The Well Stocked Kitchen
Get Organized Now
Ideas, tips, tools and more to help you organize your home, your office and your life!
Author: James Brown Every cook dreams of having a kitchen like those you see on TV
complete with a pot rack full of gleaming cookware in every
shape and size. While this daydream probably isn't entirely
realistic, it is possible to have a well stocked kitchen that
will fit your every cooking desire. Before you run out and
purchase a set of pots and pans, get a working knowledge of
what types of cookware are best suited to your needs. Use this
handy checklist to see what your kitchen is missing.
Skillets: A skillet is simply a low sided, long handled pan
often called a frying pan, Generally skillets come in four
sizes, extra large (12 Inches), large (10 Inches), medium (8
inches), and small(6 inches). Cookbooks often refer you to
certain size skillets, so it is important to know the
measurement of each one. Occasionally you will have a recipe
that requires you to place a skillet in the oven, so it is
important to purchase skillets with handles that can withstand
the heat of baking. You can also purchase skillets with
removable handles.
Saucepans: Saucepans come in three sizes (1-, 2-, and 3-quart)
and it is a good idea to have a few in each style for warming
soups and making sauces. Saucepans have long handles and tight
fitting lids.
Dutch oven or Kettle: A Dutch oven or kettle is a large heavy
stock pot with a tight fitting lid. Unlike a sauce pan, these
pots don't have a long handle; rather they have two tight
fitting handles along the rim on opposite sides. Dutch ovens
are perfect for soups, stews, and braising meats. Kettles are
good when you have a large stew or pot of soup to make or if
you enjoy home canning.
Vegetable steamer: A vegetable steamer is a perforated basket
that holds food over boiling water in a pan in order to steam
it rather than boil it. They are available as collapsible units
or solid baskets.
Double boiler: A double broiler is two pans doing the job of
one. When using a double broiler, simply place one on top of
the other. Water in the bottom pan simmers gently to cook or
melt the contents in the top pan. This is a great piece of
cookware for preparing delicate sauces or melting candy to make
chocolate.
Griddles: A griddle is a flat, rimless pan that converts your
stove burner into a smooth surface for preparing things like
pancakes and crepes. The rimless design also makes flipping
pancakes an easy task.
Omelet pans: An omelet pan has specially sloped sides that help
to form your egg into the right shape. This pan also comes with
a nonstick surface make it easy to fold and slide your omelet
right from the pan onto your plate.
Grill pans: A grill pan is a special skillet that has deep
groves that allow fat to drain away from your food. The grooves
also add lines to the items you cook, making them look like they
have been seared on the barbeque grill. A grill pan also comes
in the flat rimless shape of a skillet.
Woks: A wok is a pan with deep, sloping sides that help keep
food pieces in the pan when you are stir-frying. They are
available with rounded or flat bottoms, and sometimes come in
electric versions.
About The Author: James Brown writes about Saving on Cookware
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