Create Your Own Checklist for a Well-Stocked Kitchen
Personalize the kitchen with your own must-haves from our list of top cooking tools, small appliances, pots, pans and more
If you are setting up a first home, looking for a housewarming gift, or just find yourself often missing a key cooking tool, this list of essentials and nice extras is here to help. From pots and pans to measuring cups, see which pieces best suit your kitchen and your personal cooking style. Remodeling your kitchen? This list can help you personalize your storage plan.
Small Appliances
- Handheld or standing mixer
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Blender
- Food processor
- Kettle (stovetop or electric)
- Juicer
- Immersion (stick) blender
- Coffee grinder
- Coffeemaker
- Rice cooker
- Slow cooker
- Ice cream maker
Bakeware
- Nesting stainless steel or glass mixing bowls
- Cookie sheets
- Muffin pan
- Rolling pin
- Flour sifter
- Cake pan
- Pie pan
- Loaf pan
- Medium and large rectangular baking dishes (safe for freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher)
- Cookie cutters
- Biscuit cutters
- Offset spatula
- Ramekins
- Pastry cutter
- Pastry scraper
- Cake stand
- Marble pastry board
- Springform cake pan
- Pastry bag and tips
Cookware
Stylish ways to store pots and pans
- Stockpot
- Small and medium saucepans with lids
- Dutch oven
- Cast iron skillet
- Medium and/or large skillet
- Nonstick omelet pan
- Steamer or steam basket
- Teapot
- Roasting pan with rack
- Butter warmer
- Pan for deep frying
- Mesh splatter guard
- Lobster pot
Stylish ways to store pots and pans
Linens
- Oven mitts
- Apron
- Dish drying towels (tea towels)
- Microfiber cleaning cloths
- Rags
- Placemats or tablecloths and napkins for kitchen table
Knives
How to buy and store knives
- 8- or 10-inch chef’s knife
- Paring knife
- Serrated knife
- Sharpening steel and knife-honing stone, or electric knife sharpener (for maintenance only; all knives need occasional professional sharpening)
- Cutting boards
- Knife holder
- Carving knife
- Boning knife
- Shellfish opening knife and protective glove
How to buy and store knives
Weights and Measures
- Nesting dry measuring cups
- Liquid measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Instant-read cooking thermometer
- Kitchen timer
- Meat thermometer
- Candy thermometer
- Digital scale
Storage and Organization
- Lidded refrigerator and freezer-safe food storage containers
- Airtight food storage jars for pantry and countertop
- Canister to keep frequently used kitchen tools close at hand
- Drawer organizers
- Silverware caddy
- Cabinet risers
- Baskets for pantry organization
- Small laundry hamper
Reference
More: Find kitchen tools and accessories in the Products section
10 Checklists for a Well-Stocked Home
- General cookbook
- Favorite cookbooks
- Recipe box, binder or tablet
- Cooking conversion chart
- Tablet holder
- Cooking apps
- Wine guide
More: Find kitchen tools and accessories in the Products section
10 Checklists for a Well-Stocked Home
- Salt and pepper mills
- Can and bottle opener
- Corkscrew
- Wooden spoons
- Tongs
- Ladle
- Pancake turners
- Rubber spatula or scraper
- Whisk
- Vegetable peeler
- Kitchen shears
- Box grater
- Microplane grater
- Colander
- Citrus juicer
- Potato masher
Nice extras: