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This is a basic list of equipment and utensils for cooking beginners.

There may be other items you want to add. That's just fine! As long as a kitchen utensil or gadget works for you, and you use it, it's a good buy. Shop for quality over quantity, especially at first. I have several knives I bought 35 years ago that are still going strong. You can do the same.

Knives

•3 or 4" paring knife

•a serrated knife

•8 or 10" chef's knife

Measuring Cups and Spoons

•Various sizes, in metal and plastic

•Get at least two sets of each, so you're not continually washing them as you cook

•glass measuring cups with spout, for liquids

Spoons

•slotted spoon

•wooden spoons

•sturdy metal spoons

•Soup ladle

Mixing Utensils

•hand held electric mixer

•Wire whisks in different sizes

Spatulas

•straight spatulas

•rubber scraper spatulas

Sieves and Colanders

•nested varying size sieves, in stainless steel (work as flour sifters too)

•steel or plastic colander

Pots and Pans

•1, 2, 4, and 8-quart saucepans with covers

•12" skillet with cover

•6 or 8" nonstick skillet

•roasting pan

•two 9" round cake pans

•9" square cake pan

•9"x13" baking pan

•9"x5" loaf pan

•9" pie pan

•12 cup muffin tin

•cooling racks

•two cookie sheets

Miscellaneous

•swivel-bladed vegetable peeler

•grater with various sized holes

•rolling pin

•can opener

•kitchen timer

•kitchen shears

•corkscrew