Common kitchen utensils and their uses
These are the basic cooking and baking utensils that any aspiring baker and cook should have.
Pots: They are used to cook food and boil liquids on the stove.
Casseroles: preparation of sauces and retention of liquids. Heavy-bottomed ones with poured lips are preferable.
Knives: used to chop, cut, carve and fillet food.
Chopping board: used to place food while chopping or cutting to protect the work surface.
Mixing Bowls: These are used to put the ingredients while mixing.
Baking dishes: used to bake puddings and stews in the oven.
Frying pan: used to fry food or sauté meat. Heavy-bottomed ones are preferred.
Strainer: used to drain water from food. It can be nylon or metal mesh.
Electric/Manual Blender: Used to grind and puree food and vegetables.
Food thermometer: to take the temperature of meats, chocolate, water, etc.
Measuring jug: to measure liquids. It must be heat resistant.
Grater: used to grate ginger, garlic, chocolate, cheese and citrus peels. Four-sided metal ones are preferred.
Double Boiler: Used for delicate sauces, melting chocolate, and generally melting things.
Bottle/can opener: to open cans and bottles. It should be well mounted if possible.
Kitchen scales: to measure quantities of food. It must be metric or imperial.
Microwave Oven: Used to quickly heat or melt frozen foods and sauces.
Mortar and pestle: used to mash food and grind spices.
Kitchen timer: for precise adjustments of cooking intervals.
Measuring cups and spoons: to measure ingredients accurately.
Spatula: For lifting food from pans and also for scraping food from pots, pans, and bowls. It is used to mix ingredients.
Kitchen scissors: to cut bones and meat.
Brush: to apply liquids such as eggs, oil and sauces on food.
Pastry bags: for pastry bags, icing, potatoes, etc.
Blender/Blender: Used to finely grind food and vegetables. It is used to make smoothies and shakes.
Grill – Usually comes with the oven, but can come separately. It is used to grill steaks, chops and sandwiches.
Seive: used to drain sauces.
Ladle: It is used to fish soups.
Rack: used to store cakes, cookies, buns, etc. while they cool down.
Shovel: to serve ice cream, potatoes, etc.
Pressure Cooker – Used for quick cooking of casseroles, casseroles, meatballs and basic broths.
Pasta cutter: used to cut and shape the dough.
Other kitchen equipment includes; freezer, food processor, ice cream maker, toaster coffee maker, etc.