Packing your kitchen with all the essentials as an adult seems tiring, as you never realise how many things you actually use on a daily basis. That’s why switching from being a student to adulting can be shocking sometimes because the responsibility of figuring out what’s necessary and useless is overwhelming.
It’s easy to fall on the side of overspending and buying appliances and devices only because they’re trending. For instance, many TikTok trends brought unnecessary tools to light, such as the “bagel guillotine” that would cut the bagel in half with only a touch. Seriously, all you need is a knife and a bagel and voila!
But if you want to be a real adult and resist the temptation to have fun but unnecessary gadgets lying around the kitchen, here are the appliances that matter.
A coffee machine
Coffee on the go always seems more delicious than any other, but the one you brew at home is the healthiest. Not only can you make your coffee however you like, but you can also save money in the long run by not buying a grande-brewed coffee each morning.
There are so many different types of coffee machines, from manual espresso bean-to-cup to pods and capsules. Depending on how much you love coffee and are willing to spend on such an appliance, you might want to choose a manual espresso since it has the best-tasting coffee or the bean-to-cup machine. In contrast, pod or capsule appliances are more affordable, but the taste is inferior.
A qualitative knife set
Knives are essential in every kitchen, and even if you can get cheap ones to save money, we assure you that their quality will force you to buy new ones in a few months. When it comes to knives, you don’t want to be low-cost but rather invest in something that will last for years.
Usually, forged knives are best as they’re made of superior materials and perform better. These knives also tend to be heavier due to the metal used, which means they’re good quality. On the other hand, stamped knives are machine-made and can be mediocre, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find high-quality stamped pieces. If you want to get a set, make sure to include a primary knife, a paring knife, a bread knife and a sharpening steel.
A slow cooker
Owning a slow cooker shows you’re ready for adulthood, giving up fast food and actually trying to cook a nutritious meal. Slow cookers are considerable investments, so make sure to get a qualitative product that will last for a while.
The main benefit of a slow cooker is that you can meal prep ahead delicious soups and roasts while maintaining their nutrients. You only need to throw your ingredients and aromatic herbs inside and wait for the meal to finish itself in a few hours. Moreover, given the size range, slow cookers are versatile and can be used for both single people and families.
Ceramic bakeware
Ceramic baking dishes are a staple in everyone’s kitchen, as they can be used for varied dishes and withstand all-time high temperatures without affecting your health as Teflon or aluminium pots do. Plus, it’s easy to clean with a few wipes, some warm water and dish soap.
Even if your oven is traditional or wood-burning, ceramic cookware will sustain the temperatures. However, it might break if you place it in the oven while still cold, so it’s best to leave it at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking. If you care for ceramic, it can last you for years, and you can cook food that’s actually flavourful without additional ingredients.
A qualitative cutting board
Cutting boards tend to be underrated and, therefore, negligible when it comes to proper cleaning. As they’re used interchangeably with meat and vegetables, they can develop dangerous bacteria that sometimes cannot be eliminated by thorough cleaning. Bacteria hides in grooves, so the cutting board needs to be disinfected often.
But when it comes to the material the cutting board is made of, make sure to avoid plastic, as it’s susceptible to warping. Usually, wood cutting boards are the best as they’re durable and easy on the knife, but they’re prone to developing bacteria. Finally, rubber cutting boards are antimicrobial and durable, but they can be pretty expensive.
A blender
Blenders are incredibly useful if you love cooking at home because they have so many options for blending, mixing and chopping. You can easily make milkshakes, cocktails and smoothies, but also use it for salad dressings, sauces and puree.
Usually, blenders are great in bigger sizes because they can make cream soups and baby food and transform solid foods into liquids. But you can find the perfect blender for you as they come in all shapes and sizes. Just make sure the product you choose has enough wattpower to withstand your cooking skills.
A food processor
If you like experimenting in the kitchen and are ready to make your first bread, you need a food processor that can replace using many tools and is more time-efficient. Hence, it makes meal prepping more accessible, and you can take your nutrients from a more extensive meal variety.
Food processors are useful in many recipes, so you can make hummus at home, dough or batter. Their blades can also mince every type of nut you have around the house, so you can make nut butter or grind meat for pasta with meatballs. Cleaning a food processor is easy, as you can throw it in the dishwasher, so you have no excuse for not owning one.
Bottom line
Adulting can be pretty tricky in the beginning, especially when you start fresh in a new place with no furniture or appliances. Considering the kitchen is where you’ll spend your time the most, you need these essentials in your life to make cooking easier and live a healthier life by cooking nutritious meals and even making your own cup of coffee.
