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Eight Top Kitchen Essentials as rated by America's Test Kitchen

Ranked #2,546 in Food & Cooking, #50,201 overall

An Equipped Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen

Think you need a fancy mixer, top-of-the-line cookware, and expensive knives to cook at home? Think again. Our grandmothers did plenty of cooking in kitchens stocked with just a few essential items.

Kitchen Essentials, The Complete List

All at once for ease and convenience.

Grab 'em all, copy to your clipboard, paste into your favorite text editor, print and go shopping!
  • Chef's Knife
    R.H. Forschner by Victorinox 8-Inch Chef's Knife, Black Fibrox Handle
  • Paring Knife
    Victorinox 3.25" Paring Knife with Wavy Edge - Black
  • Cutting Board
    Architec The Gripper 11-by-14-Inch Non-Slip Cutting Board, White/Graphite
  • Large Skillet
    All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan
  • Small Cast-Iron Skillet
    Lodge Logic 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
  • Sauce Pan
    All-Clad Stainless 4-Quart Saucepan with Loop
  • Large Soup/Pasta Pot
    All-Clad Stainless 12-Quart Tall Stock Pot with Lid
  • Baking Sheet
    Sheet Pan Half Size - 12-7/8'' x 17-3/4'' Heavy Duty, 13 Gauge

Chef's Knife

The most versatile tool in your kitchen.

Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Victorinox 40520 Fibrox 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Amazon Price: $24.72 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

In kitchen tests, this knife bested brands that cost four times as much. Blade is nicely curved and sharp. Molded plastic handle is comfortable and remains secure, even when hands are wet or greasy. Sturdy and well balanced.

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R.H. Forschner by Victorinox 8-Inch Chef's Knife, Black Fibrox Handle

R.H. Forschner by Victorinox 8-Inch Chef's Knife, Black Fibrox Handle

The chef's knife is a kitchen staple, with a wide more...1 point

2

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Wüsthof Grand Prix II 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife

Wüsthof Grand Prix II 8-Inch Hollow-Ground Cook's Knife

The ideal knife for everything from dicing fresh h more...1 point

3

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Oxo Good Grips Professional 8-Inch Chef Knife

Oxo Good Grips Professional 8-Inch Chef Knife

Oxo, 8", Professional Chef Knife, Soft, Ideal more...0 points

4

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J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 8-Inch Chef's Knife

J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 8-Inch Chef's Knife

J A Henckels Knives Four Star Series 8" Chef' more...0 points

5

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KitchenAid 8-Inch Black Silicone Handle Chef Knife, Black

KitchenAid 8-Inch Black Silicone Handle Chef Knife, Black

This Kitchenaid 8-inch Chef Knife is ideal for cut more...0 points

6

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Wusthof 4589/20 Culinar Chef's Knife 8-in.

Wusthof 4589/20 Culinar Chef's Knife 8-in.

For serious prep jobs, including slicing and chopp more...0 points

Paring Knife

Basically a smaller version of the Chef's Knife.

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Victorinox 3.25

Victorinox 3.25" Paring Knife with Wavy Edge - Black

3.25" Paring Knife, Straight Edges High Carbo more...1 point

2

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KitchenAid Cook's Series Peeler and Paring Knife Set

KitchenAid Cook's Series Peeler and Paring Knife Set

These two tools are among the most useful in the k more...0 points

3

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Wüsthof Classic 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife

Wüsthof Classic 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife

The Wusthof 3.5" Paring Knife is the most ver more...0 points

Cutting Board

Keep your knifes sharp and your counters clean.

Architec The Gripper 11-by-14-Inch Non-Slip Cutting Board, White/Graphite

Architec The Gripper 11-by-14-Inch Non-Slip Cutting Board, White/Graphite

Amazon Price: (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

Nonslip "gripper" underside keeps board extremely stable but makes it one-sided. Pleasant cutting surface, but it slightly dulled a new knife.

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Architec The Gripper 11-by-14-Inch Non-Slip Cutting Board, White/Graphite

Architec The Gripper 11-by-14-Inch Non-Slip Cutting Board, White/Graphite

Our white poly cutting board features a soft under more...1 point

2

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Totally Bamboo Congo Parquet End Grain Cutting Board

Totally Bamboo Congo Parquet End Grain Cutting Board

From the African Collection / Parquet End Grain / more...0 points

3

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SNOW RIVER WOOD PRODUCTS 8324 UTILITY CUTTING BOARD 15

SNOW RIVER WOOD PRODUCTS 8324 UTILITY CUTTING BOARD 15"X21"X3/4"

"SNOW RIVER" UTILITY CUTTING BOARD 15" more...0 points

4

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J.K. Adams TWO-1612 16-Inch by 12-Inch Takes Two Cutting Board

J.K. Adams TWO-1612 16-Inch by 12-Inch Takes Two Cutting Board

Many cooks prefer to use different cutting boards more...0 points

Large Skilet

Don't go non-stick... not yet anyway.

All-Clad 5112 Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan

All-Clad 5112 Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan

Amazon Price: $130.95 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

From crepes to steak to chicken, this pan browned foods perfectly. Sometimes, however, more fond stuck to the pan than was left on the food. Spacious and easy to handle.

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All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan

All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan

Frying, browning, sauteing? If you tend to use you more...1 point

2

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Viking 7-Ply Stainless 11-Inch Fry Pan

Viking 7-Ply Stainless 11-Inch Fry Pan

Given the strength of consumer loyalty and affinit more...0 points

3

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Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless 12-Inch Omelet Pan

Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless 12-Inch Omelet Pan

Combining the best qualities of aluminum and stain more...0 points

Small Cast-Iron Skillet

The original non-stick pan. Heavy but oh, so nice.

Lodge Logic L8SK3 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Lodge Logic L8SK3 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Amazon Price: $13.80 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

This heavy pan creates a great crust on steaks and corn bread, and with a few uses it will become almost as good as nonstick, so you can scramble or fry eggs with ease. Wash with hot water (no soap or scrubbers), dry thoroughly, and rub with oil to keep rusting at bay.

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Lodge Logic 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Lodge Logic 10-1/4-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Pre-seasoned to perfection. Cast iron heats the fo more...2 points

2

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12

12" Cast Iron Skillet

Camp Chef's quality cast iron skillet features dee more...0 points

Sauce Pan

It's not just for making sauces anymore.

All-Clad Stainless 4-Quart Saucepan with Loop

All-Clad Stainless 4-Quart Saucepan with Loop

Amazon Price: $179.98 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

The only pan to pass every test with flying colors. Testers like the "solid," "restaurant-quality" feel and "perfectly proportioned" shape. Two minor points that don't affect cooking performance: The "helper" handle gets very hot, and the pan doesn't have a pouring lip.

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All-Clad Stainless 4-Quart Saucepan with Loop

All-Clad Stainless 4-Quart Saucepan with Loop

Sometimes a small, convenient touch like the extra more...1 point

2

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Tricion® #664838 Berndes® 3.5-Quart Stainless Saucepan

Tricion® #664838 Berndes® 3.5-Quart Stainless Saucepan

Tri-ply for the best of both worlds, Stainless for more...0 points

3

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Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Stainless 8-Quart Stock Pot with Cover

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Nonstick Stainless 8-Quart Stock Pot with Cover

Endorsed by none other than the legendary French c more...0 points

Large Soup/Pasta Pot

Pasta needs a lot of water!

All-Clad Stainless 12-Quart Tall Stock Pot with Lid

All-Clad Stainless 12-Quart Tall Stock Pot with Lid

Amazon Price: $365.00 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

This pot is lauded for being "nice and heavy," with "easy-to-grip" handles that "didn't get too hot" (although you'll still need potholders). The aluminum core runs up the side of the pot-other pots have aluminum cores only in the bottom, if anywhere-which ensures more even heating than most of us will ever need.

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All-Clad Stainless 12-Quart Tall Stock Pot with Lid

All-Clad Stainless 12-Quart Tall Stock Pot with Lid

The basis for multitudes of gourmet creations, a g more...1 point

2

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Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry Red

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Oven, Cherry Red

Le Creuset Round French Oven - This everyday Round more...0 points

Baking Sheet

An all purpose oven utensil.

Wear-Ever Half Size Natural Finish Aluminum Sheet Pan, 17-3/4x12-7/8x1

Wear-Ever Half Size Natural Finish Aluminum Sheet Pan, 17-3/4x12-7/8x1

Amazon Price: $14.03 (as of 05/26/2012)Buy Now

Made by Lincoln Foodservice
"Perfect" cookies, oven fries, and jelly-roll in this "flawless" pan, Pork produced "lots of fat but no worries about spilling - pan is as solid as a rock." Jelly-roll browned and released perfectly. Pan can't be twisted, did not warp. "The search is over."

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Sheet Pan Half Size - 12-7/8'' x 17-3/4'' Heavy Duty, 13 Gauge

Sheet Pan Half Size - 12-7/8'' x 17-3/4'' Heavy Duty, 13 Gauge

Constructed from 3003 and 3004 aluminum alloys for more...1 point

2

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WearEver Commercial Bakeware-Large Cookie Sheet

WearEver Commercial Bakeware-Large Cookie Sheet

A great cookie sheet is essential for any baker, a more...0 points

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