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Kitchen Essentials Kit
The Starter Set with Everything You Need
Do you know anyone who just moved into their first real apartment? Right now they’re probably busy outfitting their kitchen, and they most likely need a little help. Although the basics will do, you don’t want to waste hard-earned money on tools that are either flimsy or overpriced. We’ve done rigorous equipment tests so that we can recommend the best in kitchen gear that won’t break the bank. This set contains what they need to start achieving success in the kitchen every time.
Pair it with our Essential Knife Kit and they will have a fully stocked kitchen to take on the world.
OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 12" Open Frypan
WINNER - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The cooking surface was slick, both when new and after extensive use, and food never stuck. It’s one of the lightest models we tested, so it was easy to lift and maneuver, but it was also sturdy and resisted denting. All of our testers liked its wide, comfortable handle. Like every other model, its surface became scratched when we used a knife as if to cut a frittata, but it otherwise held up well.
Weight: 2.40 lb
Oven-safe To: 430°F
Cooking Surface: 9¾ in
Induction-Compatible: No
REVIEWED IN MAY 2018
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
CAPACITY ★★★
DURABILITY ★★½
NONSTICK ABILITY ★★★
EASE OF USE ★★★
KEY: GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ POOR ★
Nordic Ware Baker’s Half Sheet
WINNER - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Everything prepared in this sturdy, warp-resistant sheet cooked appropriately and evenly. Best of all, our new favorite is a few bucks cheaper than our old winner.
Material: Aluminum
Cooking Surface: 16 1/2 x 11 1/2 in
Exterior Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 1 in
Item Weight: 1.6 pounds
REVIEWED IN NOVEMBER 2016
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
BAKING ★★★
WARPING ★★★
HANDLING ★★★
ROASTING ★★★
RACK COMPATIBILITY ★★★
KEY: GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ POOR ★
OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
WINNER - RECOMMENDED
This thin, lightweight plastic model was easy to hold and lift but was also stable on the counter thanks to its grippy rubber sides. It’s dishwasher-safe, and while it got a bit scratched by the end of testing, it was otherwise intact, resisting warping, cracking, or staining and retaining no odors. Testers liked cutting on its textured plastic surface and appreciated that one of its sides had a small trench for collecting juices from roasts or wet foods.
Weight: 1 lb 8.5 oz
Materials: Polypropylene, TPE
Dimensions: 10.5 x 14.9 x 0.3 in
Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
REVIEWED IN APRIL 2020
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
STABILITY ★★★
DURABILITY ★★½
EASE OF CLEANUP/MAINTENANCE ★★★
EASE OF USE ★★★
KEY: GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ POOR ★
Vollrath Economy Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 3
WINNER - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
The broad, shallow shape of these inexpensive bowls put food within easy reach and allowed for wide turns of a spatula. These were also the lightest bowls in the lineup—the combined weight of all three that we tested was less than 1 1/2 pounds— allowing us to comfortably lift, scrape, and pour.
Weight: 1 lb 8.5 oz
Materials: Polypropylene, TPE
Dimensions: 10.5 x 14.9 x 0.3 in
Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
REVIEWED IN SEPTEMBER 2014
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
STABILITY ★★★
DURABILITY ★★½
EASE OF CLEANUP/MAINTENANCE ★★★
EASE OF USE ★★★
KEY: GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ POOR ★
Matfer Bourgeat Exoglass Pelton Spatula
WINNER - RECOMMENDED
Our former favorite triumphed again. Made from a resin/fiberglass composite, this fish spatula had a relatively thin, smooth head that was long, narrow, and provided ample room for picking up food. Its straight, moderate-length handle brought our hands close to the action and was fairly comfortable to grip, if a little slicker than we preferred. Just don’t leave it on a hot pan—it melted at 450 degrees.
Material: Exoglass (resin/fiberglass composite)
Handle Length: 5.5 in
Melting Point: 450 degrees
Head Thickness: 1.8 mm
REVIEWED IN JUNE 2019
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
DURABILITY ★★
EASE OF USE ★★½
PERFORMANCE ★★★
KEY: GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ POOR ★
Exoglass Synthetic Spoon
WINNER - RECOMMENDED
The Exoglass spoon cannot entirely replace the wooden spoon, which we still find useful when trying to gauge the consistency of sauces via the "coating the back of the spoon" test (the slick surface of the Exoglass makes this more difficult) and to scrape up fond (browned bits) from the bottom of a pan (flat-bottomed spoons are the best choice here). But they also don't have the drawbacks of wooden spoons— which must be washed by hand, have a tendency to absorb odors and colors, and can split over time after repeated soaks in water. So we're holding on to our wooden spoons, but we wouldn't mind adding an Exoglass spoon or two to our utensil drawer.
Material: Exoglass (resin/fiberglass composite)
Handle Length: 5.5 in
Melting Point: 450 degrees
Head Thickness: 1.8 mm
REVIEWED IN NOVEMBER 2005
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
The Ultimate Meal-Prep Cookbook
The secret to meal planning is simple. You just need a plan. But for many home cooks making “the plan” isn’t easy. There are so many factors to consider, such as curating your meals days in advance, getting all the ingredients you need in a single grocery run (while saving money), avoiding food waste, and having the time to prep the ingredients. There’s also the issue of having good recipes to begin with. Some recipes claim they can be made ahead but fall short of your expectations once prepared.
Recipes: 130+
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Item Number: CQ36
Item Weight: 3.0 pounds
DETAILS
Includes:
OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro 12" Open Frypan
Nordic Ware Baker’s Half Sheet
OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
Vollrath Economy Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 3
Matfer Bourgeat Exoglass Pelton Spatula
Exoglass Synthetic Spoon
The Ultimate Meal-Prep Cookbook
Item Number: ATKFAPT
Item Weight: 10.19 pounds