Your place · Cooking on a budget
Kitchen basics: the tools you need
You can cook almost anything with about 15 basic items: a chef's knife, a cutting board, a skillet, a saucepan, a baking sheet, measuring cups and spoons, a mixing bowl, a colander, a can opener, a spatula and a food thermometer. Skip the gadgets until you miss one.
You'll need
- The checklist below
- A small budget, or a family member's spare pans
What to know
- Start with what you'll use every day. Iowa State Extension says some kitchen items are necessary and used daily, while things like waffle irons, special pans and blenders usually aren't. In a small kitchen, stick to the everyday items. Source: Iowa State Extension1
- Get the cutting set: a chef's knife, a paring knife, a cutting board and a can opener. Source: Iowa State Extension1 A second cutting board just for raw meat keeps germs off everything else. Source: FoodSafety.gov3
- Get the cooking set: a skillet, a saucepan, a casserole dish, a baking sheet, a pot holder, a spatula and a food thermometer. Source: Iowa State Extension1 The thermometer is how you know chicken is done, not guessing. Source: FoodSafety.gov3
- Get the measuring and mixing set: measuring spoons, dry measuring cups, a liquid measuring cup, a mixing bowl, a mixing spoon and a rubber spatula. Add a colander and a slotted spoon for draining. Source: Iowa State Extension1
- Wait on the extras. A blender, stock pot, whisk, muffin tin, slow cooker, tongs and mixer are handy, not required. Source: Iowa State Extension1 Buy one when a recipe you actually make keeps needing it.
- Learn to read a recipe first. Read it all the way through before you start, check you have the equipment and ingredients, and set everything out before you cook. Source: Iowa State Extension2
- Set up for safety. Turn pot handles inward, stay near the stove while something's cooking, and keep towels and pot holders away from the burners. Source: Iowa State Extension1
The starter checklist
| Job | What to get |
|---|---|
| Cutting | Chef's knife, paring knife, cutting board (two if you cook meat), can opener |
| Cooking | Skillet, saucepan, casserole dish, baking sheet, pot holder, spatula, food thermometer |
| Measuring and mixing | Measuring spoons, dry cups, liquid cup, mixing bowl, spoon, rubber spatula |
| Draining | Colander, slotted spoon |
| Later, if you need it | Blender, stock pot, whisk, muffin tin, slow cooker, tongs |
From Iowa State Extension's basic kitchen list. Source: Iowa State Extension1
See it done
Video by America's Test Kitchen Cooking show
11 Essential Kitchen Tools Every Home Cook Needs
Full title on YouTube: “11 Essential Kitchen Tools Every Home Cook Needs | America's Test Kitchen”2025 · Checked October 3, 2026
America’s Test Kitchen shows the tools its cooks reach for most. It’s longer than our list and some picks cost more; start with our basics and add from theirs.
Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.
If it doesn't work
- Can't afford it all at once? Buy the chef's knife, cutting board, skillet and saucepan first. That covers eggs, pasta, rice, beans and stir-fries. Ask family for spares; most kitchens have extra pans.
- Not sure what a recipe word means? Iowa State's list explains terms like dice (about ¼-inch cubes), simmer (bubbles form slowly but don't reach the surface) and sauté (cook in a little oil). Source: Iowa State Extension2
Good to know
The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.
Why cook at home at all
Food cooked at home is typically healthier and less expensive than convenience or restaurant food. Source: Iowa State Extension2 See Grocery shopping and five cheap meals.
Take it with you
Printable cardDownload card (PDF)Sources
- Iowa State University Extension Spend Smart. Eat Smart.: Setting up a kitchen
- Iowa State University Extension Spend Smart. Eat Smart.: Cook at home
- FoodSafety.gov 4 steps to food safety
Lesson H3.1 · Last checked October 3, 2026 against the sources listed.
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