Do you really need fourteen mixing bowls in your kitchen. . . or could you survive with just three? Is it necessary to have 13 wooden spoons, or could just a few do the job? This is one of those questions I find myself constantly asking as muddle through my cupboards, and when a PPP reader asked for a list on the first day of our 25 Days to a More Organized You series, I thought it would be fun to throw together.
It’s so easy to see another fancy kitchen gadget or cute utensil and think we need it, but eventually those items can take over our kitchen cupboards, and force us to lose all sense of organization. Gadgets can also get pretty pricey, so whenever possible I try to pass them by! But, there are a few items I’d have a tough time living without, and they help cooking each night in our home become so much more manageable.
Here’s a peek at what’s on my must-have kitchen list, but it may look different than yours (especially depending on how frequently you cook, and how many you’re feeding!) I’d love to hear your suggestions also . . . but here’s a start at what I’d be lost without. . .
I’d really hate to live without:
- Crockpot
- Can opener
- Potato peeler
- Hand Mixer
- 3-4 Mixing spoons
- Good set of knives
- Set of pots and pans with lids
- 2 baking sheets
- Set of mixing bowls
- 1 set measuring cups and spoons (I also love these cute measuring cups, and they save a ton of space!)
- 2-Cup Measuring Cup
- 1 set Rubbermaid containers
- toaster
- coffee pot (if you drink coffee ~ we don’t but do have one in our attic for when we have company!)
- set of 2-3 baking dishes
- Whisk
, Spatula
, Slotted Spatula
- A cutting board
These are so nice to have, but aren’t necessities:
- KitchenAid Mixer
(really don’t need, but goodness I do love mine!)
- Food processor or hand chopper
- 4 cup measuring cup
(if you don’t have a 4-cup measuring cup and have room for one, I highly recommend it . . . it really could be on my must-have list because I use it so much!)
- Meat thermometer
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Large stockpot
- Warming Tray (I don’t have this but have always wanted one!)
- Bread Maker
- Blender
- Electric Grill
Things I can easily live without:
- Toaster Oven
(my husband just told me he wants one ~ eek!)
- Panini Press
- Chocolate Fondue Pot (we bought one of these forever ago and absolutely didn’t need it so we donated it a few years ago!)
- Bagel slicer
- Cake Pop Maker
(these look cute, but there’s no way my cupboards have room for one of those!)
Looking for more ways to get organized? See previous 25 Days to a More Organized You:
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 1: Stop Procrastinating
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 2: Handling Paper Clutter
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 3: Set Up a Spot For Kids Artwork
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 4: Simplify Lunch Duty
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 5: Shine the Sink (I promise, it works!)
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 6: How To Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day One}
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 7: How to Make The Most Of Your Freezer Space {Day Two}
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 8: Menu Planning
- 25 Days to a More Organized You Day 9: Create a Command Center
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Two additional things that I personally would hate to live without in my kitchen: my garlic press and my steamer – which makes the best hard boiled eggs.
I had a steamer but gave it up because it took too much space, and we didn’t use it enough…. but I definitely need to add a garlic press to the list!
It seems like a pricey gadget when you look at it (a little over 50.00) but PC’s Manual Food Processor is the best little chopper ever and easy to clean up (quick disclaimer I am not a PC consultant.). Another must have for me is a good dish towel. I will definitely splurge on one that absorbs well and make whatever I am drying shiny. Cheap terry dish towels are a pet peeve and I am not a high maintenance gal.
Beth, I so agree with you – a good dishtowel is a MUST! Cheap Terry may be your pet peeve, but mine is microfiber towels – yuck! I don’t know why, but I just hate the way some of them feel…(weird, I know).
I definitely love the Pampered Chef chopper too ~ it should be on the must have list! I bought on a Kitchenaid Chopper on Amazon and it was similar, but I don’t like it as well as my Pampered Chef one.
I have had a HORRIBLE time finding really (really!) good dish towels and even more importantly dish cloths – I feel like we go through ours way too fast. If anyone has suggestions on a specific towel or dishcloth that they’ve used that works well (and doesn’t get stinky fast), I’d love to know which ones they are!
I could not do without a handheld grater, a garlic press and flour sack towels. Also, canning jars. Not only do I preserve food with them, but they are handy in storing and transporting soups and other foods I take to friends.
I don’t grate things all that often, but you’re right, that should be on the list! And canning jars are great too – if you have a tiny kitchen they might be tough to keep, but I LOVE the ideaof using them to take food to people (so smart!)
http://www.amazon.com/Bernardin-Mason-Jar-Caps-Standard/dp/B000FRUO0Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358433008&sr=8-2&keywords=plastic+jar+lids
For storing leftovers or shaking up some chocolate milk, or transporting soups, I like to use canning jars, too. But I can’t stand using the rings and lids for that. These plastic lids used to be available at Walmart, but now I can only find them on Amazon.
I bought some of those lids at Walmart last Spring I think…. but haven’t looked for them in a while!They are soooo much easier when not canning than the cups and lids – thanks for sharing Valeria!
http://passionatepennypincher.com/2012/02/the-friday-fluff-up-tidying-up-the-spice-cabinet/
That was a bad price on the link I posted. This is more like it: http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Wide-Mouth-Plastic-Storage-8-Count/dp/B000SSN3L2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358453469&sr=8-1&keywords=plastic+lids+canning+jars
Hi Laurie, I am the reader that asked for the list! Thank you so much! I appreciate your list and the other suggestions given by other readers. I am going to start eliminating things I don’t really need to make my kitchen less cluttered. I just ordered a bread maker online and it arrived yesterday. I am looking forward to using it but it is not small! Where do you store yours? Out on the counter or in a cabinet?
Hi Sheila ~ I’m so glad you said something! I put mine in a cupboard (I don’t have a “pantry” but I have really deep cupboards and I put it there). It’s just too big to leave out on the counter, but I hate all the work it takes to get it in and out. I’d love to re-do my cupboards so that it is easier to access (might need to add that to my to-do list!)
I have to disagree with you on the toaster oven. That was one of the best purchases we ever made, we use it almost daily.
Really Joanne? I just can’t imagine (of course, I have a hard time with things that clutter up my countertops!) He would love one… and I definitely think we all have different things that we use regularly. Thanks so much for sharing!
I have the toaster oven that mounts under my cabinet, so it doesn’t clutter up counter top and use it daily!! You will be surprised how much you use it
I LOVE your helpful tips and site!!
We also use or toaster oven all the time. i use it to toast cheese on bagels, bake many items (i use it more often than our regular oven), such as reheating a slice of pizza, other leftovers etc. love my toaster oven and it is definitely on my must have list.
I’m thinking I’ll have to re-think the toaster thing – thanks so much for sharing!
I feel like I NEED my Kitchen Aid mixer, although I admit a hand mixer would suffice. I don’t have a hand mixer, so maybe it’s ok to say I do need my Kitchen Aid!
Now that I have one, I feel like I need it too Valeria, so I completely understand!