Good Food Blog

Tools for the job

Posted at 3:00PM, 14 October 2009 by Carol Wilson - Food writer

Whenever I give a cookery demonstration, one of the questions I'm most frequently asked is - which kitchen utensils are essential and the most useful? Well, every cook has their own particular favourites, but there are some essential kitchen tools that I think everyone should have, which will not only improve their kitchen skills, but will also make preparation easier and make cooking more pleasurable generally.

Open quotationGood equipment will last for years, is satisfying to use and will give consistently good resultsClose quotation

I think it's well worth investing in good quality tools. Yes they can be expensive, but really good equipment will last for years, is satisfying to use and will give consistently good results - while on the other hand, cheap thin saucepans and baking tins for instance, will buckle easily and are likely to result in food sticking and burning.

There are some tools and equipment that I instinctively choose whenever I'm cooking; some of my favourites include non-stick silicone bakeware, which is brilliant as it doesn't need any greasing or paper lining and is perfect for baking, as cakes just pop out effortlessly. Silicone bakeware is also very versatile as it can be used in the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave and can tolerate temperatures from -40C to 240C. It's great for moulding jellies, rice and frozen desserts too.

My essential utensils include a whisk (essential for smooth sauces and batters), spaghetti server (also ideal for serving other pasta and noodles), slotted turner (perfect for draining and lifting foods), potato masher, (for mashing all sorts of foods smoothly) and a garlic press.

My favourite knives - chef's knife, paring knife and carving knife - are made from martensitic stainless steel. I find they stay sharper for longer.

Other tools which make life easier include a pestle and mortar for grinding and crushing whole spices and fresh herbs; an electric whisk to make short work of whisking egg whites, cream and cake mixtures; a deep frying thermometer to indicate when the fat is hot enough and that the temperature is maintained; a meat/poultry thermometer to check that the meat is cooked through; and, as I enjoy making sweets and preserves, a sugar/preserving thermometer which takes away the guesswork and ensures accurate temperatures.

What are your favourite kitchen tools or utensils?

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Comments

  • Binder photo MsVanDeKamp
    14 October 2009, 4:03PM

    MsVanDeKamp

    Open QuoteI've just broken my hand blender with mini-chopper and whisking attachments. The whisk and mini-chopper I can live without, but I miss my blender so much! I love making soups now the weather is getting cooler. What else am I supposed to do with my glut of pumpkins? The office will get sick of my pumpkin bread and pumpkin cakes!

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  • Binder photo Belit
    14 October 2009, 8:17PM

    Belit

    Open QuoteGood knives and sturdy, wooden chopping boards, cast iron pan, Dutch oven and pestle and mortar, teflon frying pans (big and small), grater, food processor, and Electrolux kitchen machine (I think it's called). Oh, and I love my terracotta Römertopf which I've inherited after my mother in law! I remember they were all the rage in the 1980s, but I find it's a really convenient thing. I stuff mine full of meat and veggies in when I get homee in the afternoon, leave it in the oven until I go to bed, and have the heartiest, tastiest family dinner ready as I come home the next day with almost no effort.

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  • Binder photo Vic
    15 October 2009, 11:50AM

    Vic

    Open QuoteTwo Le Creuset casseroles - one smallish, one largish - they're at least 15 years old already and still going strong, if a bit bashed round the edges. And Swedish butter knives - in both plastic and wood - unbelievably versatile, as they won't damage delicate surfaces, but are strong enough to chip paint off the floor!

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  • Binder photo drusilla
    15 October 2009, 1:01PM

    drusilla

    Open QuoteOh lord, where to start?? Big frying pan, small cast iron frying pan, my garlic crusher, hand blender with attachments (MsVan, I feel your pain!), my narrow measuring spoons (recent acquirement, but don't know how I managed without them!), knives, chopping boards, erm.... I'll stop now!

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  • Binder photo sioden
    15 October 2009, 8:09PM

    sioden

    Open QuoteI've got to agree with Vic. my Le Creustets are my can't live withouts!! And of course, good, sharp knives!

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  • Binder photo Italiana
    15 October 2009, 8:14PM

    Italiana

    Open QuoteFor me it has to be my digital weighing scales, potato peeler (other wise peeling with a knife I'm left with no potato!!) and my had held electric mixer.......take everything else but leave me those three please.... :0)

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  • Binder photo miniminx
    16 October 2009, 1:38PM

    miniminx

    Open Quotekeeping it simple: my set of wooden spoons :)

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  • Binder photo The Impatient Chef
    18 October 2009, 2:15PM

    The Impatient Chef

    Open QuoteA decent, multi-purpose knife is a must in my kitchen. I'm also a great fan of my non-stick frying pan and the kitchen scales.

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  • Binder photo Emma
    22 October 2009, 3:02PM

    Emma

    Open QuoteI use my kitchen tongs virtually every day and wouldn't want to be without them. I also enjoy baking so I couldn't be without my electric mixer - although I've my eye on some dualit matt black ones because they look lovely. Lets hope they're not style over substance!

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  • Binder photo susans file
    22 October 2009, 9:18PM

    susans file

    Open Quotemy food processor and my kenwood mixer wooden spoons and good knives

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  • Binder photo LauLou21
    26 October 2009, 9:49PM

    LauLou21

    Open QuoteMy vacuvin - vacuum wine saver thingy. So handy to use the wine i don't finish for cooking with and drinking throughout the week. Also digital scales and my bendy silicone spatula - cleans the bowl clean every time!

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  • Binder photo angel mags
    27 October 2009, 10:42AM

    angel mags

    Open QuoteI love my le creuset casserole dish. Well worth the money they last a life time. I have seen a new one in shape of a heart in sweden but i may wait until i come back to the UK to buy one as things expensive here. nice for those special occassions.. I also love my German clay oven so easy to use and the food comes out so tender. And last a good set of kitchen knifes are a must.

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  • Binder photo H's
    27 October 2009, 12:19PM

    H's

    Open QuoteMy husband bought me a magimix food processor last christmas and we use it every day for everything from icecream to slicing potatoes don't know how we coped before. My kitchen must have is a good set of knives they really do last you a life time if looked after.

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  • Binder photo suz
    27 October 2009, 8:24PM

    suz

    Open QuoteJust got my first hand blender and a slow cooker. Felt as though I was turning into my mum or gran but no complaints from my other half - what makes me happy makes him happy. One of these smug women whose man doesn't mind getting me what I want for my kitchen because he benefits in the end - I'm happy and he gets good meals!

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  • Binder photo Vivo
    7 November 2009, 5:44PM

    Vivo

    Open QuoteThe good old potatoe/veg peeler. Hand held whizzer. Lots of small sharp knives. Compact digital weighting scales.

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  • Binder photo Jules85
    30 November 2009, 12:02PM

    Jules85

    Open QuoteCould'nt live without my Bamix Stick Blender,Kitchen Aid Mixer,Quality knives and silicone spatulas!

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