Just a few thoughts on kitchen equipment and tools.

For starters, I highly recommend having a good set of pots. They don’t need to be hundreds of dollars, but they should be at least decent. I love using non-stick, but I do have a set of stainless steel as well. Remember, you’re going to get what you pay for. I started out with a T-Fal set many years ago and now own more than one of Rachael Ray’s sets as well as Emeril’s. Take care of your pots! NEVER use metal utensils in non stick pots! Like ever! That’s a sure way to ruin them quickly. Pots can last many years if they’re taken care of. Get some utensils. Plastic, silicone, and bamboo are my favorites. As long as they’re not metal, the choice is yours. 😉

Here are 2 sets that I use daily and highly recommend!

For baking pans and cookie sheets I love and highly recommend Fat Daddio’s and Nordic Ware. They bake wonderfully and evenly. Just like with your pots, take care of your pans! I like to line mine with a sheet of parchment paper or a Silpat mat. It cuts down on clean up and keeps things from sticking. I also use a homemade non-stick spread in my cake pans that is much cheaper than any spray and it works wonders! You can find it here!

These are a few that I use regularly.

If you don’t own a Crock Pot then get one today! I use mine much more in the fall and winter than any other time but it’s a wonderful thing to have. It’s awesome to have it do the cooking for you! Another appliance that I highly recommend is a George Foreman grill. I got the one with the grill and waffle plates and my whole family loves it! We do have a grill, but honestly, it has become a hassle to use. I’m not a huge fan of walking out onto the patio while a child cries thinking you’ve just up and left them. I’ve got another little one that’s still trying to learn that the stove gets hot, so I can’t just go out back while other things are also cooking inside. With an indoor grill, I have everything right in front of me. A mixer is also a very handy thing to have. You can have a handheld or stand mixer. I have two Kitchenaid mixers but I also have 6 kids and a business that run off of them! They are well worth the money and extremely versatile! I use mine all the time. Of course for my baking, but also making mashed potatoes, shredding chicken, mixing ground meats, the possibilities are endless. Like I said, you can use a hand mixer for some of these things too!

These are the models I use.