Stocking Your New Kitchen

Moving into your first apartment is exciting! You’ve been busy picking out a location, furniture, setting up your job, arranging to have utilities hooked up and on and on. Then, you go to make yourself dinner and realize you have nothing more than a few forks and a package of paper plates.

Or perhaps you’ve been in an apartment for quite some time but you just never got around to properly stocking your kitchen.

Or perhaps, you’re just about to start a new life with your spouse and you’re getting ready to set up your wedding registry.

Whatever situation you might find yourself in, visiting a department store or kitchen center can be a little bit overwhelming. That’s why Apartments.com has assembled this list of kitchen basics to be your guide. Let’s get started.

First, you’ll need some appliances:

Toaster

Microwave

Blender

Electric mixer

If your apartment already has a microwave, you’re in luck! For the other appliances, there are many options ranging in price from cheap to expensive. When you select the appliance that you will be using, think about how often you plan to use it. If you bake every weekend, you might want to invest in a better, stand mixer.

You’ll also need some hardware to use with your stove and oven. Here’s a list of the basics. Keep in mind you can often buy a set of many of these and save money on the whole:

1-quart saucepan

2-quart saucepan

4-quart saucepan

8-quart stockpot

8-inch skillet

14-inch skillet

Roasting pan

Casseroles/baking dishes

Large, heavy kettle with a tight-fitting lid (Dutch oven)

Ridged grill pan

Here are some ethnic cookware items you may want to buy as well:

Asian:

Rice steamer

Clay pot

Wok

Chopsticks

Sushi kit

Potato threader

Sesame seed roaster

Indian/Middle Eastern:

Handi

Mamoul mold

Mexican:

Bean masher/bean pot

Mole pot

Now you’ll need to get your preparation tools. Buy a package of cooking knives or at the very least, purchase the following individually:

An 8-10 -inch knife

A 3-4 -inch knife

A serrated knife

Here are the other items you’ll need for most cooking and baking projects:

Wet and dry measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Meat thermometer

Timer

Mixing bowls in three sizes

Chopping board

Kitchen shears

Vegetable parer

Can and jar opener

Eggbeater

Colander

Funnel

Wooden spoons

Rubber spatulas

Metal spatula

Tongs

Whisk

Slotted spoon/cooking fork

Cake pans: round, square, rectangular, cupcake

Cookie sheets

Cooling racks

Rolling pin

Pancake turner

Optional:

Nutcracker

Potato masher

Ladle

Pepper grinder

Juicer

Sifter

Grater

Strainer

Skewers

Custard cups/loaf pans/pie pans

Coffee pot/Tea kettle

Bottle opener/ corkscrew

Griddle

Steamer

Double boiler

You may be anxious to get started cooking but wait, you need to stock your pantry as well! Head over to the grocery store and pick up these essentials, substitute based on your dietary preferences:

Herb and spice rack with a variety of spices

Baking supplies: flour, white and brown sugar, baking powder or soda, cornstarch and vanilla extract

Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise or miracle whip, jam, pickles and olives

Cream of tartar

Dry yeast

Dry red and white wine

Pasta, rice and/or potatoes

Canned beans and vegetables

Spaghetti sauce and salsa

Cake mixes

Canned fish (tuna and salmon)

Raisins

Gelatin mix

Vinegar (white and cider)

Sauce mix packets: gravy, guacamole, taco

Beef, chicken and/or vegetable broth

Non-dairy creamer

Sugar substitute

Food flavoring and coloring

Peanut butter

Coffee beans and tea bags

Dry oatmeal and/or cereal

Dry/evaporated/condensed milk

Bread crumbs

Cocoa Powder

Assorted baking items: chocolate chips, sprinkles, cupcake liners, pre-made frosting

Now all you need is a good cookbook and your cooking adventures can begin! Check out our other cooking articles for recipe ideas and tips for planning parties.