The Way

Kitchen Equipment Guide


What’s worth owning, what’s nice to have, and what to skip — a good kitchen, not a crowded one.

Must Have

  • A good chef’s knife
  • Two cutting boards (one for raw meat)
  • Sheet pans
  • A large skillet
  • A pot or Dutch oven
  • A blender
  • Glass storage containers
  • An instant-read thermometer
  • Mixing bowls
  • A colander
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Wooden spoons & a whisk

Nice to Have

  • A food processor
  • An immersion blender
  • A cast-iron skillet
  • A salad spinner
  • A microplane / zester
  • A citrus juicer
  • A slow cooker or Instant Pot
  • A box grater

Skip It

  • Single-use gadgets (avocado slicer, egg separator)
  • A bread maker
  • A deep fryer
  • Novelty appliances you’ll use once
  • Matching sets you don’t need
  • A juicer — unless you’ll truly use it

A good knife and a sheet pan will take you further than a cupboard full of gadgets.


The Way by Gina Santangelo

ginasantangelo.com  ·  © 2026 GLOW Body, LLC  ·  For personal use