My List of Essentials For Cooking, Cleaning, and Storing
Sharing some of my favorite kitchen tools, storage, organizing, and cleaning items
Every newsletter, I link the same tools again and again. I haven’t purchased anything new-new for my kitchen in a while, and I try to refill or buy secondhand whenever possible. I’m not someone who buys a lot of gadgets, and I’m particular about what I bring into my kitchen (material / purpose). I prefer having a minimal kitchen and I’m happy with what I have. So instead of re-listing these items every time, I’ll link back to this newsletter where everything can live in one place. Anything forgotten will be added in the comments. Feel free to comment items you enjoy in your kitchen!
Just to be clear: I do not earn commissions on any of these linked items. There will be no Amazon links. I’ll include a few eBay finds of second hand items and many products from two Philadelphia shops — Fantes and Good Buy Supply. I reached out to Good Buy Supply and they offered the code LEFTBURNER for 20% off your entire order. Again, I do not make any commission from this.
I’m sharing this newsletter to free and paid subscribers! But please consider becoming a paid subscriber for access to recipes.
I’m sharing this list because this time of year can make Amazon feel very convenient and tempting — and while it is convenient, most of these items can be found at local refill shops, home & kitchen stores, thrift shops, or yard sales. My kitchen has very little plastic in it; I mostly use stainless steel and wood. I will never buy olive oil in plastic, and I don’t cut food on plastic.
This is not a list encouraging overconsumption or “haul culture.” These are simply the things I have collected slowly, over time and use frequently. I also am want to cut time on my end for linking the same tools in each newsletter. If you’re looking to replace one or two things, I hope this list is useful. Ultimately, your kitchen should fit your habits, needs, and aesthetic.
Cleaning
In my house I have three spray bottles, two are filled with Good Buy Supply’s bulk all purpose cleaner Basil and Mint scented. I keep one in the kitchen and one in my upstairs bathroom. This scent is one of my favorites. I wish they made a laundry detergent with it. The third spray bottle is for clothing.
[ ] Spray bottles: nozzle and bottles
My kitchen sink came with a refillable soap dispenser so filling up at Good Buy makes the most sense for me. When cooking for profit, I keep a bottle of this unscented one to use.
[ ] Dish soap: this one or this one
[ ] Container for transporting soap
To clean my sink I buy something that is called Tub Scrub from Good Buy Supply. It is similarly scented to the all purpose cleaner of basil and mint. It’s main ingredient is washing soda. I use this for my stainless steel sink, tub, and toilets. I may experiment with using it for laundry because of the scent. I love it. If I didn’t live in Philly I would attempt to make my own scented washing soda. I sprinkle it around add a bit of water to make a paste and let it sit for a bit before rinsing/scrubbing. Then my house smells so good.
For towels and sponges I try my best to not buy paper but sometimes for cooking purposes / content creation it is unavoidable. If I do have to buy paper, I usually wait for a 40% off coupon at CVS. I’m not sure if this is just a me thing, but I always cut my sponges in half. This obviously gives you more sponges but also I feel like I have a better grip (I have small hands) and can scrub better with a smaller sponge. I don’t wear gloves when cleaning in my kitchen because I am not using toxic cleaning products. I just make sure to moisturize my hands after I wash dishes or clean. I do use these gloves for cleaning around my house. I love love love the green color.
[ ] Flour sack dish towels
[ ] Bar mop towels - I bought a pack from the South Philly Coop and will double check they still carry them
[ ] Cloth towels no texture
[ ] More flour sack towels (sometimes when I bulk buy flour directly from King Arthur I buy towels)
[ ] Sponges or this one
[ [ Brush for cleaning oysters/mussels/clams
Another cleaning product I use is “cleaning” vinegar. Cleaning vinegar is highly concentrated, the one I get from Good Buy is Organic 200-Grain White Vinegar. To wash veggies I dilute 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water.
[ ] Cleaning vinegar
[ ] Container
To maintain my wood cutting boards and wood cooking utensils I use this wood oil. I only buy it at antique stores. One bottle lasts a long time for me but that may be because I do not use it frequently. I only oil up when the wood visually tells me it needs it. I’ll use the above flour sack towel to wipe away excess.
Storage
I prefer glass or stainless steel storage over plastic. For dried goods I store everything in my used honey jars because I buy 2 3lb honeys every summer. I have acquired a good amount of jars over the years! But if I had to buy new jars I prefer anything with a wide mouth because I use empty jars for immersion blending while cooking. Good Buy has a nice amount of jars.
[ ] I do like the Le Parfait if I were to be selecting for aesthetics.
[ ] For leftovers / perishable food storage I use these from Ikea. They come in different sizes but I prefer medium to large storage.
[ ] I have had these stainless steel bowls for over ten years. The lids still suction. I use them frequently. The smallest one is great for making recipes like sabayon (double boiler). The medium one is great for whipping egg whites or for whipped cream. The large one is just great for large quantities.
[ ] The few times I use plastic is for flour, sugar, and nut storage. I like this container and trust it keeps these three items fresh. I try to buy all the same size but I do have this one for nuts since I tend to buy nuts in bulk (small quantities) at Riverwards or the South Philly Coop. I store my flour, sugar, and nuts in the fridge.
[ ] For onions and potatoes I have two vintage splint wood baskets. You can find them at a low cost at thrift/antique shops. I prefer handle free baskets so they can fit on my shelf. Here is what I could find on ebay. This one. This one. If you’re using them for onions and potatoes just don’t store them near each other.
[ ] Twine - I use twine to hang and dry my chilis and garlic for storing/ cooking needs. These needles can be really handy.
[ ] As for jarring for jams and pickling, I prefer the good ole Bell Mason Jars. I like being able to gentle test for suction. Sometimes Acme has really good discounts on packs of bell jars.
[ ] Magnetic knife bar
[ ] Crocks for holding wooden spoons, whisks, spatulas. There are SO many crocks in thrift/antique shops. You do not need to buy a brand new one. this this
[ ] Salt cellar (have fun with these, mine is a vintage fiuggi ashtray. ashtrays are great because the divot for the cigarette works great for a salt spoon. Like this! or this or this)
Tools
Whenever possible I buy kitchen tools at garage sales or second hand shops. People have a tendency to buy a lot for their kitchens and maybe use the tool once.
[ ] Cheeseclothes - I do not buy these secondhand, I get them at Fantes.
[ ] Scale - I right now use an OXO scale that I got at Fantes and to be honest, it’s probably my only regret purchase. It is not precise. I wish I had opted for something like this one or this one. Or even this one. That being said, is any scale precise?
[ ] Immersion blender. I use to replace mine every year but since buying this one I have had it for multiple years! I was thinking once it stops working I’d switch to an industrial one.
[ ] Spatula. I love this shape and how it has little flexibility.
[ ] Tongs. I have this one which works great but I wish it was nicer looking. I also have these tongs which I bought to do video work with but they are not easy to use so I don’t recommend them. I found these at a yard sale but I have only really used them cooking with shellfish (grabbing clams out of a hot pan right when they open). I haven’t used them for plating purposes. I actually am to check these out just to see how they feel. I’m not a huge Ikea fan but for towels and some select kitchen tools I like. Aesthetic and function at war here for the tongs. If you have discovered one that has both please comment it.
[ ] Spider strainer
[ ] Small mesh strainer
[ ] Mesh strainer
[ ] Wooden spoons. I buy all of my wooden spoons second hand. They are usually a dollar and just require a really good boil, scrub, and seal. Again I am not buying destroyed heavily used items, I’m looking for anything that looks like it was never used.
[ ] Ladles I have a large one for soups and a small one for saucing. I dont really use these for content creation but I do use them when hosting.
[ ] Knives. Yard sales and thrift shops can be a great place to find older high quality knives. I was gifted two knives (this one and this one). I actually recommend both and enjoy using them a lot. I feel strongly that knives are worth investing in. If I had a budget to buy these knives I would. I’m still looking to replace my pairing and bread knife or this. I have a cleaver and a boning knife (both are vintage).
[ ] Rolling pins. I have two. One for pasta and one for pastry.
[ ] Whisk. I have two. A balloon whisk and a flat whisk.
[ ] Spatula plastic. I own only one of these. It comes in handy for scrapping bowls but I don’t grab for it often.
[ ] Oyster knife. I prefer Chesapeake style.
[ ] Salad tongs (mine are vintage but here are some ebay ones. this and this and this and this. or this!
[ ] Measuring cups
[ ] Measuring spoons
[ ] Moka or this
[ ] Mandolin
[ ] Electric kettle
[ ] Espresso maker Carola Evo
[ ] Fettuccine rolling pin
[ ] Dough bench I have this one and while some people don’t like it I like it.
[ ] Meat pounder
[ ] Microplane
[ ] Funky metal spoons (little ones round ones oval ones - all second hand)
[ ]Pastry brush
[ ] Can opener
[ ] Scissors
[ ] Pasta maker. I got mine at a garage sale for $5. Honestly all pasta makers are great and you shouldn’t feel forced to spend a lot of money on them. A lot of people buy them and never use them. The one I bought was NEVER used!!
[ ] Cutting boards. I only use wood and I have bought all of mine at antique shops, estate sales, and garage sales. Again check the condition, as long as it doesn’t look overly used / well cared for it just needs a good cleaning and oiling. I do not use plastic cutting boards. If I had to buy one: this or this
[ ] Over the sink mesh colander for drying produce.
[ ] Salad spinner
Cookware
[ ] Dutch oven or this or this or this or this
[ ] Stainless steel frying pan
[ ] Saucier -gifted
[ ] Butter warmer -gifted
[ ] Small pot
[ ] Milk pan
[ ] Rondeau - gifted
[ ] Carbon steel frying pan
[ ] Steamer
[ ] Rice cooker - I bought mine for a fraction of this price at my local asian market sharing this one bc I love the handle and wish mine had a longer handle.
[ ] All clad roaster - I got mine at a thrift shop but if I had to buy new I honestly think this one is great
[ ] Sheet pans x 3 - I use these A LOT
[ ] Souffle baking dish - I got mine at a thrift shop
[ ] Baking dish - I use this 7 x 10 A LOT and I see them at Home Goods all the time
[ ] Tart pans - I have a medium and a small one (it’s technically a flan pan)