How do I not have a can opener?

[Princessmadeline]

I just started school on the 26th or so of August and was told by friends and family that because I was on the meal plan I wouldn't 'need' cooking supplies.

Well, now, little less than a month after coming to school, I realised that isn't true. (I actually figured that out the first day, but...)

I have bought some of the essentials, like a skillet, a sauce pan, a forkh a spoon, some plates, a few bowls, a cookie sheet, a loaf pan, an egg beater, but I know I still need more stuff.

What other kitchen supplies do you feel are essential?

[mom25grls]

my kids made sure that they had a couple of dish towels and a sponge or washcloth to do the dishes with. And you may need a spatula (for things like eggs), toaster and a coffemaker were two NECESSITIES my girls also found they needed in the dorms. Oh and hotpads.... don't want to burn your fingers taking the pans out of the oven or off the stove. Hope that helps you a bit...

[JulieDB]

Egg beater? What's that for? I'm 52 and haven't used one since I was a kid. I can't even remember using it for food. I played with it, whipping up dish soap in water.

[Princessmadeline]

Egg beater? What's that for? I'm 52 and haven't used one since I was a kid. I can't even remember using it for food. I played with it, whipping up dish soap in water.

This kind

[JulieDB]

This kind

I'd call that a mixer. Not an egg beater. I do have one of those but can't remember the last time I used it. I do have a mousse mix that I got for my daughter that calls for it.

[CouponQueen23]

Measuring cups and spoons come in handy from time to time. :) Maybe some sorta cutting knife for cutting ingredients or fresh fruit and veggies. A timer unless you have a timer feature built in to your microwave like I do.

[CW&M Mom]

Okay if I need the basics

some kind of frying pan
some kind of sauce pan..
strainer for noodles
cookie sheet
hot pads
wisk
a couple of spatula's...some more for mixing, at least one for flipping.
mixing bowl or two
measuring cups
measuring spoons
measuring cup for liquid
containers for leftovers
8 by 8 glass or metal pan
a couple of decent knives to cut and chop with
some kind of small cutting board
can opener
pitcher


Do you have a toaster? I would probably want a very basic toaster, maybe a very small cheap slow cooker (you can get them for $10 at walmart...if you really like to cook that way....if you don't....then don't worry about it though). I wouldn't get a blender..I would just borrow if I needed one.

[mom25grls]

actually the crockpot likely won't be allowed in the dorms....they are pretty picky on what they allow, so you need to check on that one before you get it...my kids weren't allow warming plates and they considered the crock pot a warming plate. :(

another thing I thought of was some storage containers, for leftovers....that way you don't have to cook EVERY time you want something to eat. ;) Some ziploc baggies too! and maybe a cutting board!

good luck!

[CW&M Mom]

actually the crockpot likely won't be allowed in the dorms....they are pretty picky on what they allow, so you need to check on that one before you get it...my kids weren't allow warming plates and they considered the crock pot a warming plate. :(

another thing I thought of was some storage containers, for leftovers....that way you don't have to cook EVERY time you want something to eat. ;) Some ziploc baggies too! and maybe a cutting board!

good luck!

Interesting on the crock pot! I know my one sister was allowed..but they did all their own cooking..so no meals were provided....her dorm was an apartment like dwelling 6 to an apartment on campus.

I'll have to ask my other sister. She did similar to what is sounding above. Where you have a kitchen (I'm assuming she has a kitchen since she has purchased already cookie sheet, skillet, sauce pan, and loaf pan which implies oven)...but she paid to have the meals provided..but you still end up needing to have some basic way to provide a few meals for yourself..because dragging your butt down for every meal is not really feasible.

[Gertie2u]

Rules vary, so you'll have to check on the crock pot issue. My dorm and my DD#1's dorm just had a no flame rule. So candles were out, but crock pots and oil warmer scent things were in. Another dorm on campus where DD#1 attends hasn't had the wiring updated since it was built in the sixties. No microwaves, no hot pots, no crock pots, no flame, no scent warmers, no coffee pots, and only one refrigerator per room. The electrical system just can't handle it. Only the battery-operated scenting items or the jars of beads pretty much.

My kitchen must-have minimum:

1 ea - jelly roll pan
1 ea - large skillet
1 ea - dutch oven **
1 ea - magnetic measuring spoon set
1 ea - magnetic measuring cup set
1 ea - large plastic slotted spoon
1 ea - large plastic pancake flipper
1 ea - rubber spatula
1 ea - mixer
1 ea - good quality chef's knife
1 ea - small paring knife
1 ea - cutting board
2 ea - plate
1 ea - box of zippy bags in sandwich size
1 ea - box of zippy bags in gallon size
1 ea - roll of foil
1 ea - silplat ***
1 ea - large cake pan
2 ea - hot pads
1 ea - strainer - buy one that folds flat if you can find one reasonably
1 ea - mixing bowl - get one with a handle and spout if reasonable
1 ea - 2 cup glass liquid measuring cup
1 ea - Italian Seasoning
1 ea - meat seasoning / tenderizer (season-all, Lawry's)
1 ea - bag of sugar
1 ea - plastic sugar keeper /pouring pitcther
1 ea - large cake pan 11x8 or so
1 ea - square 8x8 cake pan
1 ea - hand crank can opener - the electric ones just don't last as well
2-3 ea - large resealable container for things like cereal and flour
1 ea - pack resealable containers for leftovers & microwaving
Microwave access or a microwave
1 ea - rice cooker / steamer
2 ea - dish cloth
1 ea - scrubby sponge
2 ea - dish towel
1 ea - dish washing liquid
2 ea - plate, fork, spoon, knife, mug, and bowl

Useful but not required:

1 ea - saucepan
1 ea - hot pot for water and soups





** Dutch Oven - this is a pot with metal handles and lid capable of being used as a soup/stock/pasta cooking pan or of going into the oven to hold a roast or a casserole - Lodge makes a great cast iron one that will last you a lifetime, but it is pricey at @ $30 regular price. Got one for DD #2 on sale with coupon at a place in the nearest outlet mall for $12 recently. You'll note the lid of this pan can also be used as a skillet or saute pan making it two in one.

*** Silplat is a name brand version of a silicone sheet you use like parchment paper, but it is washable and reusable. Purchase to fit your jelly roll pan, and buy the best quality jelly roll pan you can afford. I recently got a Chicago Steel heavy-weight jelly roll pan, and I've been amazed what washes off easily. Look for deals at Walmart and Ross on both the reusable silicone sheet and the jelly roll pan. Although average regular price is about $15 each for these, I got mine for $5 each on clearance at Ross.

While it is important to buy the best quality you can afford for some of the things, and to take good care of all your kitchen goods, my local Dollar Tree carries many of these items. I listed magnetic measuring spoons and cups because they're easy to keep together and to was only what is needed if you can find them cheap. I got mine at the dollar store. I'd probably get everything there except the jelly roll pan, dutch oven, skillet, silicone sheet, and good chef's knife. Do check your local resale shops like Goodwill. I got a really nice chicken frying cast iron skillet for $1.50 at the Women's shelter resale shop here. It looked new, even still had a price tag on it for $20 from a local shop that went out of business 10 or 12 years ago. Guess someone received it as a gift and never used it maybe?