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How to Choose the Right Kitchen Utensils?
The kitchen is where creative processes flourish. Be it the recipe that was passed on from generation to generation or something new that you tried, it is all part of a creative process that originates from the heart and out of love. This makes your kitchen the most important part of the home. And as such your kitchen should be equipped with the best of the tools to ensure that your artistic process is not interrupted.
There are essential tools and then there are tools that you do not probably need but really want. It is very easy to get carried away when buying kitchen equipment. Just keep in mind the following points before choosing your kitchen utensils and you are sure not to go overboard.
Do You Need it?
To answer this question, tell us if you have a good-sized kitchen or one of those tiny apartment kitchens. A good-sized kitchen gives you the creative freedom to pick whatever you want. But if you have a small kitchen, you might want to give a thought and choose only what you would use.
Spatulas, spoons (stirring and serving), ladles, wire whisk, grater, peeler and measuring cups are an absolute must. On the other hand, you also have a pizza cutter, zester, masher, etc which can be optional. When it comes to pots and pans, kadai of various sizes, frying pans and tawas are an absolute must.
What Material is it Made of?
Your kitchen utensils can be made of a host of materials. Spatulas, spoons and ladles can either be plastic, stainless steel or wood. Choose one that suits your budget and cooking needs. Plastic can be quite cheap but wood, on the other hand, is expensive.
Cooking vessels can also be made of aluminium or stainless steel or copper. Aluminium and stainless steel are quite common. Copper can be toxic with certain cooked food, hence has a stainless steel coating. While the above materials are classic, you can also go for a Teflon or ceramic coated vessel for easy cooking. Interested in getting back to the roots, go for stoneware or clayware for cooking.
Is it of Good Quality?
How can you differentiate between an off the rack cheap vessel or utensil and a quality product? It is not quite easy unless you go for branded products like Prestige or Wonderchef. A high-quality product would go for a longer period of time without any need for replacement or repairs. A quality vessel distributes heat evenly and doesn't scratch easily; A good spoon and ladle would not disturb the coating on your vessel. Invest in a quality product that stays with you for years and throughout your cooking adventure.
Does it Exceed Your Budget?
As with every purchase, plan your budget before jumping the gun. It is not wise to stock your kitchen at the expense of a hole in your purse. Go for the kitchen essentials that you simply cannot do without. As for the rest, reach for cheaper products until you can pitch in for quality products. Another tip when on a tight budget is to go for individual products and not a set. Sets can be pretty expensive, but with individual products, you get to choose your most essential needs.
Have You Researched Enough?
Are you picking the first product you see online or at a store? Or are you researching the products and the brand? Take your time, research on the various products, materials and brands before zeroing on a product. As the final step, compare the prices at various shops to score the best price for the product. Just like your makeup or skincare, you can also find reviews for kitchen utensils and vessels. Make good use of them.
6 Top Kitchen Utensils Just for Your Kitchen
Nylon Kitchen Tool Set
The 6 piece kitchen tool set from Shri and Sam is one of the most beautiful and finest of utensils to adorn your kitchen. The colourful kitchen tools have their heads made from nylon which accounts for their bendability. Moreover, they do not spoil the non-stick coating of your pan, and hence can be used with your non-stick pan too. Priced at Rs.949 on Shri and Sam, the modern and trendy kitchen tool set includes slotted spoon, pasta server, skimmer, masher, ladle and the grater that doubles up as a tool holder.
IKEA 365+ Vardefull Garlic press
Peeling those tiny bulbs can really be a pain unless you have the 365+ VÄRDEFULL Garlic Press by Ikea. With a synthetic rubber handle and zinc, matt chrome-plated body, the garlic press is designed for ease of use and clean. The rubberized handle provides a firm grip and is dishwasher-safe. Costing you Rs.349, the garlic press opens up on the side as well, so you can easily clean by running it under a tap. It can also press your unpeeled garlic cloves.
Trio of Bamboo Cooking Utensils
Ever had the pleasure of using a wooden kitchen utensil? A trio of Bamboo Kitchen Utensils from Bambu Home has a splendid set, perfect to adorn your kitchen. Being made from a single piece of USDA certified organic bamboo, the spoon neither imparts nor absorbs any flavour. They are lightweight, last longer than wood and are made without any glues or lacquers. Added to that, they are also stain-resistant and anti-microbial, preferably hand washed for a longer life span. The Trio of Bamboo Kitchen Utensils is available to buy for $15 or Rs.1,144.
Coconut Wood Spoon
Called the 'Tree of Life' the coconut wood is a sustainable alternative for wood in general. Spoons made from the coconut wood with its light brown colour and grains makes for beautiful spoons. The set of 4 Coconut Wood Spoons from QTrove is eco-friendly and handmade from felled coconut trees. The wood is then collected, cut, sanded and finally coated with coconut oil. Each spoon with its unique design and wooden patterns is great for everyday use. It is available to buy for Rs.499.
Black Silicone Utensils with Acacia Handles
Showcase your cooking in style with the Black Silicone Utensils with Acacia Handles. The utensils feature a black silicone head with rounded wooden handles. Perfect for prepping and cooking, these spoons are safe to use on non-stick as well. They are heat resistant up to 500 degrees and should be hand washed. The silicone utensil set of 6 includes a whisk, turner, ladle, slotted spoon, spoon and spoonula. Priced at $39.96 or Rs.3,048, the Black Silicone Utensils with Acacia Handles are available at Crate and Barrel.
Elephant Strainers Colander
A colander is an unassuming yet essential part of the kitchen. Made of premium quality stainless steel, the colander basket is stain-resistant and rust-resistant. It features handles on both sides and a sturdy stand which makes it easy to operate. The colander comes with a strong mesh basket built from high-quality stainless steel wire mesh. With a diameter of 33 cm and a height of 11.2 cm, it can be used to strain vegetables, rice, pulses and more. Buy it from Home Centre for Rs.499.
Pots, Pans and Kadai
Kavakkad Saucepan Set
If you don't have a saucepan yet, the Kavakkad Saucepan Set is a must-have in your kitchen. It comes handy when making a lot of dishes like biryani, pasta, curries and more. This saucepan is made of aluminium, which accounts for its low weight and ease of use. Aluminium spreads heat evenly, and thus effects efficient energy usage. The pans have non-stick Teflon coating without the harmful PFOA. The set comprises three saucepans measuring 1l, 1.5l and 2l. Priced at Rs.949, you can buy it from Ikea.
Omega Deluxe Granite Build Your Kitchen
It’s not uncommon to get confused when setting up a kitchen. But when it comes to essentials, you can turn a blind eye and pick up the Omega Deluxe Granite Build Your Kitchen by Prestige. The set includes a kadai with lid measuring 240mm, tawa measuring 280 mm and fry pan measuring 240mm. It is made of aluminium with a non-stick coating and a durable granite finish. With a warranty of 2 years, the set is both gas and induction compatible. Costing you Rs.1,945, the Omega Deluxe Granite Build Your Kitchen is available to buy at Prestige Exclusive.
Wonderchef Celebration Set of 6 Aluminium Cookware Sets
Is your kitchen dull and boring? Why not introduce colours into your kitchen starting with your cookware? The Wonderchef Celebration set in turquoise blue is the much-needed addition to your kitchen. With the primary metal as aluminium, it has a non-stick coating in the same turquoise blue. Available to buy at Home Town, the vibrant set comes with a dosa tawa, grill pan, tadka pan and a wok with a lid. Costing you Rs.2,500, it comes with a warranty of 12 months.
Wonderchef Ferro Cast-Iron Casserole
Is your kitchen complete without a casserole? Be it a dum biryani or koftas, the cast-iron casserole is your cookware. The heavy cast iron pan gives an even heat distribution and perfect for old school slow cooking. The cast iron keeps the heat and transfers it evenly, which is incidentally perfect for a dum biryani. The cookware is a vibrant red and adds a splash of colour to your kitchen. It comes with a heavy lid that seals in the moisture. The lid has small holes in the inner side which funnels the evaporated juice directly to the food itself, giving the dish even more flavour. The casserole is safe to use in the oven, grill, dishwasher and freezer. It can be used on gas and induction stoves. It is available in 5 different sizes with the smallest one measuring 0.8l. Priced at Rs.3,199 for 0.8l, the Wonderchef Ferro Cast-Iron Casserole is available to buy at Wonder Chef.
Kitchen Essentials
While the kitchen essential remains the same for everyone, certain essentials remain primarily important for an Indian kitchen. Without these, your time in the kitchen would be cumbersome. These make your time in the kitchen a breeze and makes multi-tasking much easier.
Classic Masala Box
Indian cooking is not complete without a multitude of spices. Even the simplest of dishes have many spices. These spices have to be stored in an airtight box, else they lose their freshness and the kick. Hence it’s common to store them in a masala box. This Indian kitchen staple is a round box with little boxes inside to hold all the necessary spices. This way all the essential spices can be accessed in one go. The Masala Box by Shri and Sam is a classic round box with 7 little boxes to hold all the spices. Made from premium quality stainless steel, the box comes with an airtight lid to keep in the freshness. The product is durable, rust-free, dishwasher-friendly and is of food-grade. The classic masala box is available for Rs.1,149.
Rolling Pin & Board
Another kitchen staple in the Indian kitchens is the chakla and belan, otherwise called the rolling pin and the board. The chakla is where you roll the chapati or the flatbread dough to its round shape with the help of the rolling pin. The one we have for you is made of wood. Wood gives it traction and makes it easy to roll the chapati. The sleek rolling pin helps you to attain the right thickness for a perfect chapati. Buy the Pin to Pen Rolling Pin & Board from Paytm Mall for Rs.444.
Knife Board Set
A good knife set reduces your time in the kitchen significantly. Indian cooking requires fine chopping and however good your chopping skills are, a good knife set like the TrueEdge Knife Board Set from Prestige makes everything easier. The 7 piece knife set includes a chef’s knife, cook’s knife, paring knife, utility knife, vegetable knife, kitchen scissors and a cutting board. Made from high quality tempered steel, the knife has an attractive black handle designed for a perfect grip. Costing you Rs.450, the Knife Board Set is available to buy at Prestige Exclusive.
Wooden Brown Spice Mortar and Pestle
Ever seen an Indian kitchen without a mortar and pestle? Mortar ground spices have a fresh smell and flavour that’s synonymous with Indian food. The Wooden Brown Spice Mortar and Pestle is one of the finest out there. Made of wood, the mortar has an engraved running pattern running along the top. The ergonomically designed pestle makes it easy for you to grind your spices to your desired consistency. Priced at Rs.1,039, it is available to buy from Myntra.
Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Baking requires precise measurement. With everyone getting started on baking, we suggest you have a set of Measuring Cups and Spoons. Made from premium quality durable plastic, the set comes with 4 cups and 4 spoons of varying measurements. The measuring cups include 240 ml, 160 ml (⅔ cup), 120 ml (½ cup) and 60 ml (1/2 cup). The measuring spoons include 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon and ¼ teaspoon. Designed for both left and right-handed cooks, the Measuring Cups and Spoons Set costs you Rs.299. Buy it from Shopclues.
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Getting the right Kitchenware for Your Kitchen
If you are not a cooking enthusiast and want to stick to a frugal budget, it is better to get individual items, which might cost you less. But if you really enjoy cooking, and have a bit of budget to spare, do splurge on aesthetic looking kitchenware sets which will also add an element of fun to your hobby. You should also invest a bit in having good containers for spices and condiments so that you never mix them up. Have a great time cooking!