There are lots of benefits to cooking at home. For one thing, home-cooked meals tend to be healthier, which is a huge plus if you’re living with a long-term health condition or looking to lose a little weight. Home cooking is also less expensive than eating at a restaurant or from a takeaway. Cooking can also boost your mood and enjoying a meal together is a great way to bring your family and friends closer.

If you’re thinking of taking up cooking as a hobby or want to start making more meals at home from scratch, you may be wondering what kind of equipment you should invest in before you get started.

In this article, we’ll list the top 10 essential kitchen tools for beginner cooks to help you on your way.

1. A non-stick frying pan

A non-stick frying pan is a must-have for any kitchen. These low-maintenance pans prevent your food from sticking to the bottom during cooking, making them an excellent choice for beginner cooks.

You do need to make sure that you take care of your non-stick pans correctly, to protect the non-stick surface. It’s always best to refer to manufacturer guides on how best to take care of your kitchen equipment so that you don’t accidentally damage them.

2. A chopping board

A chopping board is another kitchen essential. Chopping boards protect your countertops from knife damage and also stop your food from coming into contact with potentially harmful bacteria on your kitchen surfaces.

Chopping boards come in all different styles, sizes, shapes and materials, from colourful plastic boards to traditional wooden boards. If you’re a meat-eater, you should always use a separate chopping board for raw meat even if you clean it in-between uses.

3. A chef’s knife

Believe it or not, using a sharp knife actually makes it less likely you’ll injure yourself when chopping up food in your kitchen. Investing in a decent chef’s knife will not only make meal preparation quicker and easier but also reduce the risk of you accidentally cutting yourself in the process.  While the market offers a wide range of knives, it’s essential to select one that harmonizes superior quality with user-friendliness, particularly for those just starting out. To gain a better understanding of the diverse selection of chef’s knives at your disposal, feel free to explore further here.

4. A colander

Colanders allow you to safely drain away from the water from cooked food like pasta and vegetables without losing any of your delicious food down the sink. They come in a range of sizes and are available in plastic or metal designs depending on your preference.

5. Utensils

Every beginner cook will need a few utensils in their kitchen to help them get started. You can buy utensils individually or they’re often available in matching sets, which will typically have one of each thing you need, including a spatula, ladle, wooden spoon and tongs, etc.

6. A saucepan

A deep saucepan with a lid can be used to make a whole host of different meals, from pasta and rice dishes to soups and stews. It can also be used for steaming, poaching and blanching.

7. Measuring cups and spoons

As a new cook, you’ll probably begin by following other people’s recipes. This means you’re going to need to measure your ingredients carefully, to begin with, to get the flavours just right. A set of measuring cups and spoons will take away the guesswork and make following a recipe easy as pie!

8. A baking dish or casserole

A baking dish or casserole is perfect for creating one-pot meals that can be placed in the oven and forgotten about until they’re ready to serve. They can be used to bake classics like lasagne, fish pie and shepherd’s pie and are great if you’re cooking for a big family.

9. A measuring jug

A glass or plastic measuring jug allows you to get the quantities of liquid in your food just right so you don’t end up with watery or lumpy soups or sauces.

10. A mixing bowl

A mixing bowl is a kitchen must-have, especially for recipes that involve mixing lots of different ingredients together. Whether you’re making a filling for a pie, a tasty salad or trying your hand at baking, a single metal or glass mixing bowl is a great start to building your kitchen equipment essentials.