13 Kitchen Must-Haves You Should Never Get Rid Of

The day-to-day cooking in the kitchen means that equipment gets dull, worn off, or outright broken. Some cooking tools can’t last forever. That’s why we recommend buying low-cost versions of tools replaced every few years. However, other kitchen equipment should last for generations, even if you cook daily.

Homeowners and professional chefs are passionate about sourcing quality products. Many dedicated platforms exist, such as Buy It for Life or Buy Once kitchen equipment. So, what are some of the kitchen must-haves you should never get rid of?

Here is a list of Kitchen must-haves you should never get rid of. According to Serious Eats, these durable tools and equipment don’t wear off over time. You can acquire these kitchen must-haves, use them in your silver years, and pass them to the next generation.

Chef’s Knife

Without a proper chef’s knife, food preparation can be a nightmare. Are you in need of a new kitchen knife? We recommend an 8-inch professional chef’s knife, though it’s expensive. Quality chef’s knives are heavier and sharper, making them easier to cut and chop quality pieces.

You use a chef’s knife for most of your cutting needs whenever you’re cooking. The top chef’s knives are the Japanese-style Mac Knife and the German-made Wusthof 8-inch knife. Japanese knives have super sharp edges, but the profile and shape of Wusthof’s knife will feel familiar to most.

Rolling Pin

A single-piece wooden rolling pin will last forever instead of a handled one. According to Food Network, the French tapered rolling pins are at the top of the chart. Good maintenance dictates drying it thoroughly after use and oiling it regularly. The best quality is one made from hardy maple wood.

We know it’s possible to substitute a rolling pin with a wine bottle. However, a bottle may accidentally break, causing accidents and food wastage. Look for a rolling pin with tapered ends. It will be easy to operate while still maintaining consistent dough thickness.

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are the next best thing to a butcher’s countertop. They help to protect your fingers during prep time and control the working area. Have several cutting boards for different foods to avoid contamination.

Plastic boards can be cleaned and disinfected in the dishwasher. A real-wood cutting board isn’t dishwasher safe. You must treat it often with food-safe oil, which will last decades. Bob Villa rates the bamboo cutting board as the best, although it is pricey. However, keep your sharpener close when using a Bamboo cutting board. They make the knife blunt much faster.

Bowls

Every kitchen needs a set of prep bowls. They are great for organizing and mixing your ingredients. Most of the time, you must prepare the ingredients beforehand and use them in different stages.

If you have a set of stainless steel mixing bowls that fit inside one another, it’s a treasure. Stainless steel bowls can last a lifetime. But you can use glass bowls to serve dishes as well. When shopping for glassware, go for Pyrex because of its unbreakable, nonporous material. It also doesn’t warp or stain like lesser containers.

Storage Containers

Suitable food storage containers are essential in your kitchen. You will use them for leftovers and unused ingredients after preparing for dinner. The Kitchn has highlighted some of the best storage containers today.

Ensure you invest in food storage containers of multiple sizes. They should have a lid that tight seal to keep your food fresh for longer. Glass containers are safe for use in the freezer, oven, and microwave. They are also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Measuring Cups

Measuring cups are essential when baking but also excellent for everyday cooking. You’ll need two measuring cups for the dry ingredients and the liquids. Liquid measuring cups have handles and pour spouts, while you can level a dry-ingredients measuring cup.

Dry measuring cups are great for sugar, flour, mix-ins, oats, and more. The liquid measuring cups are ideal for adding liquids to your recipes. They are convenient for water, oil, milk, broth, etc. You can look for budget-friendly measuring cups in this list from All Recipes.

Measuring Spoons

Even if you like to “eyeball” ingredients, we don’t recommend it in baking. The ingredients used must be precise to produce all the sweet and savory recipes. So, it would be best to have tablespoons and teaspoons for accuracy in your measurements. You may want to see this list from BBC Good Food before purchasing lifelong measuring spoons.

You can also use your measuring spoons when scooping dried herbs and spices. Excess or underuse of an ingredient during baking usually renders poor results. Avoid soggy, deflated, or sunken outcomes by using the right measuring spoons.

A Dutch Oven

A well-made Dutch oven is one of the best investments you can make in your kitchen. It’s a cooking vessel that has many uses. You can use your Dutch oven to make soup, stew, bread, braising, sautéing, and searing.

Dutch ovens work by evenly distributing the heat for perfect cooking. Most of the brands come with a lifetime warranty. So, it’s an essential you can treasure for years and even bequeath to the next generation.

Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons are ideal in many areas when cooking. If maintained well, they can last for generations. We recommend wooden spoons for mixing batters and stirring soups and stews. Never clean your wooden spoons in a dishwasher.

They are heat resistant and non-abrasive on your cooking ware. You need a set of different-shaped wooden spoons. If you love home cooking for groups, don’t worry; wooden spoons come in varying sizes. The leading wooden spoons are from Early Wood Designs.

Cast Iron Skillets

Cast iron skillets have been in existence for over 2,000 years. Modern cast iron skillets are heavy and pre-seasoned. It ensures the food doesn’t stick while retaining the heat. The skillets are good over the stovetop and in the oven.

Do you have a cast iron skillet? You’ll probably only need to buy one for gifting. This kitchen cookware is exceptionally durable and can cook many different foods. Ensure you have various sizes for suitability in your cooking.

Carbon Steel Skillet

A carbon steel skillet is ideal for using thin and light cookware. Unlike most cast iron skillets, you must season carbon steel pans before use. But invest in a good one, and it’s worth the cooking and smoke.

Use a carbon steel skillet to cook seared meat, sautéed vegetables, bake cornbread, or fruit crumble. They can also shallow fry and boil water. Choose one from this list of the best carbon steel skillets by Epi Curious.

Stockpot

You probably may not need to prepare stock every day. But ideally, the sound-quality stock pots available in the market are durable enough to last you many years. You will continue using your stock pot for homemade broths into your silver years.

Look for a stockpot that is induction-compatible and dishwasher-safe. The cladding should cover both the bottom and sides for better heat retention and durability. Check these stock pots as tested by Serious Eats. The Cuisinart’s Stock Pot stood out for its size, comfort, and resistance to warping or damage.

Enameled Cast Iron Braiser

An Enameled braiser is a worthwhile investment in your kitchen. It’s durable due to its cast iron construction. You can use a braiser for sautéing, shallow frying, making sauces, and low-and-slow braises. According to  Spruce Eats, the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Braiser is the best.

The Le Creuset braiser is a beautiful, well-made cookware. It has a roomy cooking space of 3.5 quarts, and its enamel is virtually chip-free. Its holders are comfortable and don’t need babying like bare cast iron pans. This braiser is induction-compatible and comes with a lifetime warranty.