If you’re heading to university this month (or waving off someone else), check out our essential guide to kitchen kit for students. From batch cooking to one-pan fry-ups, this collection of must-have equipment will cover all your student cooking needs!
As the key tools of the kitchen, we recommend one small saucepan for jobs such as boiling eggs and veggies, and one large saucepan for boiling pasta, making sauces, and batch cooking classics like Bolognese and stews. And, of course, a frying pan is vital for pancakes, fried eggs, browning meat and stir-fries.
A set of three knives, including a small paring knife, a utility knife and a larger chef’s knife will cover most kitchen tasks – from peeling fruit or slicing tomatoes to prepping meat or chopping larger fruit. Add a bread knife to your collection, and you’ll be set. In terms of spoons, a couple of wooden ones and a large metal spoon will see you through most mixing and serving scenarios.
We think two differently sized chopping boards is a good idea, to take you from smaller jobs like slicing lemons or garlic, to bigger prep tasks like jointing a chicken. Likewise, two or three mixing bowls will be invaluable for everything from separating eggs and beating a cake batter to making quick, easy (and cheap!) bread dough.
For roasting meat and mixed veg, or simply heating through leftovers in the oven, a good-sized baking tray is essential. And, if you plan to do a bit of baking at uni, then you might also need a loaf tin, a sandwich tin, and a muffin tin.
Here are our five recommended extras, A cheese grater, a sieve, a hand whisk, a speed-peeler and, of course, the all-important tin opener (no student kitchen should be without one)!
And finally, if you’re looking for some super-tasty and affordable recipe inspiration, check out our hub of student-friendly recipes. Or, pick up a copy of Jamie’s canny cookbook Save With Jamie – it’s our go-to for delicious money-saving cooking.