Basic Kitchen Equipment

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

My son had better ideas about kitchen tools than you do when he was 6.

And your son had a silver spoon in his mouth...
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>,

(Glitter Ninja) said:

Doug Kanter said:

"~patches~" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

small saucepan
large saucepan with lid
frying pan
roasting pan - size based on household size

You can get by with just one pan for all 4 of these uses. When we had
no money, all I had was DH's mom's old cast iron pan. I used it for
everything, from frying to roasting in the oven to boiling on the stove
top, until I found a cast-off enamel saucepan. So I guess one saucepan
and one cast iron roaster/fryer is all one needs.

Yep.

Very versatile.

If you can only affor ONE pan, that's the ticket.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

muffin tin
cookie sheet
spatulas - lg & small, preferrably silicone

The muffin tin is not necessary. Just one spatula is all one needs.

yah, but as patches pointed out, it's pretty nice to have and is cheap...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

sharp chef's knife
paring knife

Again, just one knife is all someone needs. I cut everything with a
steak knife for years and even though I now have knives coming out the
wazoo, I still can't cut a tomato with anything else.
I'd also recommend a casserole or metal baking pan, and a pizza
pan. In a pinch the pizza pan can be used instead of a cookie sheet.
How basic are you talking here? Maybe I am not getting it.

Stacia

As basic as is necessary?
I think the thread is drifting in both directions. ;-)

If I were to list all the stuff I prefer rather than one was minimally
needed.......
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

~patches~ said:

Being a frugal cook I want every drop out of my jars. Since I do a lot
of home canning and some of that is sauces canned in small jars, a small
spatula is a must.

I also try to get every drop out of jars, cans, etc. What I do is
turn jars with the lids on upside down for a few minutes to get all the
liquid to run to the bottom. If it's a can with the lid removed, I do
the same thing but in a bowl. Unfortunately I've never found the right
shape spatula or spoon to get everything out of a jar otherwise.

Stacia

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

All normal people like toast. If you have an electric oven, it'll take
longer for the broiler to warm up than it would for the toaster to do its
job.

Except that a toaster is only good for ONE thing!

When I was in college, I did not own a toaster but did own a toaster
oven... It was good for a much wider range of foods.

And burned less power than the stove/oven.

Versatility rulz when you are living on a shoestring.

Hell, I even did my term papers on an old electric typewriter.

for versatility, i'd buy a convection oven/microwave. No preheating!
Roasts done in under an hour!

And if you've got the cash, i'd recommend it for the beginning cook.

Now we can start talking about what you need for oven cooking:

I'd say one cake pan (for mac&cheese, casseroles, not to mention cakes)
and one pizza pan(works just the same as a cookie sheet)--but make sure
it fits the oven.

plus oven mits

Lena

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

All normal people like toast. If you have an electric oven, it'll take
longer for the broiler to warm up than it would for the toaster to do its
job.

Except that a toaster is only good for ONE thing!

When I was in college, I did not own a toaster but did own a toaster
oven... It was good for a much wider range of foods.

And burned less power than the stove/oven.

Versatility rulz when you are living on a shoestring.

Hell, I even did my term papers on an old electric typewriter.

I had (and still have) a non-electric typewriter. So what?

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

Then, forget commenting about it. Every kitchen needs at least one
spatula,
preferably two or three in different shapes & sizes. You could flip
pancakes
with a spoon if you lost your spatula, but to plan on doing it that way
is
indicative of a sick mind.

You've obviously also never been poor and had to improvise.

I put myself thru college on a salary of $600.00 per month.

And that was paying tuition, books and efficiency apt. rent.

Yes I have. I'd use the cardboard backing from a legal pad to flip pancakes
before I'd use a spoon.

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

My son had better ideas about kitchen tools than you do when he was 6.

And your son had a silver spoon in his mouth...

No, dear. Some people will always look at the job to be done and choose the
wrong tool. And, some do things right. Doesn't matter, though. Lena doesn't
really do the things she says she does. She's playing a game here.

wff_ng_7 said:

Lena B Katz said:

Quoted message said:

~patches~ <[email hidden]> wrote:
I'd eliminate the veggie peeler as a paring knife does the same thing.
You almost need 2 spatulas - lg & sm - since the larger ones won't fit
into small jars. CI kind of iffy for a new cook unless they have some
experience with. The strainer could possibly be eliminated if you use the
lid of the pot to drain things like boiled potatoes or pasta.

why are you fitting spatulas into jars? and using the lid of the pot is
_another_ new thing for me!

I think we have some terminology problems here!

When I first saw strainer, I was thinking of that small screen thing with a
handle you might put over a jar or cup to strain gravy or something, not the
big metal thing for straining pasta, which I call a colander.

Then there's the spatula term. To me, it's that rubbery thing one uses in
baking to fold ingredients or scrap down the side of the bowl. One would
also use it to get things out of jars. That other thing I think I just call
a flipper or turner, like for flipping pancakes or burgers.

You just never know what the new cook is going to come home with using the
list generated here! ;-)

Oh good point. I have a colander - large ss with holes for draining
pasta but also strainers that have a fine mesh for also draining pasta
or gravies. So if a beginning cook bought a strainer it would be
mulit-functional as opposed to the colander. Spatulas come in all sizes
now from the mini for really small jars to the large folding ones. I
refer to a flipper as an egg flipper whether I'm using it for flipping
eggs or not.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"Lena B Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Doug Kanter said:

"ewdotson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

>>>> paring knife
>>>
>>> better to get kitchen skissors.
>>
>> Are you on drugs? Peel an apple or chop garlic with scissors?
>>
>
> Honestly, I think a vegetable peeler would probably be a better option
> here. Using a paring knife to peel veggies is more hassle than it's
> worth. As far as garlic goes, I've always used my chef's knife. I
> know the standard wisdom is that a chef's knife and a paring knife are
> the two knifes everyone needs to start off with, but for whatever
> reason, I really don't find myself using my paring knife all that
> often. YMMV, I suppose.

At least your idea is within the realm of sanity. She's suggesting
scissors.
Right.

What do you use your paring knife for?
Lena

Invisible garlic. Can't be done with scissors or a paring knife. Back to
your room before the orderly notices you've gone missing.

Geez! What has gotten into you today?
You are wearing a Sheldon disguise?
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>,

Lena B Katz said:

Doug Kanter said:

"ewdotson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

>>> paring knife
>>
>> better to get kitchen skissors.
>
> Are you on drugs? Peel an apple or chop garlic with scissors?
>

Honestly, I think a vegetable peeler would probably be a better option
here. Using a paring knife to peel veggies is more hassle than it's
worth. As far as garlic goes, I've always used my chef's knife. I
know the standard wisdom is that a chef's knife and a paring knife are
the two knifes everyone needs to start off with, but for whatever
reason, I really don't find myself using my paring knife all that
often. YMMV, I suppose.

At least your idea is within the realm of sanity. She's suggesting scissors.
Right.

What do you use your paring knife for?

The last three uses or so for mine were -- opening a package of corned
beef, opening th3e spicesn inside the corned beef, and opening a bag of
dried potato flakes.

for me, scissors work better.

Lena

I use scissors for opening bags, and for cutting up sausages... and
sometimes pieces of cooked meat. I also have poultry shears which are
scissor of sorts.

I use paring knives for peeling and fine slicing of small items. I can
get away without one, but I like having it. I can use a larger knife for
peeling garlic but I'd rather not!
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

~patches~ said:

OmManiPadmeOmelet said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
"ewdotson" <[email hidden]> wrote:

>>That's stupid. You don't store wet ingredients in metallic containers.
>
>Yours is better, and in fact economical, but realistically, I think
>most people are going to wind up using generic tupperware type dishes
>anyways. I know, we're trying to keep the costs down here, but most
>people I've known would go ahead and make the arguably unnecessary
>expense anyways. I know I certainly did.

I'm seriously liking those disposable plastic storage containers made by
ziplock and glad. ;-)

I like these too especially for freezing things. I haven't had much
luck with the generic ones so tend to stick to brand names and like my
mason jars, my kids know they best return them if they want refills!

Ooh I'm scared to freeze in glass! <G>
And I also stick with the name brands for the disposable containers,
except I've totally given up on Rubbermade. But those are not disposable.

And they leak. Always.

For that stock I made, that as thick as it was can just go into a
generic ziplock bag.

Oh I don't freeze in glass Om. Sorry if anyone got that idea. I use
the ziploc containers and/or bags along with vacuuum sealer bagging
material. I used generic ziplock for tomato sauce one year and the mess
was unbelievable. So I buy brand name for both bags and containers.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Great thread Patches!

Thanks 🙂

:-)

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"Lena B Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 21 Mar 2006, Doug Kanter wrote:

> "ewdotson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:[email hidden]...
>
>
>>>>> paring knife
>>>>
>>>> better to get kitchen skissors.
>>>
>>> Are you on drugs? Peel an apple or chop garlic with scissors?
>>>
>>
>> Honestly, I think a vegetable peeler would probably be a better
>> option
>> here. Using a paring knife to peel veggies is more hassle than it's
>> worth. As far as garlic goes, I've always used my chef's knife. I
>> know the standard wisdom is that a chef's knife and a paring knife
>> are
>> the two knifes everyone needs to start off with, but for whatever
>> reason, I really don't find myself using my paring knife all that
>> often. YMMV, I suppose.
>
> At least your idea is within the realm of sanity. She's suggesting
> scissors.
> Right.

What do you use your paring knife for?
Lena

Invisible garlic. Can't be done with scissors or a paring knife. Back to
your room before the orderly notices you've gone missing.

Geez! What has gotten into you today?
You are wearing a Sheldon disguise?
--
Peace, Om.

Of course not! Sheldon hasn't this much staying power. :-)

"Lena B Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

No, I'm not saying that I don't cook pancakes. But i wouldn't miss them
if I didn't have a skillet. I get better frozen pancakes anyway.

OK - that's it. Now we have absolute, indisputable proof that you are a
fool. There is no such thing as decent frozen pancakes. This discussion is
over.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

All normal people like toast. If you have an electric oven, it'll take
longer for the broiler to warm up than it would for the toaster to do its
job.

Except that a toaster is only good for ONE thing!

When I was in college, I did not own a toaster but did own a toaster
oven... It was good for a much wider range of foods.

And burned less power than the stove/oven.

Versatility rulz when you are living on a shoestring.

Hell, I even did my term papers on an old electric typewriter.

I had (and still have) a non-electric typewriter. So what?

You have a computer now...
Are you nuts enough to still use a typewriter??????

I still have the typewriter I used in college but only for sentimental
reasons. It lives out in the storage shed. ;-)

Want to buy it? It's a "Brother" and still works great.
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

Then, forget commenting about it. Every kitchen needs at least one
spatula,
preferably two or three in different shapes & sizes. You could flip
pancakes
with a spoon if you lost your spatula, but to plan on doing it that way
is
indicative of a sick mind.

You've obviously also never been poor and had to improvise.

I put myself thru college on a salary of $600.00 per month.

And that was paying tuition, books and efficiency apt. rent.

Yes I have. I'd use the cardboard backing from a legal pad to flip pancakes
before I'd use a spoon.

Ok, so what are you criticizing for?
The thread is aimed at the MINIMAL needs.
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

My son had better ideas about kitchen tools than you do when he was 6.

And your son had a silver spoon in his mouth...

No, dear. Some people will always look at the job to be done and choose the
wrong tool. And, some do things right. Doesn't matter, though. Lena doesn't
really do the things she says she does. She's playing a game here.

So are you. ;-)

I'd choose a small toaster oven over a toaster any day as I can use it
for more things.

And IMHO a skillet of any kind is indespensable.
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
"Doug Kanter" <[email hidden]> wrote:

> Then, forget commenting about it. Every kitchen needs at least one
> spatula,
> preferably two or three in different shapes & sizes. You could flip
> pancakes
> with a spoon if you lost your spatula, but to plan on doing it that
> way
> is
> indicative of a sick mind.

You've obviously also never been poor and had to improvise.

I put myself thru college on a salary of $600.00 per month.

And that was paying tuition, books and efficiency apt. rent.

Yes I have. I'd use the cardboard backing from a legal pad to flip
pancakes
before I'd use a spoon.

Ok, so what are you criticizing for?
The thread is aimed at the MINIMAL needs.
--
Peace, Om.

I don't see it that way. I interpreted it as how to equip a new cook
PROPERLY, not as if the person were going backpacking or living in poverty.
The presence of the words "dollar store" in the original post do not
necessarily mean everything has to be cheap or pathetic.

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
"Doug Kanter" <[email hidden]> wrote:

> All normal people like toast. If you have an electric oven, it'll take
> longer for the broiler to warm up than it would for the toaster to do
> its
> job.

Except that a toaster is only good for ONE thing!

When I was in college, I did not own a toaster but did own a toaster
oven... It was good for a much wider range of foods.

And burned less power than the stove/oven.

Versatility rulz when you are living on a shoestring.

Hell, I even did my term papers on an old electric typewriter.

I had (and still have) a non-electric typewriter. So what?

You have a computer now...
Are you nuts enough to still use a typewriter??????

If I need to bang out a one paragraph letter, I can do it in under a minute.
It takes longer than that for my computer to boot up and be ready to rock.

Doug Kanter said:

"Lena B Katz" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

No, I'm not saying that I don't cook pancakes. But i wouldn't miss them
if I didn't have a skillet. I get better frozen pancakes anyway.

OK - that's it. Now we have absolute, indisputable proof that you are a
fool. There is no such thing as decent frozen pancakes. This discussion is
over.

but.... but.... I like my minipan!

I'm no good at making pancakes. Maybe i'd enjoy them if they weren't such
a flop. Not what i'd get for a beginning cook -- as i haven't mastered it
myself!

Lena

Doug Kanter said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Doug Kanter said:

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> In article <[email hidden]>,
> "Doug Kanter" <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>> Then, forget commenting about it. Every kitchen needs at least one
>> spatula,
>> preferably two or three in different shapes & sizes. You could flip
>> pancakes
>> with a spoon if you lost your spatula, but to plan on doing it that
>> way
>> is
>> indicative of a sick mind.
>
> You've obviously also never been poor and had to improvise.
>
> I put myself thru college on a salary of $600.00 per month.
>
> And that was paying tuition, books and efficiency apt. rent.

Yes I have. I'd use the cardboard backing from a legal pad to flip
pancakes
before I'd use a spoon.

Ok, so what are you criticizing for?
The thread is aimed at the MINIMAL needs.
--
Peace, Om.

I don't see it that way. I interpreted it as how to equip a new cook
PROPERLY, not as if the person were going backpacking or living in poverty.
The presence of the words "dollar store" in the original post do not
necessarily mean everything has to be cheap or pathetic.

Mind if we fork the thread, then? One for people who want to say "this is
what I consider necessary for a kitchen" -- one for the people who want to
say "this is the barest essentials". Oh, and let's do a pricepoint on
each!

just because I don't want a lot of clutter doesn't mean i'm not going to
get decent stuff.

Lena