (I have tall cabinets and not-too-tall legs. Things are constantly beyond my reach.)
Now here’s a follow up question:
What is the one kitchen item you don’t have but wish you did?
I’ll start us off. I have lots of tools and gadgets I love (like cookie scoops and Mason jars of all sizes) but I have to say I can’t live without my rice cooker. What can I say? I’m a rice girl. Sure, I know how to make rice in a pot. But I’ve been using a rice cooker almost all my adult life and I love the convenience of not having to worry about a pot on the stove and always having warm rice available.
I pretty much just make do with whatever I have, so I had to think hard to figure out what I wish I had. Does a wood-burning pizza oven count?
Betsy loves her Le Creuset Dutch oven, especially this time of year. It’s perfect for soups, braises, everything! She adds, “I’ve never had a high power blender, so I’d love to have one of those someday. I think I’m waiting for my old one to conk out on me.”
Ree chimes in too! “I can’t live without my inexcusably high stack of half-sheet pans/baking sheets. They are worn and scratched and well-loved. I use them for cookies, roasting vegetables, baking biscuits, roasting chicken legs … everything!”
Now we want to hear from you! What’s essential in your kitchen, and what’s at the top of your wish list? Let us know!
189 Comments
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Norma on 12.11.2013
I’d like a wonder mill wheat grinder.
Mariam on 12.11.2013
a few simple items are on the top of my list: bamboo rice paddles, a good sharp knife and my epicurean cutting boards. I do sometimes wish I had a food processor, but a lack of storage space keeps me from worrying about it too much. With a mixer, a good knife and a blender, I can make do.
Jo Ann on 12.11.2013
I am sucker for kitchen gadgets and equipment since I love to cook . This year we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary so the set of pots and pans my Grandmother gave us as a wedding gift has seen better days. So has my set of Chicago cutlery that is over forty years old. Would love a set of Wusthof knives. If I had to name just one favorite item in my kitchen it would be my Kitchen Aid stand mixer.
Anna on 12.11.2013
What do I use most?
Good knives. Years ago I had a Victorinox serrated bread knife that did multiple things. Slicing bread was just part of the work it did. The handle eventually gave out, but I do think the blade is tucked away in a drawer somewhere if I’m ever able to find someone who can put a new handle on. In the meantime, I have other similar knives. The most recent one was an impulse purchase, a long serrated blade with holes cut in the blade. It’s apparently designed to slice melons (with a green handle and pink blade, and watermelon seed shaped cutout holes in the blade), but does lots of other stuff too.
Other than that, a good chef’s knife, a bunch of paring knives (including a few bird beak blades for peeling/coring fruits) and a cheese knife all make my life much easier.
I recently bought a few RADA Cutlery knives online, since I’d seen them at craft shows, and liked them. (their vegetable parer is the best!) Their cheap price is a major plus. Got the kind with a plastic handle so I can put them in the dishwasher.
A while back I finally bought a good pair of poultry shears, and wow, am I impressed. Wish I’d had these years ago. (The only thing I dislike about the fancy one I got is that they tried to make it a more multi purpose tool, including some sort of thing on the handle that only serves to make the shears less comfortable to hold than they would be otherwise.Not sure what purpose it is intended to serve, which makes it irritating.
Other than cutting implements, I do love my immersion blender. I’ve had mine for decades, an old Braun that’s going strong.
What don’t I have? A big crock pot. I’ve got a smaller one (3.5 quart, I think, one of the ones with removable Corning Ware inserts) that’s handy for my small household, but I do think a slightly larger one would come in handy. I’m currently debating the purchase of an Crock Pot one on sale price at the grocery store. I’d love a fancier model but keep reading about the problems people have with their screens just blanking out. At least the low tech models don’t tend to do THAT.
Deb on 12.11.2013
There are so many things I love….I love my Dutch oven, my LARGE set of cast iron pans most of which my beloved Uncle found for me at swap shops before I got married…my grain mill and food dehydrator, not to mention my knives and the knife rack my Dad made me that hangs on the side of the cabinet above my sink. The two OLD white glass shelves that were my Great Grandmothers are wonderful…but…probably my most precious kitchen item, is the rolling pin my Uncle made me, and the holder my hubby made for it. The rolling pin was fashioned after one my Great Grandmother had, and since my Uncle died a few short years after making it for me, it’s become even more special to me over the years.
The one thing I keep wishing I could afford the most lately…and almost did till I had to replace a few to many things this last month, is an ice cream maker…one that has it’s own compressor, so I can make more than one batch if I want! We have Jersey cows, so it sure would be nice to be able to make our own ice cream with their wonderful milk and cream! :-)).
Judy W on 12.11.2013
My spatulas, mixing bowls and roasting pan.. We love roasted vegetables at our house.
So the pan is essential. The one thing that would wish for is a new food processor.
I have a very old one and it needs to be tossed in the trash!
Barbie in Florida on 12.11.2013
I think really good knives are essential. One thing I do not have and is on my wish list is a Vitamix.
Jackie on 12.11.2013
Like pretty much everyone else here who’s got one, I don’t know what I’d do without my KitchenAid mixer. It’s like baking on Easy Mode, and I can make mashed potatoes with it! There’s also a little aluminum saucepan that I use for pretty much everything, that I’d be lost without. What I’d like… is probably a food processor or a more powerful blender.
Sandra G. on 12.11.2013
My KitchenAid mixer is the best purchase I have ever made. Next is my Keurig Coffee Brewer. Awesome.
I really would like to have a Le Creuset Dutch Oven with Grill Lid and some Wusthof knives. They are just to pricey for me right now.
Betsy (TK) on 12.11.2013
Thought of another thing I’d love to have (this is fun!): a springform pan!
Elizabeth L. on 12.11.2013
I love my cast iron pans. I want to get some stoneware sheet pans.
karen on 12.11.2013
I can’t live without my good quality stainless steel frying pan. It is awesome. I love my cast iron but this is so good to make a sauce…..
I have most of the things I need but a mandolin would be nice
Glenda on 12.11.2013
Oh me, I could not live without my iron skillet,food processor and grain mill. I would love to have a tea kettle and ice cream maker. I have a big ice cream freezer but I would like one for the kitchen. I also need a good set of knives.
Cheri on 12.11.2013
My favorite paring knife made by a local mennonite family is my kitchen can’t live with it item. What I’d love to have is the entire set of the knives this very same family makes…..
jp on 12.11.2013
What an interesting question. When I have more time I want to see what others have said – and think more about what are my absolute favorites/essentials. I think I like having good quality tools the best – it’s worth having fewer items in order to have items that fit well in the hand, are easy to use and last a long time – and preferably aren’t made of aluminum or plastic. I love a sharp paring knife, my hand held grater for small to medium amounts of cheese, the 9 x 13 inch pan with the lid (I know, plastic lid). I use a 6-8 inch sauté pan for a lot of different items, including my a.m. oatmeal. I’d like to try an immersion blender and would love to have a really good juicer’/extracter thing like a Vitamix.
Sheri on 12.11.2013
When I think of something I can’t live without, I think of something I use every day and that would have to be a timer. In fact, everyone in our house loves timers and is always taking them out of the kitchen and I have to hunt them down. But I love my Pampered Chef chopper and truly appreciate a good potato peeler;-)
MarlaFrancine on 12.11.2013
Kim rh on 12.11.2013
My 12 in non-stick frying pan. That baby gets a work out everyday!. It never gets put away.
I’d love to have one of those Le Creuset cast iron pan and give my recipes a spin.
Meg on 12.11.2013
I love the huge metal mixing bowl I picked up at a yard sale for fifty cents a few years ago [g]. I bought it on a whim, and I use it almost daily.
I wish I had a) a food processor (I’ve never had one and am not sure enough I’d use it to justify the expense), and b) a big stand mixer (I have a handheld one which is good enough for most things plus the same excuse as for a)).
Donnalee on 12.11.2013
I couldn’t do without my Rosle Garlic Press, I don’t even have to peel the garlic anymore.
Nikki H on 12.11.2013
I love those Wusthoff knives!! Love them!! Have cut myself with them many, many times!! I think we need a KitchenAid mixer. I’m going to keep my eye out for one for the mr. for Christmas!
Kelly H. on 12.11.2013
I can’t live without my chef’s knife. I love my rice cooker and cookie scoops and bench scraper and bamboo spoons, but without my knife I’m… unhappy.
I’ve had a danish dough whisk on my “to buy” list for some time now, but can’t figure out what size I want!
grandmajohnnie on 12.11.2013
Immersion blender. I love my pans, utensils, knives, etc. and I love being at home and in my kitchen on the weekends…
KarlaJ on 12.11.2013
Parchment Paper! The pre-cut half-sheet pan size. Perfect for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, and making royal icing decorations! I find I use it all the time. My wish list includes a Vitamix for all those yummy smoothies.
Brenda on 12.11.2013
I would not want to do without my KiechenAid Mixer….I would love to have the flex beater blade for it that has scrapper on sides..
Kristina on 12.11.2013
I do not have a cast iron skillet and I want one so badly, but if you buy it seasoned someone elses cooties have been in it so I am reluctant i’ve heard they are hard to season yourself
Jeanelle on 12.11.2013
Everyone mentions the stand mixer but the KitchenAid hand mixer is one of my favorite things in life. I give them as gifts at bridal showers because they are the best hand mixers in the world. I’d love to have a mini cheesecake pan and some new cupcake tins.
dottie1 on 12.11.2013
My hard anodize pans. Love them! Oh and also my ninja crockpot.
Bev on 12.11.2013
I use my santoku knife, whisk, rubber scraper & Calphalon frying pan the most. What I would love to have that’s not exactly a gadget is a dishwasher! It would make the aftermath of entertaining so much easier.
CJ. on 12.11.2013
My grandma’s rolling pin & a whisk with a comfortable grip get used frequently. I would so love a KitchenAid mixer!
Erika (TK) on 12.11.2013
I love my Rosle whisk. I can make whipped cream by hand in less than a minute, which of course means I now eat way too much whipped cream.
Lisa C on 12.11.2013
I couldn’t live without my immersion blender, especially in Winter with all the soup I make. I REALLY want a mandolin to help me chop perfect veggies
Betsy (TK) on 12.11.2013
We’ve been hearing about the cordless immersion blender. Want!
Nanci (TK) on 12.11.2013
Yes … I forgot about my trusty immersion blender. Can’t do without it during soup season. Good one, Lisa! If you get a mandolin, be careful! I’ve lost a couple fingertips with mine. You want it?
Charlene on 12.11.2013
My KitchenAid mixer–Its’ been by my side for 25 years and is still going strong! My wish list would be a better set of knives.
Michele R on 12.11.2013
I love my kitchen aid mixer and it sounds like it is about to take flight and the pin that holds the top to the bottom keeps trying to wiggle out! I’ve had it for 12 years and I love it! So at the top of my wish list would be a new mixer! ha!
Carol Bee on 12.11.2013
I think it’s my cutting board and knifes, daily use. I love my iron skillet, I love kitchen gadgets in particular. Always looking for something I can use, but don’t buy if it just sits and takes up space.
Sandy on 12.11.2013
I look my kitchenaid mixer and food processor as well as my knives. I don’t have a rice cooker but that would be a nice addition.
Jackie R on 12.11.2013
The one thing I would have a difficult time living without is my big blue roasting pan. I use it for pork shoulders, beef roasts, and, of course, turkey.
The one thing I don’t have, but would love to own is a KitchenAid stand mixer.
Lori K on 12.11.2013
Love, love, love my well-worn pot holders — especially the ones that were hand made by my grandmother many, many years ago. What I truly need (and need to learn how to use) is a pressure canner. Right now all my home-canned goods are made using the water bath method. There are sooooo many pressure-canned recipes that I want to try.
Betsy (TK) on 12.11.2013
Ooh, pressure canning! Cool. Also, love that your favorite things are low-tech pot holders. It’s so nice to have family reminders in the kitchen.
AngAK on 12.11.2013
number one is my Santoku knife. then I love my parchment paper sheets. can’t bake without them. and I use my hand mixer more often than the big Kitchenaid. my husband brought a grind and brew coffee maker into the marriage and I’m liking that an awful lot—especially the delayed start for morning coffee already made.
hiswife on 12.11.2013
My santonku knife. It’s a Ginsu. I’d wanted a Wustof but that was not in the realm of the budget and this one had great reviews. It’s been two years and it is still my favorite knife! I love being able to slice onions and tomatoes and carrots so easily! I’d love to have a good large long lasting non-stick frying pan!
Vicky on 12.11.2013
I love my sheet pans, like Ree I use them for everything. Only 2 things I have been wanting are really good knives and a super blender…one of the new ones that does everything.
Brenda Lee on 12.11.2013
The things I can not do without in the kitchen are wooden utensils, stoneware dishes for the oven and freezer. The thing that I would most want to have is a KitchenAid Mixer.
Glenda on 12.11.2013
Can’t live without my Henckel knives, small Calphalon Unison skillet, and enameled cast-iron cookware. What I really need is a large non-stick skillet (like 12 – 14+ inches) so I can cook meat or chicken in one batch with little to no added fat.
Julia on 12.11.2013
I don’t have any fancy knives or appliances, but I love my soup pot!
Paula on 12.11.2013
Some many things…my Global and Shun knives are a must have! What I hear from my Son, is that I’m really missing a Vitamix! I’m a big time gadget girl, so I have pretty much everything else one could possibly have:-)
Cindy G on 12.11.2013
I wish I had a Kitchen aid mixer . I can not live without my cookie sheets. I use them for everything not just cookies.
April on 12.11.2013
I would be lost without my Kitchenaid mixer, my virtually indestructible heavy stainless sauté pan and small cast-iron skillet. All get nearly daily use at my house, and each is a great workhorse, no matter what amount of use they see!
Brenda on 12.11.2013
My Henckels and Wusthoff knives that my aunt gave me for a wedding present and my garlic press are what I can’t live without. I’m really hoping for an immersion blender for Christmas.
RON on 12.11.2013
my wife wishes she had an imersion blender. not really sure what that is or why she needs it but she’s always asked for one
Bridget on 12.11.2013
Knives, chef’n switchit spatulas, and the skillet get used daily at our house. On the wish list are pretty serving dishes, large carving board, icecream maker and a new double oven.
ANNMARIE G on 12.11.2013
my favorite gadget is my kitchen aid mixer i use it for everything!!
and the one item i wish i had was silmats! they look like they would come in handy
for baking!