What Cookware to Buy When Moving Out of Home

Moving out of your parent's house or transitioning from a shared living situation to your own place is a big step. It's exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of responsibilities, one of which is setting up your kitchen. You might be wondering, "What cookware do I actually need?" Here's a simple guide to the essential kitchenware you'll need to start whipping up delicious meals in your new home.

Why Focus on Cookware Basics when Moving out of Home?

When first moving out, it's crucial to build a foundation of quality cookware and essentials to make the transition to cooking for yourself smoother and more enjoyable. It ensures you are set up to maintain a healthy and cost-effective lifestyle by preparing your meals at home.

Starting with the basics allows you to strengthen your culinary skills and explore new recipes without feeling overwhelmed by unnecessary gadgets. Investing in quality kitchen essentials also means you're less likely to need replacements soon.

Cookware Essentials

A good selection of cookware essentials forms the cornerstone of your cooking journey when moving out of home, allowing you to explore a variety of dishes while ensuring you’re equipped for everyday cooking. Here are the must-have cookware pieces that are crucial for moving out for the first time.

1. Frying Pans

Get yourself two frying pans of different sizes. A smaller one is perfect for frying eggs or sautéing vegetables, while a larger one can handle bigger tasks like cooking meat or making pancakes. Look for non-stick varieties to make your life easier. This helps simplify cooking and cleaning, making the process less daunting.

2. Saucepans with Lid

A good saucepan is a must-have. You'll use it for everything from boiling pasta and making sauces to reheating leftovers. It allows for cooking different dishes without the need for numerous specialised utensils. Make sure it comes with a lid to help you control the temperature and speed up cooking times.

3. Stockpot with Lid

A stockpot is another essential piece. It's ideal for making soups, stews, and broths, as well as boiling large quantities of water for pasta or potatoes. Like the saucepan, ensure your stockpot comes with a lid to maintain temperature control and prevent splattering. Opt for a large capacity to give yourself flexibility in cooking larger meals, which is great for meal prep or cooking for gatherings.

4. Baking Trays

Whether you're roasting vegetables, baking cookies, or making a traybake, a couple of sturdy baking trays will serve you well. They're versatile and indispensable in any kitchen. You can use them for meal prep, reheating leftovers, and even serving food in a pinch. Look for durable materials that can withstand high temperatures without warping.

Appliances

Essential appliances streamline the cooking process and open new possibilities for healthy and diverse meal options. From efficient multitaskers like air fryers to time-saving tools like conventional ovens, the right appliances are key to setting up a functional kitchen in your new home.

1. Microwave Oven

A microwave is invaluable for its versatility and convenience. It's perfect for reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food, and even cooking some meals outright. A microwave can save you time, especially on busy days when you need a quick meal.

2. Toaster

A toaster is great for a quick and convenient warming of food, such as toasting bread for breakfast or reheating pizza or snacks. It allows for a cost-effective way to enjoy a warm, satisfying meal at any time of the day. Its compact size and ease of use make it an ideal first appliance, offering a sense of comfort and home with each use.

3. Electric Kettle

An electric kettle quickly boils water for tea, coffee, or instant meals like ramen. It's more energy-efficient than boiling water on the stove and can be a real time-saver during those early morning rushes.

4. Air Fryer

An air fryer is a fantastic appliance for those looking to cook healthier meals without giving up the taste and texture of fried foods. It uses hot air to cook food, requiring little to no oil. Air fryers are excellent for frying, baking, grilling, and roasting can reduce your overall cooking time when using a traditional oven.

5. Rice Cooker

For those who eat a lot of rice, a rice cooker can be a game-changer. It cooks rice perfectly every time and keeps it warm until you're ready to eat. Many models also come with settings for cooking other grains or even steaming vegetables, adding to their versatility.

6. Coffee Maker

If you start your day with coffee, a coffee maker is essential. Whether you prefer a simple drip coffee maker, a French press, or a single-serve pod machine, having the ability to make coffee at home can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Utensils

The proper utensils are key to efficiency from preparing simple meals to experimenting with more complex recipes. Here are some essential utensils you'll need in your new kitchen.

1. Cutlery Set

A cutlery set is one of the first essential utensils you should invest in when moving out. A comprehensive set typically includes knives, forks, and spoons in varying sizes, catering to different types of meals from breakfast to dinner. Quality cutlery enhances the dining experience and lasts longer, resisting wear and tear from daily use. 

When selecting a cutlery set, consider the material and design to ensure it matches your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Stainless steel sets are popular for their durability and ease of care, making them a practical choice for anyone setting up their first kitchen.

2. Stirring Spoons and Ladles

You'll need spoons and laddles for stirring soups, sauces, and other mixtures. Get a few different sizes and materials to suit all your cooking needs. Wood is perfect for use on non-stick surfaces, preventing scratches, and it doesn’t conduct heat, which makes it safe for stirring simmering sauces or soups. 

Metal is ideal for high-heat situations, such as flipping steaks on a grill or stirring a pot of chilli, as it can withstand the temperature without melting or warping. Silicone combines some of the best features of both wood and metal; it is heat-resistant, flexible, and gentle on non-stick surfaces.

3. Spatulas

A spatula is crucial for flipping pancakes, transferring cookies to a cooling rack, or scraping the last bit of sauce out of a pan. Consider getting both a flat spatula and a silicone one for different uses. A silicone one with a flat surface is especially essential if you are cooking in non-stick cookware to efficiently scrape and move food avoiding scratching and damaging the surfaces.

4. Tongs

Tongs are the unsung heroes of the kitchen. They make flipping meat, tossing salads, and serving pasta a breeze. Their design allows for the safe handling of food, preventing burns or injuries. Get a pair with a good grip and you'll find yourself reaching for them constantly.

Cooking Accessories

When setting up your first kitchen after moving out, it's easy to overlook the smaller yet essential items that make cooking and meal prep more efficient and enjoyable. Cooking accessories offer functionality and convenience for a wide range of culinary tasks.

1. Mixing Bowls

You'll need a set of mixing bowls for everything from beating eggs to mixing salad. They come in handy for both cooking and baking, so get a set of various sizes. Mixing bowls can also serve multiple purposes, such as doubling as serving bowls or storage containers with the help of a lid.

2. Heatproof Mats

Protect your countertops and tables with heatproof mats (like cork mats). They're great for placing hot pans on and can also double as trivets during dinner, preventing injuries, burns, scorching, or even more severe damage to you and the furniture. This is particularly important in rental spaces where damage can lead to losing security deposits. 

3. Storage Containers

Quality storage containers are kitchen essentials crucial for keeping leftovers fresh, organising dry goods like pasta and rice, and even meal prepping for the week ahead. They help maintain the cleanliness and order of your kitchen, making cooking and finding ingredients more manageable. 

Opt for a variety of sizes to accommodate everything from a single serving of leftovers to a large batch of soup. Look for containers with tight-sealing lids to prevent leaks and spills and consider materials like glass or BPA-free plastic for health and safety. Glass containers are especially useful as they can often go from fridge to microwave or oven, simplifying reheating.

Setting up your first kitchen doesn't have to be overwhelming or break the bank. Start with these essentials, and you'll be well on your way to cooking up a storm in your new place. Remember to buy quality pieces that will last and gadgets you'll use for years to come. Happy cooking!