Welcome to a brand new year and decade. A year full of light and exponetial growth. I am super elated to have you (yes you) become a new part of our family. It has been long coming and am glad we are here!!!

The holiday is over and its a start of a new week. A number of people use the kitchen equipment and utensils without knowing what they are or what utensils should be used in the kitchen. We would be refreshing our memories of different types of kitchen utensils and their uses. So, if you are about setting up your kitchen , or you just want a makeover in your kitchen or you simply want to refresh your knowledge, you would definately find this useful. Let’s dive right in !!!

Chef’s Knife: There are a number of different types of knives. A chef’s knife is the most versatile knife. It is used for bulk basic cutting, slicing and chopping needs.

Bread Knife : As the name implies, a bread knife is used to cut open bread and with its serrated edges, it would enable you to saw through it instead of squashing the bread.

Knife Sharpening/ Horning rod : Knives usually becomes blunt as it is been used often and having these would put a bit of sharpness back to them.

Chopping/Cutting board: A place where you chop/ prepare your food is so important and a chopping board is very important in the kitchen . Whether you choose the plastic or old fashioned wood is based on your preferance , but you should have several boards for different type of food as this reduces the risk of contamination.

Kitchen Shears/Scissors : This is a versatile utensil in the kitchen and really aids food preparation . It is used in cutting stripes of meat or dry vegetables.

Vegetable Peeler : This is used in peeling and removing the skin of vegetables with ease.

Garlic Press : This helps in finely mincing your garlic to extract all its flavour . It also helps in reducing the risk of biting large garlic chunks in your food.

Grater : It is used for grating and zesting food items and one with a different surface(s) comes handy.

Kitchen Scales: It is used in controlling portions of food items and a very essential equipment if you are baking.

Measuring Jug: It is used in measuring liquids

Measuring Spoon(s) and Cup: Measuring spoon (s) and cup is used in measuring food items especially flour and co , inorder to get the cooking right.

Mixing Bowl : A mixing bowl is required especially when combining several ingredients together. A good mixing bowl should be large enough to allow space for mixing.

Colander/ Pasta Strainer: This is used in washing vegetables and other large food items before preparing. It can also be used to drain boiled rice/pasta once ccoked.

Sieve: This is used for declumping floury food items before cooking/ baking . It can also be used to rinse finer ingredients before cooking.

Rolling pin: It is used in flatten out dough and it is essential when making any pastry.

Can Opener : A can opener is used in opening cans, although most cans now come with ring pulls.

Blender: This is used in blending ingredients especially sauces and soups. It can be found in different sizes and types.

Frying Pan/ Skillet: It is an essential piece of kitchenware. You can use this to shallow fry a variety of ingredients.

Saucepans: This is also a very needed piece of kitchenware as most of the cooking would be done with this. It is however adviseable to have pans of varying sizes for flexibility. The type of pans you use is dependent on the type of stove you have.

Ovenproof dish: An ovenproof dish is used in baking food especially if you have an oven.

Roasting Tin: This is used in roasting things and it is a high sided tin which allows the juice to gather at the bottom.

Baking Sheet: This is used underneath an oven proof dish to make it more easier to remove and to catch any overflowing food that occur during the cooking/baking process.

Stirring Spoon: It is used in stirring in cooking and it’s very essential . We would however recommend a more traditional wooden spoon which wouldn’t melt in direct heat.

Slotted Spoon: This is used to remove food from water. The slots in the spoon allows the majority of water to fall away in the process.

Spatula : This is used for removing food from frying pans . The slots in this allows for excess fats to fall away in removing.

Tongs: This is used for lifting things out of way or turning thick meat or poultry in a pan.

Masher: This is used for mashing food items such as potatoes and avocado.

Ballon whisk: This is used in whisking especially when making sauces.

Ovengloves: This helps to prevent burns when removing things from the oven.

Potholders: This is used in removing hot pots from the stove/gas and it prevents the hand from being hurt.

Ladle : This is used in serving soups/ fluid foods.

Pasta fork: It is used in removing and serving pasta.

Bottleopener: This is used in opening bottles.

STORAGE EQUIPMENT

Plastic Container : This is used for keeping food and left overs , fresh in the refrigerator or freezer. It is however adviseable to have the ones that are microwave safe.

Plastic Zipper bag(s) : This is used for storing prepared ingredients in the fridge or freezer.

Bread bin/box : It helps keep bread well ventilated and out of direct light.

MISCELLANOUS EQUIPMENT

Plastic wrap/ Cling film: This help keep food fresh and bug free during preparations.

Baking Parchment : This is used in baking and ensures that things do not stick where they shouldn’t.

Kitchen foil: It helps in the cooking process of some food and helps reflect heat.

Kitchen Towels: This helps in drying dishes and covering without exposure to much moisture.

Kitchen Tool Organizer: This is where all utensils are kept. This can easily be placed in a drawer or the cooking area.

Using some of these utensils has made cooking more effective and easy. They are very easy to use and easy to get at stores.

Are you familiar with any of the utensils , or you have had the opportunity to use any at one time or the other. Please share your experience in the comment section.

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