Kitchen tools an aspiring photography chef needs?

[Derek]

Hey gang,

As the topic states, What else do I need for my newly acquired kitchen?

I have the basic setup and the basic tools & utensils

I'm thinking about a Mandolin, A real food processor, and a wok for stir fry and some basic cooking oils, Although I have 2 cooking oils all ready.

My spice cabinets are pretty set except a few I will pick up after the third week of college!

So what else am I missing? By the way I have $95 to spend Only for this time around!

[joec]

OK what kind of stove will set the wok to use. I prefer wooden utensils for the most part except fish turners which are metal. Woks also require metal. As for oils you need more than 2 types as most kitchens need olive, peanut, canola oil as well as oils that are for flavor such as sesame oil. A Deep fryer is great but not always necessary as a good heavy pot and a thermometer can do the same. The same can be said for food processors and mandolins. They make the job easier but really not necessary. The main things are good pots and pans as well as a couple of really good knives.

Basically what I'm asking is what do you have already so I could best tell you where to spend your next investment.

[Derek]

OK what kind of stove will set the wok to use. I prefer wooden utensils for the most part except fish turners which are metal. Woks also require metal. As for oils you need more than 2 types as most kitchens need olive, peanut, canola oil as well as oils that are for flavor such as sesame oil. A Deep fryer is great but not always necessary as a good heavy pot and a thermometer can do the same. The same can be said for food processors and mandolins. They make the job easier but really not necessary. The main things are good pots and pans as well as a couple of really good knives.

Basically what I'm asking is what do you have already so I could best tell you where to spend your next investment.The stove is an electric stove, I have good pots and pans and I'm planing on more Cast Iron pans to replace the ones I have.

I still need a good Mandolin that will hold up to a lot of chopping and can be cleaned very easy!

I'm also thinking about a dough mixer, But my mom say's if I can wait until spring I can have her Kitchen aids. I'm also thinking about new knifes that actually cut very persicely, Although these work great for cutting and chopping I still have a little trouble with them in the fine chopping area!

[joec]

OK an electric stove look for a Lodge 14" Wok, they are really good on electric stoves but be aware you need to remove the food as soon as it is done other wise it will over cook.

[Mama]

A good cutting board so you can take care of those new knives too! A couple of plastic cutting boards for cutting your raw meats on...nothing else but your raw meats. An instant read thermometer is important also and you pick those up pretty cheap. I don't know about a mandolin...I have one that rarely gets used. A pressure cooker and a crockpot are nice to have.

[Mama]

The stove is an electric stove, I have good pots and pans and I'm planing on more Cast Iron pans to replace the ones I have.
I still need a good Mandolin that will hold up to a lot of chopping and can be cleaned very easy!I'm also thinking about a dough mixer, But my mom say's if I can wait until spring I can have her Kitchen aids. I'm also thinking about new knifes that actually cut very persicely, Although these work great for cutting and chopping I still have a little trouble with them in the fine chopping area!

Hold out for the KA!

[joec]

And I agree with Mama on her suggestions except the plastic cutting boards and highly recommend sani tuff boards (rubber) as they are easy on the knife, easy to clean and can be treated just like wood.

[Derek]

OK an electric stove look for a Lodge 14" Wok, they are really good on electric stoves but be aware you need to remove the food as soon as it is done other wise it will over cook.Thanks man, I have a lodge cast iron skillet I love, By the way, Why a wok?

A good cutting board so you can take care of those new knives too! A couple of plastic cutting boards for cutting your raw meats on...nothing else but your raw meats. An instant read thermometer is important also and you pick those up pretty cheap. I don't know about a mandolin...I have one that rarely gets used. A pressure cooker and a crockpot are nice to have.My mom came over with a suppressed yesterday and she bought me one those Polycarbonate abs boards, This thing is bigger then my stove it seems LOL. Thanks Mama, My mama she bought me a good slow cooker and a crock pot for Christmas and a good inside grill! A George Foreman! Gen 5 grill with 8 interchangeable grill tops! So instead of a Mandolin, just keep honing my cutting skills?

[Mama]

Yea...may mandolin is more of a pain in the butt than it's worth. You might want to get a pressure cooker though. They can be a big time saver if you need a good, healthy meal in a hurry.

[Derek]

Yea...may mandolin is more of a pain in the butt than it's worth. You might want to get a pressure cooker though. They can be a big time saver if you need a good, healthy meal in a hurry.Very cool mama, Thanks for the advice, I would like to make about 5-8 jars of my pizza sauce that will pretty much last me a life time LOL.

[joec]

Thanks man, I have a lodge cast iron skillet I love, By the way, Why a wok?

You mentioned a wok and cast iron woks can get hotter and hold the heat better on an electric stove than the traditional carbon steel versions though they will also work just not as well. The 14" Lodge Wok is also pretty inexpensives and I got mine off of amazon.com but they might be cheaper if you shop around. Just keep in mind they are heavy so shipping can be a bit high if not free. I also have a Griswold, Wagner and Lodge cast iron fry pans with no noticable difference in cooking though the Lodge has a rougher finish it cooks the same.

[PieSusan]

This is the cheapest I found the lodge wok that joec recommended:
http://www.katom.com/261-P14W3.html

Not only will it be heavy but one has to be really careful as it will get very hot and cook very quickly.

I also have found that a mandolin has not been necessary--more of a want than a need.

[Derek]

This is the cheapest I found the lodge wok that joec recommended:
http://www.katom.com/261-P14W3.html

Not only will it be heavy but one has to be really careful as it will get very hot and cook very quickly.

I also have found that a mandolin has not been necessary--more of a want than a need.Thank you PS, Right now I'm in more of a need mode!

I need kitchen gear more then I need cool kitchen toys, I've just paid for a nice deep fat fryer that will do wonders for fries.

[Fisher's Mom]

A good food processor will do most of what a mandolin will do. For the rest, you have your knives. Also, do you have an immersion blender (sometimes called a stick blender)? I use mine way more than I would have ever thought - it's very, very handy.

BTW, if you're gonna be doing cooking photos and video, a manicure is never a bad idea.:wink:

[Derek]

A good food processor will do most of what a mandolin will do. For the rest, you have your knives. Also, do you have an immersion blender (sometimes called a stick blender)? I use mine way more than I would have ever thought - it's very, very handy.

BTW, if you're gonna be doing cooking photos and video, a manicure is never a bad idea.:wink:I don't need a manicure, I wash my hands 24/7 I'm a germaphobe. And yes I will be doing photos as well.

A stick blender for pureeing?

[Fisher's Mom]

I don't need a manicure, I wash my hands 24/7 I'm a germaphobe. And yes I will be doing photos as well.

A stick blender for pureeing?Yes, they are good for purees but also for making soups, whipping cream, etc. Very handy, very fast and a snap to wash.

[Derek]

Yes, they are good for purees but also for making soups, whipping cream, etc. Very handy, very fast and a snap to wash.My step dad has one and he never uses it, Hmm I wonder if I can steal it from him :)

[Fisher's Mom]

Great idea! That way you can try it out to see if you like one and you can get a little payback for all the times he grounded you as a kid!

[Derek]

Great idea! That way you can try it out to see if you like one and you can get a little payback for all the times he grounded you as a kid!Hes my step dad, I really didn't have a dad growing up when I was a kid, "Probably the reason I don't like power tools LOL" And I've only known my step dad for about 5 years so far!

[buckytom]

make sure you have some arrowroot and cornstarch to thicken up sauces before you take pics. they will give it a nice gloss or shine to your dishes.
flour slurries are for more of a matte finish.



(not so much about tools), i would add that you need a good setting for your plates. oh, and nice serving platters or plates.

make sure the stove is super clean, and so is the backsplash or the table upon which you'll be shooting.

small background canvases and indirect lighting/diffusers will help you get the light angles you'll need.