Equipment

The first rule of The Frugal Kitchen is an old rule:

Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without!

Only then do you buy something NEW.

Purchasing the least expensive is not frugal if that item does not do the job, ruins ingredients, or breaks before your investment is recouped. We want to spend our money wisely.

When it comes to kitchen equipment, I look for items that will make a job easier by reducing the amount of time, effort, or money it takes to reach the end result, or will allow me to prepare food in a unique way.

In this section I am going to list items for a basic kitchen all the way up to those items necessary to a gourmet cook. I'm using links to items as they appear on Amazon so you get not only my comments but also independent reviews for these products. While you may certainly purchase the items through Amazon or a retailer of your choice, I urge you to first try to find them through Freecycle, Craigslist, Goodwill or another resale shop, at Garage Sales, look for local sales, or ask family and friends to gift them to you.

Don't be in a rush. Building a kitchen is a slow process wherein you add appliances and gadgets as you gain the skills to use them. When you do it this way, you have time to get the best deal. Remember, there's no reason to pay full price unless you must!