# essential kitchen utensiles

Category: Daily Living

## Post 1 by gizmobear (move over school!) on Wednesday, 22-May-2013 20:45:02

so, what in your opinion should a single blind person have in their kitchen. or married.ihave a blender, crockpot, toaster, mixer, pots and pans, plates, cups, shot glasses. you?

## Post 2 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 22-May-2013 21:26:25

It's always good if you can get a nice eating utensil set with the knives, forks and spoons. Thrift shops usually have great deals on those sets, as well as plate and bowl sets as well.
Now, for cooking pots and pans are essential, along with a few types of spoons. Wooden spoons are great for mixing while cooking, and also for preparing things such as brownie dough and cake batter if you can't afford a mixer that is electric. Larger spoons are good too, preferably the plastic ones at least in my opinion, and a good ladle always comes in handy with soups and stews. There are many types of spatulas but my favorite to use is the rubber ones. I feel like I have more control with what I am doing while using that kind. And you can't go wrong with having a couple mixing bowls and a cullinder, however you spell that. It's the thing you use to drain water from pasta, most common use of it that is anyway.

## Post 3 by Jack Off Jill (why the hell am I posting in the first place?) on Wednesday, 22-May-2013 22:36:02

Hahaha, I die for potatoes so a potatoe peeler. Like this new thing I tried out, it helps cut the potato into perfectly shaped French fries too.
But um yes the skillet and other things are widely accepted

## Post 4 by Tila Tequila! (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 5:57:33

I have a bunch of blindee tools that I got after graduation because I thought I would cook more and trust me they are being used as much as I thought. Rsb bought them though so I'm not out of too much money. I have the normal mentioned items above and I do find the talking meat thermometer handy as well as my braille measuring spoons and cups. I had regular ones but the braille ones are neat because they have rubber on the bottoms that acts as a slip grip. They bought me some other useless tools like a talking measuring cup. This talking measuring cup was almost 100 dollars and is a joke lol!

## Post 5 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 6:59:34

I'd argue that a George Foreman grill, if you like meat as much as I do, is fairly useful in a kitchen. It's not as good as a barbecue, but it's portable and makes an appreciable second place to a true barbecue.
I'd say your true essentials depend on how much you cook though, and how often. One thing not specifically mentioned is a cookie sheet...you know, the kind that's like half an inch deep, made of metal and about twelve by ten inches or something? I've been taught to use those for a lot of things; even if you get, say, one of those frozen lasagnas that comes in an aluminum tin that's rectangular, I always put mine on a cookie sheet instead of just loose on the rack. In any case...yeah, not sure what you cook or how often.
My own essentials are basically these: at least one large bowl, a crockpot, a George Foreman grill, some smaller bowls, a few dinner plates, forks, knives (butterknives and sharper ones as well for cutting difficult stuff), a pair of scissors, at least one spatula, measuring cups and spoons, at least one ladle, a wooden spoon or two, regular spoons for eating, a few glasses, a couple of mugs, a frying pan or skillet (electric frying pans are absolutely excellent if you've got one, but by no means necessary), and oven mitts. I'm going to look back and realize I've forgotten something. I just know it.

## Post 6 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 9:56:48

You just need a girl/boyfriend in there. Smile.
It really depends on what you want to do.
Example, 100 dollars for a talking measuring cup? Now that is love, and I’d really appreciate that love, but I’ve got a plastic set that has different sizes.
Want a cup, grab the one cup, want a 4th cup, get that one, you can’t go wrong. 99 dollars in my pocket.
Nothing in my kitchen is specifically made for a blind person, nor Brailled.
This also depends on your skill level. I can cook just using my hand to measure things, so don’t even need the cups if I don’t feel like using them.
I don’t require labels, because I don’t use boxed or canned products if I can avoid it, so I’ve got tuna, seasonings, some success, but all can be known by feel. The rest can be felt so you know what it is, like noodles or beans.
I have a good coffee maker, because I like fresh coffee, and a powerful blender, because I like fruit and such in my shakes. I have a juicer machine, not a cheap one, but one that can make juice from just about anything you put in it.
All my devices have buttons you can feel, but that is about it.
My taster is a cheap 2 slice affair given to me by an above person, due to her liking toast in the morning.
I like things to match, and I like my house decorated, so my kitchen is stainless steel and black. Pots and all.
I like nice glass wear and dishes as well.
You might say why color, you can’t see it? This is exactly why I say it depends on what you want.
Say that, and that will help.

## Post 7 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 11:58:20

Oh, and I forgot something. This is one thing that is absolutely essential in every kitchen, because it could prevent some damage, but it is not guaranteed. That is a fire extinguisher. Not all fires can be put out by water. If you have one but don't know how to use it, I hope someone is available for a few minutes to show you, because you never know. Fires can spark up when it is least expected, and if you know how to handle them you will lessen the chances of losing things in a house fire, and you will be less likely to freak out and get hurt.

## Post 8 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 12:34:52

You know what prevents fires in kitchens? Keeping them clean.
The reason most people have fires is because of grease, build up of dirt and not paying attenchen to what they are cooking.
Sure that tool is handy, but if you keep your kitchen grease free you'll never need one chances are.
If you cook with grease it is also handy.

## Post 9 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 13:41:24

I agree, plus keeping things that are highly flammable away from cooking areas like towels and rags, paper towels, etc. will lessen those chances too.

## Post 10 by odicy (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 24-May-2013 0:18:43

another thing that I've found useful is (actually, I don't know what it's called) a pasta pot. It's a pot that has a strainer that fits down in the pot and that is metal so you can cook with it. Whenever your done just pull it out and dump out the water or whatever, I really like it for making chicken broth, it makes it so much easier.
as for absolute esentials, I would say a good knife (I hate cutting with a dull knife), a crockpot, a good frying pan, and a good soup pot.

## Post 11 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 24-May-2013 12:11:06

A cookie sheet is a must. Not only are they used for cooking cookies but you can also put pot pies, and other frozen goodies with flexible bottoms on them to cook. It's must easier to get them out that way. Another thing that I like is either a cheap cookie sheet or plastic tray like a caffeteria tray. I use it as a cooking surface if I'm going to be mixing a bunch of powdery ingrediants. That way, clean up is a bit easier. Not necessary but nice. What about an electric kettle. They're great for quickly boiling water. I'm a bit of a gadget girl though so I'm sure others will post easier and more thrifty ways of doing this stuff. Just my thoughts.

## Post 12 by Jack Off Jill (why the hell am I posting in the first place?) on Friday, 24-May-2013 12:15:57

Yes sheperd wolf, that grill is wonderful.

## Post 13 by MDN1988 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Friday, 24-May-2013 13:17:39

I have a microwave, a crockpot, a blender, a toaster oven, a variety of plastic spatulas and ladles, plastic measuring cups and spoons, a knife block that comes with 4 different cutting knives, a silverware set, a coffee maker, a can opener, a few pitchers that are insulated, 3 or 4 different sizes of cookie sheets, a skillet set with 3 sizes of skillets, a few pots of different sizes, and pot holders that I use as oven mitts. I like my toaster oven a lot, especially if you are only cooking for yourself or just 1 or 2 people, because you can bake and broil in it as well as toast, and it has a timer on it that you can set with the knob as well as a temperature knob for the temperature you want to cook at. I put bump dots on my microwave to label the main buttons that I use, such as the 2 key, the 0 key, and cook and stop. I also put a bump dot on my toaster oven at 350 degrees. As for my coffee maker, it just has a flip switch for on and off, and my crockpot is a Hamilton Beach stay-or-go model that has a knob that clicks for off, warm, high, or low. My Hamilton Beach blender also has differentiated buttons for different functions rather than touchpad buttons. I like electric skillets too, although I don't have one at the moment. They are useful if you are just cooking for yourself or for yourself and one or two other people and don't feel like using the stove. I also keep cooking spray handy for my skillets and also baking pans and cookie sheets. I use the cookie sheets a lot for many different things, such as baking biscuits, crescent rolls, frozen dinners like lasagna or pasta that you buy frozen, and many other things besides just cookies. I also keep mugs, cups, plates (both large and small), bowls, and I even have a few big serving plates and trays that are decorative that I use when I have guests over or something.

## Post 14 by MDN1988 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Friday, 24-May-2013 13:20:16

I forgot to mention that I do also have a mixing bowl set that has four different-sized mixing bowls, and I have a large plastic colender for pasta and anything that needs draining. Dish detergent or detergent for dishwashers along with dish rags, towels, and sponges are important also for any clean-up after cooking and eating. Oven cleaner can be useful too if something spills in the oven and you have to clean it.

## Post 15 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 24-May-2013 14:12:26

Yup, there we go. Forgot oven cleaner, can opener and cooking spray. Also, plastic wrap/tinfoil, probably both. Failing plastic wrap, at the very least a couple of plastic conatiners with snap-down lids for leftovers.

## Post 16 by MDN1988 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Friday, 24-May-2013 19:39:12

Yes, those are important too. I use a lot of freezer bags also, both quart and gallon size. I also use a lot of small sandwich bags for snacks that I might want to take while I am out or to pack my daughter's snack or sandwich for school, so they come in handy for a lot of things. I also keep some of those muffin/cupcake wrappers as well as a muffin pan to make muffins. I don't make them often, but sometimes, when I am in the mood for them I use these muffin liners to line the muffin pan. I also keep foil and wax/parchment paper. I used to have a rice cooker, but I got used to making rice on the stove, so I didn't need it any longer, but if you would rather use a rice cooker, it can be a handy tool in the kitchen. I used to have a Forman Grill a few years back, but I haven't had one in a while but need to get one. I like to make burgers and different things on it. I like the ones with the removable grills, so I can just get them out and clean them. A timer might be important too, although I don't have one, so I usually just use my wrist watch or my IPhone to time things, but most of the time, if it is something I cook often, I can estimate the time by checking on the food.

## Post 17 by Meglet (I just keep on posting!) on Friday, 24-May-2013 20:02:01

Most of what I have has been mentioned here. I think that a good apple coring device is also handy if you like apples as I do. You place the middle of the device firmly on top of the apple and push down; if the apple is a reasonable size you should have several fairly neat slices. I love love love my rice cooker, as well. I also find a slotted spoon very helpful for dishing up things like noodles and perogies. I also enjoy using a dehydrator, which is great if you want to try making fruit leather, beef jerky, or banana chips--things like that. I also have an electric kettle and love it dearly. Use it all the time.

## Post 18 by softy5310 (Fuzzy's best angel) on Sunday, 26-May-2013 15:26:13

For me, essential utinsels that have not already been mentioned are my salad shooter to grate large batches of cheese into varrying thicknesses, cutting cucumbers and olives into uniform slices, shredding potatoes for hashbrowns, etc. You can also use them to slice strawberries and potatoes for fries. I have the professional model. I have all stainless steel pots for cooking. I find pots easier to cook in than pans because when pushing the food around or flipping it, I don't make as much of a mess. My ex had one of those double spatulas for flipping burgers and steaks and man were they handy!! I have silicon ice trays because I find them easier to get the ice out of than the regular plastic variety. I have a garlic pealer. it's a rubber tube which you roll the garlic in and press down on a hard surface, as you're rolling it. The pealing comes off and this saves me tons of time. I have a little kitchen aid chopper to chop it in, which I find easier than using a garlic press, though I have one of those, too. I have a food processor for all sorts of things, but mainly use it for making guacamole. I have an egg slicer, which I use if I want to slice hard boiled eggs for potato salad. I've got a kitchen aid mixer. None of my measuring cups and/or spoons are labeled, either. I find it to be unnecessary, since I can tell what they are by feel. I have silpat sheets for my cookie sheets. I find air bake cookie sheets and/or pans to be wonderful because food doesn't burn on them as easily. For those fo you who don't know, silpat is a silicon mat which you place down on top of your cookie sheet/pan. They keep things from burning and they also keep things from sticking to the sheet. This takes away the need for parchment paper and to even grease your cookie sheet a lot of the time. Things don't stick to it, so if you do have to grease it, all you do is grease the silpat mat, rather than the sheet itself. This leaves your cookie sheet clean for the next time. They're a wonderful invention, in my opinion. Normally, you can just pick cookies off the sheet once they're cool enough or you can still use a spatula to transfer them to a rack to cool. When you're done, you just throw your silpat mat in the dishwasher and your cookie sheet/pan back into the cupboard. I've got more gadgets and/or utinsels. I just can't think of them all right now.
Take Care,
Dawnielle

## Post 19 by BryanP22 (Novice theriminist) on Tuesday, 28-May-2013 12:53:38

My problem isI suspect I have either a smaller oven than normal or else a larger cookie sheet. It can fit in my ove but notexactly gracefully LOL. Things I don't have but would like are a blender ad a mixer and, yes, a George Forman. I've used those before and I agree they can be handy. ButI could use the blender to make things like milkshakes and of course a mixer to bake brownies and cookies.

## Post 20 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 28-May-2013 17:21:10

As far as peeling garlic goes, I've never seen that device you're talking about. I do have a garlic press, which crushes it once peeled, but have always peeled it by hand. Once you shuck the outer layer of the clove (the flaky bits), there's a tough outer skin you'll probably want to remove; I've found that the best way is to dig your fingernail into a point near the pointed head of the clove and peel back, then sort of unwrap it. Sometimes the skin will come off in a few large pieces, sometimes it's a bit more difficult, but it always works. Now I wanna try that roller thing though, see how it works.

## Post 21 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Tuesday, 18-Jun-2013 11:03:47

It's fiddly and doesn't work great.
Man, if I listed my essentials I'd be here forevet! I don't really have anything blind specific other than a set of talking scales which aren't used all that often. My microwave is brailled as it's a touch screen, and my oven has sticky dots for temp settings, but other than that, I just buy regular stuff.
Oh, and Shepherdwolf? I've still got your potato peeler!

## Post 22 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 18-Jun-2013 12:46:29

You don't need to spend money on a garlic peeler. Lay the clove of garlic on the counter, press down on it with the heel of your hand until you hear a sickening pop. No, you didn't break your hand, the garlic popped open. then just peel the outside skin away. Hands are free. Also, afterward, take a butterknife made of metal and wash your hands while holding it. It'll take the smell of garlic off your hands.

## Post 23 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Wednesday, 19-Jun-2013 10:36:21

I tend to agree with Cody's sentiment on tools. We all love some sorts of gadgets but really in the kitchen you want a good set of the basics.
A good utility knife (that's serated), a chef's knife for chopping, a paring knife, maybe a trimmer if you can get one, and it sure would be nice to have a good cleaver. Your plastic measuring cups and spoons with handles are great. I have never seen a talking scale though I can see how that would be useful. Have a couple of good turning forks on hand as they're useful for lifting something out of a roasting pan or big pot.
Oh, and if you don't want to pierce your meat and have all the juices run out, get a nice pair of tongs. Love those things: I've even brought my barbecue tongs into the house for just that purpose before, no shame in leveraging the Christmas bird or beast with a pair of those even if some find it a bit odd. Just wash them real good first like you would before a barbecue.
I actually prefer to use a more short-handled spatula - just find it easier to guide, myself.

## Post 24 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 19-Jun-2013 12:56:38

Tools are great if you have money you don't know what to do with and a gigantic kitchen. Since I assume none of us do, you should get multitaskers. I've said this before on other boards too. If you want examples, watch the show good eats, its on youtube.

## Post 25 by Binary solo (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Wednesday, 19-Jun-2013 13:21:01

Not much to add here except for the coctail shaker and a coctail measuring spoon that you can lay on top of a glass or a shaker to make consistent drinks. It really helps if you're the type of person who likes to measure into your drinks instead of just making them from experience and memory.