12 essential kitchen tools everyone should own

Setting up a new home kitchen or find yourself cooking much, much more recently? We assembled a list of the bare minimum you need to get started and Mary Makes It Easy's Mary Berg gives us a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for the right products for you.

Cast iron skillet

This everyday kitchen tool is perfect from stove top to oven! 

Shop the AmazonBasics Cast Iron Skillet Pan, $42.79 on Amazon

Chef's Knife 

A good knife is a chef's best friend. This is one of the few things that you'll thank youserlf for investing in. Choose a knife that you feel comfortable handling. It should feel balanced in your hand, easy to hold and control, not too heavy but definitely not flimsy. 

Shop the Triple Tree 8 inch Chef's Knife, $25.99 on Amazon

Wooden spoon

Whether you're stirring doughs, soups or onions, this handy underrated tool can do it all. 

Shop this 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Set, $10.99 on Amazon

Whisk

Sturdy metal whisks come in all shapes and sizes. Choose a mid-sized whisk with a handle that fits comfortably in your hand. Use it to mix dry ingredients together before baking, stir eggs for a frittata or emulsify a vinaigrette. 

Shop the OXO Good Grips 9 inch Whisk, $11.99 on Amazon

Rubber spatula

Mary's tip? Make sure to get a heat-proof rubber spatula in case you're prone to leaving this rubbery guy in the pan or pot you're cooking with.

Shop the Heat-Proof Rubber Spatula Four-Pack, $19.99 on Amazon

Rasp

Mary always has a rasp on hand, so this might be her top pick. This kitchen gadget is perfect for mincing garlic, grating cheese and zesting lemons. 

Shop the Cuisipro Fine Rasp, $19.99 on Amazon

Tongs

For a few bucks you can buy a pair of metal tongs that will last you a lifetime! From turning chicken breasts in the pan to reaching into the oven to check on a roast, this product is like an extension of your fingers in the kitchen. They're also great for serving family style at dinner. 

Shop the Hotec Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs Set of 2, $12.99 on Amazon

Saucepan

A large saucepan is essential for making pasta, boiling potatoes or corn, and simmering big batches of soups and broths. Look for a 5- or 6-quart size. A small saucepan (1.5 or 2.5 quarts) comes in handy for small items, like boiled eggs, rice and oatmeal. 

Shop the GreenPan Lima 5-Quart Ceramic Saucepan, $60.75 on Amazon

Shop the Cuisinart 719-16 Chef's Classic 1-1.2-Quart Saucepan, $46.55 on Amazon

Sheet pan 

Sheet pans are fab for baking cookies, but can be great for all kinds of meals. Make foiled-wrapped fish fillets, chicken with veggies,  deep dish pizza, or roast veggies. One pan dinners = easy clean up! 

Shop the Mega Cookie Pan, $17.99 on Amazon

Cutting board

A sturdy, stable surface is essential when it comes to prepping your food. A wooden cutting board will help protect your knife from dulling quickly, as well as make cleanup a breeze. 

Shop the Farberware Bamboo Cutting Board, $11.77 on Amazon

Box grater

Whether it's shredding zucchini for healthy-ish muffins to softening butter extra quick, this little guy has so many uses. It might take a little elbow grease compared to food processor, but it won't take up as much space! 

Shop the Starfrit Four-Sided Box Grater, $9.97 on Amazon

Colander 

Wash fruit and drain pasta, veggies and other boiled foods. Look for a metal or ceramic, which is sturdier than plastic. 

Shop the Tiawudi Stainless Steel Colander, $28.99 on Amazon