Thyme for Cooking Kitchen

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Thyme for Cooking Kitchen: Tools and Equipment

My kitchen tools vary with the seasons, the type of cooking and my mood.  Some are essential, some unique and some just fun.  

Essential Tools and Nice to Have Tools and Gadgets

Essential Tools

Pots & Pans:  These are American sizes with my estimates for conversion to cm - the sizes do not have to be precise

1 - 8 inch (20cm) nonstick skillet with lid
1 - 10 inch (25cm) skillet (nonstick optional) with lid
1 - 12 inch (30cm) nonstick skillet or one more smaller one of either size.
1 - 1 quart (litre) sauce pan with lid
1 - 2 quart (litre) sauce pan with lid
1 - 3 quart (litre) sauce pan with lid
1 - 5 or 6 quart (litre) stock pot ('they' used to call these Dutch Ovens  - not a clue why)
1 - 7 inch (17cm) square glass baking dish
1 - 8 inch (20cm) square glass baking dish (mainly used for marinating meat in summer)
1 - 9 inch (22.5cm) square glass or ceramic baking dish
1 - 9 X 11 (22 X 27 cm) glass oblong baking dish
1 - 9 X 13 (22 X 32cm) metal oblong baking pan (standard 'cake' pan)
1 - 12 - 14 inch (30 - 35cm) oval, covered, metal roasting pan

Knives: If you are watching your pennies watch them elsewhere - get the best knives you can afford and keep them sharp.  I (usually) sharpen mine on a steel before every use and once a year (or so) I take them in to a professional sharpener.

1 - 6 inch (15cm) filleting knife or boning knife
1 - 5 inch (12.5cm) slicing knife
1 - 4 inch (10cm) paring knife
1 - 8 or 10 inch (20 or 25cm) chef's knife
1 - serrated bread knife
1 sharpening steel
1 knife block to keep them in - do not toss them into a drawer

Odds & Ends

1 blender
1 meat thermometer, preferably a probe-in-the-meat/thermometer-on-the-counter kind
1 cutting board for carving meat
1 potato peeler
1 balloon whisk
1 smaller whisk
1 large pasta strainer or colander
1 medium all purpose strainer
1 or 2 round 'pizza' pans - baking sheets with a lip
1 salad spinner
1 can opener
1 glass measuring cup
1 set of metal cup measures (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup)
1 box grater
several wooden spoons
several plastic spatulas
Cling film, aluminum foil, paper towels, hot pads, oven mitts, common sense

Serving dishes

1 medium oven-proof platter
2 small serving bowls
1 medium serving bowl
1 pasta serving bowl
large serving spoons and forks

Nice to Have Tools

Pots & Pans

1 - 6 inch (15cm) skillet with lid
1 - 7 inch (17.5cm) nonstick crepe pan
1 - 8 inch (20cm) nonstick omelet pan
1 - 12 inch (30cm) nonstick grill pan
1 - 8 quart (litre) stock pot
1 - 8 X 11 inch (20 X 27.5cm) oval ceramic baking dish
1 - 10 X 14 inch (25 X 35cm) oval ceramic baking dish
1 - 3 quart (litre) ceramic covered casserole
1 - 5 quart (litre) ceramic oval covered casserole

Knives

1 - 5 inch (12.5 cm) serrated tomato knife
1 - 7 inch (17.5cm) cleaver
1 - 10 or 8 inch (25 or 20cm) chef knife, a different size than you have as 'essential'
1 - 10 inch (25cm) carving knife
1 carving fork

Odds & Ends

Immersion (stick) blender - great pureeing soups right in the pan
Mandolin
Citrus zester
Nutmeg grater
Cheese grater
Salt & pepper mills
Garlic twist or press
Olive (cherry) pitter
Kitchen string
Bulb baster
Small board and mezzaluna for chopping herbs
Special tools for the barbecue grill

Serving Dishes

1 small oven-proof platter
1 large oven-proof platter
1 soup tureen
1 risotto bowl/platter
1 large wooden salad bowl