The Right Tool for the Right Job
A well-equipped kitchen makes cooking easier and more fun. Get our recommendations for:

Knives:
When you're buying a knife, the most important thing is how it feels in your hand. If you're particularly enamored of a certain style of grip, then buying a block is your best option; if you prefer a different grip for different styles of knife, then purchase your knives individually.

• Paring knife
  
• Serrated knife
  
• Chef's knife (either French-style or Asian)
  
• Carving/Slicing knife
  
• Kitchen shears
  
• Get more in-depth information on knives.

Utensils and Equipment:
Utensil-wise, the kind of pans you have dictate the kind of utensils you should be using. Nonstick pans demand plastic utensils; wood and metal can be used on hard-anodized and stainless pans.

• Cutting boards (ideally more than one)
  
• Spoons (regular, slotted, and wooden)
  
• Metal spatula (sometimes called a turner)
  
• Rubber spatula
  
• Can opener
  
• Box grater
  
• Rasp grater
  
• Pepper mill
  
• Vegetable peeler
  
• Whisk
  
• Tongs
  
• Instant-read thermometer
  
• Salad spinner
  
• Colander
  
• Ladle

Small Electronics:

• Blender (stick or countertop)
  
• Food processor
  
• Toaster or toaster oven
  
• Microwave
  
• Slow cooker
  
• Pressure cooker
  
• Mixer, handheld or stand

Baker's Goods:
If baking is your passion, consider adding the following:

• Two (9-inch) cake pans
  
• Mixing bowls
  
• Measuring cups and spoons
  
• Cookie sheets (both rimmed and flat)
  
• Cooling rack
  
• Springform pan
  
• Pastry brush
  
• Rolling pin
  
• Loaf pan
  
• Pie pan
  
• Removable-bottom tart pan