What could you not do without in your kitchen?

Participant · 6 Dec 2011 at 17:14

What one piece of hardware could you not do without in your kitchen? Maybe this could turn into a bit of a recommendation thread.

I'd have to say my cast iron griddle. I love it! I use it for chicken, sausages, steak, making cheese and ham toasties, and basically anything that I want to give a char-grilled flavour to. It makes things taste so much more interesting that if you just use a boggo flat pan.

NeverWinter · 6 Dec 2011 at 17:24

My sharpening steel! I would totally be lost without it.

randomshenans · 6 Dec 2011 at 17:27

Cooker.

mattx2 · 6 Dec 2011 at 17:28

Sink.

Andybtsn · 6 Dec 2011 at 17:29

The wife

J1234 · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:07

Gas hob. Electric ones are absolutely awful and I genuinely feel sorry for anyone that has to use one. That and my pans, like AcidHell (why did you change your name?

) below I have Anolon Pros.

Glaucus · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:12

My decent frying pans. Suppose my big analog Meyer professional being the most important. I can chop with blunt knifes and do things with a lack of other tools.

But a decent non stick frying pan, just makes a world of difference, especially when doing things like fried eggs. Which is why I don't get on with stainless steel, I don't get them. Stuff sticks to it, it's just easy to clean. Even on cooking shows where presumably they use good stuff it sticks but comes of super easily when you deglaze. What's the point in that.

NeverWinter · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:26

Glaucus said:
I can chop with blunt knifes.

Tell me that when you're trying to chop soft tomatoes!

lrlcr · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:27

nothing...

everything makes life a lot easier though.

Glaucus · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:32

NeverWinter said:
Tell me that when you're trying to chop soft tomatoes!

It's still possible it's not pretty. But it's far less of a nesecity than a decent frying pan.

Swordfish · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:43

Justin said:
Gas hob. Electric ones are absolutely awful and I genuinely feel sorry for anyone that has to use one. That and my pans, like AcidHell (why did you change your name? ) below I have Anolon Pros.

Like Justin - has to be my Gas Cooker. Switcher over after we got kitchen done last year and the difference from electric is unreal.

How good are these Anolon pans? Had a look HERE but cant seem to see the UK site - does one exist or can you recommend somewhere.

lrlcr · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:45

Actually scratch that, I can make do and cook lovely meals as long as i've got a knife. Of my current ones probably my kin knife as it's so versatile:

arc@css · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:50

Hard choice but I'd have to say the halogen cooker.

HeadlessChicken · 6 Dec 2011 at 18:57

It's a tough one, because there are obvious ones you *have* to have; knives, pans, chopping boards etc. So those aside, I do love my titan peeler. One of the best bits of kitchen hardware I have bought.

lrlcr · 6 Dec 2011 at 19:01

you really don't... Clearly you've never cooked on a bonfire!

HeadlessChicken · 6 Dec 2011 at 19:11

lrlcr said:
you really don't... Clearly you've never cooked on a bonfire!

I've cooked in some of the most remote parts of Africa with virtually no hardware *or* ingredients, I know what can be done with nothing

I was just suggesting in a normal context.

randomshenans · 6 Dec 2011 at 19:16

I was jesting, I would agree and say my Kins are my favourite things really. I've got 4 now and buy one whenever I get the chance, aim to replace all my knives.

My pans are pretty good, they're nothing WOW but they're never an issue but crap knives ARE an issue, I hate them!

J1234 · 6 Dec 2011 at 20:28

Swordfish said:
How good are these Anolon pans? Had a look HERE but cant seem to see the UK site - does one exist or can you recommend somewhere.

They're the best pans your can get, unless you get copper ones. There's a reason most professional chefs use them

They're widely available over here. I bought mine from Pots and Pans.
http://www.pots-and-pans.co.uk/acatalog/Meyer_Anolon_Professional.html

oli collett · 6 Dec 2011 at 20:32

If you think electric hobs are useless, you should try induction - I'll be getting that in my next kitchen rather than gas!

I'd probably go with my frying pan. Or casserole. Both get a battering.

WillyNelson · 6 Dec 2011 at 20:47

Decent knives (Globals) and a good set of heavy based stainless pans certainly make things easier but my indispensable bit of kit would have to be a timer as I'm always forgetting to look at the clock.