Buying kitchenware
Kitchenware can encompass a wide variety of objects…those to eat with, cook with, and clean up with, just for starters. So, start with the basics. You need something to eat from – plates, bowls and cups – and utensils like forks, knives and spoons to eat with. Before you can get food to your plate though, you need something to prepare it with, like knives and pans. And maybe a coffeemaker to help you get to work?
Knives
Everybody needs a sharp knife or else the dinner will never be ready. For most home cooks, a simple set including one or two paring knife, a large chef’s knife and a serrated knife will be a good start. But there are much more elaborate sets including knives for every purpose. Whether you’re a college student trying to slice a potato or a home chef who uses each knife in a 20-piece set with ease, you can find sets running from less than a hundred dollars to well over $1,000. The best-known are made by two German companies, Henckels and Wustof, which each make many different knives and lines, but there are many more brand names in various price ranges. You’ll also want a cutting board, whether a large wooden block or a small plastic sheet, to protect your counter from both cut marks and food contamination.
Pots and pans
Every cook needs a great set of dependable, durable pots and pans that will stand the test of time. The basic here are a good saute pan or omelet pan, a large frypan, a couple of different sizes of saucepans, and perhaps a large kettle for spaghetti or lobster. Some cooks prefer stainless steel cookware, whereas others prefer Teflon-coated nonstick frypans or a cast-iron skillet. Everyone has their favorites. But many cooks will eventually settle on the high-tech cookware made by manufacturers like All-Clad and Calphalon, which combines even heating and durability. Cookware is a personal preference, but getting starter sets has never been easier, and each manufacturer has many to choose from.
Dinnerware
Some of the most fun can be had in choosing dinnerware, which includes plates, cups, bowls and additional pieces like bread plates. The styles and patterns are ever-changing and the price can be very inexpensive (in which case you can change the look of your table by season or simply by mood) to very pricey (when you may want to add it to your wedding or housewarming registry). Dinnerware manufacturers are plentiful, including Pflatzgraff, Fiesta, Lenox and Noritake to name just a few. There are square plates, round plates, ovals, and even fruit and veggie shapes. Finishes can be simple and solid colors or intricate, classic patterns that have lasted through the decades. Like small tea cups or large mugs that fit a man’s hand? Simple, contemporary lines or scalloped borders that look at home on a country table? No matter, you’re likely to find the enormous choices in dinnerware to be fun and delightful to sort through and find the one that’s best for you.
Flatware
Also called silverware or tableware, this category encompasses forks, knives and spoons. Once it was more commonly made of silver, but stainless steel and other metals are far more often used today. A simple place setting consists of fork, knife and spoon, but you can add appetizer and dessert forks, soup spoons and other pieces until there are eight or nine surrounding each plate on your table. Generally you would want to buy at least as many place settings as there are places at your dining table, but twice as many is a good idea, considering that some of your flatware is going to be in the dishwasher or the sink when you need it. As with your dinnerware, a wide variety of modern and traditional styles in many colors are available from countless manufacturers. The best-known brands include Oneida, Henckels, Pfaltzgraff, and Utica.
Coffeemakers
For many people, the one other kitchen essential is a coffeemaker – they’re crucial for supplying the caffeine that gets you moving to get the kitchen organized or hit the grocery store. There are plastic models, stainless steel, programmable models and basic 4-cup styles. Some have simple coffee pots, while others can brew directly into separate, insulated coffee cups to take with you. Popular coffee makers are varied. Perhaps the most recognizable is Mr. Coffee because its name is so simple and so vividly represents its purpose. There are trendy looks in fun colors by Cuisinart and the admired versions by Kitchen Aid who also produce several other popular kitchenware items.
