Small Kitchen Essentials Shopping List

Getting ready for your first kitchen or time for an upgrade, here is our list of essential kitchen items.

Kitchen Essentials Shopping List

1. Cookware and Bakeware
   • stock pot or large saucepan for batch meals, like soups, stews, pasta and ramen soup.
   • smaller saucepan for making rice, steaming vegetables, and reheating small servings of leftover
   • classic 8” nonstick pan for making dishes like scrambled or fried eggs
   • classic 8" to 10" stainless steel or cast iron fry pan for high heat cooking like searing meats and vegetables
   • Baking sheets are an essential tool, great for baking both savory foods and sweet treats
   • Baking dishes are another versatile tool that can produce sweet dishes, like cobblers and brownies, and savory batch meals, like a casserole or a quiche. You can either get a large baking dish, or save more space by opting for two smaller dishes that can be stored inside of each other
   • Two cutting boards (one for raw and one for everything else to avoid cross contamination)
2. Cook's Tools
   • Measuring Cups and Spoons:angled measuring cup is great for measuring out liquids like water, milk, and chicken broth, while this set of measuring cups is great for measuring out dry ingredients like flour and sugar. Additionally, a set of smaller measuring spoons is essential for measuring smaller portions of ingredients, like spices.
   • Wooden Spoons, one like this epicurean spoon is a great option for general cooking, while this bamboo slotted spoon that offers versatility because it functions as an all-in-one spoon and spoon rest.
   • Two Mixing Bowls  Because most baking recipes require two mixing bowls, make sure to have one large bowl and one small bowl, and stack the smaller one inside of the larger one for easy storage.
   • A spatula is another essential cooking tool, which can be used for flipping ingredients. 
   • A turner is great for flipping burgers and pancakes, and specialized fish turners are perfect for flipping fish without it breaking apart.
   • A ladle is essential for portioning out soups, sauces, and gravies.
   • A pair of tongs is an invaluable tool that shouldn’t be overlooked. They can be used to grab onto foods to toss, flip, lift, or serve without needing to use your hands.
3. Kitchen Knives
   • Every cook, no matter the experience level, needs these three essential knives. The chef’s knife is perfect for mincing, chopping, and slicing through meats; a paring knife is useful for detailed work; and a bread knife is essential for slicing through things that are hard on the outside and soft on the inside. Once you’ve got your knives, consider also investing in a knife magnet, which is convenient for storage without taking up counter or drawer space.
4. Linens
   • One Oven Mitt and One Potholder: You should have one oven mitt and one potholder for transferring things in and out of the oven. You can get these tools individually, or get them as a matching set.
   • One Set of Kitchen Towels: Kitchen towels are the perfect cooking companion, allowing you to keep your kitchen clean while also serving as a cute decoration. This combination set of three kitchen towels features a variety of fun patterns and bold colors that’ll brighten up your kitchen.
   • Dish Cloths: Dish cloths are essential for when you’ve finished cooking. They can be used to wipe down counters, tables, and stovetops, helping to ensure that your kitchen is always free of food residue and bugs. Opt for traditional dish cloths, try out these eco-friendly Swedish cloths, or get the best of both worlds mixing and matching them both.
5. Cleaning and Organization
   • One Drying Rack: If you put wet dishes into the cabinet, they’re sure to mildew, but sometimes you just don’t have the time or patience for drying things individually. A dish rack is the perfect solution; let evaporation do all the work while you sit back and relax. To save counter space, opt for a drying rack that rests above your sink.
   • Dish Sponges: You should keep a few dish sponges handy for scrubbing off stubborn bits of food and hand washing dishes. This set of 4 sponges is a great starter pack, and you can add to your collection as time goes on.
   • Drawer Organizers: An essential aspect of maximizing small kitchen space, whether it be a dorm room or apartment, is organization. Drawer organizers keep your silverware organized and prevent the chaos and clutter of messy drawers.
6. Dishes and Silverware
   • Plates and Bowls: What’s the point of cooking if you have nothing to eat your food on? Unless you’re a wild animal who eats straight out of the frying pan, you’ll probably want to invest in some plates and bowls. Melamine plates and bowls are perfect for a dorm room, and you can level up to some classy ceramic dishes once you’ve moved into your first apartment and proven that you can be responsible.
   • Glasses and Mugs: To stay hydrated and caffeinated, you’ll need some glasses and mugs. Acrylic glasses are perfect for a dorm, while these glass drinking cups are a stylish addition for a first apartment.
   • Silverware: Unless you plan on eating your meals with your hands, you’ll need some silverware to enjoy all of the fruits of your labor.
7. Appliances and Gadgets
   • Coffee Maker: All college students need to get their caffeine fix, right? How else are you going to drag yourself out of bed for 8am classes or pull all-nighters to finish big projects? To maximize counter space, consider getting a compact coffee maker, like a french press, induction espresso maker, or pour-over coffee maker.
   • Immersion Blender: Small kitchens don’t have space for a large, bulky blender, and an immersion blender is a convenient solution. It’s small, compact, minimizes dishes, and can be used for everything from blending sauces to making smoothies.
   • Water Kettle: For first-year college students who don’t have easy access to a stovetop, an electric kettle is the ideal solution for boiling water for tea and pour-over coffee. If you have easy access to a stovetop, a traditional kettle is another good option and can be decoratively displayed on your stove to avoid countertop clutter.

Other Tools for Your Starter Kitchen

There are lots of other miscellaneous tools that are a helpful addition to any kitchen, including:

• Colander 
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Juicer
• Peeler
• Ice cube tray
• Kitchen shears
• Grater

If you’re still struggling to make space in your small kitchen, Blackstones has you covered.

Needing More Small Kitchen Ideas?

If your small kitchen is still leaving you stumped, we’ve got you covered. The friendly and knowledgeable team at Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill is prepared to answer questions, brainstorm, and point you in the right direction. Stop by our Charles Street location to talk to our team about how you can make your kitchen work for you,