There are two major appliances -- the refrigerator and oven -- that are must-haves. If you're just starting out and still need the big two, check out our buying guides for refrigerators and ovens.
If you absolutely hate washing dishes, then you may consider adding a dishwasher to your appliance list.
If you don't have a lot of room, there are portable dishwashers that can sit right on your counter or bigger ones that you can roll away to store when it isn't in use.
If you prefer to wash dishes by hand, or don't have room for a dishwasher, I suggest getting a garbage disposal installed. This appliance will save you from clogged sink pipes and a lot of aggravation.
Once you have the big appliances purchased, you're ready for small appliances. The key to getting what you need without cluttering your counters is buying smart. Choose small appliances that can do a lot of various cooking tasks.
The Instant Pot is another versatile appliance. It can do the work of a rice cooker, pressure cooker and a slow cooker. It can also make desserts, proof bread and boil eggs.
A proper kitchen needs a good set of knives. While there are a lot of options out on the market, you only really need three versatile knives: a chef knife, a paring knife and a bread knife.
Kitchen tongs are a utensil that can seem extraneous, but they actually have many uses.
Tongs can be used as a manual juicer for citrus fruits, to remove dumplings and other foods from hot oil or water or be used to flip meats on the grill without singing your arm hairs.
A set of four mixing spoons that can double as serving spoons are also good additions to a well-stocked kitchen. Be sure these spoons are metal or wooden. Plastic spoons tend to bend and warp as you use them.
You should have one place setting for each person that lives in your home or visits on a regular basis. A place setting includes a bowl, saucer or salad plate, dinner plate, fork, knife and spoon.
This is provided, of course, that you wash dishes after every meal. If not, you may consider purchasing an additional place setting for each person.
Until recently, my kitchen was overrun with hand-me-down pots and pans. You really only need a few, though. A well-stocked kitchen has three saucepans (of various sizes), a skillet, two baking sheets, a large baking pan and three baking dishes.
If you like to bake, you may also want to add a bread pan, two cake pans and a muffin tin to the list.
Of course, if you have a large family, you may need a few more of these pots and pans. Don't be afraid to add to your collection as the need arises, but remember not to stock up for a wild cooking day that may never come.
I am a firm believer that the kitchen should have its own set of cleaning supplies. For easy cleaning you need a broom, mop, mop bucket, cleaning rags (microfiber clothes, cotton washcloths or disposable wipes), dish towels, disinfectant spray, floor cleaner and dish soap.
