Need some help registering for my wedding.
I'm about to start a registry with my future husband for our wedding next August. He gave me full control of the kitchen stuff so now I need some help from my fellow foodies!
So far, the special items I have in mind:
Lettuce spinner
Dutch oven
Cast iron chicken fryer
Crock pot
Rice cooker
Kitchenaid mixer
Any recommendations? Have any brand names been good to you? Bad to you?
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17 Comments:
ditch the rice cooker.... mostly a one trick pony.
your dutch oven should be your chicken fryer.
Get yourself some Shun Knives or Wusthoff or henckels... Get three good knives Paring, Chefs knife, and Slicer and stay away from the block sets.
Get some sheet pans.
A good digital scale.
Digital timer/ thermometer
an insta read thermometer
A good selection of whisks
stainless steel bowls
casserole dishes either Pyrex or Corning
lots and lots of rubber spatulas
silpats
muffin pans
wooden spoons
spring loaded tongs
good set of cookware calphalon
and last but not least....... a good ABC FIRE EXTINGUISHER!
Pavlov at 9:16AM on 12/02/08
Rice cooker depends on your counter space and eating habits, I'd say. Are you a baker? That plays into it. Most of Pavlov's stuff are good ideas. I strongly believe in 2 sets of measuring spoons and 2 sets (at least) of the cups. That way, you can measure a tablespoonful of sugar after you've already measured out a tablespoonful of oil without having to wash and dry the one-and-only tablespoon measure. One of the wooden utensils should have a flat edge so you can scrape pans more efficiently.
lemons at 9:21AM on 12/02/08
On the "Holidays" tab on this SE website, you can click on "Kitchen Essentials" and it gives you a good list.
juliebugsmama at 9:22AM on 12/02/08
Oh yes, a board scraper!
Pavlov at 9:35AM on 12/02/08
good sized cutting boards at least 4 make em plastic.
wow, I could go all day on this subject
Pavlov at 9:36AM on 12/02/08
I'd add a Cuisinart food processor although I know there are a lot of other brands now. I still love my Cuis.
As a rice-impaired person who can cook other stuff really well - if you need it, keep it on your list. If you eat a lot of Asian food, enjoy sushi-making at home or just want something to cook your rice "hands free" you should have the rice cooker.
I agree with the multiple measurers. If you're a serious cook, you know how many times you have to stop and wash a tablespoon measure after using it for honey or corn syrup, then need to use it for cinnamon or salt. I do advise making sure the measures (dry measure cups and spoons) are ONE PIECE. Steer people away from sets that are spot welded because if you have a heavy hand (who...me?) you can break them.
Personally, I love my big 8 cup pyrex measure/batter bowl. I have a 1 cup, 2 cup and 4 cup which nest nicely in my 8 cup. Just a thought.
Knives are a very personal choice and as a big believer in symbolism, I refrain from giving them as a gift. You have to hold a knife to know it's right for you.
If you're an avid baker, I'd include a half dozen half-sheet pans, some parchment and maybe some cool cooky cutters. Don't forget springform pans.
And congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! May you have many happy years together.
therealchiffonade at 9:41AM on 12/02/08
Take a look at the thread Newly engaged and registering. What should make the list? from last year. I had just been going through this with my now-DIL so it was still fresh in my mind back then.
Congratulations!
LoCo at 10:35AM on 12/02/08
Ooops. Hit send without adding last year's Serious Eats Gift Guide: Kitchen Essentials. It's probably redundant at this point, but it does include some excellent suggestions.
LoCo at 10:40AM on 12/02/08
Chopping block
good set of knives (chefs knife, serrated bread knife, paring knife, carving knife)
mandolin slicer
spice rack
cookbooks (Joy of Cooking, Barefoot Contessa, etc.)
Roasting pan
good set of stainless steel pots
slow cooker
canisters for basics like sugar, flour, salt, etc.
ag3208 at 11:29AM on 12/02/08
You already have some great advice here -- I would just add that you should register for a few fun things that you might not buy for yourself, like a fancy coffee maker or an ice-cream maker. People love to buy those things as gifts, and you'll have fun with them! Also, a good cast-iron pan and a good dutch oven are musts, if you don't have them already. Best wishes!!
CookiePie at 1:02PM on 12/02/08
Wustoff paring, chef and bread knife
Le Creuset dutch oven
Microplane grater
Good wooden spoons
Sturdy but pretty serving bowls
Jennefur at 1:38PM on 12/02/08
Yeah I'm marrying into a Korean family so I'll need the rice cooker.
smile at 6:49PM on 12/02/08
Thank you for all of your suggestions! It's going to feel good to start fresh with all new items-- not crappy hand-me-downs (which I know can be good at times, but these are not!)
smile at 6:51PM on 12/02/08
How about a grill pan? I don't have one, but think it'd be useful to have around.
marieinla at 7:30PM on 12/02/08
I've always wanted a wooden lemon reemer.... put one on the list for me please!
Pavlov at 10:10PM on 12/02/08
Congrats on getting married! I just got married a few months ag.
A few thoughts
Immersion blenders are awesome.
KitchenAid Mixers takes up a lot of space and is really heavy so make sure you have a spot in your kitchen for it to hang out, I really don't move mine around at all.
I got a Santoku Knife and I love it. It is lightweight and very sharp. One of my favorite wedding gifts.
missjess at 11:10PM on 12/02/08
If you have outdoor space, you might consider registering for a grill and/or grill accessories.
A good set of basic bakeware will be very handy. A pizza stone is fun, too, and people seem to enjoy giving them (all the registries I've looked at lately, the pizza stones are always fulfilled).
Stainless mixing bowls are the most versatile.
A decent blender (our $50 Osterizer is great) is good to have for smoothies, purees, and frozen drinks.
I have a 3-cup Cuisinart (not the mini-prep) that does a hefty job without taking too much space.
A benriner mandoline?
I'd also register for a few pretty serving pieces. They might also help rein in some of the folks who, for whatever reason, dislike buying the practical items off a registry because they aren't "personal" enough, and then buy something they love but you probably won't.
I have a follow-up question/s, though, which could help immensely: are you starting your kitchen from scratch, or do you have a grip on the basics (pots, pans, utensils, knives) and are looking to fill in the edges and maybe upgrade here and there?
Are you an avid or wannabe baker? Because a 5-piece set will take care of most folks, but if you're into baking, there is so much wonderful specialty equipment that belongs on the list (special pans, offset spatulas, rolling pins, etc.).
Are your guests able to afford $100 gifts, or are many of them younger or otherwise limited in their budgets?
Do you now or do you want to cook in any particular cuisine? Maybe you'd love a sushi rolling mat. Or a tagine. Or a carbon steel wok. Or crepe pan. (Btw, World Market totally needs to set up a registry system, no?).
renzata at 11:35PM on 12/02/08