This post is all about Dorm Kitchen Essentials
Moving into a college dorm is exciting and brings new responsibilities, including cooking for yourself. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on fancy kitchen equipment. Having a few key items in your dorm can make a big difference in your daily life, helping you save money and eat healthier
That being said, make sure to check the rules about what you can have in your dorm. Some colleges don’t allow appliances with exposed heating elements, like toasters, air fryers, Instant Pots, hot plates, or many coffee pots. However, you should be able use these in the common kitchen area.
What Equipment Should You Get for a Small Dorm?
There’s a lot of kitchen equipment out there and it’s easy to get confused as to what’s going to be the best quality for what your needs.
So if possible, get a multipurpose cooker, something like an instant pot, or air fryer (ideally one that double as an oven, if you don’t have). That way you save on space, and probably money too instead of having multiple things.
Also, I would suggest visiting the local thrift stores before you hit retailers! You can get most of your essentials thrifted as long as you don’t mind them not matching. And if you have roommates, you’re better off with thrifted in case it gets ruined or stolen.
Side note: Avoid buying kitchen sets (they often have way too many plates) and it’s always cheaper and smarter to buy just a few individual pieces you need. You’ll get a lot better quality for the same cost.
Dorm Kitchen Essentials :Best Dorm Cooking Appliances
- Knife: A quality knife is indispensable. Opt for a 6inch Tojiro knife, known for its affordability and good quality. A versatile knife like this can handle most of your cutting needs.
- Cutting Board: Choose a durable cutting board that is easy to clean. A high-quality plastic or composite cutting board would be ideal, avoiding the maintenance issues of wood.
- An electric kettle with an automatic shutoff: really useful to have as you can make tea, soup, noodles, or blanched veggies in just a few minutes.
- Heavy Bottomed Sheet Pan: A sturdy sheet pan is essential for baking and roasting. A heavy bottomed one ensures even heat distribution and better cooking results.
- Half Hotel Pan (4inch high): Great for roasting chickens, making casseroles, baked ziti, and other dishes. Its versatility makes it a valuable addition to your dorm kitchen.
- Pots and Pans: Check out TJ Maxx or similar stores for decent, affordable pots and pans. Over time, you might need to replace these unless you invest in long-lasting options like a cast iron skillet or a quality French pan.
- Whisk: A whisk is necessary for mixing, beating, and whipping ingredients. It’s useful for making sauces, batters, and more.
- Peeler: A good peeler is essential for efficiently peeling fruits and vegetables.
- Rubber Spatulas: These are perfect for scraping bowls, spreading, and mixing. They are heat resistant and versatile.
- Metal Spatulas: A sturdy metal spatula can handle heavier tasks that rubber spatulas can’t.
- A toaster oven for baking, roasted etc.
Also, if your dorm doesn’t have a communal kitchen and you’re allowed, I would highly suggest getting a smoothie blender and a mini fridge.
If that’s not allowed, look for recipes that use microwavable prepackaged food and add extra ingredients. For example, you can enhance cup noodles with veggies and egg, or mac and cheese with meat and veggies. It may not be the healthiest, but it can be better than dining hall food!
Dorm Kitchen Essentials: Additional Recommendations
- Microwave: A compact microwave is highly useful for reheating leftovers, cooking quick meals, and more.
- Blender or Immersion Blender: Useful for making smoothies, soups, and sauces.
- Storage Containers: Keep your ingredients and leftovers fresh with a set of quality storage containers.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate measurements in cooking and baking.
- Can Opener: A must-have for opening canned goods easily.
- Colander: Useful for draining pasta, rinsing vegetables, and more.
- Dish Rack: Handy for drying your dishes after washing.
Budget Considerations
With careful shopping, all these items should fit within a budget of around $150. The knife and the baking pans might be the most expensive, but by shopping at discount stores for the pots and pans, and prioritizing essential tools, you can stay within budget.
If you liked this post, you will also love:
