How to stock your kitchen

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Geekbabe

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
32,229
2,539
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www.theshoppinqueen.com
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Originally posted by: Howard
1 quart is pathetically small. I can't recommend that.

Also, you're paying $80 for an 8-quart stock pot. You don't need a pasta insert and steamer inserts are damned cheap.
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I have a cheap 1 quart saucepan that I do use from time to time to heat things like pasta sauce and frozen veggies. Since I'm cooking for myself and only for one meal, it's more than enough for these purposes.

I currently use a plastic pasta strainer. While it's light and it works just fine, it takes up space and doesn't really fit anywhere. Right now it's just sitting on the floor. I like the pasta strainer in the set because it stores into the stockpot (and the steamer stores into the strainer).

I currently use a fold-out steamer like this. All I can say is that it is damn awkward to use for things like wide-ish fish filets because the "handle" sticks out of the middle of the dang thing.. The actual pot-shaped steamer inserts are all $30+.
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You have to buy things that you think will fit your needs. A 1 quart saucepan comes in handy for soup,some gravies,hot coco. The beauty of buying really nice quality things though is that later,if your cooking interests or needs change,you can add onto your original pieces.Buying quality means being able to add on,not constantly having to replace
cheaply made things.
 
fuzzybabybunny

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
35
91
I got my stuff in :)

The Henckels stuff is absolutely beautiful. It almost makes me want to not cook with them. The handles as sooo comfortable... Having this good stuff is making me really want to clean my pots and pans ASAP.

Henckels International Classic Clad 1-Quart Saucier - $30

Definitely big enough for my uses. The first thing I made was Ramen Noodles with quail eggs :p Then I boiled up some frozen brussels sprouts. Handle stays nice and cool.

Henckels International Classic Clad 4-Piece Starter Set - $67, NOT BAD for two all clad peices.

Wow. The 10 inch fry pan is beautiful. Its sides are almost vertical. I sauted some onions and peppers in olive oil for use with Italian sausages. I haven't tried the 2qt saucepan yet, but it looks great.

Gordon Ramsay by Royal Doulton Stainless-Steel 8-Quart Pot with Pasta Insert, Steamer Basket, and Lid - $80, $20 more from the above mentioned Calphalon set for a fully clad stockpot

This was NOT all clad. Single ply thin walls with your standard thick aluminum disk at the base of the pot. This, along with a dent in the pot, means this is going back to Amazon for a refund tomorrow.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: glenn1
I suggest a couple of additions:

can opener my favorite, substitute your favorite

magnetic measuring spoons worth every penny

coffee maker best coffee maker out there hands down

Global G-5 vegatable knife a nice balance of heft and control for cutting through bigger veggies

a trash can you don't hate I splurged for this beauty...
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Automatic can openers are difficult to clean thoroughly, take up counter space, and cost more money. I don't really see the pros outweighing the cons, but the value of convenience is different for everybody. EDIT: Sorry, the reviews indicate that the opening assembly is easy to clean.

Magnetic spoons seem like they'd be pretty useful, but you'd have to rinse them off every now and then for the dust, if you put them on the fridge. Drying them might be a little annoying. If you don't put them on the fridge, you might have stuff sticking to the magnets in your drawers.

Don't know anything about coffee makers. Global knives tend to be good, though I favor Chinese cleavers. Not gonna say anything about the last item, heh.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
very old bump, but a nice thread.

Mechanical can openers > electical really.

most people spend way too much on their tools.

 
W

Wheezer

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 1999
6,731
1
81
IF you use stainless steel of any kind or even if you don't...Barkeepers Friend is something everyone should have.

If you cook you gotta clean and this stuff works wonders on sinks, pots, pans cutlery....will remove most tarnishing, surface rust and debris without much effort and without damage to your cookware.
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
50,744
6,776
136
Got into Dutch Oven Cooking this summer. LOVE IT!
 
Iron Woode

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,253
12,777
136
wait, no crock pots?

this is my favourite way of cooking during the winter.
 
T

theblackbox

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2004
1,650
11
81
i think every kitchen should have a hotpot too. nothing like shabu shabu on a cold day.

thinking of that, howard, do you have a good recipe for fish balls. i've tried a few and just can't come up with a good consistent fishball. i have so much tapioca starch i've been using it or gravies and anything else i can.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
You can do hot pot with a dutch oven (preferable) or wok on a portable burner.

Sorry, I've never tried to make fish balls before. Are you working from store-bought paste?
 
T

theblackbox

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2004
1,650
11
81
nope. from scratch. the last try i did the balls ended up falling apart and making a rather nasty lumpy paste. i'd love to get it down, though, so i could pick the fish for the balls instead of having to rely on what is available at market.
i prefer to use a hotpot with two sections because usually we have a couple of vegetarians that aren't too hot on meat in their side, so we get a vege based side and a meat based side.
plus i am with you on cleavers, i have a cleverest sons wife cleaver that i absolutely love, and wasn't a bit over 12 dollars.
 
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