Got my son his own cast iron skillet...

[Phentex]

he's moving into an apartment for college this week and will be cooking with roommates. I said, "You'll be able to pass this down to your kids." And he asked why I wasn't doing that.

Because I STILL use mine! Ha! But when I die, he can have them.

Great for camping, using IN the oven, on the stove, etc.

He's going to have to shop when he gets to school but I've been trying to get him some basics to get him started. Measuring cups and spoons, a colander, some spices...

What do you think are some good kitchen essentials?

[Galileo126]

1. Excellent!

I bought a cast iron skillet (Lodge, 12-inch) in college, and it's a great multi-purpose cooking eesential. (And, it's a great weapon against home invasion, too.) I love that thing, and it has seen many a campfire. I look upon my skillet, and sometimes I think it speaks to me "when we going camping again?"

Re: essentials: "The Rubbermaid run". Every September, college freshmen would make the Rubbermade run, either to K-mart, Walmart, Target, etc...and buy up those things few think about, but need. Like, an in-sink dish rack, plastic containers (ie - Tupperware), plastic spatula (great for non-stick pans), laundry basket (I still have my Rubbermaid basket, 25 yrs and going - worth every penny), large plastic containers (for general storage).

I would say "milk crates", but that involves stealing...

A toaster oven, purchased at a yard sale, was my best friend in college. That 5-bucks lasted 10 yrs.

A coffee maker, for the late night cram sessions. (I think I went through three makers, all of which I had burned out the heating element.) Two of them during post-graduate work.

A general set of knives. Doesn't have to be expensive, just useful. (Knives: large chef, paring, boning, etc.) I had a set that was "never-sharpen", which was cheap and lasted straight through my 2nd job after PhD.

Every June, when graduating students would move on, tell your son to check out the yard sales. Always good finds for cheap (dishware, cookware, etc.)

-g

[Phentex]

7. I mentioned the Tupperware or

even the cheap gladware stuff but he didn't think he needed that. HA! Just wait until he realizes he made too much of something. Plus, I was encouraging him to cook ahead when he gets busy with classes. I'm going to check back with him this weekend and see what kind of discoveries he made.

[HereSince1628]

2. Can opener, cork screw, maybe a rubbermaid spatula to get that last bit of peanut butter

from the jar?

It's too long ago to remember what I needed when I was eating as an undergrad.

I seem to remember "cooking" that had a lot to do with very hot water, various dry soup bases, rice or Ramen noodles and coffee cups, but that might actually have been how I was eating after I graduated.

[Phentex]

13. I suspect there will be eggs, pasta and stir fry a lot!

He will try new recipes but when hunger hits, he's not all that patient. (Wonder where he gets THAT from? HA!)

[Kali]

3. decent hot mats!!!

cheese grater, can opener, one good knife, a cutting board


and if you find a line on good quality hot mats let me know!

[Phentex]

8. forgot the grater...

but I read this message before he left and we added it to the list.

I mentioned a pot holder to set something on but he insisted the ove glove was enough. Guess a dish towel would work too.

[Auggie]

4. When I was in college I used a 2 quart saucepan almost every day

didn't have a microwave back then plus there were a lot fewer pre-made convenience foods. I still think it would be a necessity though.

I used a half-sheet oven pan a lot too.

[Phentex]

9. Had a relative give a set of pots and pans...

I think a 2 qt sauce pan is pretty necessary too. And he needed a pasta pot too. I suspect he'll be eating a lot of pasta.

[Auggie]

11. Pasta -- yes! Kraft Mac and Cheese was .33¢ a box back in the day ...

I remember being furious when the price was raised to .35¢.

[Warpy]

5. The most important kitchen essential is one good knife

I like the santoku knives because my hands are small. The 8" chef's knife would be great for your son, just make sure he's got a sharpening steel with it and knows how to use it.

[Phentex]

10. Hmm...

forgot about a way to sharpen the knives. Thanks for remembering that!

[Major Nikon]

6. A few things

Find a local restaurant supply. They generally have good quality equipment for reasonable prices. Look for the following items...

A multi-pot This one is a bit pricey but is designed for commercial use. You can get one at places like Target for about half. Look for one with a good thick bottom. The pot is great for stews, soups, gumbo, chili, etc. Naturally it does pasta quite well, but it also steams. So one pot that's not all that expensive for hundreds of jobs.

An 8-9" non-stick fry pan. This pan is pretty versatile and is a good complement to a bigger cast iron skillet. It's great for small saute jobs and is essential for things like fried eggs and omelets.

A sauce pan. 2.5 quarts is a nice size. Be sure to get the silicone handle and a lid to go with it.

A chef's knife. Pretty much every restaurant supply has a good stock of fairly inexpensive chef's knives. While they certainly don't compare to the construction and performance of better knives, this is what you want when you are just starting out. Buy a tungsten sharpener, and a plastic cutting board to go with it.

[Phentex]

12. Check. Check. Check!

One of the donated items was a small non stick pan. I think it was smaller than 8" but would be perfect for eggs for one or two.

He also got a set of Pfaltzgraff stoneware and a vintage set of Wedgwood bone china. Needless to say, he did NOT take the china! My relatives are nuts.

[Major Nikon]

15. I use Mikasa china as my everyday dishes

You wouldn't want to do this if it had any sentimental value, but if the price is right china makes great everyday dishes because they are light and strong. As long as they don't have any metal trim they are fine for the microwave.

[Lucinda]

14. I'd say a crockpot would be super useful.

And I love the cast iron I inherited from my mother and grandmother. My grandmothers is much lighter, and I get better results with it.

[Phentex]

16. Probably...

but he'd have to plan a little. I'll suggest it.