Having the right equipment in the kitchen is very important for every home cook. If you want your meals to come out beautifully, it is certainly helpful to have a range of handy kitchen tools to help you with their preparation and presentation.
From knives and forks to spoons, ladles, aprons, tea towels, pots, pans and dishes, let’s take a look at some of the most important kitchen equipment staples.
Pots and Pans
A good set of pots and pans is something every home cook needs to have, and this is one example of kitchenware that varies immensely from the very bad to the very good!
Non-stick frying pans are found in every commercial kitchen because they are so versatile, and they are just as handy for home cooks.
A good natural iron non-stick frying pan can be used for everything from pan-frying a good steak to cooking chicken drumsticks, sautéing veggies or cooking bacon and eggs.
A great set of pots and pans is always a good investment. Choose wisely and you can expect them to last a lifetime. There are different materials to choose from, including copper, stainless steel, aluminium and combinations of these, and part of your decision will be down to personal preference.
You don’t have to buy a matching set either, because many cooks and chefs prefer to pick items out individually. It is a good idea to buy the best you can afford, because they will be with you for many years.
Sturdy Bakeware
No kitchen should be without a good set of bakeware in different shapes and sizes for cooking foods and dishes in the oven.
Have you heard the saying, ‘cooking is an art, but baking is a science’? Not only do the ingredients in a baked recipe react with one another when mixed and heated, but the bakeware used can also impact the recipe.
Metal bakeware is the best high-heat choice because not every material can handle high oven temperatures, while glass and ceramic tend to hold heat more evenly.
Ceramic bakeware, such as this versatile roasting dish, is attractive enough to complement your table décor, so can be used not only to cook the dish but also to serve it afterwards.
A Good Set of Kitchen Knives
A good set of knives makes so much difference in the kitchen, and once you have used great knives you will never go back to inferior ones again. You can buy a set of knives or pick them out individually depending on your culinary needs.
This cook’s knife can be used for large and small kitchen tasks – everything from slicing and dicing to fine chopping. The versatility of a good cook’s knife means it will be one of your best friends in the kitchen.
If you are investing in a good set of kitchen knives, it pays to also invest in a good quality knife sharpener to keep those knives in tip-top condition, for a crisp, clean cut every time.
Beautiful Crockery
With crockery, the key is usually in the simplicity. The best restaurants and hotels around the world seem to favour high quality, durable porcelain to present and showcase meals to their best advantage.
Explore our crockery section for a large selection of sexy plates from world manufacturers to suit every taste and occasion.
Handy Gadgets for the Kitchen
Modern gadgets can make light work of food preparation, and each chef has their favourite pieces. You can buy kitchen gadgets to help you measure, chop, shred, peel, cut, and mix ingredients, as well as those to cut down on cooking time or effort.
Weighing and measuring out ingredients is an important part of cooking. There are many types of scales and measuring implements to choose from.
A set of measuring cups is handy in the kitchen for precise measuring. Plastic ones can crack, as well as break and distort in the dishwasher, while metal ones will be with you for years.
Every kitchen, whether at home or commercial, needs a selection of high quality chopping boards, to chop different ingredients. A professional quality set will be colour coded so you can use different ones for chopping meat, fish, vegetables, and so on, to prevent cross-contamination.
These professional, antibacterial chopping boards are recommended by top Irish chefs, as they are sturdy, long-lasting and dishwasher safe.
Happy Cooking and Happy Eating!