There are many reasons why people do not have an adequately stocked kitchen for cooking. Some people are just starting out in their first apartment or house. Some people are starting out as a newly married couple. Some people just never step foot in their kitchen to cook food. Each of these groups however may have a change of heart and now have no idea where to begin.

The following list is a good start for any bare kitchen. It can serve as a good reference for gift giving purposes. Whatever the reason, a bare kitchen is not too hard to fill up sufficiently in order to produce professional looking dishes. It is recommended that you don’t go crazy when first starting to gather items. What one person considers indispensible, another may consider a waste of money. Purchase the main elements of your kitchen and then gradually add to the supplies over time for the most cost-efficient plan.

Let’s get cookin’:

Set of Mixing Bowls
It is best to have various sizes of mixing bowls. Consider purchasing a good, quality set that will last for some time to come as mixing bowls can always be put to good use. Having more than one bowl is also important because many recipes will require the mixing of more than one item. With several bowls on hand, you do not have to keep washing out one bowl.

Set of Spatulas
Having different sized spatulas on hand will be very useful. The spatulas can be simple rubber spatulas or the more expensive silicone ones that can be used to mix ingredients or scrape bowls.

Knives
A kitchen should have a good set of quality knives and include various sizes such as a paring knife and cooks knife. Having good quality sharp knives makes cooking so much easier and more enjoyable so even if you don’t want to spend too much at least make sure you have one good knife and look after it.

Wooden Spoons
Wooden spoons are convenient for mixing ingredients that are cold or hot. Wooden utensils are a good investment because they are relatively inexpensive and if cleaned and stored properly, they will last for a long time.

Measuring Cups
There is a distinct difference between measuring wet ingredients and dry ingredients. A liquid measuring cup or jug that holds 2 cups and is microwave safe is an essential item to have. Measuring cups come in both plastic or glass form. In addition to the cup or jug, a set of measuring cups and spoons for dry foods are also important to have for cooking and baking. There are some measuring cups that have measurements for both wet and dry ingredients.

Electric Mixer
There are many occasions where an electric mixer is a necessity, especially when baking. Electric mixers tend to last a long time provided they are well cared for and used properly. For an inexpensive or easy to store option go for a hand held one.

Whisk
Some recipes will require mixing by hand and a whisk is an excellent tool for this task. A whisk also comes in handy for making fluffy omelets.

Slotted and Whole Spoons
These are great for stirring and serving foods. You may want to get several sizes and shapes. Many times they come in packs of three or more and are always useful around the house. A ladle is also a good choice if you make a lot of soups and sauces.

Pots and Pans
Quality, non-stick pots and pans are great to start out with. You can often get an entire set to satisfy most basic cooking needs. A sauce pot and a medium sized frying pan are the basic components you need but you can also invest in a larger spaghetti pot for making soups and other recipes.

Baking Pans
For basic baking needs, you can probably get away with a muffin pan, a cookie sheet, a 9’’ round cake pan, and a rectangular 9’’x 13’’ cake pan.

You can slowly build up your cooking and baking supplies as time goes on and you become more familiar with what you need. There is no right brand to purchase and many times it will come down to personal choice when you are buying but investing in good quality supplies that do not need to be replaced often is probably one of the most cost-effective ways to start setting up a kitchen.