10 Cooking Essentials Worth the Splurge

If you’ve been using the same three “good enough” cooking tools for as long as you can remember and just trying to make them work whenever you’re cooking a nicer dinner or inviting friends over, you’re not alone. 

When there are seemingly more important necessities to pay for, expensive cooking tools might seem like they’re not worth the splurge. But remember, just like investing in your education or investing in your health, quality cooking tools are an investment that’ll make preparing meals and entertaining guests a breeze for years to come. 

And as you transition out of young adult life and into real adult life, you’ll find yourself reaching for these cooking essentials again and again. So, it’s time to consider swapping out that mediocre knife set and blender that can’t even really blend well for these 10 essential cooking tools that’ll make cooking, entertaining, and cleaning easier than ever. 

Featuring Vitamix blender and Boos Blocks cutting board.

Top 10 Essential Cooking Tools
Boos Blocks Cutting Board
A cutting board is one of the most essential cooking tools. Whether you’re chopping up vegetables or butchering meats, these tasks would be nearly impossible without a cutting board as your base [1].

Because of this, it’s especially important to have a cutting board that’s great, not just good. When choosing a great cutting board, it’s important to look for a few specific criteria. First, the bigger the better. A larger board provides more room for you to chop up the essentials that you need for your meal and helps you avoid any kitchen incidents caused by cutting board clutter. 

When selecting a cutting board, wooden cutting boards are the best choice—especially when compared to their plastic counterparts. Studies show that wooden cutting boards are more hygienic because any bacteria that are trapped by the board remain within the wood and are not released the next time the board is used [2]. 

Additionally, plastic cutting boards are not recyclable, and the need to frequently discard them creates a more significant environmental impact than the one created by wooden cutting boards.
 
Most importantly, though, wooden cutting boards are truly an investment that can last for decades as long as they’re cared for properly. So, not only are you looking out for your health with a more hygienic option, but you’re saving yourself money and caring for the environment in the long run. 

We recommend the John Boos & Co. cutting board with grips, a 20 x 15 x 1 ½ inch cutting board manufactured from hard rock maple that fits all the criteria of a great cutting board.

Lodge Cast Iron
If you’re used to cooking on non-stick frying pans, or worse, Teflon or aluminum ones, then a good cast iron skillet can be a game-changer for your cooking. The best part about cast irons is how durable they are. In fact, most people say that they can be passed down for generations while maintaining their effectiveness—or that they get better with time [3]. 

When it comes to cooking, cast iron skillets are popular because of their ability to cook food evenly and maintain their heat for long periods of time. 

Additionally, as you use a cast iron more and more, the seasoning that builds up on the pan acts as a sort of non-stick coating that keeps your food from sticking without the need for chemical-based non-stick coatings on the pan [4].
 
Finally, cast irons are versatile: they can be used on the stovetop or in the oven to prepare a variety of dishes, from pan pizza to s’mores. 

If you’re on the hunt for a great cast iron skillet and are ready to up your game with evenly-cooked and delicious dishes, check out Lodge Cast Iron.

Vitamix Blender
For many, the Vitamix sounds like the dream blender until they catch a glimpse of the $500 price tag. What if we told you that reconditioned Vitamixes could cost $380? Still not convinced?Just remember that quality cooking tools are an investment, and if you’re worried about dropping hundreds of dollars on a blender right now, think about the benefits it’ll reap down the road. 

Out of everything on this list, the Vitamix is really the tool that keeps giving because of its quality and versatility. From hot soups to nut butter to frozen desserts, the Vitamix can be used to prepare so much more than smoothies.

​A full assessment by Consumer Reports shows that the Vitamix is significantly less problem-prone than most other blenders [5]. It demonstrated only a 6% problem rate in comparison to 16% for other high-end blenders and a 96% customer satisfaction rate. 

Finally, Vitamixes are self-cleaning—just add warm water and dish soap and blend at the highest speed for 60 seconds without disassembling it. Gone are the days of precariously washing your blender in the sink while attempting not to nick yourself on the blades [6]. 

So, if you’re looking to get more out of your blender and want to use it as a tool to help you prepare meals rather than just blend smoothies, a Vitamix should be your top pick. 

Featuring Boos Blocks cutting board and Lodge cast iron skillet.

Nice Knife
In addition to a cutting board, a knife is another one of the essential cooking tools that you can’t go without. But it’s important to not just use any knife—a durable, well-sharpened, good-quality knife is key. A great knife will not only make cooking safer but also more enjoyable because you won’t have to worry about uneven slices or poorly-cut foods. 

When choosing a knife, it’s important to go for harder steel knives, as they’ll stay sharpened for longer periods of time. Additionally, it’s crucial that the knife feels comfortable in your hand [7].

We recommend the Sora 6-inch Chef’s Knife. Designed to be lightweight and easily-maneuverable, this knife is perfect for dicing and chopping the essentials for your meal.

Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls are one of the simplest essential cooking tools, so it might seem like quality doesn’t matter much—that is until you find a lower-quality mixing bowl slipping or wobbling while you’re trying to mix your ingredients. 

Plus, out of all of the essentials on this list, good mixing bowls are some of the most affordable items, and you’ll find yourself reaching for them again and again.

When choosing mixing bowls, opt for stainless steel options. They’re great for most mixing tasks, lightweight, and easy-to-handle. To make your mixing bowl hunt easier, we recommend this set. 

Sheet Tray
Most people can agree that with the ease of quickly cooking foods on the stovetop, baking in the oven can seem like a chore. So, for that rare occasion when you do decide to pop a tray of cookies in the oven, a cheap sheet pan seems like an OK option. 

But here’s the thing: durable sheet pans aren’t actually significantly more expensive than the cheap ones and can make those once-in-a-blue-moon chocolate chip cookies the best ones you’ve ever had. 

When it comes to selecting a sheet pan, opt for a double-thick, rolled sheet pan. These won’t change shape in the oven like thinner pans do, ensuring that the bottom of the pan stays flat and giving your baked goods an even cook. Also, go for a half sheet pan instead of a full one, as full sheet pans won’t fit in most home ovens [8]. 

Investing in a great sheet pan is really a testament to the idea that a little change can go a long way. If you’re ready to step up your baking game, try out these sheet trays. ​

Serving Platters and Dishes
Great serving platters are especially important because they’re not just a tool behind the scenes in the kitchen—they’re how you’ll be presenting your meal to your guests, and as the saying goes, people eat with their eyes first. 

Plus, since you’re not actually cooking on these dishes and simply using them to present meals to your guests, you can reuse them for years without really having to worry about ruining them with constant use. 

For a beautiful serving platter that’ll complement any delicious dish, try the Chamberlin Platter from Handmade Studio TN, a handcrafted serving platter with a neutral glaze and lace design. Best of all, it’s microwave and dishwasher safe. 

Reusable Towels
There’s no question that most alternatives are better than paper towels and paper napkins—whether you’re thinking about helping the environment, maintaining a nicer aesthetic, or just saving money (about $1000 in five years). 

Microfiber cleaning cloths are great for cleaning up spills or wiping down the counter. They’re easy to clean and absorb moisture significantly better than paper towels. 

Cotton napkins are a great addition to any dinner table and can help elevate the ambiance of the meal with the extra touch of formality they provide.

Finally, reusable kitchen towels/cloths are a must-have in the kitchen—whether you’re wiping off your hands or wiping down surfaces, these machine-washable alternatives to paper towels will be a game-changer [9]. 

We recommend the Zeppoli classic kitchen towels to help get you on your way to ditching paper towels and napkins. 

Scrubdaddy
When it’s time for your least favorite part of the meal—cleaning up—you’re probably looking for the easiest way to get everything done. That can be pretty hard to do when your cleaning essentials aren’t up to par, especially your sponge. 

To make clean-up a breeze, we recommend the Scrub Daddy sponge. This sponge changes texture based on the temperature of the water and doesn’t scratch surfaces. It’s also formulated to be odor-resistant and can be rinsed off in the dishwasher after use, so you can be sure that your sponge is really cleaning your dishes and not just making them dirtier. 

Reliable Food Brands/Local Market
And of course, the most important part of every meal: the food itself. The food that you select to prepare your meal with can be considered a tool in itself because the quality of the starting product determines the taste of the end product. That’s why it’s important to turn to stores, brands, or farmer’s markets that you trust when purchasing groceries for your meal—places you can go to again and again and know you’ll be getting high-quality food each time.

At Placemat, we always find ourselves turning to brands like KOKOS Ice Cream, Siete Foods, and Bob’s Red Mill to help us bring you delicious, healthy, family-style meals that accommodate all food allergies and dietary preferences. 

Featuring Lodge cast iron skillet (left) and Chamberlin Platter from Handmade Studio TN (above).

It’s Time to Invest in Essential Cooking Tools
From your average family dinners to larger get-togethers, taking the stress out of cooking isn’t just about prioritizing your time to cook but also about making sure you have the right tools to do so. You’ll be surprised at how much faster and easier cooking, hosting, and cleaning can be when you have the right tools.