Every woman thinks about what kind of utensils should be in the kitchen. At first glance, the question may seem insignificant - you need a variety of dishes: everyday and holiday, general and individual. However, for convenience and functionality, there should be no unnecessary objects in the room space. Let's look at what utensils to choose for the kitchen to ensure the comfort of cooking and eating. What is a must-buy, and what utensils can be neglected?
Which utensils to choose for the kitchen to ensure comfort?
Kitchen utensils: essential housewife set
The golden rule of furnishing a room is: only what is used in the room is needed. For kitchenware, this rule allows you to select the right number of pots, pans and other utensils in your kitchen cabinet. How to choose the right amount of kitchenware - not too much and not too little?
The number of containers for preparing food is determined by the composition of the family. For one or two people, at least three enamel pots, two frying pans and one cast iron cauldron are needed.
Pots
Pots should be of different sizes. If this is a dish set, then the containers stack into each other and take up minimal space in the closet. It’s okay if the pans are from different sets or were purchased separately. The main thing is the quality of the cookware: the presence of enamel, thick bottom, aesthetic appearance.
Pots should be of different sizes.
A large saucepan is the queen of kitchen utensils. It is intended for preparing first courses. Its volume is determined at the rate of 0.7 liters for each family member. However, even for one or two people, it is recommended to have a large 3 liter saucepan in the house. It is used for preparing food for a holiday or receiving guests.
The second pan is necessary for preparing side dishes (porridge, potatoes, vegetable dishes). Its volume is slightly smaller - approximately 0.5 liters for each family member.
The third pan is for heating previously prepared food. It is used when you need to feed one or two family members. Its volume is about 0.3 liters per person.
For a family of 4 people, you need a set of pans of 3 l, 2 l and 1.2-1.5 l. For a large family of 6 people, the volumes of the pots are larger - 4-4.5 l, 3 l and 2 l. At the same time, for a large family, it is better to increase the number of medium pans - two or three medium or two medium and two small pans per family.
A set of pans with a transparent lid allows you to monitor the cooking process
For a family with a small child, a stewpan is necessary. This is a small, convenient pan with a long handle. This piece of kitchen utensils allows you to handle heating porridge, milk or other dishes with one hand.
Frying pans and cauldrons
A must-have in your kitchen utensil set is a cauldron - a cast-iron pan for stewing meat, vegetables and preparing pilaf. The second version of the cauldron is a duckling pan - an elongated pan for cooking poultry. The main requirement for a cauldron or duck pot is a thick bottom, metal handles (so that the dishes can be placed in the oven), and cast iron walls. In a cast iron pot, meat, vegetables, mushrooms, and fish are stewed in their own juices.
A frying pan is a utensil for frying. There should be at least two frying pans in a family. One (with high sides) for preparing fried dishes, as well as for heating ready-made side dishes. The second (with low sides) is a pancake maker.
A frying pan and a cauldron are indispensable in the kitchen
The design of a large frying pan should have a removable handle (to put it in the oven). The pancake maker should have a long, comfortable wooden handle.
How to choose dishes for the kitchen so that you don’t have to buy them again in a couple of years?
The best frying pan and the most durable pan is cast iron. Nonstick pan sets will work, but their longevity is measured in years, while cast iron cookware lasts for decades. Therefore, the most durable choice for a kitchen frying pan is a cast iron model. Such utensils can not only be used for many years, but also passed on by inheritance.
Teaware: teapot, teapot, thermos
Teapot for tea
The traditional metal kettle has been replaced by an electric device for heating and boiling water. This device allows you to prepare a tea drink or brew coffee in a matter of minutes. In addition to the electric kettle, a ceramic teapot is useful for brewing tea for the whole family. And also a thermos, in which brewed tea can retain heat, aroma and taste for a long time.
Stainless steel cookware
As a rule, stainless cookware costs much more than aluminum or copper counterparts. Why? The answer is simple. Such utensils (purpose, types are described below) will allow you to cook without oil and water, and all food residues are washed off without any effort.
Classification of stainless steel devices:
- frying pans;
- teapots;
- pots;
- covers.
Plates and cups are not made from steel. Thanks to the material used, the maximum amount of nutrients is retained during cooking. The advantages of this cookware are obvious, but what are the disadvantages? You can highlight the high price; when overheated, pots and pans deteriorate, and it is very difficult to wash off the deposits; they do not like sudden changes in temperature and heat up slowly.
Baking dish
The kitchen baking set includes large pie pans, muffin pans, large kneading board, dumpling pan, cookie cutters, etc. Such a set can have one or two forms or a dozen forms of various sizes made of plastic, metal and silicone (depending on the desire of the housewife to prepare homemade sweets).
Baking set
You can use pans to knead the dough. But if possible, it is worth purchasing a couple of enamel bowls: a large one - for kneading a large amount of dough (for pancakes, pies). Small - for kneading small baked goods.
A set of baking utensils complements the gentleman's kitchen set:
- wooden spoons for kneading dough;
- wooden spatula for turning pancakes;
- whisk for whipping;
- pastry syringe for cream;
- wooden rolling pin;
- a couple of good non-stick baking sheets.
Forms for cakes
In addition to baking utensils, the gentleman's kitchen set includes:
- a set of graters with different cell sizes;
- colander;
- ladle;
- meat hammer;
- can-opener;
- potholders, towels, aprons.
In addition to the large wooden board for the dough, you need two more cutting boards of more modest sizes (approximately 50x70 cm). One of the boards is intended for cutting meat, fish, and poultry. The second is for cutting vegetables.
Cast iron cookware for the oven and oriental cuisine
Durable and heavy, cast iron cookware is an inexpensive alternative to stone that is also used for slow cooking and can last for generations in a family.
We all know delicious recipes for pilaf in a cast iron cauldron, and we also know that the best pancakes and pancakes are made in a cast iron frying pan. It is unlikely that these cast iron kitchen utensils can be given as gifts for the holidays, but they are definitely worth keeping in your home!
Among the disadvantages of cast iron cookware, we note the need to thoroughly wipe it dry after each cleaning to avoid corrosion. In addition, during the cooking process, the bottom of such a pot or frying pan should be well lubricated with oil to prevent burning, which can damage the taste and beneficial properties of the food.
What we will eat: cutlery
Cutlery plays an important role. The number of spoons (table and tea spoons), forks, and knives should exceed the number of people in the family. Cutlery is more likely to fall between tables and get lost in cabinets.
Cutlery can be beautiful
In addition to table knives, the following cutting utensils are needed for food:
- large sharp meat knife (blade length 18-20 cm);
- medium knife for large vegetables (blade about 10 cm), if the family is large and several people are engaged in cooking, then you need more such knives - two or three;
- a small knife for peeling fruits and removing eyes from potatoes (blade 6 cm);
- a special cutting device for quickly peeling vegetables;
- a serrated knife for bread and tomatoes;
- a knife or grater for cutting vegetables into shapes (long Korean carrots or thin shredding cabbage);
- scissors for trimming fish fins;
- knife sharpener.
Another article you will find useful is “How to choose Japanese kitchen knives, ceramic or steel”
Personal items: plates and cups
Plates are a must-have item in kitchen utensil sets. You need two sets of them: everyday (for family members and immediate relatives) and festive (for parties and birthdays). A festive set of dishes, including plates, spoons, forks, trays, and table decorations are stored in a closet or on the mezzanine. Daily utensils are located in the kitchen.
The modern ceramic industry offers various plate shapes.
The following types of plates are required for daily meals:
- deep soup bowls for first courses;
- medium small plates for main courses;
- tea saucers for desserts.
In addition, large dishes are needed to serve pies and salads.
The modern ceramic industry offers various shapes of plates: with and without handles, round, oval and square, with a pattern or plain, in various colors. The choice of design and appearance is determined by the preferences of the owners and the style of decoration of the room.
Plastic containers
Plastic food storage containers
Plastic or enamel containers for storing food are necessary in those families where food is prepared for several days at once. To do this, you need a large refrigerator and 3 to 10 containers for storing cooked food. Popular plastic containers are lightweight and easy to take with you to work or a picnic. Metal containers have more noticeable weight, but are more durable than plastic models.
Each container is closed with a tight lid. At the same time, a set of empty plastic boxes can be conveniently folded into one another for storage.
Aluminum kitchenware and utensils
If you are looking for an affordable set of kitchen utensils that are suitable for any form of cooking, then aluminum cookware is the best option for you. Unlike steel, anodized aluminum heats up fairly quickly, but it is also more prone to dents and warping. However, if treated with care, such a kitchen set can serve you for many years.
Appliances
Modern household appliances are a good help in the kitchen
In addition to the traditional stove of two, three or four burners and an oven, additional appliances and devices are needed that help you cook quickly, easily and tasty:
- meat grinder - electric or traditional mechanical;
- blender or mixer;
- double boiler (for lovers of healthy food and those who cannot eat fried foods);
- food processor;
- juicer;
- Dryer;
- yogurt maker; dumpling maker; pancake maker and other similar devices.
Ceramic dishes
How do other types of cookware differ from ceramic utensils? The fact that such devices are most often used for table setting, and much less often for cooking. Ceramic cookware is often found in the kitchens of cafe and restaurant chefs.
What advantages does it have? Due to the material from which ceramic cookware is made, it is able to maintain the humidity and temperature of food. The devices can easily withstand cooking in ovens.
The downside is that it is quite fragile.
Types of ceramic tableware:
- pots;
- tureens;
- serving plates;
- devices for supplying spices;
- baking molds;
- salad bowls;
- bowls;
- teapots;
- cups;
- coffee pots.
How to arrange dishes in the kitchen?
How to store dishes in the kitchen so that everything you need is at hand and at the same time out of the way? It is necessary to use various mobile devices: drawers, dividers, turntables.
Heavy frying pans, cauldrons, duck pots, and meat grinders are placed on the lower shelves of cabinets. If they fall, they will not break the tiled floor.
You can use shelves to store dishes in the kitchen.
Plates that are used constantly are often stored in the dryer. Deep plates that are put out on the table once a day can be stacked in a hanging cabinet or the middle shelves of a buffet.
Cups, glasses, teapots are stored on the top shelves or open shelves.
Guest dinnerware sets are not used every day. Therefore, it is not necessary to store them in the kitchen. Of course, if the size of your living space allows, you can store everything in kitchen cabinets. If the kitchen is small, guest utensils, plates and dishes are stored on mezzanines, attics or storage rooms.
Dinnerware
The tableware is wear-resistant, durable, and safe. In order for it to serve for a long time, it is necessary not only to choose it correctly, but also to carefully care for it. The material from which the tableware is made directly affects the length of its service life.
There are many such devices. There are not many types of tableware (there are only three). But it should be noted that in each category there are 10-30 options. An example is plates, because they are divided into 18 completely different types. In addition to them, this classification includes special devices and cups.
Utensil storage devices
How to place dishes in the kitchen in the most convenient way? Let's give examples.
Railing is a crossbar for hanging small objects. The railing is mounted on the wall or under a wall cabinet; loops and hooks for cups, spoons, ladles, knives and towels are placed on it. The railing is located on the wall along the countertop (or above the sink, or on the kitchen apron). All necessary small items are hung on the railing conveniently, compactly, and aesthetically pleasing.
Rating systems in the kitchen are very popular
Dividers (or inserts) - help organize the arrangement of items inside a box, container, or box. It is optimal if there are dividing liners in each drawer. Materials for separating devices are plastic, wood or stainless steel mesh with a corrosion-resistant coating.
Metal grates help free up kitchen space and conveniently arrange various utensils. They are mounted on the wall or inside cabinet door. Shelves for spices, hooks for ladles, knives and towels are hung from the grates.
Lids for pots and pans are conveniently stored on special devices that are similar to plate drainers. Lightweight non-stick frying pans can be stored in the same devices.
To store knives, it is better to purchase a special device: a block, or a wall magnet, or a stand, a holder into which a metal blade is inserted.
What are dishes?
Utensils are devices that are used for storing, receiving and preparing food. It is divided into three categories: for serving the table, for processing and vessels for long-term preservation of food.
The types of dishes are now replete with variety, and the history of these devices began with the manufacture of clay plates, cups, and so on. A little later, copper and cast-iron frying pans, pots, and so on appeared. Over time, the classification has increased.
Unusual options for placing kitchen utensils
If you approach the placement of dishes without standard cliches, you can come up with a couple of unexpected options for storing kitchen items. To do this, you need to take into account the requirements for a place to store dishes: it should be nearby (at hand), it should not be closed (doors get in the way for ease of use), it should not occupy useful space in the kitchen.
For an island kitchen you can organize a similar storage system
An unconventional place for hanging ladles, frying pans and stewpans is... the ceiling of the room. If you build special rails or wooden planes around the lamp, you will get an original lamp with the function of a place to place dishes.
Another option is to place metal utensil magnets on walls and cabinet doors. They can form a line, a contour pattern. For example, a wave, the sun, an apple or a large plate.
Thoughtful organization of space in the kitchen ensures convenience and comfort of cooking and family dinners. Non-standard solutions are becoming new devices for storing kitchen items.
