Cooking is an expensive hobby. The tools are expensive, ingredients are expensive, and mistakes while learning can be costly. So how can we cut that cost down as much as possible?
“It’s pretty basic and simple. The things that I use at home are a cutting board a knife, if you have a good set of pots and pans. Those are pretty much the essentials that everyone needs. I feel like you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment or tools.”
That’s what Ryan Wishak says he uses in his own home kitchen. Wishak works for Growing Chefs, a charity that teaches kids how to prepare meals and provides an avenue for home cooks to get more involved in their community.
When it comes to buying these tools, Wishak says for tools you’re looking to last for a long time, expensive is the way to go. However, if you’re balking at prices, you don’t need to start expensive.
“I think starting with the inexpensive things and seeing what you use more often or most often, then sort of buying piece by piece and just making a collection over time. I don’t think it makes sense to rush out and buy a whole expensive set of knives or something. Start with one good knife.”
The idea of having one good tool is a common theme with home cooks.
Jennifer Boudreau, a mother of two now grown up children, says one of the most important things to saving money in the kitchen is to avoid the pot sets and just go for one good one.
“One, good, heavy bottom stainless steel pot is worth its weight in gold. Forget about Teflon. Just go right for the thing you can clean and be done with it. Because you can fry in it, you can make stir fries, you can do stew, you can make soup.”
Another piece of equipment she says is crucial is a well made glass measuring cup that won’t crack with heat differences.
“I would always suggest going for like a four cup measuring cup before you go for like a two, unless space is an issue, but I always do four because you can make just about anything with that.”
She also recommends to stop avoiding frozen veggies. They’re cheaper than fresh, and taste just as good if prepared properly.
With a little smart planning and budgeting, you can spend a lot less money while cooking. Knowing where to save your money and where to spend it can make keeping both your wallet and your stomach full much easier.
Comments