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Essential Equipment and Supplies for the First College Apartment Kitchen

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Learn what Essential Equipment and Supplies you need for your first college apartment kitchen.

Essential Equipment and Supplies for College Kitchen

My oldest son is returning to college all too soon, and this year, he’s living off-campus which means he will be cooking in his very first apartment kitchen. Although it might be more work for him to cook his own meals, I know he can eat a lot better for at least half the cost of the meal plan at school.

The only problem is that he doesn’t really cook…oops…now that could be a bit of problem.

This past week, I’ve been holding a “college cooking bootcamp” of sorts for my oldest son. He’s been learning to slice and dice onions, mince garlic (okay, albeit using a garlic press), make smoothies, season and grill chicken, cook pasta, make Egg and A Hat, cook green beans, roast cauliflower and potatoes, use a crockpot, season by sight with salt and pepper, and make his favorite Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce. He’s been scrubbing pots (yes you need to wash both the inside AND the outside, and you need to wash the pasta pot even though it doesn’t appear to be dirty). Although the first couple of weeks might be tough, I think he’ll get the hang of cooking pretty quickly.

I’ve been keeping a mental list of Essential Equipment and Supplies for my son’s first college apartment kitchen, and finally decided to create a list here so I can refer back to it when the twins head off to college in a few years. This list would also be good for anyone who’s moving into their first apartment and wants to know what to buy for their first kitchen. I wish I had this list when I moved into my first apartment – I’ll be carrying this with me when we swing through Target just before we drop my son off at college.

If you see me posting some basic cooking techniques and tricks/tips in the near future, it’s probably because I’m trying to send a few helpful hints to my son to get him through the school year cooking in his little kitchen.

Here is a list of basic equipment, supplies and pantry items I think are essential in a first kitchen.  I’d love to hear what your essential kitchen equipment/appliances/utensils are.

Essential Kitchen Equipment/Utensils for College Kitchen

  • A paring knife (I like the ceramic knives)
  • A serrated knife (for cutting bread)
  • A chef’s knife or santoku knife (for cutting meat and vegetables)
  • Tongs
  • Peeler
  • Garlic Press
  • Ladle
  • A silicone spatula/wooden spoon
  • A large slotted spoon
  • A large 8-quart deep pot (for cooking pasta)
  • A 3-quart saucepan (for making/heating up sauce for pasta, cooking vegetables)
  • A 10-inch cast iron skillet (nearly indestructible and can go in the oven)
  • A small cast iron or non-stick skillet (for eggs)
  • Metal mixing bowls (indestructible, and good for tossing salads, marinating meat, and serving)
  • A baking sheet (for roasting chicken/vegetables)
  • A Pyrex pie pan or 8″ square dish (for roasting chicken/vegetables)
  • A 2-cup liquid measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • A colander (for draining pasta and rinsing vegetables)
  • 2 cutting boards (one for vegetables; one for meat)
  • A can opener
  • Containers for leftovers

Nice to have Kitchen Appliances

  • Coffee maker
  • A blender (for smoothies)
  • A toaster oven
  • A crockpot
  • A rice cooker
  • Mini food processor (for mincing onions, garlic)
  • Panini Press (great for grilled chicken, sandwiches)

Essential Kitchen Supplies

  • dish towels
  • pot holders
  • aluminum foil
  • plastic wrap
  • gallon-size re-closable freezer bags
  • sandwich-size re-closable plastic bags
  • paper towels
  • sponges
  • dish soap
  • dishwasher liquid

Essential Dinnerware

  • dinner plates
  • soup bowls/cereal bowls
  • flatware set
  • beverage glasses
  • coffee mugs

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    I’d love to win the big kids’ giveaway because my youngest is headed off to college for the first time this Friday. He’s an amazing guy, will be living with four other students and could certainly use a head start on healthy eating and healthy cooking! I think he’d partitcularly like the pan for oil-free quesadillas…

    Reply

  4. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    I’d definitely go with the food processor… I used it all the time when I was in school. Mind you, I’ve always loved cooking, but I still think that it’s a really versatile appliance.

    Great round up of items from Kitchen Essentials!

    Reply

  6. Rose C. says

    I liked Big Kitchen on Facebook. I’ve been a fan of Jeanette’s Healthy Living for awhile now. 🙂 great recipes by the way!

    Reply

  12. katie says

    I’d love the OUTSET STAINLESS-STEEL LARGE GRILL GRID WITH HANDLES I’m looking for more cooking items for my grill! Great giveaway!

    Reply

  15. Carolyn says

    I’d honestly never heard of Big Kitchen until just now, but when I checked it out, I saw this grill holder for chicken drumsticks. Now that’s pretty cool!

    Reply

  16. Laura @ WyldeThyme says

    I hadn’t heard of Big Kitchen either! but I’m really loving all the New England clam bake essentials like the LE CREUSET ENAMEL ON STEEL CHERRY STOCKPOT 20 QUART!

    Reply

  22. Katie says

    As a kitchen gadget addict, it’s so hard to choose! I could definitely use a Le Creuset lidded stoneware casserole dish, though. So pretty AND useful!

    Reply

  43. camelia says

    I’m not eligible for your giveaway, but you forgot one indispensable item for a college kitchen! Tupperware, or other leak proof containers for bringing leftovers for lunch! Nothing eats up your cash faster than eating out (at disgusting cafeterias) for lunch. (pun intended) 😉

    Reply

  44. Victoria Bayle says

    Ive been following Jeanette for a whole for the GF recipes. I’d love to win this giveaway…many of my kitchen faves are hand me downs and at the end of their lengthy but usefull life. I can certainly use some new stuff as I’m always cooking:). Thank you!!

    Reply

  56. Kiley says

    As a third year college student living off campus, I would love to win this giveaway! I would especially love the wooden cutting board. I used plastic last year, and after a few months of use they had broken in half!

    Reply

  59. Amy Tong says

    What a wonderful and thoughtful giveaway. I love the products from BigKitchen. This BLUEAVOCADO PLUM DOODLE INSULATED LUNCH TOTE is nice to prepare for back to school. 🙂

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply

  65. katheirne d says

    i love the VITAMIX EASTMAN TRITAN BPA-FREE CONTAINER WITH 2-PART LID & WRENCH, 32 OUNCE. My vitamix is my life – and I always need new jars for it.

    katherinedibello (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  76. Mildred Floyd says

    the Farberware 8” Skillet, would be the perfect size for me to use on a daily basis. Faberware is such a good quality and has a great reputation.

    Reply

  77. Mildred Floyd says

    I Liked BigKitchen and Jeanette’s Healthy Living on Facebook
    facebook user name miljo1249 display name Mildred Floyd

    Reply

  79. dani marie says

    i am moving out and my roommate is taking all her stuff back. 🙁 mostly her keurig. i need a keurig 🙁

    Reply

  114. Tammy Klain says

    I have always dreamed of owning the Le Creuset Enamel On Steel Cherry Stockpot 20 Quart
    Gardenstatemom at aol dot com

    Reply

  129. Rhonda says

    I like the red Farberware 5 qt colander. Red is my favorite color, and a colander is always a useful kitchen item!

    Reply

  131. Molly says

    I would die for a CuisinArt Stand Mixer, Ive been asking for one for my birthday since I was 16! I would love to win some supplies for my meager kitchen in this sweepstakes!

    Reply

  155. EMMA L HORTON says

    I WOULD LOVE THE Nespresso Gran Maestria C520 Titanium Espresso Machine …BUT I WOULD NEVER SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY

    Reply

  161. sarah says

    I like the White Stoneware Kitchen Compost Pail, Garlic Keeper in White Terracotta and the Oxo Black Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener

    Reply

  181. Heather Turner says

    Definitely the oil free quesadilla pan. I make these like crazy for the kids and need to get one to make them healthier for them

    Reply

  203. Ellie W says

    I like the Cuisinart Cast Iron Grilling Platter with Wood Serving Tray.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    eswright18 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  209. Happi Shopr says

    I love the Avocado Slicer and Pitter Kitchen Chef Tool, Cuisinart Black Stainless Steel Electric Pressure Cooker and Breville Programmable One-Touch Tea Maker

    Reply

  225. Vanessa Mayer says

    My daughter is in her first room with a kitchenette at college, and I sent her with mostly second-hand pans, utensils, etc. If I win this AWESOME contest, I’d definitely share the goods with her! Thanks-

    Reply

  226. Jill L says

    I love the Nordic Ware Aluminum 17 Slot Chicken Leg Griller and Jalapeno Roaster!!! Have never seen this before.

    Reply

  253. Steve Singer says

    I just sent my oldest son of to college Wednesday. So this would be a very appropriate contest to win. I visited the Big Kitchen website and really liked the Nordic Ware Aluminum 17 Slot Chicken Leg Griller and Jalapeno Roaster I saw. What a unique piece of grilling equipment !

    Reply

  254. Aaron Bretveld says

    I really need a new grill brush right now, so I’d like to have the OUTSET ROSEWOOD GRILL BRUSH WITH REPLACEABLE BRISTLES. I also wouldn’t mind one of the burger presses either, but really how hard is it to do it yourself?

    Reply

  259. Carolyn says

    I know it’s rather unexciting, but I would love to have a set of decent mixing bowls and a good spatula. Very basic, but an excellent start for being able to attempt some baking at school. 🙂

    Reply

  275. Elizabeth Johnson says

    I would love to have the KITCHENAID ARTISAN SERIES CANDY APPLE RED STAND MIXER WITH GLASS BOWL, 5 QUART

    Reply

  293. Diana C says

    Kitchenaid Artisan stand mixer, red or cinnamon color. My dream mixer.
    That’s what I would love from the website.

    Diana C

    Reply

  295. Lyndsey R. says

    They have sooo many cute things!!! I would love to have the Boston Warehouse Lady Liberty Kitchen Brush.

    lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  296. Lyndsey R. says

    I Like BigKitchen and Jeanette’s Healthy Living on Facebook as Lyndsey Rullman.

    lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  304. Lyndsey R. says

    I am Following BigKitchen and Jeanette’s Healthy Living on Twitter as lyndsery1stunna

    lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  305. Lyndsey R. says

    I am following Jeanette’s Healthy Living on Pinterest as lyndsey1stunna

    lyndsey.rullman at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  309. Heidi Marie says

    I would love, love, love to win the big kids’ giveaway because it would be a blessing to have cookware that fits my need to create delicious and nutrititious meals that will not only inspire my little boy to eat healthy, but also provide him with the nutrition he needs to grow. I am particularly fond of your pan for oil-free quesadillas, because this pan will help me make quesadillas that are kid-friendly because they are visually pleasing and cater to my little boy’s taste.

    Reply

  317. MK says

    I like the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 12 Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Cover – just what I’ve been shopping for.

    Reply

  327. Beverly Metcalf says

    Almost enough things in this contest to supply a kitchen. I like the 3 Piece Mirror Finish Measuring and Mixing Bowls Set, too. Thanks for this contest!

    Reply

  336. Billie Jean says

    Oh my, there are so many products on their site! I just picked a category and a couple items. I like the Enrico Rootworks Root Wood Medium Flat Cut Bowl and the Green Cabbage Salad Bowl by Home Gourmet Collection!

    Reply

  362. Charlene Kuser says

    I like the All-Clad Stainless Steel SoufflÉ And Soup Ramekin, Set Of 2 and the Chroma Haiku Yakitori 7″ Santoku Knife

    Reply

  367. Turner says

    Like the skillet. This would be perfect–I’m a college student about to move into an apartment and need a full set of kitchen supplies.

    Reply

  368. Victoria says

    Woww when I saw the list first I though it’s too long, but after I read it I think these are the best essentials you should buy, so great article. Thanks for the list, I’ll use it this fall before going to college! 😉

    Reply

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