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 panKnives: 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 drawerOdds & Ends
1 blender
Serving dishes
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 sense1 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 casseroleKnives
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 forkOdds & 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 grillServing Dishes
1 small oven-proof platter
1 large oven-proof platter
1 soup tureen
1 risotto bowl/platter
1 large wooden salad bowl