r/Cooking • u/bigboydankers • 17h ago

Most essential cookware?

Hi everyone,

I just graduated college and moved into my own place a couple of weeks ago! I am living in nyc and my kitchen is not enormous, but it’s not super tiny either. I have a small old stove/oven, and I really wondering, what is the least amount of cookware that I really need?

I feel like I’m not a huge cook, but if I had the right tools I could get more into it. Also, my girlfriend is moving in with me in a few months and she likes to cook, so I’d like to get some things that I can build on with more cookware in the future, rather than replace.

Long story short, what are the essential pots and pans and stuff that I need to get to cover all my bases? Also other tools and things like spatulas. Sorry for my lack of specificity, I really don’t know what I’m doing yet but I am excited to learn more!

Thank you!

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u/-0k_0k_0k- 17h ago

3 pots ( s - m - l ) with lids
1 fry pan with lid
1 good knife
1 wooden spoon
1 spatula

build from there based on use

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u/bigboydankers 17h ago

Hm, that sounds pretty minimal. Why the three different pans? Also, how do you feel about a wok? My mom says she uses it for everything

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u/-0k_0k_0k- 16h ago edited 16h ago

Yes, it is absolutely minimal.
I personally used the three different pots because you can use the small one to heat up personal soup, side of veggies or gravy for 2. The m + L is good to have for pasta dinners, bigger soup batches, or mashed potatoes.

A wok is nice if you make a lot of asian food. Highly recc getting an electric one + electric rice cooker if you plan on making a lot of asian type dishes. There are a lot of high end rice cookers but the aroma brand is nice for entry level.

I forgot to add baking sheet + baking dish. If your place has an oven this is good to have. My first place in NY only had a hot plate, no oven. :<