You don't need a ton of fancy tools or equipment to make most of the recipes I share here, but these are the things that I reach for time and time again that make my time in the kitchen easier and more productive.
Don't see a product you're looking for or wondering about a tool you've seen me use in photos or videos on the site? E-mail me: rebecca@thepracticalkitchen.com or reach out on social media!
Last updated: 10/26/2021
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Kitchen Tools
Anchor Hocking Glass Bowl Set — This set of 10 nesting glass bowls will cover all your mixing, serving, prepping, and double-boiling needs. I know 10 bowls in such a wide range of sizes might seem like a lot, but when the biggest can be used to proof a batch of no-knead bread dough and the smallest to serve some soy sauce for dipping, I guarantee you'll find a use for all the bowls in between. And unlike plastic bowls which get scratched and lose their color, these will always look good on your dining table.
Metal Bench Scraper — Metal bench scrapers are an invaluable, versatile tool for the busy home chef. They’re great for scraping off your cutting board, dividing dough, transferring chopped veggies from board to pan and so much more. I prefer a rubber grip for its ability to withstand trips through the dishwasher.
Escali Primo Digital Kitchen Scale — Depending on how you scoop flour into a measuring cup, it can weigh anywhere from 3 to 5 ounces — a huge variation that can dramatically affect your results. A kitchen scale will help cut back on the number of measuring cups you need to wash, and you’ll get more reliable results from all your favorite recipes. There are dozens of models out there, but I like this one because it has a raised platform that prevents whatever you’re weighing from blocking the digital display screen. (For more on baking with weights and for a chart of standard weight measurements for common ingredients, click here.)
Plastic Bowl Scraper — Plastic bowl scrapers are flexible, with one curved side that fits neatly into any mixing bowl. They function as an extension of your hand, bending to scoop, mix, and scrape with less effort than a long-handled tool might require. I have about 6 of them and there are times when every one is in use because I grab them so often.
Stainless Steel Nesting Measuring Cups — These cups nest neatly inside each other and have markings on the inside to show smaller cup sizes — making each one useful for multiple measurements. The handles are also sturdy and won’t snap, bend, or break, which is what’s happened to every single plastic set of measuring cups I’ve ever bought in my life. (That said, this 19-piece set of plastic cups has some of the most unique measuring sizes I’ve ever seen — the 2 teaspoon spoon and 1.5 cup measuring cup are incredibly handy — even though the handles are prone to breaking.)
Rectangular Measuring Spoons — These rectangular measuring spoons are actually narrow enough to reach deep into any spice bottle. They’re sturdy, easy to clean, and I like that you can pair them next to each other to get exactly the amount you need in just one scoop.
Tovolo 6" Mini Whisk — Why bother getting out a whole big whisk when all you need is a mini to beat one egg or mix some cinnamon and sugar together? This one is sturdy, effective, and comfortable to hold. For more of my favorite whisks click here.
Microplane — For years I thought I didn't need a microplane. The first time I applied one of these to the business end of a block of parmesan cheese, I saw just how much of an idiot I had been. They are so much better than box graters for finely grating cheese, and can also be used for citrus zest, nutmeg, and shaving the burned bits off otherwise perfect loaves of bread.
Metal Wire Mesh Strainer (in 3 sizes) — Perfect for sifting flour and powdered sugar without getting hand cramps and for straining sauces, syrups, gravies, pasta, and chicken stock. You might not think you need one of these, but once you have them in your kitchen you'll be surprised by how often they come in handy.
Thermapen Mk4 — This is the BEST instant read thermometer I've ever used. Each one comes with a certificate of calibration and is worth every penny. They're fast, they're accurate, and I love that the display rotates and lights up when it senses shadows. No fumbling with buttons or accidentally hitting the wrong ones; the Thermapen turns on immediately when you pick it up, and shuts off when you put it down. The rotating display means it can be used by righties or lefties, and it has a watertight seal so you don't have to worry if you accidentally drop it into the sink. Comes in a range of colors and styles!
4-cup Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cup — What I love most about a 4 cup liquid measuring cup is that it basically doubles as a mixing bowl. I literally can't imagine making Tuna Newberg without one.
Stainless Steel Round Cutters (Set of 11) — I love this set because it's color coded and the cutters fit neatly into the tin for storage. Also, in comparing other similar sets, this one has rings in pretty standard sizes. You can use the biggest one to make english muffins or to coax irregularly shaped cookies into circles, and the smaller ones are great for cutting dough for pierogi, hamentashen, ravioli, and more.
GIR Mini 8" Spoonula — After seeing Erin McDowell talking up GIR (which stands for Get It Right) on Instagram I had to give their products a try. They're all excellent and come in a range of gorgeous colors but I truly love the mini spoonula. I've tried so many silicone spatula/spoon combos and most are frustratingly inflexible, making it impossible to scrape your dough or batter off cleanly onto the edge of a bowl. That is not the case with GIR's spoonula which is the perfect blend of sturdy and flexible, and because it's one seamless piece, it's super easy to clean too.
THE BEST BOWL COVERS EVER — I know, I know this link takes you to a page that claims to sell "plastic hair processing caps" but these are actually terribly mismarketed plastic bowl covers. No more wrestling with saran wrap that clings to itself or refuses to cling to the bowl, these elastic caps fit snugly around most sizes of bowls and can be used multiple times before they rip or tear. If you make a lot of bread, you're going to want to keep some of these around.
Pots & Pans
USA Pan 9x5" Loaf Pan — This 1.25 lb loaf pan from USA Pan, a Pittsburgh-based bakeware company, is perfect for banana bread, pumpkin gingerbread loaf cake, mini focaccia, and babkas. I appreciate that USA Pan pans have crisp sharp edges which make your finished desserts look neat, and the rippled surface makes it easy to remove them from the pan.
USA Pan 9x13" Cake Pan — Your standard 9x13" rectangular cake pan is good for so much more than making cake. I use mine to make focaccia, shepherd's pies, and, yes, okay fine, it's the perfect size for making one of those famous Milk Bar cakes, too. Just like with the loaf pan, what I particularly like about this one is the sharp edges of the corners, which guarantee a perfectly rectangular cake every time.
The Original Baking Steel — This 15 lb sheet of steel is worth every penny for crispy bottomed pizzas, airy ciabatta bread, and can even be used on a grill or gas stovetop as a griddle for making smashburgers, diner-style homefries, and english muffins. It's easy to clean, won't crack or break, and doesn't stain or absorb oils. As soon as I brought this baby home I threw out my old, oil-stained, too-small baking stone and never looked back. For my full Baking Steel review, click here.
10.25" Lodge Cast Iron Skillet — Take care of your cast iron right and you'll have it forever. It's the best way to get a nice sear on a piece of meat, can also be used to make beautifully crispy skillet pizzas, and can go from the stove to the oven without a problem. You'll want to read up on how to properly clean and season yours — with enough care and repeated use it'll develop a super slick, shiny, almost nonstick surface.
Oval Dutch Oven (5 or 7 qt) — Enameled cast iron products give you all the cooking benefits of cast iron, with the added perk of an easy-to-clean surface. I prefer an oval shape which can accommodate long or round breads, and is excellent for making stews, soups, sauces, and more. Just like regular cast iron, these dutch ovens can go from the stove to the oven and excel at retaining heat. If you're looking to splurge, you can get a Le Creuset model — they're pricier, but also come with a notoriously generous lifetime warranty under which the company will replace pots that are even decades old.
Challenger Bread Pan — An inverted cast iron pan with a shallow base and domed top perfect for baking up super crusty loaves of bread. The base pan can also be used as a bread pan for soft rolls and focaccias, and I've even used it to roast chicken! The domed top has handles on the sides and on top to make it easy to remove from the oven without burning your arms. The shallow base is designed so you don't burn yourself dropping loaves of bread into it from their proofing baskets.
Norpro 9.5" Stainless Steel Removable Bottom Tart Pan — If you want a gorgeously golden brown, crisp tart bottom you'll need a stainless steel tart pan that does not have a non-stick coating. Yes, you'll want to generously butter this or spray it with non-stick spray before use, but you'll get a far nicer crust with it and it'll slip out of the tin just fine.
Knives
Victorinox 8" Chef Knife — For years this knife has been the top pick from America's Test Kitchen and Wirecutter (though Wirecutter demoted it in favor of a far more expensive option this year). It's a great entry level chef knife for a beginner cook. We have two 8" Victorinox chef knives and one 10" Victorinox chef knife and they're excellent, reliable, and affordable additions to any knife block.
Wustoff 8" Chef Knife — I got one of these in my knife kit when I started pastry school and it's a great pro-level knife at an intermediate price point (as far as knives go). Wustoff knives have a really nice, sturdy weight to them thanks to a long tang (the metal part of the blade inside the handle) which extends all the way to the hilt of the handle. The rivets on the handle are ¼" which makes them a handy measuring tool if you're attempting to dice or chop something to a ¼" thickness.
Mini Serrated Knife with Round Tip — I don't know why I have such an affinity for my mini serrated knife with a round tip, but I do! I use it to slice bread, cakes, bagels — anything I'd use a bread knife for, I reach for this instead. The rounded tip is nice because I don't have to worry about stabbing into my hand if I'm slicing a particularly crusty loaf of bread, and the small size makes it easier to maneuver than a large bread knife.
20 Slot Universal Knife Block — If you, like us, already have knives and just need a better way to store them, this is the knife block for you. We tried those fancy "slotless" knife blocks, but found that the knives ended up cutting through the straws, and that the blocks couldn't hold that many knives at once. This one can hold all of our knives, plus some kitchen shears, a honing steel, and a cleaver.
Read more: I wrote about the 3 types of kitchen knives you need at the core of your kitchen knife collection with lots of recommendations to get you started.
Appliances
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy 5.5 cup Rice Cooker — After years of getting by just fine with a $20 dorm-sized rice cooker I was skeptical of the added value a pricier bells-and-whistles rice cooker would add. Then, we got the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy and my rice game changed forever. Not only does the Neuro Fuzzy consistently make excellent rice, it keeps it warm for 24+ hours, has a timer so you can set your rice in the morning and have it ready exactly at dinner time, and it also comes with a helpful book about how to prepare and rinse your rice for the best results. For my full review click here.
KitchenAid Mixer Ice Cream Maker Attachment — If you have a KitchenAid mixer and want to make ice cream, this attachment is hard to beat. As reviewed in this Ask the Practical Kitchen post, it's easy to clean, has minimal moving parts, and is incredibly efficient compared to the competition. It produces consistent and reliable results at a reasonable price point, and takes up minimal space in your cupboard. (Note: If you have a 6, 7, or 8 qt mixer make sure you get the attachment designed for your mixer.)
KitchenAid Mini Food Processor (18 colors) — When you need the chopping/pureeing power of a food processor but don't need the cup capacity of the big-ass model, this 3.5 cup mini one has you covered. It's perfect for a quick pesto, gremolata, salsa, hazelnut praline paste, or guac. I like that it has a small opening in the top so you can drizzle in oil as it's running, and that you activate it by squeezing down on the lid with the handle. Easy to use, easy to clean, and the cord wraps into a hidden gap in the base to keep it neatly tucked away in your cupboard. Read my full review here.
Anova Sous Vide — A sous vide is an immersion circulator which can be attached to any large pot or bucket. It circulates water at a precise temperature, allowing food (sealed in an airtight container) to cook in a water bath without overcooking or drying out. We use ours to make carnitas, but it also helps you achieve precise doneness for steaks and makes the best carrots I've ever eaten. Unlike some of Anova's competitors, this model has manual controls so you don't need to use an app to control it. There is a cheaper model (the anova nano) but it doesn't have an adjustable clamp, which limits what you can attach it to. For my longer Anova review click here.
Kitchen Organizers
Plastic Deli Containers with Lids (45 pcs) — I'm not kidding when I say adding this set of deli containers to my kitchen changed my life. They nest inside each other, they stack nicely in the fridge, and the lids can be paired with all of the containers. They're freezer and microwave safe, which makes them perfect for storing and reheating all kinds of leftovers. My fridge has never been more organized. This set is sturdy, BPA free, and comes with 15 small (8 oz), 15 medium (16 oz) and 15 large (32 oz) containers. If the Prep Naturals set is sold out, my runner up pick is this set from DuraHome.
King Arthur Baking Yeast Set — The acrylic container in this set is exactly the right size to hold a full 1 pound package of active dry yeast and fits neatly in your freezer door to keep your yeast fresh longer. The best part of the set is the 2¼ teaspoon measuring spoon — exactly the amount of yeast that comes in one of those little packets.
Stainless Steel Roll Top Bread Box — The feature that makes this a winner is the tempered-glass top. Most bread boxes are windowless, which is great for storage, but makes it far too easy to forget what’s inside. The clear top makes it easy to remember what you’ve got… before it starts growing mold.
Joseph Joseph 4 Cutting Boards with Storage Case — When making a dish with lots of different prep required, these Joseph Joseph cutting boards are great to have within arms reach. The upright file-folder storage case means you can keep them on the counter without sacrificing counter space, and they're easy to clean in the dishwasher.
Progressive Brown Sugar Keeper — This container easily holds a 2 pound bag of brown sugar, but the best part is the terra cotta disc that clips on to the underside of the lid. Soak the disc in water for 15-20 minutes, pat dry, and clip it to the lid. It'll keep your brown sugar soft and scoop-able, preventing pesky clumps from forming.
Cambro Buckets with Lids (2 qt / 6 qt) — Yeah, yeah, Tupperware are all well and good but when you make a huge batch of chicken stock, are proofing a double loaf of your favorite pizza dough, or straining whey from your goat cheese, nothing beats a Cambro bucket. Make sure you get one that comes with a matching lid (for some reason they're occasionally sold lid-less). The measurements on the outside of the buckets are helpful for knowing just how much [whatever] you've got inside, and if you're making bread dough — for knowing when your dough has truly "doubled" in size.
Silicone Egg Bites Mold — I'm gonna be honest, I have literally never used these to make egg bites. I use them to freeze chicken or vegetable stock in ¼ cup measurements or to freeze pesto or fresh herbs in oil to use with pasta for quick and easy dinners. Once the stock or herbs have frozen solid, I take them out of the mold and store them in bags or airtight containers in the freezer.
Meal Planning & Grocery Shopping
Weekly Magnetic Meal Planner Notepads — Nothing keeps my meal planning/grocery shopping routine on track like these refrigerator notepads with the days on one side and grocery list on the other. Each sheet is perforated, so I take the list with me, and leave my plan on the fridge so I actually remember what I’m cooking!
Magnetic Pencil/Pen Cup — If you're going to keep a running grocery list on the fridge and, you know, actually write things down when you think of them, you need easily accessible writing implements. Keep them on the fridge right next to your grocery list, and you'll never forget what you need while you hunt through your kitchen for a pen.
Reusable Produce Bags — Say goodbye to single-use plastics and bring these reusable drawstring produce bags with you to the grocery store. Each bag has a "tare" weight on it for the cashier to subtract so you don't get charged for the weight of the bag (not every grocery store can accommodate this, but the bags are pretty light). The best part? They're machine washable. Disclaimer: These will not help your produce last longer in the fridge.
Cookbooks
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat — This is a cover-to-cover kind of cookbook. And while I know that sounds intimidating (it took me a good 6 months to work up the courage to crack it open) the illustrations make following Nosrat's instructions a breeze. Even if you never make a recipe straight from the book, the straightforward explanations will transform your entire approach to food, teaching you how to apply simple, restaurant-level techniques to elevate your everyday cooking.
Gotta try: Garlicky green beans, buttermilk roast chicken.
Bread – My favorite bread making book for beginner and intermediate bakers. Big glossy photos, easy to follow recipes, and lots of before-and-after examples help empower you to start tweaking and adapting your favorite bread recipes. More on why I love this book here.
Indian-ish by Priya Krishna (Amazon) — I bought this book as part of The Kitchn's Cookbook Club and it has completely changed the way I think of vegetarian food, and making Indian food. The recipes are easy to follow, Priya includes a photo list and glossary to help make the ingredients easy to find, and the meals are so hearty and satisfying even the most carnivorous of meat eaters won't feel like their meal is missing meat.
Gotta try: The aloo parathas, the dal, and the Malaysian ramen.
How to Bake Everything by Mark Bittman — The title really is what it promises. If you need a basic, straightforward recipe for pretty much anything from puff pastry to drop cookies to pizza dough, tarts, pies, sweet, savory, fougasse, ciabatta, sourdough and more, this book has you covered. The detailed illustrations and charts are hugely helpful, and I like that most of the recipes include a list of suggested variations if you want to go beyond the basics.
Smitten Kitchen Everyday by Deb Perelman — Deb is the OG of food bloggers, and you really can't go wrong with her recipes. From ingenious shortcuts for making fall-off-the-bone ribs without a grill, to a formula for making the best birthday cake that can be scaled up or down as needed, to vegetable mains and entrees kids and adults alike will love, this cookbook has a little bit of everything for everyone.
Gotta try: Miso Maple Ribs, Best Birthday Cake
The Food Lab by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt — For a scientific approach to cooking, look no further than J. Kenji Lopez-Alt's The Food Lab. Part visual textbook, part cookbook, Lopez-Alt shines a spotlight on the science behind many popular recipes and techniques, explaining how to get the creamiest mac & cheese, crispiest fried chicken, or two-minute foolproof hollandaise? This is the book for you. I especially appreciate that he walks you through the recipe development process; understanding that there are multiple ways to make the same dish and why he recommends certain ones has been hugely helpful to my own cooking journey.
Gotta try: Pesto Sauce, Fried Chicken, Slow-Cooked Bolognese
Where Cooking Begins — Former Bon Appetit editor at large Carla Lalli Music’s debut cookbook is the epitome of practical cooking. The book is broken down into three parts: The Strategy, The Techniques, and The Recipes. She begins by explaining her grocery shopping and pantry philosophy before demonstrating a handful of basic cooking techniques and how to apply them to a variety of ingredients. She then uses those techniques in recipes throughout the book. Each recipe is accompanied by a list of “ingredient swaps” to help you take the same recipe and adapt it based on the season or what you happen to get in your CSA box that week.
Cleaning products
Barkeeper's Friend — This stuff is NO JOKE. Make sure you get the powder, not the liquid version. When you have a pan with a stubborn stain or oil or grease burn marks that just won't budge, Barkeeper's Friend will be your friend too. We use it on all our baking pans and especially on our stainless steel All-Clad pans to keep them looking good-as-new. Simply apply a generous shake to a damp surface and scrub. Rinse and repeat if — and I do mean if — needed.
OXO Cleaning Brush Duo — Perfect for scrubbing tough stains, cleaning water bottles, humidifier pieces, and getting into all the nooks and crannies of your favorite appliances. I like that they clip together — makes them much harder to lose!
Ingredients
Rumford Aluminum Free Baking Powder — Look, I don't know how credible or not credible the scary information about the dangers of aluminum is, but if I can buy baking powder without aluminum in it... it certainly can't hurt.
Citric Acid — Crucial for making goat cheese, citric acid is also commonly used for canning, and as a preservative in jams, jellies, candies, and more. It can also be used in seasoning mixes when you want a slightly sour, citric flavor without using something like lemon juice or zest which will expire quickly.
Thai Rice Flour — When shaping sourdough bread or any bread in a wicker banneton or brotform basket, this is the flour you want to use to line the basket. It's finer than AP flour and less likely to fall off the walls of the basket, plus it doesn't clump up the way AP does.
King Arthur Baking Everything Bagel Topping — My favorite bagel topping is KAF's everything bagel blend. Unlike Trader Joe's "everything but the" seasoning, KA's blend doesn't include a ton of salt which can throw off the chemistry of your dough and absorb water from your bagels, making them dry and dehydrated.
Whole Cardamom Pods — A few of these go a long way. Steep in milk, tea, or sauces for a minty, citrusy, herbal flavor. I love using them to make orange cardamom ice cream. Crack them open and grind the seeds for a flavor that's much more intense than if you buy it pre-ground. A few of these go a long way, so you'll have these for a while.
Whole Nutmeg (small tin) from Spicewalla — I'm not saying you have to be like Alton Brown and always have nutmeg in your pocket, but when it comes to adding nutmeg to a recipe whole nutmeg is the way to go. Take a microplane to the end of one of these and you'll get a flavor that's far more intense than the pre-ground stuff, meaning you can use less of it to get a much richer flavor. Each one of these little nuts lasts basically forever, too.
Photography Equipment & Props
Photography gear:
- Nikon D5600 DSLR (refurbished) — comes with an 18-55mm lens
- Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G — the "nifty fifty" lens beloved by food bloggers, with autofocus capabilities
- MY FAVORITE SHOOTING SURFACE — I use the plaster side of this double-sided surface in pretty much EVERY one of my photos. Less than $30! It rolls up for easy storage.
- Replica Surfaces — lightweight, portable backdrops. I use the marble one as the backdrop in most of my photos.
- Manfrotto Aluminum Tripod with 3-way pan/tilt head and overhead column — I like the control the 3-way tripod head gives you over the camera direction compared to the 360 degree ball head which can lose traction and wear down over time.
- T-shaped backdrop stand perfect for holding backdrops, bounce boards, and diffusers
- Overhead camera/phone stand + iPhone holder adapter for shooting overhead video
Props:
- Goodies LA for ceramic and wood props under $25
- RV Pottery for ceramic plates and bowls
- Wooden Cake Stand (13") from Target
- 2 cup glass measuring cup from Target
- Le Creuset 8 oz mini round cocottes from Williams Sonoma, Amazon, or Sur La Table
Food Blogging Courses
- SEO Jumpstart — a fantastic, thorough course for anyone just getting started (in the first year of blogging) or who is ready to take their SEO work to the next level. This course is an amazing value, and Eb is super knowledgeable and always helpful when you have questions.
- Foodtography School — [Use code REBECCA for 15% off everything in the Foodtography School store!] An online food photography school with courses for beginners and intermediate food photographers. Courses cover the basics of photography, styling, lighting, color theory, branding, pitching, and more! They even have an iPhone specific course and a restaurant photography course! The Foodtography School store also has wonderful Lightroom Presets, pricing and pitching guides, and more. Courses are pre-recorded so you can go at your own pace and watch them as many times as you want.
