The Top 12 Kitchen Essentials you’ll need to fill an empty kitchen…(and why)
Here we have laid out the Top 12 kitchen tools a home cook just starting out would need. Complete with explanations with why each is essential to the kitchen, this article will make the journey to a fully functional home kitchen as streamlined and simple as it can possibly be.
The KNIFE:
THE USE: Chopping, slicing, dicing, and mincing vegetables, meat, herbs, and other ingredients. A quality chef knife is arguably the most essential tool in the kitchen as it’s constantly in use throughout the entire dish preparation process.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Chef’s knife, santoku, nakiri, and serrated knives, with each suited to different cutting styles and foods(however considering different types of knives can be held off when first starting out). Take a look at our article breaking down every kind of knife for every occasion ⟶ Kitchen Knife Buying Guide: Which Knife Do You Actually Need?
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: The quality of your knife will affect your efficiency and safety, as well as your precision and control when preparing food. Stainless steel is cheap and easier to care for as it doesn’t rust, but may fall short in it’s lifespan. Carbon steel is the best for sharpness and durability but it can rust so it needs to be cared for more carefully. An 8-inch (200 mm) or 210 mm blade offers the best balance of control and versatility for 95% of kitchen tasks.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this PAUDIN Chef Knife. This 8-inch knife is able to cover almost all of your needs in the kitchen, which means no buying big expensive knife blocks full of random knives in random sizes. The rust resistant material means theres no need to exude too much effort for care of the knife. The proper grip is one of the most important things when it comes to using a knife, and you’re ensured to get a comfortable, secure grip with this one.
- Premium Rust-Resistant Steel – Each chef knife is crafted from high carbon German stainless steel with 16-18% chrome and 0.6-0.75% carbon, delivering exceptional rust resistance and wear resistance. T…
- One Knife, Countless Tasks – This 8-inch chef knife handles virtually everything in your kitchen – chopping, slicing, mincing and dicing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and a wide range of meats including …
- Precision Performance – Featuring a 2mm thick blade with a 12–14° V-shaped double-beveled edge, this kitchen knife delivers precise, effortless cuts every time. Hand-polished by craftsmen with decades…
- Comfortable, Secure Grip – The ergonomic Pakkawood handle resists heat and moisture – no warping, no splitting, no cracking over time. Designed to fit comfortably in both hands, it provides a non-slip…
The CUTTING BOARD:
THE USE: It provides a stable and protective surface for chopping, slicing, dicing, and preparing ingredients. A good cutting board protects your worktop while also helping protect the edge of your knives from being damaged by hard surfaces.
DIFFERENT TYPES: The most common cutting boards are plastic, wooden, bamboo, and composite boards. Plastic and bamboo boards are lightweight and easy to clean, while wooden boards are popular for their appearance and comfortable cutting surface. Composite boards combine durability with easy maintenance.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Size and stability are two of the most important things to consider. A board that’s too small can make food preparation hard and frustrating, while one that moves around while cutting can quickly become a safety issue. An ideal board is a board with enough space for your ingredients, a stable base, and a surface that won’t excessively damage your knife.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this large, sturdy wooden cutting board. The size of this cutting board is perfect for everyday use of just about every kind of ingredient. It’s both durable and easy on your knife, the perfect combination to get the perfect cut in your food every time.
- 100% ORGANIC BAMBOO: Crafted from premium bamboo, the Deer & Oak chopping board offers the durability of a butcher’s block with the lightwei…
- WATER RESISTANT & DURABLE: This wooden cutting board resists water absorption, reducing the risk of cracking or warping over time. While tou…
- HYGIENIC & LESS BACTERIA: Our bamboo chopping board is naturally non-porous and resistant to knife scars, making it a safer, more hygienic c…
- DAILY MAIL & TIKTOK VIRAL HIT: The Deer & Oak chopping board, praised for its quality, was featured in the Daily Mail and went viral on TikT…
- ECO-FRIENDLY CHOICE: This large bamboo chopping board is not only hard-wearing and gentle on your knives but also a more environmentally fri…
The SKILLET
THE USE: The skillet is perfect for frying, searing, sautéing, browning, and cooking everything from eggs and vegetables to meat and one-pan meals. A skillet is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware because it can be used for a huge variety of everyday dishes. This is ideal for any kitchen as it avoids clutter, is rather inexpensive, and is convenient.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Skillets are available in stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, aluminium, and non-stick finishes. Check out our article on the different kinds of pans ⟶ My Top 5 Pans that deserve a spot in your kitchen
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Consider what you cook most often before choosing a skillet. A 10-inch pan provides a useful middle ground for everyday cooking without becoming excessively large or heavy. Also consider the cooking surface, handle comfort, weight, compatibility with your hob, and whether it can safely go into the oven.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this Aluminium Non-stick pan. It’s 24cm in diameter, and the non-stick technology makes using it a breeze to use. Aluminium as a material is extremely heat responsive, meaning it heats up and cools down quickly. This gives you ample control over cooking your food.
- 24CM FRYING PAN: A must-have for any home kitchen, ideal for frying eggs, searing fish fillets, and sautéing onions. Crafted from …
- 5X STRONGER NON-STICK: Scoville’s renowned Neverstick technology has undergone rigorous testing in a state-of-the-art laboratory, …
- DISHWASHER SAFE: Cleanup is a breeze with this dishwasher-safe non-stick frying pan. For optimal and long-lasting non-stick perfor…
The SAUCEPAN:
THE USE: Boiling, simmering, reheating, making sauces, cooking grains, melting butter… A saucepan is particularly useful when you need something deeper than a frying pan but don’t need an overly big pot. You’ll easily unlock boiled eggs, noodles, and a whole different category of foods that can’t be made with a frying pan(skillet).
DIFFERENT TYPES: Saucepans are commonly made from stainless steel, aluminium, non-stick materials, and combinations of different metals. Stainless steel is durable and versatile, while aluminium heats quickly and is lightweight. Non-stick saucepans can be useful when preparing delicate sauces or foods that may otherwise stick. Check out our article ⟶ The Most Functional and Ergonomic Saucepans of 2026
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: A 2–3 litre saucepan is a practical size for many everyday kitchens. Look for a comfortable handle, a well-fitting lid, a sturdy base, and a construction that distributes heat evenly. If you have an induction hob, make sure the saucepan is specifically compatible with induction cooking.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this aluminium saucepan. With a 2.1 liter capacity, it’s the most practical size fo everyday meals. This saucepan is suitable for all stovetops, and modern technology provides a heat-indicating handle, showing when the saucepan has reached the right cooking temperature, simplifying meal prep. The glass lid(with steam vent) locks in flavour and moisture, providing you the ability to make delicious meals with minimal to no oil.
- HEAT INDICATOR TECHNOLOGY – This 18 cm Megastone saucepan shows when it has reached the right cookin…
- LONG-LASTING NON-STICK – Built with a Megastone coating that lasts up to 10x longer than standard no…
The SERVING SPOON:
THE USE: Stirring, scooping, and serving food directly from pots and pans. A spoon with a deep, rounded bowl is especially useful for lifting vegetables, rice, pasta, sauces, and other foods without spilling them. It can also be used for stirring while cooking.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Serving spoons come in silicone, stainless steel, nylon, and wooden designs.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: Look for a deep, wide spoon bowl that can hold a good amount of food without spilling. A comfortable, sturdy grip on the handle is important, and if you use non-stick cookware, choose a non-stick material(silicone!) to prevent surface scratching.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: Made of non-stick silicone, this one piece design strips away all problems regular kitchen utensils might have(like rusting, water accumulation or breaking). The ergonomic design of a hook, well, hooks at the edge of pots while cooking. You’ll never lose your spoon in the soup again.
- More Safe and Healthy : The non stick kitchen spoons are made of food-grade silicone, free of BPA; Even at high temperatures, there is no need to worry about melting or deforming; And the soft silicon…
- Thoughtful Design : Our cooking spoons are designed with a hook on the back, can easily catch on to the edge of the pot during cooking; The extra little bulge design also prevents the spoon heads from…
- Provide More Ideas for You : Compared to traditional utensils, the solid spoon has a deeper bowl with embossing measurement marks (10ml, 20ml and 40ml) to help measure liquid or powders while cooking;…
- Easy to Clean and Hang : One-piece silicone design lets you away from the problem of kitchen utensils rusting,water accumulation or breaking; After each use, simply hand wash, you can easily clean; Th…
- Our Service : No one is born to be a good cook, but good kitchenware often gets twice the result with half the effort; Bundlepro is a trusted kitchen utensil expert, we have been committed to providin…
The SPATULA:
THE USE: Stirring, mixing, folding, scraping, and spreading ingredients. I strongly believe silicone spatulas are superior. A silicone spatula is especially useful for getting the last bits of batter, sauce, or melted ingredients out of bowls and pans, helping reduce food waste while making preparation easier.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Check out our article breaking down why silicone spatulas are superior ⟶ Why Silicone Spatulas are Superior
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: Look for a heat-resistant silicone head that is flexible enough to scrape around the sides of bowls and pans without being floppy.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this Silicone Spatula Set. They have flexible heads in every size to meet your every need, reducing food waste and making the process of folding, scraping, and spreading extremely simple. Ever since I bought this set, my fried eggs and pancakes have looked just ✨glamorous✨ after flipping them with these spatulas.
- FOOD GRADE SILICONE SPATULAS: The silicone spatula Set and BPA free, make your cooking always safe and healthy. suitable for Cooking, Baking, Mixing. turning eggs or pancakes, making cakes, and scrapi…
- HEAT-RESISTANT AND EASY TO CLEAN ：The spatula set resistant to high temperatures up to 446 °F, make your cooking always safe and healthy, easy to clean, and dishwasher safe
- EASY TO CLEAN HANG or STORE: You can use the hanging loop function for easy air drying or even more, hang it on your kitchen wall for easy access when you are baking up a storm
- MULTIPLE SIZES TO MEET YOUR NEEDS: The small spatulas allows children to actively participate in cooking. The large-sized silicone spatula set is enough for people’s daily baking needs. This is a gift…
- HUMANIZED DESIGN FOR SPATULA SET: The silicon spatula set is seamless and integral. no seams or cracks to trap food. Stainless steel is added to each spatula to increase strength. Not warp like typica…
The LOCKING TONGS:
THE USE: Tongs are my true best friend when it comes to cooking(sorry silicone spatula). They’re super useful for turning, lifting, tossing, and serving food without having to handle it directly. They are the reason I, and probably everyone who cooks, still have their fingers intact, as they effectively keep your hands away from the heat.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Tongs are available with silicone, nylon, or stainless-steel tips. Silicone and nylon tips are useful when cooking with non-stick cookware because they are less likely to scratch the surface, while stainless-steel tips offer durability and can be particularly useful for high-heat cooking.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: Silicone tips are a good all-purpose choice if you use a mixture of cookware, especially if you want to avoid scratching non-stick surfaces. Can you tell I like silicone?
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this Silicone Kitchen Tong. The non-stick material of silicone makes grabbing and transferring food the easiest thing in the world. No other words required. The convenience speaks for itself.
- [Not just make it, we upgrade it.] We are a professional kitchenware producer who have been focus on customer experience. In order to offer better and…
- [18/8 Stainless Steel Handles & BPA Free Silicone] U-Taste kitchen tong set is made of 18/8 stainless steel and food grade silicone. Upgraded 0.8mm th…
- [Easy & Ergonomic Locking Mechanism] The upgraded kitchen tong has a smooth locking mechanism. With the added gaskets, you can easily lock and unlock …
- [Heat Resistant Silicone Tips without Melting & Odor] The silicone tipped tongs are made of BPA FREE silicone, which is more sturdy and has higher hea…
- [Dishwasher Safe & Easy to Store] After you grilling, bbq, mixing salad, frying meat/steak, serving hot dog, the food will not stick to the tongs so y…
The KITCHEN SCALE:
THE USE: Measuring ingredients accurately by weight, particularly when baking. A kitchen scale can also make cooking easier when following recipes that use grams or when you want consistent portion sizes. I try my best to include the most accuract measurements in my recipe, and a digital kitchen scale will make following those recipes as easy as it can possibly be.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Digital kitchen scales range from simple compact scales to larger models with additional functions such as multiple measurement units, tare functions, timers, and rechargeable batteries. Most don’t need anything overly complicated, a basic digital scale can provide the accuracy needed.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: Look out for the tare function, as it allows you to reset the scale to zero when placing a bowl on it. No mental math required.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this Rechargeable Digital Kitchen Scale. It comes with a tare function, easy to read display, and a super range of 15kg with precise weight measurements(1g/1oz). This scale made my time in the kitchen so much less frustrating, no more eyeballing measurements anymore!
- Super range (15 kg) and precise weight (1 g/0.1 oz): the digital kitchen scale offers a high accuracy of 1 g/0.1 oz. It measures up to 15kg/33lb. Idea…
- Versatile units can be changed freely: the kitchen scale is suitable for all types of food and offers 6 measuring ranges: g/kg/lb/oz/ml/milk(ml)millil…
- Versatile functions, easy zero setting: the digital food scale has a convenient tare function that allows you to subtract the weight of the container …
- Easy to clean, sturdy and durable: Made of stainless steel, this food scale is easy to clean and offers a long service life. The elegant and modern de…
- Ergonomic design: the professional food scale has an elegant and ergonomic design. Equipped with an LCD display with clear, easy to read numbers, it a…
The MEASURING SPOONS:
THE USE: Measuring spoons are used to measure extremely small quantities of ingredients accurately, especially salt, spices, baking powder, vanilla extract, oil, and other liquids. They are useful for both cooking and baking, where even a small difference in quantity can affect the final result.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Measuring spoons usually come in stainless steel, plastic, or silicone designs. Here is where I especially prefer stainless steel for it’s durability.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: Look for a set that includes the most useful sizes, especially ¼ teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon. Clear measurement markings are important, and a level, flat design makes it easier to measure accurately.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this 8 pc set with both Measuring Cups and Spoons. The stackable design fits perfectly into any kitchen of any size, and the engraved stainless steel handle have clear measurement markings.
- [exact scale and volume] the stainless steel handle is engraved with visible standard metric units to ensure that you are using the correct measurement. There are 8 diffe…
- [food grade material] the head of the measuring spoon is made of durable BPA Free material, and the handle is made of 2cr15 stainless steel. It has long service life, wil…
- [easy to clean] the measuring cup is odor proof and stain proof. You can use a dishwasher for quick cleaning or rinse with water. The measuring spoon can be cleaned by di…
- [easy to carry and store] the lightweight cup and spoon sets can be nested with each other and fixed together by stainless steel rings that are easy to open and close to …
The OVEN MITTS
THE USE: Protecting your hands and wrists when handling hot cookware, baking trays, roasting dishes, and oven racks. I’m particularly grateful for the convenient layer of protection when taking hot dishes out of the microwave. Nothing like the thrill of avoiding a hand burn.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Oven protection comes in traditional mitts, five-finger gloves, silicone mitts, and fabric or quilted designs. Silicone options offer good resistance to heat and moisture, while fabric mitts can provide flexibility and comfort.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: A mitt should provide enough coverage around your wrist while still allowing you to grip a baking tray securely. A textured exterior can also help prevent hot cookware from slipping out of your hands.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be these Silicone Oven Mitts. These mitts combine the easy flexibility of traditional potholders with the full-hand coverage that an oven mitt should have. They can be(and should be) used in all occasions, whether thats summer BBQs or everyday breakfast eggs, preventing burns and leaving the kitchen a happy, stress-free place.
- STYLISH KITCHEN ACCESSORY – Black cotton double potholders with oven mitt protection, perfect for everyday baking, cooking, or BBQ. Professional high-…
- LONG, DURABLE, INSULATED – These quilted cotton & silicone potholders with glove-style mitt ends easily handle high temperatures. Built for quality an…
- THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS – Combines the flexibility of traditional potholders with the full-hand coverage of oven mitts. The silicone grip pattern ensu…
- ALL OCCASIONS KITCHEN ESSENTIAL – Perfect for Christmas Day roasts, Michelin-level baking or cooking, summer BBQs, everyday stovetop use. When you’re …
- RELIABLE QUALITY & CRAFTSMANSHIP – Made with care and consistency, these double potholders with oven glove coverage ensure safety, durability, and lon…
The MIXING BOWLS:
THE USE: Mixing ingredients, preparing batters, whisking sauces, marinating food, and organising ingredients before cooking. A good set of mixing bowls can be used for almost every stage of food preparation, from cracking eggs to mixing a complete cake batter.
DIFFERENT TYPES: Mixing bowls are commonly made from stainless steel, glass, plastic, ceramic, or combinations of these materials. Stainless steel is lightweight and durable, glass allows you to see the contents and can often go from preparation to serving, while plastic is lightweight and convenient for everyday use.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING: A useful set should contain several different sizes so you’re not trying to mix a large amount of food in a tiny bowl. Non-slip bases, comfortable rims, easy-to-clean materials, and stackable designs are all useful features. If you find yourself baking frequently, having a particularly large bowl can also make mixing larger quantities much easier.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this set of Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls. This rustless, elegantly brushed set allows for the most seamless food-prep experience you can expect to get. The durable material can handle even the most aggressive mixing, perfect for beating up meat in marinades to letting dough rise overnight.
- One-Piece Construction: Crafted from premium heavy-duty stainless steel with seamless design, eliminating welding points and hard-to-clean corners for exceptional durability and resistance to rust or deformation.
- Elegant Brushed Finish: Features a sophisticated brushed finish on interior and exterior that resists scratches, prevents fingerprints, and allows food residue and stains to wipe away effortlessly for easy cleaning.
- Food-Grade Safe Material: Made from 100% food-grade stainless steel with non-reactive surface, perfect for mixing batter, kneading dough, tossing salads, whipping cream, and marinating foods safely.
- Non-Slip Stable Base: Designed with a stable non-slip bottom and ample space, providing the perfect vessel for baking tasks, proofing bread dough, and folding delicate mixtures without slipping or sliding.
The COLANDER:
THE USE: Draining water from pasta, rice, vegetables, and other foods. A colander is one of those simple kitchen tools that you didn’t know you needed, particularly when you’re working with ingredients that need to be rinsed or drained before serving(like that pasta you keep accidentally pouring down the drain).
DIFFERENT TYPES: Colanders are available in stainless steel, plastic, silicone, and collapsible designs. Check out our article about the perfect colander for every kind of kitchen ⟶ Top Colanders for Every Kind of Kitchen
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING: A stable base or sturdy handles are also useful because a full colander can become surprisingly heavy when filled with pasta or vegetables. Make sure the size and expense for the colander are all reasonable too, there usually isn’t too much of a difference between a 10£ colander and a 100£ colander.
IF I COULD ONLY GET ONE: …it would be this Foldable Silicone Colander Set. Again, the foldability and stackability(is that even a word?) makes storage seamless. However, if space allows, the polished, clean look of silicone is good enough to leave out to show off in the kitchen.
- FITS MOST SINK SHAPES AND SIZES: 2 sizes Colanders, suitable for most food cleansing and filtration. including 2.5-quart…
- SPACE SAVING DESIGN: Strainers are foldable, so they do not take up much needed room in your kitchen cupboards. Stack it…
- STURDY DESIGN AND FDA APPROVED: The colander made from non-toxic materials, BPA free and fully FDA approved for consumer…