Cooking Gear

Here we discuss what cooking gear we use in the kitchen.

a well kept kitchen

Whether you’re building your first kitchen or looking to step up your cooking game, having the right tools can make the difference between cooking being a total headache and being something you actually look forward to.

We’ve put together this complete guide to kitchen gear, breaking everything down the way real cooks think about their kitchens. No stuffy categories or confusing organization – just straightforward sections covering everything from your everyday pots and pans to those cool gadgets that make cooking way easier.

Think of this guide like having a friend who loves to cook walk you through their kitchen. We’ll show you all the gear that makes cooking click, from the basics like a good chef’s knife (seriously, this will be your new best friend) to specialty stuff like a thermometer that’ll help you nail that perfect medium-rare steak at 131ยฐF every single time.

Each section is organized to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, whether you’re cooking dinner, baking some cookies, getting your prep work done, or just trying to keep your kitchen organized. Just click on any category to see what’s inside, and let’s get your kitchen set up in a way that makes sense for how you actually cook.

Cooking Gear

kitchen gear: a group of pots and pans on a table
  • Roasting pans
  • Casserole dishes
  • Sheet pans/baking sheets
  • Broiler pans
  • Braising pans
  • Pizza stones/steels
  • Ramekins
  • Au gratin dishes
  • Cast iron skillets (dual-purpose)
  • Oven-safe glass dishes
  • Food processor
  • Stand mixer
  • Blender Immersion blender
  • Slow cooker
  • Pressure cooker/Instant Pot
  • Food dehydrator
  • Rice cooker
  • Electric kettle
  • Toaster/toaster oven
  • Microwave
  • Air fryer
  • Coffee maker
  • Electric griddle
  • Waffle maker
  • Grill (gas/charcoal)
  • Smoker
  • Grill baskets
  • Grill grates
  • BBQ tools set
  • Meat thermometer
  • Chimney starter
  • Grill brushes
  • BBQ gloves
  • Skewers/kebab sticks
  • Grill planks
  • Grill covers
  • Dutch oven for camping
  • Portable grill
  • Fire starters
  • Pasta maker
  • Ice cream maker
  • Deep fryer
  • Sous vide equipment
  • Fondue pot
  • Popcorn maker
  • Egg cooker
  • Electric wine opener
  • Food mill
  • Bamboo steamer
  • Tagine
  • Paella pan
  • Sushi making kit
  • Tortilla press
  • Vacuum sealer

Baking Corner

a baking utensils and tools on a tray
  • Round cake pans
  • Square/rectangular cake pans
  • Loaf pans
  • Muffin tins
  • Cupcake pans
  • Sheet pans/cookie sheets
  • Springform pans
  • Bundt pans
  • Pie plates
  • Tart pans
  • Brownie pans
  • Angel food cake pan
  • Jelly roll pan
  • Mini cake pans
  • Layer cake pans
  • Dough hooks
  • Bread pans
  • Proofing baskets
  • Dough scrapers
  • Scoring lames
  • Baking stone
  • Dutch oven
  • Bread knife
  • Dough whisk
  • Proofing cloth
  • Bowl covers
  • Bread bags
  • Bread box
  • Instant yeast thermometer
  • Dough proofer
  • Cake turntable
  • Offset spatulas
  • Bench scraper
  • Pastry bags
  • Pastry tips
  • Cake leveler
  • Cake boards
  • Cake carriers
  • Pastry brushes
  • Dough scraper
  • Rolling pins
  • Pastry cutter
  • Pie weights
  • Pie shields
  • Cake testing skewers
  • Stand mixer
  • Hand mixer
  • Food scale
  • Food processor
  • Bread machine
  • Electric knife
  • Mini chopper
  • Spice grinder
  • Heat lamp
  • Chocolate melter
  • Cookie press
  • Electric scale
  • Cookie cutters
  • Cookie scoops
  • Cookie stamps
  • Cooling racks
  • Silicone mats
  • Rolling pin guides
  • Cookie press
  • Candy thermometer
  • Dipping tools
  • Chocolate molds
  • Candy molds
  • Praline molds
  • Truffle molds
  • Cookie stencils
  • Cookie sheets
  • Piping bags
  • Piping tips
  • Couplers
  • Icing smoother
  • Fondant tools
  • Fondant rollers
  • Fondant mats
  • Cake combs
  • Stencils
  • Airbrush system
  • Color gels
  • Sprinkles
  • Writing tools
  • Cake toppers
  • Cake stands
  • Measuring cups (dry)
  • Measuring cups (liquid)
  • Measuring spoons
  • Kitchen scale
  • Candy thermometer
  • Oven thermometer
  • Temperature probe
  • Ruler/measuring tape
  • Conversion charts
  • Sifters
  • Flour scrapers
  • Portioning scoops
  • Volume measures
  • Timer
  • pH strips (sourdough)

Prep Station

a person cutting fruit on a cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Paring knife
  • Bread knife
  • Utility knife
  • Santoku knife
  • Boning knife
  • Fillet knife
  • Carving knife
  • Kitchen shears
  • Steak knives
  • Cleaver
  • Mincing knife
  • Nakiri knife
  • Tomato knife
  • Cheese knife
  • Wood cutting boards
  • Plastic cutting boards
  • Bamboo cutting boards
  • Glass cutting boards
  • Flexible cutting mats
  • Carving boards
  • End-grain boards
  • Board with juice groove
  • Cutting board feet
  • Board maintenance supplies
  • Food chopper
  • Mandoline
  • Box grater
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Food mill
  • Herb scissors
  • Vegetable chopper
  • Nut chopper
  • Egg slicer
  • Onion chopper
  • Y-peeler
  • Straight peeler
  • Julienne peeler
  • Box grater
  • Microplane/zester
  • Cheese grater
  • Rotary grater
  • Citrus zester
  • Spice grater
  • Ginger grater
  • Large colander
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Pasta strainer
  • Berry colander
  • Chinois/conical strainer
  • Over-the-sink colander
  • Rice washer
  • Spider strainer
  • Tea strainer
  • Double mesh strainer
  • Salad spinner
  • Vegetable brushes
  • Produce wash baskets
  • Herb washers
  • Egg slicers
  • Mushroom slicers
  • Apple corers/slicers
  • Avocado tools
  • Fruit sectioners
  • Garlic press
  • Citrus juicers
  • Corn strippers
  • Pitters (cherry/olive)
  • Potato ricer
  • Nut crackers

Kitchen Basics

a bowl of whipped cream being made
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Medium mixing bowls
  • Small mixing bowls
  • Glass bowls
  • Stainless steel bowls
  • Plastic bowls
  • Nesting bowl sets
  • Mixing bowls with lids
  • Bowls with pour spouts
  • Bowls with non-slip bases
  • Wooden spoons
  • Silicone spatulas
  • Metal spatulas
  • Tongs
  • Whisks
  • Ladles
  • Slotted spoons
  • Serving spoons
  • Turner/flipper
  • Kitchen scissors
  • Potato masher
  • Can opener
  • Bottle opener
  • Ice cream scoop
  • Pizza cutter
  • Dry measuring cups
  • Liquid measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Kitchen scales
  • Portion scoops
  • Volume measures
  • Measuring pitchers
  • Conversion charts
  • Measuring spoons for spices
  • Specialized measuring tools (honey dippers, etc.)
  • Digital kitchen timer
  • Meat thermometer
  • Oven thermometer
  • Candy thermometer
  • Refrigerator thermometer
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Probe thermometer
  • Timer with multiple settings
  • Temperature probe with alarm
  • Infrared thermometer
  • Manual can opener
  • Electric can opener
  • Bottle opener
  • Wine opener
  • Crown cap opener
  • Safety can opener
  • Jar opener
  • Vacuum lid opener
  • Pop-top opener
  • Multi-purpose opener

Food Storage

  • Glass storage containers
  • Plastic containers
  • Airtight containers
  • Meal prep containers
  • Leftover containers
  • Mason jars
  • Stackable containers
  • Microwave-safe containers
  • Freezer-safe containers
  • Divided containers
  • Leak-proof containers
  • Produce storage containers
  • Cereal containers
  • Bento boxes
  • Soup containers
  • Dry goods containers
  • Flour storage
  • Sugar storage
  • Rice containers
  • Pasta containers
  • Cereal dispensers
  • Snack containers
  • Coffee/Tea storage
  • Spice containers
  • Oil & vinegar bottles
  • Bulk food storage
  • Canned goods organizers
  • Label makers/labels
  • Storage baskets
  • Storage bins
  • Wine storage
  • Cheese storage
  • Bread boxes
  • Fruit/vegetable bins
  • Egg containers
  • Herb savers
  • Coffee storage
  • Tea storage
  • Onion/garlic keepers
  • Citrus savers
  • Avocado savers
  • Butter containers
  • Honey storage
  • Specialty preserving jars
  • Oil dispensers
  • Vacuum sealing machine
  • Vacuum sealer bags
  • Container sealers
  • Jar sealers
  • Wine vacuum stoppers
  • Vacuum seal rolls
  • Bag cutters
  • Vacuum containers
  • Marinating containers
  • Zipper bag adapters
  • Plastic wrap
  • Aluminum foil
  • Parchment paper
  • Wax paper
  • Reusable food wraps
  • Sandwich bags
  • Freezer bags
  • Food storage bags
  • Produce bags
  • Bag clips/ties
  • Paper bags
  • Butcher paper
  • Food-grade paper
  • Foil sheets
  • Food wrap dispensers

Kitchen Organization

a group of glass jars with different spices on a wooden shelf
  • Utensil holders
  • Drawer organizers
  • Utensil trays
  • Expandable drawer dividers
  • Wall-mounted holders
  • Rotating utensil holders
  • Flatware organizers
  • In-drawer knife blocks
  • Tool separators
  • Counter caddies
  • Hanging racks
  • Magnetic strips
  • Pull-out organizers
  • Bamboo dividers
  • Drawer liner mats
  • Knife blocks
  • Magnetic knife strips
  • In-drawer knife blocks
  • Knife roll bags
  • Knife sheaths
  • Wall-mounted knife holders
  • Universal knife blocks
  • Drawer knife docks
  • Knife cases
  • Blade guards
  • Knife drawer inserts
  • Knife block inserts
  • Travel knife cases
  • Knife cleaning kits
  • Edge protectors
  • Shelf risers
  • Pull-out drawers
  • Lazy susans
  • Door-mounted racks
  • Stackable shelves
  • Under-shelf baskets
  • Pan organizers
  • Lid organizers
  • Container organizers
  • Corner organizers
  • Drawer dividers
  • Pull-down shelves
  • Cabinet door organizers
  • Basket systems
  • Modular organizers
  • Spice racks
  • Paper towel holders
  • Utensil crocks
  • Knife blocks
  • Coffee stations
  • Tea organizers
  • Fruit bowls
  • Bread boxes
  • Oil/vinegar sets
  • Small appliance garages
  • Cookbook stands
  • Kitchen tablet stands
  • Charging stations
  • Tool caddies
  • Corner shelves
  • Spice racks
  • Spice jars
  • Label systems
  • Drawer inserts
  • Wall-mounted racks
  • Carousel organizers
  • In-cabinet organizers
  • Magnetic spice holders
  • Door-mounted racks
  • Tiered shelves
  • Spice drawer liners
  • Clear containers
  • Alphabetical dividers
  • Spice measurement sets
  • Storage solutions for bulk spices

Kitchen Safety

a hand holding a digital thermometer over chicken legs
  • Oven mitts
  • Pot holders
  • Kitchen towels
  • Aprons
  • Heat-resistant gloves
  • Cut-resistant gloves
  • Splash guards
  • Safety goggles
  • Face masks
  • Protective sleeves
  • Non-slip mats
  • Burn protection
  • Heat-proof trivets
  • Protective finger guards
  • Hair nets
  • First aid kit
  • Burn treatment
  • Cut bandages
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Sterile gauze
  • Medical tape
  • Eye wash
  • Cold packs
  • Burn cream
  • Emergency contact list
  • First aid manual
  • Wound cleaning supplies
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Safety pins
  • Emergency scissors
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Smoke detector
  • Carbon monoxide detector
  • Fire blanket
  • Range hood filters
  • Stove guards
  • Timer devices
  • Auto-shutoff devices
  • Heat detectors
  • Emergency lights
  • Fire safety manual
  • Evacuation plan
  • Fire-resistant gloves
  • Emergency flashlight
  • Battery backup systems
  • Food thermometers
  • Color-coded cutting boards
  • Food storage labels
  • Date markers
  • Temperature logs
  • Sanitizing supplies
  • pH test strips
  • Food handling gloves
  • Storage containers
  • Temperature monitors
  • Time/temp stickers
  • Food safety charts
  • Allergen alerts
  • Cross-contamination prevention tools
  • Food rotation labels
  • Cabinet locks
  • Drawer locks
  • Appliance locks
  • Stove knob covers
  • Refrigerator locks
  • Corner guards
  • Anti-tip brackets
  • Door pinch guards
  • Safety latches
  • Outlet covers
  • Counter edge cushions
  • Safety gates
  • Cleaning supply locks
  • Knife blocks with locks
  • Sharp edge protectors

Cleaning and Maintenance

a person washing a plate
  • All-purpose cleaners
  • Degreasers
  • Glass cleaners
  • Stainless steel cleaners
  • Wood cleaners
  • Stone/granite cleaners
  • Copper cleaners
  • Oven cleaners
  • Drain cleaners
  • Floor cleaners
  • Disinfectants
  • Sanitizing solutions
  • Natural cleaning products
  • Cleaning brushes
  • Cleaning cloths/rags
  • Dish soap
  • Dishwasher detergent
  • Rinse aid
  • Dish brushes
  • Scrubbers
  • Steel wool
  • Dish cloths
  • Dish drying rack
  • Sink caddy
  • Bottle brushes
  • Dish gloves
  • Dish mats
  • Sink strainers
  • Sponge holders
  • Drain maintenance
  • Knife sharpeners
  • Cutting board oil
  • Cast iron seasoning
  • Steel wool
  • Copper cleaners
  • Tool oil
  • Rust removers
  • Lubricants
  • Sharpening stones
  • Protective sprays
  • Machine descalers
  • Appliance cleaners
  • Tool brushes
  • Maintenance kits
  • Replacement parts
  • Countertop cleaners
  • Wood conditioning
  • Stone sealers
  • Metal polish
  • Cabinet cleaners
  • Cooktop scrapers
  • Glass cooktop cleaner
  • Sink cleaners
  • Grout cleaners
  • Cutting board conditioner
  • Surface protectors
  • Scratch removers
  • Buffing cloths
  • Protective waxes
  • Restoration products
  • Trash bins
  • Recycling bins
  • Compost bins
  • Bin liners
  • Trash bags
  • Recycling bags
  • Compost bags
  • Sorting containers
  • Odor control
  • Bin cleaners
  • Bag holders
  • Bin labels
  • Can crushers
  • Waste separators
  • Bin deodorizers

Alright, that’s the full rundown on kitchen gear! We’ve covered everything from your basic pots and pans to all those cool specialty tools that make cooking more fun. Everything in this guide comes from real kitchen experience – we’ve done the testing (and yeah, made plenty of mistakes) so you don’t have to.

Quick heads up because we like to keep things real in the kitchen: some of the links you’ll find in our detailed sections are affiliate links. That means if you grab any tools through these links, we might get a small commission without any extra cost to you. It helps keep this site cooking (pun intended!) and lets us keep sharing what we’ve learned about building an awesome kitchen setup.

Got questions about what gear might work best for your cooking style? Or maybe you’re trying to figure out what to get first? Drop us a comment below – we love helping fellow cooks build their perfect kitchen!

Oh, and don’t forget to check back – we’re always testing new gear and updating our recommendations based on what actually works in real kitchens. Happy cooking!

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