What good is a brand new outdoor kitchen or barbecue island without pots, pans, utensils, and gadgets for you to create great meals with? If you've been wondering what you need to put on your shopping list to stock your kitchen, we can help! No kitchen is complete without...
- 3 good knives: As you start cooking at home more often, your knives will start feeling more like an extension of your arm and less like an ordinary utensil. Because of this, you should never buy a knife without holding it and making sure it feels comfortable first. If you buy the best possible knives you can afford, and make an effort to keep them sharp, they'll last for a lifetime. While you may be imagining that you need dozens of different knives to complete dozens of specific tasks, you really only need 3:
- 1 serrated knife for meats and breads
- 1 8"-10" chef’s knife for chopping vegetables, herbs, and more
- 1 paring knife for peeling fruits and vegetables, or slicing garlic and shallots
- 2 cutting boards: What good are those great knives you bought without a surface to cut on? We suggest you get 2 plastic cutting boards — you need 2 to avoid cross contamination; 1 should be reserved for raw meats, and the other for cooked meats and any fruits, vegetables, etc. We suggest plastic because it's maintenance-free, will stand up to sharp knives without splitting, won't stain, and isn't likely to hold onto strong odors. Plastic cutting boards are also often dishwasher safe, lightweight, and affordable. Unlike knives, though, these won't last you a lifetime and should be replaced every 2 years.
- Cast iron cookware: Non-stick pans do have their place in a kitchen, but they simply just aren't as versatile as cast iron, they can't be used over high heat, and they can't be used with metal utensils. Cast iron pans, on the other hand, can be used with any utensils, can be used over the open flame of your grill or fire, and are built to last for years to come. You can get cast iron skillets, dutch ovens, sauce pans, griddles, and more for a truly comprehensive cooking experience. Just be careful to dry any cast iron cookware completely after washing and to store it in a dry place to avoid rusting.
- An instant-read thermometer: Nothing quite puts a damper on a dinner party like serving under cooked meat. Having an instant-read thermometer on hand will guarantee the meat and poultry you plan on serving are grilled both safely and to your liking.
- Utensils: Go ahead and pick up a spatula, meat tenderizing mallet, whisk, tongs, vegetable peeler, a few wooden spoons, and a ladle so you can have everything you need to prep and cook your entrees, sauces, and sides.
With all of these supplies at your disposal, you have no choice but to be a success in your outdoor kitchen! If you've been dreaming of your own outdoor kitchen and you're ready to make that dream a reality, click here to get your free estimate! If you aren't quite ready to commit, feel free to give us a call at (888) 747-4554 or contact us online — we'd love to answer any lingering questions you may have!