Spend vs Save Cookware
I really good at talking about cookware and kitchen things. Like could probably go pro in it.
My friends ask me all the time what my essential kitchen items are. If they were to splurge on one thing, what would it be. Must have, cannot live without kitchen essential. And of course I have more than one - minimalist kitchen is NOT my aesthetic.
For almost two years I worked at Sur La Table and purchased a ton of kitchen items and learned all about what was important to me. I’ve definitely splurged on items that I wish I would’ve saved on, but there are definitely things I continue to spend money on because they’re worth it - and I have an addiction to cookware.
A lot goes into picking out cookware and the reasoning behind it. How often do you cook? What sort of care are you willing to put in to the item? What’s your comfort level with cooking? Do you want something that’s going to last forever or just trying to make it through your next lease term?
Some of these are highlighted in my Mother’s Day post, but they’re worth repeating.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven 5.5 Quart: I have spoken about this probably a million times, but it’s worth it. Just do it. No regrets.
Mandolin Slicer: Mandolins are super nice when it comes to doing a lot of prep work that involves slicing. There are all price ranges available and sizes, from little handheld ones to much larger and more industrial slicers. It’s worth the extra money to have a nice one with a blade that will stay sharp and has a safety guard because no one wants a piece of your thumb in their potatoes au gratin.
Chef’s Knife: The workhorse of your kitchen should be full tang, heavy, and sharp. Plan to spend around $100+ for a good knife, and never ever ever put it in the dishwasher. I know Sur La Table will sharpen knives for $5 per knife, but they can’t re-weld it if you destroy it.
Cutting Board: If you’re spending some dollars on a knife, you should also spend money to get a nice cutting board to help the longevity of your knife. I have Boos Blocks which are great that I use more for fancier meals and as cheese boards. My favorite day to day cutting boards are the Epicurean cutting boards that are natural and dishwasher safe!
Non-Stick Skillets: All of my non-stick cookware is Scanpan, but there are great options out there. Scanpan gives me a lifetime warranty on the surface, you can use metal utensils on it, and I can send it from the stove top to the oven without ever worrying about it. While they have several lines for the brand, the Evolution is the most budget-friendly option and is a great option if you don’t need induction.
Items I splurged on that I wish I had saved on.
Multi cooker: I bought a Fagor Lux Multicooker over a year ago and have never used it. I did manage to take it out of the box and put it on my cookware shelf, but it’s just collecting dust. I tell myself I’m going to use it, I have ideas for using it, but I probably won’t get around to it for a while. Save your money and get an Instant Pot or forgo an multi cooker all together.
Food Processor: I splurged on a Pro Line KitchenAid 16 Cup Food Processor while I worked at Sur La Table since it was on a mega sale, but I have used it maybe three times. I loaned it to a friend for a while so she could make homemade baby food. I feel like a food processor from Target for $50 would be just fine and not take up expensive real estate in your kitchen.
Dry Goods Containers: You know the kitchens that have the beautiful dry goods containers on the counter that are perfectly stocked and aesthetically pleasing? That’s just not practical and most of the time aren’t air tight. I gave up with the cute containers in Cambro dry goods containers. Not the cutest, but the best at keeping things fresh.
Baking Dishes: Again, wanting to have the most perfect photos of food led me and my wallet to invest in baking dishes that are beautiful, name brand, and really great paper weights. If I’m baking something, I’m most likely doing it in a metal baking dish or corning ware dish that’s been lined with parchment or foil. Sure, sometimes I’ll bust out the fancier stuff, but they’re a pain to clean and do the same job as the more affordable options.
The list above is what has worked, or not worked, for me. You can find great kitchen items on any budget. You really get what you give in the terms of cookware care. If you have a $10 OXO Knife, keep it SHARP and it will do wonders for you. If you treat your cookware well, it will last a long long time, and that's the real value.
Until next time, happy eating & entertaining!
Kelly