Non-toxic pans are gaining popularity among home cooks. As I’ve become more environmentally conscious, I’ve decided that it was time to upgrade my cookware to non-toxic quality. But, what kind of pans are non-toxic? Is a stainless steel pan really the best option? What about cast iron? Are ceramic or enamel-coated pans safe to cook on? What exactly is carbon steel? I’ve asked myself all these questions too.

For me, pots and pans need to be durable, as I do a lot of cooking for my family, and I teach cooking classes with my cookware. I wanted to invest in a set that truly would last a lifetime, and could potentially be used by another generation after me. That to me is the true test of “non-toxic”. Of course, they needed to be made without PTFE, PFOA, PFOS and other variations of PFAs. And with the rise of microplastics, I really wanted to stay away from teflon pans as well.

In this guide, I’ll review what is the safest cookware for your health, what is the safest non-stick pan, and what is the most “non-toxic” type of cookware. I’ll be talking about the differences and benefits of stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron, ceramic, and enamel-coated pans. By the end of the post, you’ll be able to answer the question, “What kind of pans are non-toxic?”, yourself*!

This post is about what kind of pans are non-toxic.

WHAT TYPES OF NON-TOXIC COOKWARE ARE THERE?

Cast iron, Stainless Steel, Ceramic Coated and Pure Ceramic, Carbon Steel, Anodized aluminum, and Titanium pans are all considered non-toxic cookware as they are made from natural materials. However they all require different care, and they all have different benefits.

For example, cast iron requires a protective coating of “seasoning”, which is a build-up of baked on oil that acts to protect the cooking surface of the pan. When used, the pan will release trace amounts of iron into the food, which is a necessary mineral for our diet.

Stainless steel, is a chefs favorite choice for non-stick cookware. However, there is a misconception that stainless steel causes food to stick. It is necessary to pre-heat your stainless steel pan prior to putting any food in it. Additionally, when cooking on medium or high heat, avoid constantly stirring/flipping your food and allow it to brown and caramelize on the bottom of the pan. This caramelization also called the Maillard reaction, will naturally release your food from the bottom of the pan without much effort.

Ceramic coated and pure ceramic pans are similar but have different care and maintenance. Ceramic-coated pans have a core of aluminum or stainless steel and heat up differently from a pure ceramic pan. Pure ceramic can crack or chick easily due to thermal shock and is much more heavy then the lightweight ceramic-coated pan.

Carbon steel is much like cast iron, in that it requires a build-up of seasoning on the pan in order for it to truly become non-stick. Carbon steel pans usually come with a protective coating of beeswax, and it is necessary to fully remove the beeswax before attempting to build up the seasoning of the pan. However, carbon steel is much more lightweight than cast iron and comes in a larger variety of shapes and sizes for various cooking techniques.

Anodized aluminum isn’t my favorite material for non-toxic pans, because you can still damage the pan using metal utensils or abrasive cleaners. However, anodization uses an electric current to thicken the natural oxide layer on aluminum, creating a hard, durable surface. The finished surface is more resistant to scratches, corrosion, and wear, and it becomes non-porous.

Titanium is the priciest of all the non-toxic cookware, and I don’t recommend it, as you can damage it with metal utensils or abrasive cleaning agents. However, they are very lightweight and durable, and when cared for properly, can last a lifetime. Unlike cast iron and carbon steel, they resist rust and corrosion, ensuring longevity even with regular use.

Honorable mention— Hexclad Pans: while they are marketed as non-toxic pans, and formualted without PFOAs, the non-stick coating that is woven in between the stainless steel hexagons, is a proprietary non-stick formula. In laments terms, no one really knows what it is, which makes me weary of suggesting as a truly non-toxic product.

WHAT IS THE SAFEST COOKWARE FOR YOUR HEALTH?

Cookware made from natural, non-reactive materials are generally the safest option. The most popular materials for non-toxic cookware are cast iron, stainless steel, and pure ceramic. These materials minimize the harmful leaching of potentially dangerous chemicals into your food. Each has its benefits—cast iron adds a bit of dietary iron, stainless steel offers durability and even heating, and ceramic provides a completely non-chemical non-stick surface.

WHAT IS THE SAFEST NON-STICK PAN?

The safest non-stick pan are ceramic or enamel coated non-stick pans. Unlike teflon, ceramic coatings are free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAs, and any other synthetic, toxic chemicals. However, it is still important to use proper care for your ceramic non-stick pans. Always read the care instructions that come with your set of ceramic cookware, and avoid overheating to maintain the ceramic coating.

WHICH PAN IS NOT CANCEROUS?

Exposure to certain chemicals has been associated with health issues including hormonal imbalances, respiratory problems, and even cancer. By choosing non-toxic cookware for your kitchen, you reduce the overall exposure to these chemicals. That being said, no pan is inherently carcinogenic, but non-toxic cookware will help your peace of mind, especially during high-heat cooking. It ensures that the food you cook and eat is free from contaminants that could build up in your body over time.

Cast iron, high-quality stainless steel, and pure ceramic pans are non-carcinogenic because they don’t contain toxic coatings or additives.

HOW TO TELL IF A PAN IS NON-TOXIC?

The best way to tell if a pan is non-toxic is to do research and look for labels such as “PFOA-free,” “PFAS-free,” “lead-free,” or “cadmium-free.” Check the manufacturing materials and ensure that the cookware is made from natural materials, like stainless steel, cast iron or pure ceramic.

I like to buy from reputable brands, so I will look for third party testing results, and read customer reviews to ensure that the product I am buying is safe and non-toxic.It is very important to read care and usage instructions to ensure you maintain the pan in a way that keeps it non-toxic.

WHICH IS HEALTHIER, TEFLON OR CERAMIC?

Today, teflon is widely recognized as not safe to use in kitchens. Teflon and other traditional non-stick pans contain substances like heavy metals, PTFE, PFOA, or PFAS, which, when overheated (typically above 500°F-260°C), can release toxic fumes or particles.

As long as you use and maintain properly, the integrity and safety of the pan will remain.

WHAT IS THE MOST “NON-TOXIC” TYPE OF COOKWARE?

To me, the most “non-toxic” type of cookware is Stainless Steel. While cast iron and carbon steel are also made from natural materials, they both require “seasoning” to act as a protective cooking surface, which can be scratched off over time with normal use. Ceramic coated and pure ceramic pans are delicate in terms of thermal shock, and can chip and crack if not cared for properly.

Manufacturing techniques like cold rolling and heat treatment strengthen the metal’s structure, increasing its resistance to bending, denting, and warping with regular use. The chromium oxide layer not only resists rust but also reinforces the metal’s structure, contributing to the pan’s overall durability. These reasons along with it’s unique alloy composition, make stainless steel pans my number one choice for non-toxic pan.

This blog post was about what kind of pans are non-toxic.

This blog post serves as a comprehensive guide to non-toxic cookware, exploring various materials—from cast iron, stainless steel, and both ceramic-coated and pure ceramic, to carbon steel, anodized aluminum, and titanium—and detailing their unique benefits, maintenance needs, and safety profiles. It explains how natural, non-reactive materials minimize chemical leaching into food, highlights the importance of proper seasoning for cast iron and carbon steel, clarifies common misconceptions about stainless steel’s non-stick properties, and compares the durability and care requirements of ceramic options, anodized aluminum, and titanium. Additionally, the post discusses key concerns such as identifying non-toxic pans through certifications and reputable brands, the health risks associated with Teflon versus ceramic coatings, and ultimately advocates for stainless steel as the most balanced and safe choice for everyday cooking.

*Consult your doctor if you have any outlying health concerns due to the use of your cookware. This post is based on my personal experience and research. Please do your own research when deciding what type of cookware is best for you.

The post What kind of Pans are Non-Toxic? | The Best Non-Toxic Pans on the Market appeared first on SophieFoodie.

The holiday season is here, which means it is time to break out the mixing bowls and Christmas cookie baking essentials. Baking during the holidays can be a lot of fun! While the cookies bake, sweet swirls of cinnamon and vanilla warm your home. After the cookies cool, you can decorate them with dark and white chocolate swizzles, sparkling green and red sprinkles, or pipe charismatic faces on your gingerbread family.

When baking Christmas cookies, having the right tools and ingredients can make all the difference in your baking experience. This guide will walk you through the must-have essentials for Christmas cookie baking to help you measure your ingredients, decorate your cookies with professional designs, and properly store baked cookies for Santa until Christmas Eve.

This post is about Christmas cookie baking essentials.

CHRISTMAS COOKIE ESSENTIAL BAKING TOOLS

Accurate measurements are the key to successful baking. Baking is a science — baking relies on precise ratios to ensure the right texture, flavor, and structure. Even just an additional tablespoon of oil can completely throw off your cookie dough’s texture, which will impact how the cookies rise, taste and look. For this reason, it is crucial to have a good set of measuring cups and spoons.

To create perfect, uniform cookies, you’ll need a rolling pin, cookie cutters and scoops. Make sure you have these Christmas cookie baking essentials on hand prior to making the cookie dough. Gingerbread, sugar cookies, and shortbread all require the dough to be rolled out thin before cutting into your desired shapes. Cookie cutters can add some fun festive designs to your cookies. Cookie dough scoops are perfect for drop cookies, like chocolate crinkle, snickerdoodle and peanut butter blossoms. All three of these tools will allow the cookies to bake evenly since they are all the same shape, size and thickness.

You will need tools for mixing, stirring and transferring your cookies. A variety of heat-resistant spatulas are handy for getting every last bit of cookie dough off of the mixing paddle, or scraping down the sides of your mixing bowl. Some Christmas cookie recipes may require you to whip your egg whites, and to do this, you will need a whisk. You’ll need a strong tool to help mix your Christmas cookie recipes. Wooden spoons are great for mixing your ingredients together, especially when the cookie dough gets thick.

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT FOR BAKING AND PREPARING COOKIES

Mixing bowls come in a variety of materials, and depending on what recipe you are working from, you may need to use a glass or stainless mixing bowl. Plastic and silicon bowls are not recommended for baking because those materials are porous and can hold onto unwanted smells and flavors from the ceaser dressing you made the day before.

Most cookie doughs require mixing your ingredients to ensure there are no lumps of unmixed flour, or unproperly whisked egg. You can do this by hand with a whisk, but using an electric hand mixer, or stand mixer will create more consistent results. If you plan to make larger batches of cookies, a stand mixer may be the better option for you, as the motor is much stronger than the hand mixer. Additionally, with a stand mixer, you can go completely hands free and walk away to grab a bake of cookies out of the oven while the mixer is still going.

KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red

$379.95

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

10/07/2025 10:35 am GMT

When cookies are left on a hot sheet pan, they will continue to cook before they have time to cool down. This can lead to overbaked, burnt cookie bottoms. Cooling racks promote airflow from all sides of the cookie, so it can immediately start to cool down as soon as it is pulled from the oven.

PERFECTING YOUR COOKIES WITH THE RIGHT SURFACES

The surface you bake the cookies on can affect how they bake and how easily they release from the pan. Non-stick cookie sheets are coated with a surface that prevents cookies from sticking, allowing for easy release. They’re convenient because they don’t require additional liners like parchment or silicone mats, and they typically brown cookies well due to direct contact with the sheet. However, because the cookie dough is in direct contact with the pan, they heat up faster, which can overbake the bottom of the cookies, and cause them to spread out too much. Over time, the non-stick coating can wear off or become scratched, reducing its effectiveness.

Parchment paper creates a nonstick surface on any material. It gives the cookie dough something to stick to to evenly brown and spread on the baking pan. It’s also great for easy cleanup—just toss it after baking! The paper is single-use, and easily disposable. If you choose to bake in a convection oven, the paper can blow up and shift around, which may cause the cookies to be misshapen.

Silicone baking mats are great for those who bake a lot. They consistently create a non-stick surface and are much more environmentally friendly than single-use parchment. Because the silicone is thicker than paper, you won’t see as much browning on the bottom of the cookie. Silicone baking mats can be bulky to store in your kitchen. While they require more of an initial investment, silicone baking mats will last a lifetime.

SPECIALTY TOOLS FOR CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Additional baking tools may be needed if you plan to pipe frosting or icing on your cookies. Piping bags, piping tips, and food coloring are all necessary when creating flood icing for your Christmas Sugar Cookies.

You can create intricate Christmas cookie shapes using a cookie press. When you load the cookie dough into the press, pull the trigger to release the shape straight onto the baking sheet. If you want to create decorative spritz cookies, you will need a spritz gun. They are super simple to decorate with colorful sugars, candies or nuts.

Silicone molds or stamps can create festive patterns and shapes. Create an army of gingerbread men with a silicone Christmas cookie mold pop them out onto the sheet pan.

STAPLE INGREDIENTS FOR CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKING

This probably comes as no surprise, but you will need flour and sugar when you are making Christmas cookies. Having a variety of different flours on hand allows you to be prepared no matter what recipe you are working from. All-purpose flour, Bread flour, Cake flour, almond flour, Gluten-free flour are all good options to have on hand. Additionally, you will need powdered, granulated and brown sugars.

Cookie dough also requires fats, and unsalted butter is the most popular choice in baking. Using unsalted butter allows the baker to control the salt levels in their food, which is important when creating a sweet dessert. Using shortening instead of butter can create a lighter and fluffier texture in your cookies. Shortening melts at a higher temperature and is made of 100% fat, whereas butter contains water, which will create steam in your baked goods.

Eggs play an important role in your baked goods in a variety of ways. Eggs act as a leavener when mixed with sugar, they will trap air inside the baked good, allowing them to rise. Additionaly, eggs act as a binder and help the cookies hold their shape. Baking soda and baking powder are two different ingredients with two different chemical compositions. They each will react differently in your cookie dough. Baking powder does not need an acid to activate as a leavener, however, baking soda does.

To make your cookies more flavorful and festive, spices and other flavorings can be added to your dough. Warm baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are classic holiday favorites. Adding in vanilla extract or peppermint extract can give your cookies a unique twist. Chocolate chips, nuts, and other popular add-ins are fun to customize your cookies with.

TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKING

Again, baking during the holidays is meant to be fun, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t stressful. If you plan on baking dozens of cookies during the season, consider prepping the dough in advance. Storing and freezing your dough allows for quick baking during the busy holiday season.

Batch baking can also save you a lot of time during the holidays. Bake large batches of cookies all at once instead of switching between different recipes. If two cookies require different temperatures to bake, you will waste a lot of time waiting for the oven to cool down and heat up in between batches.

When it comes to storing baked Christmas cookies, you have a couple of options. You can always freeze them in tupperware lined with parchment if you need them to last until Christmas Eve. Most cookies do best on the counter if they are eaten within a few days. Simply leave them on a plate, or pop them into a gallon bag. If you live in a particularly humid environment, storing your cookies in well-sealed tupperware is your best option.

Best practices for keeping your cookies fresh when gifting them would include gifting them in a sealed box or tin. Line each layer of cookies with a small sheet of parchment paper to protect your cookie’s designs. Plan to gift your cookies within 48 hours of baking them. If you choose to freeze your cookies prior to gifting them, be sure to let the cookies thaw out at room temperature before boxing them up.

This post was about Christmas Cookie Baking Essentials.

This blog post gives the reader a detailed look at the essential equipment and tools needed to bake Christmas cookies during the holiday season sucessfully and tips for stress-free Christmas cookie baking. This will help the reader feel confident and prepared about baking Christmas cookies. The post also includes tips to make the cookies more flavorful, personalized, and unique. The outline of the post provides the readers the choice to purchase the Christmas cookie baking essentials that are mentioned in the post with links to the recommended products. Readers can read the beginning of the post for a list of the Christmas cookie baking essentials, or read the entire post for a detailed overview of baking Christmas cookies at home.

The post Christmas Cookie Baking Essentials appeared first on SophieFoodie.

I’ll quickly walk you through all my favorite Amazon kitchen must-haves that have improved cooking at home for me. If you have a product that is an Amazon kitchen must-have, drop it below in the comments!

This post is about Amazon kitchen must-haves.

Top Recommended Kitchen Must Haves from Amazon

1. Kitchen Towels

Kitchen towels come in handy for many different uses while spending time in your kitchen. I like these particular kitchen towels because they are super absorbent and very affordable. They look great in any kitchen color scheme and have been a reliable standby kitchen towel in my home for many years.

2. Kitchen Floor Mats

When you find yourself in your kitchen, you are either cooking or doing dishes, and both tasks require you to be standing for long periods. This is why kitchen mats for the floor make it on this list of must-haves. Not only do these kitchen floor mats add to the overall look and aesthetic of your kitchen, but they save your back and support your feet when carrying out tasks in your kitchen.

3. Kitchen Spoon Rest

This kitchen spoon rest is one of my favorite Amazon kitchen must-haves. For the longest time, when I was cooking, I would just put my spoon down on the dirty counter. I like how this kitchen spoon rest adds a pop of color to my countertop, while protecting it and keeping it clean.

4. Kitchen Scale

When cooking your favorite recipes, you might notice that some ingredients are listed in grams or ounces. The only way to get these exact measurements is to use a kitchen scale. The kitchen scale is great because it is wipeable and has a long-lasting battery, which is perfect when you are getting messy in your kitchen. This is an Amazon kitchen gadget that would make a great gift as well!

5. Kitchen Pepper Mill

As a chef, my number one piece of advice to make your food taste good is to ALWAYS season with salt and pepper. This kitchen pepper grinder is one of my Amazon kitchen must-haves because of the huge opening for you to refill your peppercorns. It never gets jammed and is super easy to wipe clean. The simple, sleek design looks good in any kitchen, and the pepper output is fantastic!

6. Kitchen Organizers

I don’t know about you, but I seriously can not stand a cluttered kitchen. For me, kitchen organizers, are a MUST. I personally love these kitchen organizers because they are clear, which makes finding my pantry essentials easy! Hands down, kitchen organizers are one of my top Amazon kitchen must-haves.

7. Kitchen Scissors

Whenever you get a bag of frozen veggies you can’t open, a good pair of kitchen scissors comes in handy. I love these kitchen scissors, because they are strong enough to cut through tough vegetables, making trimming up my mise en place a breeze. But what sets them apart, is that they are dishwasher safe!

8. Kitchen Trash Can

No one likes to stare at a bulky kitchen trash can. This next Amazon kitchen must-have is used the most often, which is why for me, it needs to look just as good as it functions. I have used this kitchen trash can for over 5 years now, and I love how seamless and modern it looks against the kitchen island. It has a foot pedal that allows for touchless opening and is super easy to wipe to keep clean.

9. Kitchen Sink Organizer

I spend a lot of time at the kitchen sink, and as I mentioned before, I can’t stand a cluttered kitchen! This kitchen sink organizer looks beautiful and keeps everything I need to do the dishes within reach. I love that there is plenty of space to add a ring dish, or even a candle, to add some warmth to my kitchen.

10. Kitchen Utensil Organizer

It can be overwhelming to keep all your kitchen utensils organized, which is why this kitchen utensil holder is perfect for keeping all your whisk, rubber spatula, and tongs together. Since this is a kitchen must-have that lives on your counter, it is super important that this looks good. The neutral colorways of this ceramic kitchen utensil holder make it look more expensive than it is. If you have a bunch of kitchen utensils, a set of 3 of these would look nice side by side on your kitchen island so that your kitchen utensils are always within reach!

This post was about Amazon kitchen must-haves.

The post The Best Amazon Kitchen Must Haves That Live Up to The Hype appeared first on SophieFoodie.

Kitchens are one of those spaces in your first apartment that are particularly confusing. It’s very easy to get suckered into those must-buys for the first apartment—for example, the aesthetically pretty kitchen appliances, or the colorful matching pot and pan set. As a chef, and an apartment dweller myself, I’m here to simplify your first apartment checklist. I’ll share with you the essential kitchen tools for your first apartment.

This post is about essential kitchen tools for your first apartment.

11 Essential Kitchen Tools

1. Best Chef’s Knife

As a chef, I can’t help but stress how important a good chef’s knife is. Arguably, it is a chef’s most important kitchen tool. As you learn your way around a kitchen and cook more often, you’ll find what you like and don’t like in your kitchen knives.

RELATED POST: Cooking Tips and Tricks

However, for your first apartment, I think a simple 8-inch stainless steel knife will be more than adequate. I still have this knife in my collection today after cooking professionally for over 10 years! That is why it is my number one choice on my list of essential kitchen tools for your first apartment. It’s affordable, reliable, and super comfortable to use.

Foodie Tip! A knife is only helpful if it is sharp, so grab yourself a steel and learn how to use a knife sharpener rod! Depending on how often you chop and slice, take your knife to get properly sharpened and establish a new edge once a year.

2. Best Cutting Board

While we are talking about keeping your knife sharp, it’s important to note that the surface you choose to cut or slice on will either help or hurt the longevity of your knife’s edge. Cutting on a hard surface can be super damaging for your knives. Materials like granite, glass, or ceramic dull your knives as the materials are stronger than the blade’s steel.

Wooden cutting boards are the best for protecting your knife’s edge, but they can be difficult to clean and sanitize properly (and pricey!) for someone moving into your first apartment. The best cutting boards are the Epicurean boards, made from a paper composite material, making them a climate-friendly option compared to a huge solid wood cutting board. They are durable, knife-friendly, lightweight, and dishwasher safe (which is a huge plus over a standard wood cutting board). These cutting boards will last you many years, and look beautiful in any kitchen, which makes these one of my favorite essential kitchen tools for your first apartment.

3. Best Tea Kettle

Regardless if you are a college student in your first apartment, or moving up in the world as a young professional, you’re going to want to start your day with a hot beverage. As much as we would love to buy a specialty coffee every morning at our local coffee shop, it’s simply not feasible. Having the ability to make your coffee or tea at home not only will save you time in the morning, but also money! This is why this is another top choice as an essential kitchen tool for your first apartment.

For those who prefer tea, grab yourself an electric kettle. Not only can you make your own London Fog lattes, but an electric kettle can double for heating up your boiling water for other things (like instant noodles or a bowl of oatmeal). Electric kettles can also make instant coffee, hot chocolate, and other warm beverages. And if all those things sound good to you, then maybe purchase both the coffee pot and the electric kettle. This is my favorite electric kettle, I love the different temperature buttons on the front, the “keep warm” function, and the aesthetic of the clear glass so you can see the water boiling.

4. Best Nonstick Frying Pan

Nonstick pans create the perfect surface for frying eggs, cooking the perfect fluffy pancakes, and searing crispy skin on a delicate filet of fish. They are easy to maintain and clean, with the most effort being warm water and a sponge.

Because of all these wonderful qualities, a lot of first-time apartment owners may make the mistake of having all their cookware non-stick. All you need is one really good nonstick pan, and I love this little 8-inch nonstick fry pan by Calphalon. It’s oven-safe up to 400 degrees and compatible with all cooktops (gas, electric, and smooth surface non-induction).

5. Best Whisk, Best Rubber Spatula and Best Tongs

What is a smallware? It is the smaller kitchen tools and utensils that fit inside a drawer, but carry out very important cooking tasks. I’d say there are 3 essential kitchen tools when it comes to smallwares: a whisk, heat resistant spatula, and a pair of tongs.

You don’t need to overthink this one. A whisk is helpful to whisk up your scrambled eggs, make a homemade vinaigrette for a salad, or whisk together your brownie ingredients when you feel like baking. A *heat-resistant* spatula (very important to differentiate this from those cute patterned spatulas) is perfect for stirring and sautéing vegetables in a pan, scraping up the delicious brown fond in the bottom of a pan when making a sauce, or even smoothing out some frosting on your tray bakes. I recommend a heat-resistant silicone material that won’t melt into your food when cooking with them. A pair of tongs are great for grabbing hot food in a pan and turning it— think chicken breasts, pasta, or that hot pocket that got pushed into the back of the hot oven.

6. Best Cookware

You do not, and should not, need to spend hundreds of dollars on a pot and pan set when you move into your first apartment. A sidebar: do not get suckered into those colorful ceramic pot and pan sets, or the pans that claim to be nonstick with their hexagon patterned bottoms (Gordon, I’m looking at you). When you are looking for your kitchen must-haves for your first apartment, consider how often you will be cooking, and what you will be cooking the most of.

Typically, only one or two saucepans or pots are needed to get started. The two brands I recommend are All-Clad and Calphalon. Both of these brands offer durability from high-quality materials and beautiful designs. For your first apartment, I recommend moving away from the cheaper pots and pans that you used in your younger years (T-fal, Tramontina, and Farberware) and instead, look at it as investing in your kitchen collection for the future.

For the 6 years I lived in my tiny one-bedroom apartment, I only owned 2 Calphalon pots and 2 All-Clad pans, which is all I ever found myself needing. I still have these pots and pans in my collection, and I’ve been able to invest in more over the years as I cook and entertain more frequently. Now, as a professional chef, I cook with mostly French carbon steel pans and copper pots. But for a majority of home cooks, stainless steel or hard-anodized aluminum cookware is the easiest to maintain.

7. Best Food Thermometer

For those who are learning to cook on their own, food safety might not be at the front of your mind. Therefore, it is very important to cook your food to the correct temperature, so that you do not get sick with a foodborne illness.

One way to check the doneness of your chicken is to make a small cut in the thickest part of the bird and see if clear juices leak out. But, the only way to properly ensure that chicken is cooked to 165 ° F, is to check it with a thermometer. I love this food thermometer because it is water-proof and instant-read, which means that it returns the most accurate temperature when you are probing your foods.

8. Best Spice Rack Organizer

For those who are learning to cook, and explore their culinary skills, it’s important to have your cabinets stocked with spices and herbs. You have two options when deciding on what spice rack organizer is best for you. One option is to buy one of those nice-looking countertop spice racks that can be displayed in the kitchen. However, there’s no choice of spices that come with it, and usually a third of them never get opened and collect dust. However, I still think this is the best option for those who are moving into their first apartment.

Another option is to buy individual glass jars and personalize your spice collection with those spices and herbs you know will get used. This is the better option for those who are more comfortable with cooking in their kitchens, and see their spice collection as a long-term investment. Long term, this is also a more cost-effective option, as you end up buying your spices in bulk for pennies and refilling as needed. These are the glass spice jars that I am currently using in my apartment. I love that I can see the colorful spices when I open up my cabinet, with clean, uniform, and easy-to-read labels.

9. Best Baking Dish and Best Dutch Oven

For your first apartment, you don’t need both a baking dish and a Dutch oven— either one will do. They carry out very similar functions, though they are slightly different, so it depends on what you see yourself utilizing more of in your kitchen. I found that my Pyrex baking dish had more versatility and functionality in my first apartment’s kitchen than a Dutch oven, but my husband argues that he didn’t see a use for a baking dish and only had a Dutch oven.

A baking dish is great for lasagne, casseroles and even roasting whole cuts of protein. You can also bake cakes, cobblers, and brownies in them. They are usually much wider than Dutch ovens and have shorter sides. Dutch ovens are great for braising or slow-cooking whole cuts of meat, making soups or stews, or baking bread! They come with a lid and have higher sides, which both function to keep the moisture from escaping when you are cooking.

Dutch ovens are more expensive than baking dishes because they are made from more expensive materials, usually cast iron, which can be coated in a shiny enamel coating. If you are looking for a durable, affordable Dutch oven, I recommend the brand Lodge, which is also my top pick when it comes to cast iron pans. However, if you see yourself using a Dutch oven frequently, and are looking to spend a little more, Le Creuset is my tried and true, with equal qualities of beauty in design and cooking effectiveness.

10. Best Measuring Cups and Spoons

When you are learning to cook in your first apartment, you will most likely be experimenting with recipes you find in cookbooks or on food blogs! It is important to note that there is a difference between dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups. If a recipe for sourdough bread calls for one cup of flour and one cup of water, you will need both a dry measuring cup and a liquid measuring cup.

I recommend getting a matching set of measuring cups and measuring spoons so that they can nestle inside each other and save you space. As for the liquid measuring cup, if you are living by yourself or with a roommate, a simple quart measuring cup will do the trick. I recommend a heat-resistant quart measuring cup that can easily be popped in the microwave if you need a quart of hot chicken stock for your risotto recipe.

11. Best Mixing Bowl

While I was able to manage without a mixing bowl for several years (I used my cereal bowls as mixing bowls, but I don’t recommend that because I STRUGGLED), you will learn that you will be much more efficient if you have one on hand in your first apartment.

Mixing Bowls are necessary for whisking vinaigrettes, mixing ground meat and spices for meatballs, and marinating chicken overnight. In addition to using mixing bowls in the kitchen to cook with, you can also get multi-use out of them by using them as serving bowls for salads and side dishes. I love this set of nesting mixing bowls because they are heat-safe, dishwasher-safe, and made from beautiful glass that will not warp over time.

What You Don’t Need

Toaster – You can use the oven to broil or toast bread. Unless you don’t have an oven, then I seriously recommend investing in this countertop oven by Breville. In addition to toasting bread, this appliance can reheat your leftovers, roast a pork loin, and even bake cookies.

Oven mitts and potholders – To this day, I still just use folded kitchen towels, as they are multi-use and can easily be thrown into the washing machine if they get dirty.

Blenders and other Uni-taskers – Unless you’re big into smoothies, there is no point in having a blender taking up space in your kitchen. If you must have one, ask your parents or friends to pitch in for one as a birthday or holiday gift. Other examples of uni-taskers that take up a lot of space are rice cookers, toasters, or even something silly like an avocado slicer (seriously people, just use your knife).

This post was intended to show you essential kitchen tools for your first apartment.

The post 11 Essential Kitchen Tools for Your First Apartment appeared first on SophieFoodie.