Category: Living on Your Own

Kitchen Essentials

One of the biggest expenses when moving into your first apartment is stocking your kitchen. The good news is that you don’t need to buy everything at once.

Start with the items you’ll use every day. As your cooking skills and needs grow, you can gradually add specialty tools and appliances.

A simple, well-equipped kitchen is often more useful than one filled with gadgets you’ll rarely use.

Start with the Basics

Before shopping, think about how you actually eat.

Ask yourself:

Do I cook most meals?
Do I mostly prepare simple foods?
Will I be cooking for one person or several?
How much storage space do I have?

Buying only what you’ll use helps save money and reduce clutter.

Essential Cookware

You don’t need a dozen pots and pans.

Start with:

Medium saucepan
Large pot
Non-stick frying pan
Baking sheet
Casserole or baking dish
Colander

These items can prepare hundreds of different meals.

Basic Cooking Utensils

A few quality utensils will handle most cooking tasks.

Consider:

Spatula
Wooden spoon
Slotted spoon
Ladle
Tongs
Whisk
Can opener
Vegetable peeler
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons

Choose sturdy utensils that are comfortable to use.

Helpful Resources: Browse Cooking Utensils for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Knives

A large knife block isn’t necessary.

Most people only need:

Chef’s knife
Paring knife
Serrated bread knife

Keep knives sharp for safer and easier food preparation.

Cutting Boards

At minimum, have:

One cutting board for fruits and vegetables
One cutting board for raw meat (if you prepare meat)

Using separate boards helps reduce cross-contamination.

Helpful Resources: Browse Knives & Cutting Boards for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.

Dishes and Silverware

Start with enough for daily use and a few guests.

You’ll likely want:

Dinner plates
Bowls
Small plates
Drinking glasses
Coffee mugs
Forks
Knives
Spoons

Buying a matching set is often less expensive than purchasing individual pieces.

Food Storage

Keeping leftovers properly stored reduces food waste.

Useful items include:

Food storage containers
Reusable freezer bags
Aluminum foil
Plastic wrap
Parchment paper

Clear containers make it easier to see what you already have.

Cleaning Supplies

A clean kitchen is a safe kitchen.

Start with:

Dish soap
Sponges
Dish towels
Drying rack (if needed)
All-purpose cleaner
Trash bags
Paper towels

Replace worn sponges regularly.

Small Appliances

Not every appliance is essential immediately.

Consider adding these over time:

Microwave
Toaster
Coffee maker
Electric kettle
Blender
Slow cooker
Air fryer

Only purchase appliances you’ll use regularly.

Pantry Staples

Stock a few basics before your first grocery trip.

Examples include:

Salt
Pepper
Cooking oil
Flour
Sugar
Rice
Pasta
Canned vegetables
Canned beans
Soup
Peanut butter

A small pantry makes meal planning easier.

Refrigerator Basics

Keep simple items available for quick meals.

Examples include:

Milk
Eggs
Butter
Cheese
Fresh fruit
Fresh vegetables
Yogurt
Juice

Buy only what you’ll realistically use before it expires.

Kitchen Safety

Protect yourself by practicing safe habits.

Remember to:

Never leave cooking unattended.
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Replace worn oven mitts.
Store knives safely.
Clean spills immediately.
Use separate cutting boards for raw meat.
Check expiration dates regularly.

Simple habits help prevent accidents.

Save Money on Kitchen Supplies

You don’t need designer cookware.

Consider shopping at:

Discount stores
Warehouse clubs
Thrift stores
Estate sales
Facebook Marketplace
Buy Nothing groups

Many gently used kitchen items work just as well as new ones.