3. Essential Tools and Equipment (What You Actually Need)

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Getting Started

One of the first things you need to do as you begin your cooking journey is get yourself some basic equipment. As I’ll continue to emphasize throughout this course, I like to focus on kitchen minimalism. You do not need a bunch of fancy equipment to cook well— you can adapt based on what you have available. I’ve cooked some of my favorite meals at campsites and Airbnb kitchens where I had just a few random pots and pans. This limitation forces you to get creative.

A well-stocked kitchen simply requires that you have enough equipment to perform the most basic cooking tasks— cut, boil, fry, roast, etc. That can be accomplished with very few pieces.

I do recommend seeking out the highest-quality cookware you can afford, since the best products will last you a long time and are worth investing in. Even more importantly, I recommend focusing on versatile, multi-purpose basics instead of big cookware sets. You’ll have less clutter in your kitchen, you’ll get more usage out of what you own, and you’ll be able to spend more money on a smaller number of high-quality pieces.

This lesson breaks down what I consider to be those pieces of cookware. I’ve included both an ultra-minimalist kitchen guide (where to start if you’re brand new to this and want the bare minimum basics), as well as a more comprehensive guide that covers all of your bases while still taking a minimalist approach.

The Ultra-Minimalist Kitchen

If you are brand new to your cooking journey, start with the following basics. This set of equipment covers probably 95%+ of what you need to do on a day-to-day basis. I’ve offered recommendations for brands that strike a nice balance between quality and affordability, but you can check out the expanded Brands & Recommendations section below for more information and options for each of these.

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Chef’s Knife

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Cutting Board

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Stainless Steel Pan

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Saucier

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Sheet Tray + Wire Rack

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Tongs

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Silicone Spatula

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Fish Spatula

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Peeler

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Mixing Bowls

A Complete Kitchen

Consider this a guide for when you do decide to invest in some good cookware. You don’t need to buy all of this at once, by any means. I still consider this list to be minimalist in that it focuses on the few items you really need and that you'll get actual use from.

In the section below, I explain more about each of these pieces, why I consider them indispensable, and then offer brand recommendations for each.

Here are the basics: