Bare essentials required

[icedoverfire]

Hello everyone,

I will be departing for school in January and due to luggage restrictions I can only bring so much stuff. In the cooking realm, what would you say are the absolute bare necessities?

Off the top of my head I can think of a pot, pan, spatula, ladle, and chef's knife.

Anything else?

- ice

 

[stobes21]

Assuming you will only be cooking for yourself or 2 people:

10-12" cast iron skillet
3-4 qt pot with lid (and consider a bigger stock pot or dutch oven)
Spatula/turner
slotted spoon
ladle
whisk
tongs
chef's knife
paring knife
cutting board
3 or 4 mixing bowls of different sizes
set of measuring spoons and cups
potholders
cookie sheet/baking pan (or pans, depends on what you want to bake)
can opener
colander/strainer

Though most people wouldn't consider it a bare essential, I would also strongly suggest you get a probe thermometer. In addition to making sure your meat is cooked to the desired temp it'll also have a timer on it.

That's off the top of my head. Obviously there is a lot more stuff out there and you will probably get to your place and start cooking and find you need a few more things. But that should get you pretty set to do most basic stuff with minimal hassle.

 

[RayH]

I would suggest that you get your essentials when you get to school. The luggage restrictions may mandate that. As for what the essentials might actually be, that would depend on what you're going to be cooking. If you end up doing like a lot of college kids do like eating ramen and mac and cheese then a couple of pots would do. And a frying pan for bacon and eggs.

 

[doublebucklemonk]

Talking absolute bare essentials and assuming you have access to a microwave and a stove.

Toaster oven
12" non stick covered skillet
Large cappuchino sized coffee mug for warm drinks and microwaving soup/ramen
2 Dinner plates and 2 sets of silverware.
roll up cutting board
paring knife
small chef's knife
a couple of the Extra large plastic glasses from Taco Bell / McDonalds etc. for cold drinks
small Stainless steel mixing bowl, works for mixing as well as a cereal bowl.

 

[Troggie]

I am assuming you are not living in a dorm since most do not have kitchen areas.

It depends on what you are going to be cooking.. if it is standard college fair (ramen noodles and mac & cheese) you only need a spoon and pot

I would take basically what you have listed. pot, pan, spatula, ladle, and chef's knife.

 

[pyrrhusmj]

I am assuming you are not living in a dorm since most do not have kitchen areas.

It depends on what you are going to be cooking.. if it is standard college fair (ramen noodles and mac & cheese) you only need a spoon and pot

I would take basically what you have listed. pot, pan, spatula, ladle, and chef's knife.

I had an illegal hot plate for cooking in the dorm. It's amazing the elaborate dinners we could make with a hot plate, microwave and drink warmer. These days you could sneak in an induction grill. Wow..... Of course as much as I love to cook. I would probably stick to the meal plan in the larger colleges. Dorm life, hated it then, realize how great it was 20 years later.

Michael

 

[Jim]

Add a stick blender for sweet tropical drinks- a favorite of co-eds everywhere.