7 essential kitchen items we just can't live without

First and foremost, a quality refrigerator is a must in any kitchen. This is because it is essential that you store your ingredients with care, and that there is sufficient space available to keep them. For this reason, the right refrigerator is a great investment. There are some elements that set a great fridge apart from a good one. For one, the refrigerator should definitely have a freezer. We love this model because the freezer is located at the bottom of the fridge, which allows for more refrigerator space. Next, a modern refrigerator ought to include an icemaker and water dispenser. This convenience allows for you to have a never ending supply of ice and cool, clean water, which is useful not only for drinking but for making smoothies and other beverages.

Next, a multifunctional oven is in order. In addition to baking things, of these will do much of the grunt work for you. For example, many multifunctional ovens can defrost, broil, and even grill your foods. Another kind of oven worth considering is one with the ability to cook with convection. Many people also like to have an oven that gives you the option to cook with or without the fan. You may also be interested in a double oven if you have a big family or tend to cook in bulk. The oven setup featured in this kitchen by Roselind Wilson Design is excellent as well because it comes with many different cookers including a food warmer. Plus, it is situated higher off the floor than most ovens are. This allows for easier acces and visibility.

A food processor can open up a whole world of new possibilities for even the most seasoned cook. It also cuts cooking time in half and spares you from having to chop items by hand. Therefore it also adds the bonus of safety. Simply put items into the cylinder and watch them get diced in seconds. Food processors come with many attachments involving different disks and blades allowing you not only to chop items, but also to knead dough and puree meats, fruits and veggies. The food processor will make your eating habits healthier and save you money by serving as a tool to make foods yourself rather than buying them. For example, salsas and soups become a synch when a food processor is involved. There are many styles and sizes to choose from depending on your personal needs and preferences.

Once you’ve conquered cooking, it’s time to pay mind to your favourite beverages. Imagine if you no longer had to wait in line at the coffee shop each day to get that necessary caffeine fix for starting your day. With an espresso maker you can make this a reality. Of course, many might consider this a luxury item, but it can actually be quite practical. You are able to make coffees just the way you like them by selecting your own beans. You can prepare a café quality beverage—or better—within the comfort of your own home. If you invest in a reputable brand, you will have this machine for years to come. You may even break even in terms of money you would have spent each week on coffees elsewhere in a pretty short amount of time. Not to mention, it can be quite fun perfecting your latte making skills.

Something that tends to pile up in the kitchen is our spices. There are the things we tend to use almost every day, and then there are the more obscure items we bought for that specific recipe and have seldom used since. It feels a little strange to simply toss a spice container after a few uses, so we keep them around. The result is a congested and chaotic spice drawer or precariously stacked spice rack. The important things become hard to find and spills become an increasingly common element of our cooking processes. Therefore, we highly recommend putting some extra thought into your spice storage system. You can get a larger spice rack, designate and organise a spice drawer, or try something further outside the box. For example, these magnetic spice containers can reside undisturbed on the side of the fridge. They are fully visible and ready for use when you need them.

Having an organised kitchen is so essential to culinary success, that we have included another point about it in this guide. Truly, one of the best investments you can make into your kitchen is items geared toward better storage and organisation. Cooking with a messy cutlery drawer is an utter nightmare! You won’t be able to find the right implement at a pivotal point in preparing a recipe and can even be putting yourself at risk for injury if knives are not fully visible and well contained. Therefore, opting for some drawer inserts to keep everything in its place will most definitely save you a lot of grief. If you have the space we even suggest designating two drawers to cutlery. One drawer can be used for tableware like knives, spoons and forks, while the other can be reserved for speciality items like the ones depicted here.

Finally, an essential kitchen item that may not be as fancy as a food processor or espresso maker, but are nonetheless vital to any functional kitchen is a set of high quality knives. Great chef’s knives are not cheap, but they are absolutely worth the investment. A proper blade and the use of the correct knife for cutting different materials will make chopping in general a lot easier. Additionally, dull knives or knives unsuitable for chopping certain foods put your at risk for injury. Store the knives safely to keep them in good condition, and they will last you for many years. We recommend keeping them on a magnetic strip over the counter or in a knife box. Another useful companion to your knives is a steel knife sharpener. They are easy to use and will keep the chef’s knives in tip top shape.

If you found this Ideabook helpful, check out these tips for a more cooking-friendly kitchen. Happy decorating!