An indispensable thing in every kitchen: 5 accessories that must be of the best quality.

When we start to equip our apartment, we often buy the cheapest things, thinking that the time will come for more expensive and decent ones. We use some of them every day, so it is worth investing in a quality product once and enjoying it for many years. How to choose good pots, knives, frying pans, cutting board and grater?

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What pots to choose?

When you look at the offer of stores selling kitchen utensils, you get the feeling that someone has been hiding some other world from us for many years. Aluminum, steel, ceramic, cast iron, copper, large, small pots with a glass or metal lid - which one to choose?

Stainless steel pans

Stainless steel pots are the most popular in the household. They are made of a metal alloy (including steel and chromium) that does not corrode - hence the name. They are very easy to keep clean, scratch resistant (do not require the use of wooden or silicone spoons and spatulas), durable, and do not react with food. Their only drawback is their relatively limited thermal conductivity. Luckily, high-end pot makers have found a way to do this—the bottom of the pot is aluminum or copper—metals that are good conductors of heat and cause it to heat up evenly.

cast iron pots

Cast iron pots and pans are long-lasting—some collect centuries-old gems that still serve them well. Cast iron, however, is a brittle, heavy and demanding metal. Cast iron pots and pans distribute heat well and retain it for a long time, allowing you to cook wonderful stews and soups. However, it requires sacrifice - a cast-iron pot must be poisoned before use, i.e. Warm up and oil several times. A hot pot should not be filled with water, as it may crack. It must be handled with care - no sharp tools, no washing machines and dishwashers, oiling after each use (otherwise it can rust) and a special place in the closet so that it does not break. It should also not be used to cook very acidic foods as they may discolor.

A cast iron pan is also not suitable as a container for leftover stews or other dishes. It is relatively expensive, difficult to maintain, but conducts heat well and could be an investment for generations of cooks (perfect for sentimental people).

aluminum pots

Aluminum pans still make up the majority of the supply on the market. Aluminum is soft, so old pots are easily deformed. However, aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat. This is why stainless steel pan manufacturers use the properties of aluminum, from which they make one of the layers of the pan. However, aluminum reacts with food, so many aluminum pans are lined with Teflon or other non-ventilating material.

copper pots

Anyone who has ever watched a French film will recognize the beautiful copper pots hanging over the stove. In addition to its aesthetic value, copper is an excellent conductor of heat. Therefore, the pots heat up quickly and distribute heat evenly. However, they require some effort - copper gets very dirty, so the pots need to be polished regularly. It also reacts with certain foods, changing their color. Copper is also expensive, and copper pots are just expensive. As with aluminum, stainless steel pot manufacturers take advantage of copper's unique properties and apply a layer to the bottom of the pot. Thanks to this, the boiler is much cheaper, but conducts heat better.

What is the capacity of the pot?

When deciding to buy pots, in addition to cost and material, we must decide on the capacity. Often pots can be purchased in a set. Then we make one less decision. However, sometimes it is worth buying the pots separately. What power do we need? It all depends on the needs of the family. As a rule, the broth is best boiled in a 5-liter saucepan. Then we can be sure that we will fit not only the chicken, but also the vegetables. A large saucepan is also useful for making jam. A two-liter pot is enough to cook potatoes for 5 people. It is also a good container when you want to make pasta sauce, boil pasta, rice or compote. A liter saucepan is also useful in every home - heat milk, melt butter, cook one serving of cereals, heat something, melt chocolate. If we love to host, we should have more pots.

It's also good to have one cast iron pan at home - not only because it looks beautiful in the pictures. The cast iron pan allows you to cook dishes that require a long cooking time, keeps the temperature well, so you can reheat the main dish in the morning and enjoy a hot dish in the afternoon. After all, in a cast-iron pan you can bake wonderful bread with a crispy crust.

Which pan works on induction?

 When buying pots, you should also look at the manufacturer's markings. Of course, stainless steel pans in most cases are well suited for cooking on an induction stove - before buying, it is best to check the parameters of the pan, because each manufacturer indicates what types of heating plates the pan “works” with.

Which pot to choose?

A frying pan, like a saucepan, is one of the most important elements of kitchen equipment. The materials used to make pots are similar to those used to make pots. They have the same advantages and disadvantages. The visible difference is non-stick pans. They allow you to quickly fry, nothing burns, you do not need to constantly stand and look after cutlets or pies. The undoubted disadvantage of these pans, however, is their delicacy - you have to put aside sharp tools and invest in soft plastic, wood or silicone. As in the case of cast iron, hot Teflon should not be poured with cold water, it should not be washed in a dishwasher, and if something burns, it must be washed off with the utmost care.

What is the size of the pan?

When choosing a frying pan, you need to pay attention to its size. At home, it is worth having one universal frying pan (about 24-28 cm in diameter) and one small frying pan, which is perfect for one egg or a small scrambled egg.

Types of pans

Pancake pan this is definitely an iron gear for lovers of french pancakes and american pancakes. While the latter can be easily cooked in a regular pan, thin and flexible pancakes are much easier to fry in a non-stick pan. You can also toss them and gently pry them off without tearing half of the cake. It is best to choose a pan with a diameter of 24-28 cm with a non-stick coating that guarantees even heating and easy tossing.

Lovers of Asian flavors and fast food, as well as large families will like it. wok pan. A wok allows you to quickly prepare dishes from vegetables and meat. Thanks to its size, it also allows you to mix pasta, rice or cereals well with other ingredients of the dish.

Grill pan A "must have" for those who can't resist the characteristic pastries. The type of pan depends on the number of people you usually want to feed. The larger the pan, the easier it is to cook more steaks or burgers on it. A grill pan will also come in handy for vegetable lovers dreaming of a hot dinner.

Good kitchen knives?

Kitchen knives can be bought for a time or for years. The first, despite all their efforts, can deteriorate faster - usually the handle comes off. The latter will not serve well without proper care.

Most knives are made of stainless steel - they have various metal additives that make them durable and resistant to corrosion. Some hand-forged blades are true works of art. A knife made this way is a great gift for someone who loves to cook - but remember that it is quite expensive. However, you can use slightly less unique knives on a daily basis.

We have to decide if we want a knife with a steel handle or a wooden handle? The first is easier to keep clean, the second is more pleasant to the touch. It is important that the knives are well balanced. It depends not only on the size of the knife and handle, but also on the user's hand. That is why some people feel much better working with shorter knives, while others cannot imagine their lives without a chef's knife.

Need a good set of knives

When choosing a knife, it is worth remembering that you cannot focus on just one. A good set of kitchen knives is the key to efficient and enjoyable cooking. Every home should have a high-quality chef's or utility knife that will allow you to chop onions and cut meat into nuggets. This article details the types of knives

We also need a bread knife with a characteristic ball - thanks to it, we will not destroy the crumb even of fresh challah. Another knife in your arsenal should be a short knife, ideal for slicing tomatoes or cucumbers. Some people cannot imagine their life without a fish knife, which, thanks to its long and narrow blade, allows you to cut the perfect fillet. It is also worth having a butter knife, because thanks to its short and wide blade you can perfectly spread a slice of bread.

You should take care of your knives the same way you take care of your pots and pans. They should be sharpened regularly (you can take them to specialists or get a knife sharpener) and store them so that the blades do not touch each other. We can buy a block of wood or a magnetic strip - the kitchen will immediately look more professional!

Which cutting board to choose?

Cutting boards are kitchen utensils that you absolutely need from day one. This will be confirmed by anyone who, cutting a tomato in his hand, cut his hand as well. But which board to buy - glass or wood? Or maybe plastic?

In short: glass boards are murder for knives and ears. There is probably no worse sound than the sound of a knife sliding on glass. A knife on a glass board is ideally blunt, so glass boards are recommended only for serving dishes. All fancy shaped decorative boards will also work well for this role! Thanks to them, the table will acquire a unique character.

Every kitchen needs at least two boards - one for vegetables, fruit, bread, nuts, cheese and one for meat. For hygienic reasons, it is better to cut meat on a plastic board - it is easier to wash than a wooden one. For cutting other products, a wooden board is ideal - preferably large and heavy, which will not slide on the countertop.

Bread is also easier to cut on a board - there are backpacks on the market with a bread cutting board that acts as a lid. This is a very good solution to save space. Just remember that the breadbasket should remain a breadbasket, and not vegetables or meat.

If you are wondering whether to buy a wooden, plastic or glass board, you must read this article.

What grater to choose?

When thinking about a grater, most of us have a large grater with tiny and large eyes in front of our eyes, which is useful for making carrot-apple salad. However, the grater that makes the perfect kitchen helper is the sharp, long and narrow Zester grater. Preparing a salad with it, of course, will not be the shortest and most enjoyable task, but it was not created for this, and this is not why I recommend it.

This grater will allow you not only to grate the zest of lemon, lime and orange, which give every dish and tea a wonderful aroma. Grates ginger, nuts, nutmeg, chocolate and hard parmesan cheese. It takes up little space, is easy to clean (be careful not to rub your fingers against the blades) and is the best gadget for lovers of parmesan dishes and coffee with chocolate sprinkles. It has been in our box for 11 years, we use it almost every day and it is as sharp and reliable as on the first day.

Buying kitchen utensils is a big problem for some people. If we don't like wasting time testing different offerings, if we respect resources and don't like to throw away, if we easily get attached to things, then it's worth investing in something well designed and well made. Then we will be sure that we did not spend our money in vain, and the topic of kitchen equipment will be closed.

No kitchen is complete without an espresso machine. Check out our offer of filter coffee machines and capsules. Are you looking for kitchen inspiration? Are you wondering how to enrich your kitchen? Check out our other articles from the Cooking for Passion Cars section.