Spec me kitchen wares!

dfarrall

dfarrall

dfarrall

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So i have recently acquired my first house and i have nothing to get my by in the kitchen at the moment.

The main things i'm after are pots & pans and knives.
I do know i want to make an investment, rather than just grabbing something rubbish. I will only be cooking for myself in the short term.

Knife wise i'm really unsure what i would use as i don't cook that often at the moment. I'm not a big fish lover, would use a lot of other meats though.
Was thinking of something like this to start me off and expanding it when i know what i need?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Henckels-Fo...r_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1336046376&sr=1-1

With regards to pots and pans i have no idea, what is a good make? I don't need to go overboard on that front so really only need a couple of pans including frying.

Other awesome kitchen gadgets would be welcomed to the collection if worthy!
 
The knives are good although you'll probably only ever use the utility knife when the others are dirty. You could probably pick up a similar set for at least half the price if you have a decent TKMaxx nearby.

Pots and pans the Ramon Blanc Anolon ones are always recommended and nearly always on offer under £100.

Alternatively I'm finding Ikea saucepans to be pretty good.

Get yourself some plastic chopping boards. Different colours for meat/fish/veg if you like.

Keep your eye out for things like graters, mashers, a steamer for your pans, a colander/ pasta drainer, mixing bowl.

Do you have cuttlery or crockery? I like the Ikea 365 for basic plates and bowls. Cutlery is more of an aquired feel, I mostly use a 99p set from Morrisons!
 
I'm sure i can pop into a TKMaxx, are there any particular brands i should go for, or avoid?

Thanks, will take a look at the Anolon ones, what's included in the set do you know?

For chopping boards i was looking at wooden, any reason for plastic vs wooden apart from the obvious colour coding for hygiene?

The little bit's aren't too bad as they are only cheap, it's the major goods i want to invest in.

I have some basic crockery, but would like to swap it really. And no cutlery yet, was going to pick that up when i go out shopping for crockery. Like to see them in the flesh!
 
Pots and pans Stellar are great and affordable. You can build up a set as you can afford it. Try not to buy the chef branded ones as they may not be around next year unless you find a good deal on s whole set.

Knives I've only ever had cheap basics and a sharpening stone.
 
+1 for stella pans.

My dad has had stella pans ever since Imber can remember. He's never needed to replace them, he's gone from the days of gas to electric with them and they still look like they are a few months old

I generally buy a cheapish set of knives, sabatier ones, about 50 - 70 quid for 5 knives and a block from tk maxx. I bought a set about 8 years ago, they sharpen well and do everything I ask from them.
 
Pick up one good chefs knife (I prefer wusthof), a decent sharpening stone and a steel.
And learn how to care for your knives!

If you don't have a decent stone, or set of stones, might as well not bother.

As far as pans go, Bourgeat are great for most things although places like cash and carrys have good stock pots and things like that.

Plates? I like willow pattern, a lot of people don't, maybe they think it's old fashioned. Thats preference, you could eat off an old bit of sheet metal with plastic cutlery and it would do the same job.
 
Thanks, think i will go for the stellar pans as we have some vouchers from tesco for a few discount ones. Don't need a massive set to start so would be easier to just get a couple.

Looking at the knife thread, i'm best getting a decent chef's knife then just a cheap set for anything i can't use that for correct?

Don't think i need a spec me plates ;) Can't go wrong with those!
 
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In terms of pans, do not go too cheap - I have some Vogue stainless steel ones from Nisbets are still going strong (good heavy base). With frying pans, make sure you get non-stick.

Utensils such as peeler are cheap and good from Ikea.
 
Wooden boards are so much better than plastic. As well as look nicer.
Just don't put them in the dishwasher, same for any wooden products.
And get some wood oil.
 
Glaucus said:
Wooden boards are so much better than plastic. As well as look nicer.
Just don't put them in the dishwasher, same for any wooden products.
And get some wood oil.
Click to expand...

The cost is what puts me off... You can get really good plastic boards (1/2" thick) for the price of cheap wooden boards and they should last longer as well.
 
I've had some Circulon pans for close to 10 years now, and apart from the Wok which i didnt look after properly, all of them perform as well as they have when they were new.
 
I've got a set of Wustof (sp?) Knives and I wouldn't be without them. I'm a chef so they get used daily at home or at work. I don't know if you can buy them singly (I have an 18 pc set) but if you can I'd get a small and a medium sized knife.

Not sure about pots. I tend to buy cheap ones and throw away when they're no good.

I'd get a solid wood chopping board. Mine is about an inch thick now. It was thicker but I sand it down when it gets marked. Its easier on the knives and you don't need to colour code at home as long as you clean stuff properly.
 
Wood looks nicer but it also harbours bacteria.

Always get a plastic board for meat and a seperate one for fish.

I used a wooden board for everything for years and never had a problem but when cooking for other people with possibly weaker immune systems? Better be safe than sorry.
 
davido_labido said:
+1 for stella pans.

My dad has had stella pans ever since Imber can remember. He's never needed to replace them, he's gone from the days of gas to electric with them and they still look like they are a few months old

I generally buy a cheapish set of knives, sabatier ones, about 50 - 70 quid for 5 knives and a block from tk maxx. I bought a set about 8 years ago, they sharpen well and do everything I ask from them.
Click to expand...

Yup, I recently purchased the stellar stainless range (was around £110) and they are excellent and really (really) easy to clean and I'd suggest if you do go stellar you get the glass lids with draining holes as they are so handy.

Knives I have a few expensive ones but my go-to knife for general cooking is a Victorinox - Amazon do some good prices but my view these days is to avoid buying sets and just get the knives you will use regularly.

Other kitchen essentials for me are:
- Colander
- Metal or silicone tongs (search 'Cuisipro 30 cm Silicone Tongs' on Amazon)
- Digital scales
- Measuring jug
- Large mixing bowl ('Rayware Mason Cash Cane S9 Mixing Bowl, 32 cm')
- Hand blender (with spice grinder attachment)
- Box grater ('Kitchen Craft Stainless Steel Deluxe Four Sided Grater 24cm')
- Large stainless steel sieve ('Kitchen Craft Stainless Steel Round Strainer / Sieve, 18cm'

Plenty of other things but those I couldn't do without, plus of course various casserole dishes and of course a selection of wooden spoons/spatulas and a couple of silicone spatulas for cakes/bread.

With regards to chopping boards - after doing a food prep course recently I'd definitely go for good quality 1" high density plastic chopping boards (these don't warp in dishwasher like the thinner ones do), one for chicken, one for red meat, one for fish and even one for veg unless you want to chop veg on a nice wooden butchers block (end grain is best) and I suggest you steer clear of those fancy bamboo type ones as they split over time from washing them. Oh, and don't waste your money on glass unless you want to sharpen your knives every time you use them.
 
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