how to stock a kitchen for the first time

Your First Kitchen: The Ultimate Checklist

• Pots and pans. Buy a small pot with enough volume to prepare enough sauce for one meal. ...
• Silverware. Forks, knives, and spoons. ...
• Dishes. Small plates. ...
• Cookware. You can’t open cans without a can opener. ...
• Appliances. For a quick smoothie or to perfect blend a soup, a blender can be a lifesaver. ...
• Ovenware. Don’t burn your hands on hot baking trays. ...
• Food storage. ...

Full Answer

What should I stock my Kitchen with?

The Bare Minimum

• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Vegetable oil
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar

How to stock a vacation rental kitchen?

What to Include in Your Vacation Rental Inventory Checklist

• Kitchen. Compiling a vacation rental kitchen checklist for the kitchen may take a bit more time than other rooms because there are many smaller items you also need to keep ...
• Bedroom. A bedroom is the most important room when it comes to helping your guests feel relaxed. ...
• Bathroom. ...
• Living Room. ...
• Dining Rooms. ...
• Amenities for Children and Pets. ...

How to stock your kitchen for survival?

Figure Out Which Foods Your Family Needs

• Anything with a high salt content is not recommended as it can make you thirstier and you might not have a lot to drink.
• Choose one "want" item per family member to boost morale during an emergency.
• Stock only nonperishable items that come in cans, jars, bottles, or sealed boxes.

More items...

How to accessorize a small kitchen?

We Absolutely Believe in Your Galley Kitchen

• Group Your Appliances. Designer Brady Tolbert divided his tiny galley into two parts. ...
• Stick to Cosmetic Changes. ...
• Tuck Half Underneath the Staircase Schedule Schedule Schedule. ...
• Turn Up the Drama. ...
• Make the Ground the Focus. ...
• Paint It White. ...

How do you stock a new kitchen with food?

Save money and cook great food with these kitchen pantry staplesHerbs and Spices.Baking Supplies.Liquids.Sauces and Condiments.Special Seasonings.Cans and Jars.Packaged Goods.Pasta and Rice.More items...•

What should I buy for new kitchen stock?

What about kitchen items?Pots and pans (start with one stock pot, one sauce pot, and one fry pan)Plates and bowls (if you're living alone, two of each is fine to start with)Eating utensils, i.e. knives, forks, spoons (at least two of each)Drinking glasses.Mugs.Baking sheet.Oven-safe cooking dish.More items...•

How do I stock my kitchen on a budget?

How to stock a pantry for the first time without spending too much money? Set a weekly budget. ... Create a menu plan or a meal plan! ... Make a shopping list. ... Do not buy everything at once. ... Order your groceries online. ... Shop at cheaper stores. ... Only buy food that you enjoy and regularly eat. ... Buy store brands.More items...•

What do I need to stock up on right now?

Stocking up on a year's supply of something just to have it go bad in a couple of weeks would be a waste of money....Following are some of the best options if you're looking to add to your stockpile.Cleaning supplies. ... Soap. ... Peanut butter. ... White rice. ... Prescription medications. ... Dried beans and lentils. ... Candy. ... Pasta.More items...

What should I keep in my kitchen cabinets?

Items that should be nearest the stove:Cooking utensils: spatulas, wooden spoons (preferably in a crock on the counter)Spices (either in a drawer, or on a riser in a cabinet/on the countertop)Oils, vinegars, and commonly used condiments (on a tray next to the stove, and/or on a lazy Susan in the cabinet)Spoon rest.More items...•

What is in a fully stocked kitchen?

It includes all the basic supplies and essential equipment needed to cook and serve most meals. A fully stocked kitchen doesn't refer to food, spices, or condiments (though you can go the extra mile and provide starter amounts of staples like oil, salt, and sugar).

What are basic food staples?

Common Pantry Staples:Boxes of pasta.Tomato sauce.Canned soups.Rice.Cereal & Oatmeal.Chicken Broth.Mixed nuts.Dried fruit.More items...

What are food necessities?

Make a Great Grocery List in MinutesBakery and Bread.Meat and Seafood.Pasta and Rice.Oils, Sauces, Salad Dressings, and Condiments.Cereals and Breakfast Foods.Soups and Canned Goods.Frozen Foods.Dairy, Cheese, and Eggs.More items...•

What are staple food items?

Staple foods are those food items intended for home preparation and consumption in the four staple food categories (fruits or vegetables; meat, poultry, or fish; dairy products; and breads or cereals).

What foods last the longest?

The 20 best foods that last the longestDried beans. Just like with rice, if you properly package dried beans they can last for up to 30 years. ... Rolled oats. ... Pasta products. ... Dehydrated fruit slices. ... Cheese. ... White rice. ... Dehydrated carrots. ... Dried corn (10+years)More items...

What household items can I stockpile?

Various household disposable products are some of the best items to stockpile. They do not expire and you know you will go through them. Items like hand soap, dish soap, trash bags, dishwashing detergent and cleaning supplies are all great items to stockpile as long as you have the space.

What is the longest lasting non-perishable food?

Many kinds of food, including both fresh and dried produce, are known for their longevity....Stay prepared: Foods with the longest shelf lifeBouillon cubes. ... Peanut butter. ... Dark chocolate. ... Canned or vacuum-pouched tuna. ... Dried beans. ... Honey. ... Liquor. ... White rice. • Shelf life: Indefinite.More items...•

What is the common error people make when they're stocking a new kitchen after a move?

A common error that people make when they’re stocking a new kitchen after a move is that they buy more than they need. Food and kitchen items aren’t cheap, so you want to be sure that you shop smartly and don’t over-purchase and over spend. These tips will help you out.

What about kitchen items?

For now, focus on the kitchen fundamentals and purchase less essential items like bread makers and avocado slicers later on.

When in doubt, err on the side of purchasing too few things, instead of purchasing too much?

When in doubt, err on the side of purchasing too few things, instead of purchasing too much — especially when it comes to perishable items and kitchen tools. The grocery store isn’t going anywhere, so you’ll be able to get what you need later on if you didn’t pick it up the first time around.

Why don't perishable items last long?

items with short lifespans that you need to stock in the fridge or freezer) don’t last very long, you want to be judicious about what you buy and not purchase a ton of food that will end up in the trash or compost bin.

What are the essentials of a kitchen?

Kitchen Essentials: Spices. Home cooks know that spices are a necessary part of a delicious meal. If you have big cooking dreams but an empty spice cabinet, purchase a pre-stocked spice kit or stock a kitchen cabinet with these go-to spices: You can pick up other spices as they’re called for in recipes.

Do everyone have a kitchen?

Everyone might not have experience stocking a kitchen from scratch, but everyone does have a kitchen. Talk to your parents, your friends, or whoever else you think might have good insight for you about what you definitely need to have in your new kitchen and what you can definitely live without.

Is it good to stock a kitchen from scratch?

Having to stock a kitchen from scratch is a big undertaking that requires a heavy dose of foresight and planning. And even if you don’t cook a lot (which I didn’t in my early 20s, hence the lack of kitchen necessities), it’s still always a good idea to have the essentials on hand.

Can you live with one cutting board?

Again, buy the best one you can, but if you’re buying secondhand, don’t pick up a cutting board with deep grooves in it. (It’s not a wise move, food-safety-wise .) You can live with one cutting board, even if it’s wooden, so long as it’s in good shape.

Do you need a heat resistant spoon for stovetop cooking?

You are going to need heat-resistant utensils for stovetop cooking. Yes, Oxo makes some great ones, as do other vendors, but I was fine for a long time with simply a flat-headed wooden spoon. You’ll use it for soft-scrambled eggs, for getting tomato sauces un-stuck from the bottom of a pot, and for keeping veggies moving so they don’t burn. Ideally you’ll also own a round-headed wooden spoon, for getting foods out of the corners of pans, and a spatula, for flipping pancakes. But on a desert island, I’d want a flat-headed spoon for my coconut-and-desperation sautés.

Is it safe to put a bowl face down?

It’s much safer not to have bowls and plates face-down on a towel or surface when drying; you’re trapping moisture under them, which can breed bacteria. Make sure you have a sturdy dishrack—I like tough plastic, which last me longer than wooden ones—where you can space out dishes so they have air circulation. And keep it pretty clean.

Can you use half teaspoon of baking soda to make cookies?

At some point, you’ll want to bake something, and you will need measuring cups and spoons. Eyeballing a half teaspoon of baking soda just isn’t going to cut it for making cookies.

How to build up your pantry?

You can slowly build up your pantry with even a few extra dollars each week buying one or two extra items or getting the bigger package of a staple item.

When to stock up on pantry staples?

After the first few weeks when your pantry has some variety of staples and seasonings, THEN begin stocking up on your pantry items in larger quantities.

Does it help to stock your pantry?

It doesn’t help you stock your pantry if you only get enough to eat for the week. But it’s totally understandable if that’s all you can afford at first.

Is buying smaller packages a good idea?

Even though buying smaller packages isn’t usually the most frugal choice over the long run, in the short term, it can help you stay within your budget.

Do coupons save you money?

Remember, coupons only save you money if you were already planning on buying the item! Don’t get something just because it’s a good deal.

Can you stock up on rice and pasta at the same time?

By this I mean only get one grain, oil, vinegar, sauce, etc. to start off with. If you’re on a budget, you may not be able to stock up on rice, pasta, and flour at the same time.

Can you stock up on something else?

You could either stock up on that item, or use the savings from that item to buy something else.

What to do with a stocked pantry?

With a stocked kitchen pantry, you won't have to wonder. Make cooking and meal planning easier and save money on groceries by spotting sales on your basics. Have everything you need on-hand with must-have essentials for stocking a pantry that help you savor mealtime with your family.

What are some good baking supplies?

Baking Supplies. Whip up a batch of cookies on a moment's notice. Bake banana bread the kids will devour. Sweeten your ham or cook the best fried chicken you've ever eaten. Baking supplies for your kitchen pantry: Almond Extract. Baker's Chocolate. Baking Powder. Baking Soda.

How to keep pork chops from burning in skillet?

Mix your own salad dressing, make marinades for your meats or keep your pork chops from burning in the skillet.

How long can you shave off a meal with a pouch?

Many foods you probably prepare from scratch are available as special seasonings. When you're in a pinch, these pouches can shave up to an hour off of the time you spend on dinner.

Can you make homemade sauce without prep time?

Homemade sauces are ideal but not always possible to make without a lot of prep time. Store-bought sauces and condiments have a long shelf life and add lots of flavor to everyday recipes.

How to change the seasoning in cooking?

Cooking tends to be a lot simpler to make changes. Switch the seasonings around to use what you have, use rice instead of pasta, swap the veggies, use a different kind of meat or bean. Try to use what you already have instead of having to buy more ingredients. Make a List.

What to do when someone offers up extra staples?

If someone offers up extra staples from their pantry or garden, take them up on it! Keep Food Simple. As you get situated and start cooking, make simple recipes. You want things that will use common ingredients and not require you to go buy 10 new items for your pantry.

What happens if you go to the grocery store without a list?

If you go to the grocery store without a list, it will be very easy to put everything in your cart and quickly go over your budget. As you consider how to stock a pantry for the first time and do it on a budget, remember to take baby steps!

Do you have to buy all of the ingredients at once?

Soups, pasta, stirfry, pancakes, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sandwiches, etc. You don’t even have to buy all of those ingredients at once. Make a menu, and just buy what you’ll need for the next week. Over a month you will have ended up purchasing most of them.

Do salt and spices go on sale?

Salt and spices don’t go on sale, so buy those at any time. Things like pasta, butter, meat etc wait for the prices to drop before you stock your pantry for the first time. Utilize store brands to buy things on a budget. Especially the items that don’t go on sale.

Does moving a pantry cost money?

Moving typically costs money, though, and spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars purchasing all those little things that make up a full pantry might not be top priority. So let’s share ideas on how to stock a pantry for the first time and not go broke doing it. When stocking a kitchen you typically have baking supplies, cooking supplies, ...

What to do with silverware without organizer?

Without a silverware organizer, you’ll struggle to find the right fork, knife, or spoon and keep track of how close you are to running out of clean silverware.

What are some good flatware items?

Forks, knives, and spoons. Investing in some good flatware will go a long way and last you for years. These utensils are sold in sets, so you can go online or head to your local home store to pick up the set that appeals to your decorative tastes. Oftentimes, these sets come with some additional serving pieces, which may come in handy when your parents come for dinner.

What is the best pan to fry?

Frying pan. Any medium or large pan is great for preparing a quick stovetop meal such as eggs or grilled cheese. Wok. A wok is both wide and deep enough to work perfectly for stir-frying. An ordinary frying pan is decent for stir-frying, but a wok prevents food and sauces from spilling over.

How many quarts of pasta pots are there?

Pasta pot. Pasta pots often come in 5-quart, 6-quart, or 8-quart varieties. If you use too small of a pot, your water might overflow as the pasta cooks. You may want to opt for a larger pot if you tend to make more than one box at a time.

What is the best pot to use for soup?

Stockpot. A stock pot is ideal for preparing soups, stews, and broths. These pots are usually large enough that, if you’re preparing soup, using an immersion blender to mix it all doesn’t create splatter all over your stovetop. Frying pan.

Can you open cans without a can opener?

Can opener. You can’t open cans without a can opener. Beans, tomato sauce, vegetables, and other affordable staples are inaccessible without one.