The Minimalist’s Kitchen

The Remix Top 10 Tools for Everyday Cooking

When I moved into a new home last year, I found myself in HomeGoods so often it felt like I should’ve been on the payroll. I kept thinking I didn’t have the right cookware—so I bought piece after piece. A spiralizer here. A specialty baking pan there. A ceramic garlic roaster I used exactly once.

Nice things, sure. But as weeks went on, I realized I was always reaching for the same few workhorse items. That’s when it hit me: If I were setting up a kitchen from scratch, there are only a handful of tools and staples I truly need.

This is that list. Not a Pinterest-perfect kitchen. Not a maximalist’s gadget drawer. Just 10 deeply practical, delightfully versatile tools that pull their weight day in and day out.

We even ranked them across three tiers—because whether you’re ballin’ on a budget or going full-blown heirloom-core, there’s a version that’ll fit your setup.

The Minimalist’s Top 10 Kitchen Tools: Curated Recommendations by Tier

This list provides brand recommendations across three tiers:

• Accessible Quality – Budget-friendly, strong performance for the price

• Everyday Excellence – Mid-range, noticeable step up in feel and features

• Premium Performance – Money-is-no-obstacle, top-tier craftsmanship and longevity

1. German-Style 8-Inch Chef’s Knife: This is your “one-knife-to-rule-them-all.” Its versatile size, durable construction, and forgiving edge make it perfect for everything from dicing vegetables to slicing meats, ideal for both beginners and seasoned home cooks.

• Accessible Quality: Victorinox (Fibrox Pro line) – Professional performance at an unbeatable price point, beloved by many chefs.

• Everyday Excellence: Wüsthof (Gourmet line) / Henckels (J.A. Henckels International) – Reliable German steel, solid construction, and a step up in feel.

• Premium Performance: Wüsthof (Classic or Classic Ikon line) / ZWILLING J.A. Henckels (Pro or Professional S line) – Impeccable balance, razor sharpness, and heirloom durability.

2. 18″x12″ End-Grain Wooden Cutting Board: Chosen for its longevity and kindness to knife blades, this all-purpose, self-healing wooden board protects your knives and provides a stable surface for all your chopping needs.

• Accessible Quality: Teakhaus – Excellent value for a durable, moisture-resistant teak board.

• Everyday Excellence: Proteak / Cutco (Homemaker) – Solid, well-made boards that offer good knife feel and longevity.

• Premium Performance: John Boos & Co. (Maple or Cherry boards) / The Boardsmith – The ultimate in craftsmanship, self-healing properties, and aesthetic appeal, built to last generations.

3. 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet (with lid): A true workhorse for everyday cooking. Use it for sautéing, frying, and simmering, baking biscuits, or even as a single-layer cake pan. The lid adds even more versatility for braising and steaming.

• Accessible Quality: Lodge – The undisputed champion for value, performance, and starting your cast iron journey.

• Everyday Excellence: Victoria – Offers slightly smoother finishes and more ergonomic handles than basic Lodge, often at a similar price point.

• Premium Performance: Smithey Ironware / Finex / Stargazer Cast Iron – Smoother cooking surfaces, enhanced ergonomics, and refined aesthetics that command a higher price. (For enameled cast iron, see #5.)

4. 18″x13″ Aluminum Half Sheet Pan (with wire rack): This standard-sized sheet pan is indispensable for roasting vegetables and proteins, baking cookies, and creating easy sheet pan dinners. The accompanying wire rack promotes even cooking and cooling.

• Accessible Quality: Nordic Ware (Natural Aluminum Commercial Bakeware) – Widely available, reliable, and performs admirably.

• Everyday Excellence: USA Pan – Known for their unique fluted surfaces that promote airflow, preventing warping and ensuring even baking.

• Premium Performance: Vollrath Wear-Ever (Heavy Duty) – Commercial-grade pans built for intense use, offering superior durability and consistent results.

5. 3–4 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven/Saucepan (with lid): This dual-purpose pot excels at simmering sauces, cooking grains, heating soups, and preparing small stews or braises. Its enameled finish makes it easy to clean and non-reactive to acidic foods.

• Accessible Quality: Lodge (Enameled Cast Iron line) – Offers fantastic performance and durability for its price, a solid entry into enameled cast iron.

• Everyday Excellence: Cuisinart (Chef’s Classic Enameled Cast Iron) / Tramontina – Reliable, well-performing enameled cast iron that offers a good balance of quality and cost.

• Premium Performance: Le Creuset / Staub – The pinnacle of enameled cast iron, offering exceptional heat distribution, beauty, and heirloom quality. (Both also make premium cast iron skillets.)

6. 10–11 Inch Porcelain or Ceramic Mixing Bowl (white): An ideal all-purpose bowl that transitions seamlessly from kitchen prep to table service. Its durable, chip-resistant material and elegant white finish make it perfect for mixing batters, tossing salads, or serving dishes.

• Accessible Quality: Target (Threshold/Opalhouse) / Amazon Basics – Basic, sturdy ceramic or stoneware options that serve the purpose well.

• Everyday Excellence: Mason Cash / Fiesta – Classic, durable stoneware or ceramic with iconic designs and proven longevity.

• Premium Performance: Pillivuyt / Revol – High-fired French porcelain renowned for its extreme durability, chip resistance, and elegant presentation.

7. 12–14 Inch Hardwood “Spoontula” / Hybrid Wooden Spoon: This clever utensil combines the best features of a spoon and a spatula. Made from dense, durable hardwood, it’s perfect for stirring, scraping pan bottoms, sautéing, flipping, and tasting without damaging your cookware.

• Accessible Quality: OXO Good Grips (Wooden Utensils) / Bambüsi (Bamboo) – Good entry-level wooden spoons, often made of bamboo or common hardwoods.

• Everyday Excellence: Fante’s (Italian Olivewood) / RSVP International – Quality hardwoods like olive wood or beech, offering good feel and durability.

• Premium Performance: Jonathan’s Spoons / Earlywood – Handcrafted from specific hardwoods like cherry or walnut, known for superior ergonomics, durability, and a refined finish.

8. 10–12 Inch Stainless Steel Flat Whisk: Essential for achieving smooth gravies and sauces, emulsifying dressings, and quickly incorporating ingredients. Its flat design efficiently reaches into the corners of pans and bowls.

• Accessible Quality: Winco / Update International – Commercial kitchen brands offering robust and affordable stainless steel whisks.

• Everyday Excellence: OXO Good Grips – Ergonomic handles and durable stainless steel construction for reliable everyday use.

• Premium Performance: Rösle / ZWILLING J.A. Henckels – Precision-engineered stainless steel, often with seamless construction for ultimate hygiene and longevity.

9. Measuring Tools

Digital Kitchen Scale: With a capacity up to 11 lbs and both imperial/metric units, this provides superior accuracy for all your baking and cooking needs, especially when precision is key.

• Accessible Quality: Ozeri / Etekcity – Budget-friendly digital scales offering reliable basic functionality and accuracy.

• Everyday Excellence: Escali (Primo line) / OXO Good Grips – Widely praised for accuracy, user-friendliness, and durability in the mid-range.

• Premium Performance: My Weigh (KD8000) / ZWILLING Enfinigy – Higher capacity, advanced features, and a sleek design for the most demanding home cooks.

Joseph Joseph Measure-Up Adjustable Wet & Dry Measuring Spoon: A compact, all-in-one solution for precise teaspoon and tablespoon measurements of spices, extracts, and leavening agents.

• Accessible Quality / Everyday Excellence / Premium Performance: Joseph Joseph – As the innovator of this specific tool, they are the primary recommendation across all tiers due to their unique design and consistent quality for this item.

10. High-Quality Multi-Functional Manual Opener (Can Opener + Bottle Opener): A durable, ergonomic tool that reliably opens cans and pops bottle caps with ease, combining two common kitchen tasks into one essential item.

• Accessible Quality: Swing-A-Way / Kuhn Rikon (Auto Safety LidLifter) – Reliable and effective basic can openers, often with integrated bottle openers.

• Everyday Excellence: OXO Good Grips – Consistently top-rated for comfortable grip, smooth operation, and durability.

• Premium Performance: Rösle – German-engineered stainless steel for superior performance, durability, and a sleek aesthetic.

Bonus (If You Enjoy Wine):

Waiter’s Corkscrew (Wine Key): A compact, manual tool that efficiently opens wine bottles with its integrated corkscrew and foil cutter. A must-have for wine enthusiasts that takes up minimal space.

• Accessible Quality: TrueTap / HiCoup – Reliable and functional basic wine keys.

• Everyday Excellence: Pulltap’s – Often considered the standard for professional waiters, durable and efficient.

• Premium Performance: Le Creuset (Wine Accessories) / Code38 (Luxury, often carbon fiber) – Exceptional craftsmanship and materials for the discerning wine enthusiast.

So What’s the Takeaway?

The truth is: most home kitchens are over-equipped but under-optimized. You don’t need a separate gadget for every task. You just need a thoughtful set of tools that feel good to use—and last long enough to tell a few stories.

Start small. Pick quality over quantity. Upgrade as you go.

Because the minimalist kitchen? It isn’t about owning less. It’s about making space for what really matters: cooking, eating, sharing, and enjoying the remix.

What’s your must have kitchen tool? Share yours on our IG @remixology.