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The lockdowns and business closures of the pandemic created a new food landscape(Kitchen Gadgets). Consumers had to learn to cook at home, creating a sharp rise in the market for kitchen equipment and healthy ingredients.
Though the pandemic started the shift, Millenials and Gen Z are continuing the trend for healthy home cooking, according to a report from Statista. So, what equipment does the aspiring home chef need to succeed? Here are 10 Essential Kitchen Gadgets Every Home Chef Need.
Knives
Blocks of knives? High-end chef’s tools? What knives should home cooks choose?
Culinary experts say you only need a chef, bread, and a paring knife. These knives should cover almost all your needs.
Opt for forged and stamped knives for enhanced durability and superior quality.
Knives
The choice between forged and stamped is mainly personal preference. Still, there are things to keep in mind.
Forged knives weigh more, stay sharp longer, and are more durable and precise. They cost significantly more due to the intensive manufacturing process.
Stamped knives are lighter but less precise. They usually lack a ‘bolster,’ the metal band that helps keep fingers clear of the blade, making them prone to causing injury. But they are very cost-effective.
Cutting Boards
A chef needs something to protect the knife edge and the countertop. Food safety experts say a home cook should have at least two cutting boards.
Cutting raw meat or seafood on a separate board prevents bacteria from contaminating other foods that don’t require cooking. This helps keep your vegetables, fruits, and other ready-to-eat items safe from potentially harmful pathogens.
It’s important to have designated cutting boards for different types of food to maintain proper food safety and avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Cutting Boards
Wood and plastic are the best materials for cutting boards.
Some wood species are antimicrobial and don’t dull knives as much. A wooden board requires regular treatment with food-safe oil to prevent cracking.
While cheaper, a plastic cutting board wears out faster and can’t be maintained.
Mandoline
A mandoline is a must-have for a home chef. When the goal is uniform, thin slices of vegetables, a mandoline is faster, more efficient, and requires less skill.
Thanks to the mandoline, the slices also cook more evenly.
Mandoline
Its biggest drawback is a mandoline’s biggest advantage: it’s very fast and sharp. To reduce the risk of injury when using a mandoline, chefs must put something between their hand and the blade, such as a clean kitchen towel or a cut-proof glove.
Stand Mixer
Few tools are as versatile as a stand mixer. Different blades allow it to whip, whisk, cream, and even emulsify meat. And the dough hook speeds up bread making.
Additional attachments allow a stand mixer to roll and cut homemade pasta and grind meat.
Stand Mixer
There are three primary concerns when buying a stand mixer: capacity, power, and features.
Capacity is the main one: how much can it hold, and how much can it mix? Power dictates how well it can use that capacity and run any attachments. Finally, features like sausage or pasta makers, slicers, or grinders make the mixer more versatile but drive up the cost.
Blender
A blender’s primary benefit is making smoothies, drinks, and sauces. For pureeing and crushing ice, there is no better appliance.
A blender is a must-have for home chefs looking to incorporate more healthy food into their diet and extract the most nutrition from fruits and vegetables.
Blender
When choosing a blender, the size, speed, and features are factors to consider.
Considering the carafe’s size and capacity are essential for both use and storage. For speed, it’s useful to have between 3 and 10 settings. Also, features like coffee grinders can allow the blender to do double duty.
Immersion Blender
Why buy a stick blender in addition to a countertop model? Here’s why: it’s better for small jobs, easier to clean, and uses less storage space.
But the biggest draw is the ability to blend directly in the pot, making creamy soups and sauces easier without dirtying a large appliance.
Immersion Blender
Usage is the primary concern when buying an immersion blender. Knowing what vessels a home chef will be using it with is essential. A cook should consider whether they are making a lot of small batches of sauces, purees, smoothies, and so on.
Immersion blenders also can’t do heavy grinding and chopping and often can only run in short bursts. For more intense blending, a countertop blender is the way to go.
Food Processor
There is nothing a food processor does that a home chef can’t accomplish with a good knife and enough practice.
However, a food processor can make cooking significantly faster and easier for large meal prep and for home chefs who are still determining their knife skills or are simply in a hurry.
Food Processor
While food processors come in many sizes and often have many attachments, home chefs should choose the one they will use.
A mini processor might be best for a chef with limited space or preparing small portions. A large capacity and an array of attachments might be better for cooks doing lots of meal prep and wanting to consolidate appliances.
Microplane
Also known as a zester, a Microplane has a variety of uses.
In addition to zesting, which means taking the outer peel off a citrus fruit, a Microplane is also suitable for grating cheeses, spices, garlic, and ginger.
Microplane
A Microplane’s shining use is in rapidly, evenly shaving an ingredient. A knife can do the job, as can other kitchen utensils. Still, it requires intense skill, practice, or experimentation to achieve the kind of fine shred that a Microplane can do immediately.
Slow Cooker
The reasons to own a slow cooker are legion. The biggest draw is the ability to start a meal in the morning and leave it to cook all day. But ease of cleaning, durability, and extreme versatility are ample reasons to invest in one.
Slow Cooker
Choosing a slow cooker is often as simple as picking a size. For large cuts of meat, meal prep, or large crowds, 6-10 quarts is the capacity a chef needs. For sauces, dips, or more individual meals, 1-5 quart sizes are available.
Digital Scale
A digital kitchen scale is a must for most professional kitchens.
A scale is more accurate than measuring cups and allows the chef to measure everything in one vessel, reducing mess. It also makes measuring awkward, sticky, or hard-to-pack ingredients much simpler.
Digital Scale
When choosing a digital scale, check the scale’s maximum capacity. Buying a scale that is too small or underpowered will lead to frustration.
Another tip is to avoid flat scales. A raised scale ensures the home chef can see the screen even with a bowl or pot on the platform.
Is That It?
Although a home chef needs more than just the items on this list, these tools are the most versatile necessities for taking home cooking to a new level. Aside from these, pots, pans, mixing bowls, and bakeware are the most obvious choices for a cook to explore. Nevertheless, the items on this list are a must to get beyond the basics and create healthy, delicious cuisine!
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