Ever since I watched Rachel Khoo's 'Little Paris Kitchen' (you can find most episodes on youtube, I think), I've known that I'm just kidding myself that I need 90% of what is in my kitchen.

That’s a toughie! I love my kitchen aid stand mixer. I also have a couple attachments for it. Food grinder, pasta roller. I don’t use them every day but love them. We have lots of good knives but only about 3 I prefer to use. I love my cuisinart food processor. I have a nested stainless set of measuring cups as well as about 6 Pyrex ones. I use all of them. I have 2 really large cutting boards that I only use for veg prep or presentation. I use the plastic one that can go in the dish washer. Salad spinner. I have an ugly chipped set of everyday dishes that I would love to replace. I have a very valuable set for 12 of fine royal doulton China that I use every time we have an adult only dinner get together. I also put them in the dishwasher. I love to cook and if I had more room, I would fill it up! We just bought a brand new travel trailer and I can’t wait to equip it too.

Ricky, I'm right there with you regarding all the knives and All-Clad...also Le Creuset. I probably don't need ALL the cool stuff, but I'm not ready to part with anything yet. There are always those things you don't use often, but love it when you do.

I do like having two sets of measuring spoons if I have a big baking job with lots to measure. I agree about the knives. I could probably live with 4 (paring, serrated, big knife -- well, maybe 3).

I have a lot of stuff. But I would think that at least 95% of it I actually do use on a pretty regular basis. I do have a couple of things that sit in the cupboard and never get used but they were mostly things that someone else gave me. These are mostly things like an electric breakfast skillet/grill that was handy when my son and family lived with us for awhile but for just us two it's now a space-waster. I also have some things that were passed on to me thru the family that I don't use such as some really nice vintage tin-lined copper cookware, etc. I have quite a few Allclad pieces, love it and would love to have every piece, too but I would probably only use the ones I use now on a regular basis. And DH made sure I had a good complete German knife set but there are a couple of them that I can't ever remember using. So yes, I could probably get by with a lot less stuff if I had to but I don't want to.

I did a thought experiment years ago, with some help from GW friends, to fully equip a tiny house type kitchen so that anything could be made. Storage was a factor, obviously, so stacking and collapsible items won. I can't remember if there was a wok or if it was Western style cooking only. As the list of "can you make this?" got longer so did the list of tools, but given that it was newly bought to purpose selections, it managed to fit a small space. I'll see if I can find it.

When I lived abroad, we had two gas rings to cook on. Period. We had a couple of thin, cheap 2-litre aluminum pots, and a little aluminum skillet, maybe 7-ish inches. Other than that, we had some dinner sized unbreakable plates, tumblers and flatware. I bought a baking pot with flue (similar to Omnia Oven, but cheap aluminum without the insert accessories), a cheap paring knife, a paring sized zigzag tooth knife, and a bread knife. I managed to cook and bake cakes.

My tiny bit of discretionary money often went to a cooking tool, however. I got a whisk, can opener, garlic press, containers, ladle, jar wrench, scraper, wooden spoon(s), grater and maybe something else I can't think of.

Now, I have some redundancies, mostly from where things have been combined from different sources, or inherited, but I also am a sucker for a different tool. I have five whisks with five different applications. Could I live with one? Sure. Before I bought the whisk, above, I used a table fork and a strong arm. One doesn't need an electric mixer to make a sponge cake. Just a fork and a strong arm. But I use all five of my whisks for their different properties, as well as four different reamers. I do have some pots I don't use, but they're stored away. I use my sorta-wok and goose pot only on rare occasions, but before I had the goose pot, I used foil turkey pans, and that was something of a disaster. The turkey was okay, but they spewed all over the kitchen (they, because I was trying to prevent that with double).

I could downsize, but I have no need to do so. I only use my chef's knife from college for dividing bread dough, but it's perfect for that. I rarely use my boning knife because the butcher is just so good at his job, but it's there when I need it. I almost never use my second paring knife. It was a freebie at a cookware store. It's a good knife but fits my hand differently. When I have helpers, however, it's fantastic having an extra knife.

Yep. I use my stuff. Maybe not daily, but I use it. I love my kitchen tools. :)

ETA--found it! And the thread includes a lot of the rules, which I'd totally forgotten. They include having to cook for four adults, and serve elegantly. There's a list of required American home style dishes, no wok requirement. My final list is truncated at the top from the changeover to Houzz. :(

https://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2463086/minimum-tools-required-in-a-kitchen

I have way more than I need but I have a small kitchen and space is limited so that limits me to what I own. But I only have one set of measuring cups and spoons -- don't know why you would need more and although I have several skillets and pans some are one use only (like my oatmeal pan and my frittata skillet). I have also recently limited the stuff on my counters -- it's now the coffee pot, the toaster and the mixer -- that's it! Lined up against the wall on one cabinet. The rest of my countertops are bare.

I don't know if this interests any of you, but I've gone through my notes from that game and have an unedited list. I think the final list was pared down a bit from here, but not much. Notice that even though I use four different reamers, none made the cut. One can use a paring knife and table fork.

Spice and seed mill, Four space drawer organizer, Folding vase, Ice cream scoop, VWBus "lunch box" for tableware, Telescoping brush/broom with fitted dust pan, Suction cup sponge holder, Telescoping mop and wringer bucket, Framework lidded flip top garbage can, Dishsoap dispenser, Candlesticks (short and stable), Tablecloth, felt pad, napkins, Toddy coffee maker, Silicone freezing ball, Flatware and hostess set, Canisters, Magnetic small spice jars, Collapsible beverage dispenser, Tea strainer/infuser, Collapsible tea kettle, Drink shaker, Waiter's corkscrew with foil knife, All in one bar tool (, muddler, jiggers, strirrer, bottle cap puller, corkscrewlet, knife, strainer, zester), Drinkware set with shotglasses, martinis, tulip stems and tumblers, plus measuring glass and bar strainer, White tableware: Appetizer set (with four round ceramic ramekins, four square glass mini-dishes, four tiny forks, four tiny spoons, and a large square glass dish/tray), Serving bowl and gravy pitcher, Tableware with two plates, deep cereal bowl and mug for four, Two pair of espresso cups and saucers (can be used for all kinds of serving needs), Pyrex assorted covered glass serving/storage dishes, Nylon cutting board, Wood carving board, Pyrex pie plate, Salt and pepper grinder (compact, does both), Deep stainless roasting pan (turkey or lasagna), Cast iron pizza pan, Stock pot, Le Creusest saucepan/small skillet combo, Silicone potholder/trivet set, Baking sheet, Cookie cutter shapes and stamp set, Crepe/egg carbon steel pan, Nesting steel mixing bowl and plastic accessories set (with large bowl, colander, sieve, small pouring bowl and five piece measuring cups), Folding long trivet, Measuring spoons, Cake set (with 2 nesting silicone pans, individual cupcake cups, loaf pan, scraper, pastry brush, and piping bag&tip), Collapsible silicone funnel, Folding kitchen scale, Peeler with brush back, Multisized compact nut cracker, Nesting utensil set (with turner, lifter, spoon, slotted spoon and ladle), Five in One tool (spoon slotted, scraper, turner, cutter), Flat magnetic church key, Locking tongs, Twist flat balloon whisk, Compact side cutting can opener, Nesting carving set, Nesting paring and utility knife set, Compact scissors, Steel (for knife edges), Chef's knife (high quality) and edgeguard, Tea towels, Immersion blender/mini FP set, IR/Probe thermometer, Nesting bucket and cleaning caddy set, Cover blubbers

Hmm. I could probably get by with about half the stuff I have. But do I want to? I'd rather not have to wash the knife I cut up the chicken with so that I can cut up the veggies. I'd rather wash 2 knives later on. I only have one set of measuring spoons and cups but have thought of buying another. As it is now, I think about measuring dry ingredients out first and then the liquid ones so I don't have to wash the spoons/cups between the two uses. Might be easier to have two sets.

A couple of people mentioned woks. DH is the wok cook in our house (I use one but rarely) and he would shoot me if I got rid of either of his woks. Or his cleaver.

I love gadgets! But usually I get them from thrift stores in case I don't like them (I'm also cheap!)

Two ways to cut down is to remodel your kitchen and cook in an outdoor kitchen for 3 months and to move! BOY! The stuff we got rid of!

We are now very careful about things we aquire, being in a smaller house with not a bunch of storage.

Bumblebeez, I DO love my air fryer and use it at least a couple times a week! It makes me pretend I'm eating fried food! YUM!

Well, beyond my KA and the FP, have lots of various size corning ware, and at least 4 pyrex measuring cups, various cookie sheets, pie plates and cake pan, loaf pans and muffin tins and two big dutch ovens (used for canning and pastas and potato boiling and eggs) and various gadgets and lots of tupperwarish things. and a micro. Thinking of getting an IP. still searching for the perfect knife sharpener, but usually use a stone .... oh and a good strainer or two, and various other sundry items hthat have accumulated over the years

When we moved a dozen years ago the kitchen was a concern being so much smaller overall and lack of counter space. We decided to go back to basic prep/chop that we enjoy anyway without much gadgetry. Love this kitchen with its tight triangle and so much easier to keep clean. Very efficient. Worked out much better than expected. An open ended galley with no blind corners.

Somehow have room for everything by adding some extra shelving here and there. And good storage downstairs in a workroom/seed starting/freezer/overflow space for less used appliance junk.

NancyJane, I would actually love to try out an air fryer, I just don't have the room!

I too wonder about needing all the stuff I have. I love, love browsing in the kitchen aisles of stores. I despise clothes shopping with a passion, but I can do kitcheny type shopping all day long.

I have 2 sets of measuring cups, and the handle snapped off of one. The cheap metal nowadays certainly isn't built to last.

I have a Cuisinart mixer that works great, I just don't use it as often as I thought I would. I'm seriously considering selling it.

When packing up for the remodel I tossed quite a few old pots and pans not used any longer, multiples of things except measuring cups and spoons - and I left them all out as I can go through multiples when cooking, and left multiples of sauce spoons. Could I do without most all my kitchen tools and gadgets? Of course, but why would I when they make cooking tasks far easier and more enjoyable!

Now, the extra-extra gadgets not used often at all, like my ancient 3 billion pound juicer... almost got sold in a garage sale last year. Thankfully, no one took it, as I now want to juice again.

I have a number of sets of measuring spoons. Two are standard, another set has elongated bowls for getting into narrow spice bottles, a tongue in cheek set of "smidgen, dash, pinch" and another very useful trio of 2 Tablespoons, 1 1/2 Tablespoons, and 2 teaspoons. I use them all.

Measuring spoons too! I have three sets: One are shallow ovals and best for pouring liquid into, one are narrow rectangles with solid edges for using in jars and scraping flat. The last are ladle shaped, with horizontal cups and vertical stems, for dipping. I also have the smidgen/dash/pinch, which are useful, though not by their labels, and a 2.25 TBSP, which is the volume of dry yeast in a standard envelope, which is unnecessary if one can count, but works great with the jarred yeast.

The right tool for the right job. And it's nice to have a useable alternative if one set is dirty and I want something hard dry.

I remember finding the smidgen/dash/pinch set of measuring spoons at Restoration Hardware. It was a very long time ago, and I just thought they were cute and unique.

I love these,

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mini-Measure-Multi-Purpose-Measuring-Cup-Shotglass-Blue/28470894

I measure all small liquids in them.

Sherry, Santa put one of these in my stocking last Christmas. I use it frequently, but the most unique use was for measuring a liquid medication that was in ml.

A couple of years ago I had to clean out absolutely everything from the kitchen for a redo. When I put everything back I was pretty thoughtful about what I really wanted to keep and what was excess. The rest I let the family take what they wanted. I have rarely gone looking for the now-missing.

I too am a by-hand-chopper and by-hand-stirrer and don’t frequently use the specialty tools. Probably could get by with even less, but do enjoy having some of those as well. I do have, and use, multiple measuring spoons and cups.

Yes, I have lots of stuff in my kitchen and, no, I have no intention of getting rid of any of it. I do throw out worn out or no-longer useful items. IMO the kitchen is not a place to be a minimalist.

I need every single thing I have in my kitchen, and the stuff stored outside the kitchen in a different room, too! I have a small kitchen! Yes, I need everything I have, and I might also need more--oh yeah, I just bought an Instant Pot, and didn't realize I really needed it until I had it and used it! LOLAM

Thinking some more on the contrast between the kitchen where I started out with a pot and a fork, and the one I equipped to be able to make that whole list of required dishes (see below), I did chip up a bar of semi-sweet chocolate into chunks, which took forever to do with a little knife and still wasn't small enough, really, but my hand hurt, and the only kind of cookies I could bake were bar cookies in the omnia pot. The only kind of strata (no lasagna pasta available where I was) had to be able to fit in a ring in the omnia pot. Etc. I was able to make a large varieties of dishes, but there were a great many compromises in ingredients and equipment.

Ricky, how much stuff one REALLY needs is easily defined by a camping mess kit: A couple of vessels to cook and eat out of, knife, fork, spoon, cup, salt and pepper. As the rabbi said, "The rest is commentary." But to be able to properly make and serve a broad range of foods, having the proper equipment and a decent kitchen is key. The requirements for the thought experiment I linked and quoted were:

All meals for four (not small kids).

Broiled chops
Grilled fish
Meatloaf
Roast turkey
Lasagna
Chili
Pancakes
Omelettes
Pasta with homemade sauce (any kind)
Pizza from scratch
Decorated layer cake
Cut shapes cookies with some kind of decor
Cupcakes or muffins
Pie
Personal soufflés
Ices or ice cream/gelato/sorbet

Must be able to serve with non-working-end-of-kitchen looking dishes and utensils: Main, salad, hot vegetable, hot starch (bread doesn't count--it has to be a hot grain or potato dish--not baked potatoes. I.e., requiring a serving bowl and pot/baking dish (oven to table is fine if it looks good with the dishes)). Soup from a serving bowl. Dessert on separate dishes. Water in appropriate glasses. Mixed drinks in appropriate glasses. Wine in stems. Coffee and tea in coffee/tea cups or mugs.

It's not that long a list, but there's no way to make it with just a fork and a pot. :)

P.S. It's fascinating that so many of you used clearing your kitchen for remodel as a time for ditching extra stuff. For me, just shoving stuff in boxes and stacking them in the living room was enough, without having to think about anything!

I use most of what is in my kitchen, and I do toss what I don't use on a regular basis. I seem to have this habit of buying something that looks like a great idea, but when it isn't, it goes. I have more than one set of measuring cups and really should ditch the extra. I like my scale for measuring much better than the measuring cups, but I haven't memorized how much this weighs versus that, so it can be a bit cumbersome. I have some extra glassware that I don't use much, but I like how it looks in my glass front cabinets, and until there is something I like (and will use) more, it will stay. I find it interesting that I am now getting to the point (is it age?) that I think long and hard about bringing more "stuff" into the house.

I look at kitchen equipment/bowls/pots/pans etc like I do clothes: I wear only some of my clothes all the time, but when I need a particular piece, nothing else will do, so I must have it! i.e., if it's a black tie party/wedding, my black leggings/cashmere turtleneck and boots are not going to do it for me!

The same is true in my kitchen. I make an angel food cake 3-4 times a year, but no other pan will do - don't like angle food cake made in a loaf pan. I don't use but one of my mixing bowls very often, but when I need them (such as when I'm baking that angle food cake and must sift flour/sugar multiple times), having several is very useful. I don't use my cake pans very often, but there is really no substitute - same with pie pans. I use my big Le Creuset a lot in the winter, but never the rest of the year. I don't bake all that often, or whip cream, but I'm mighty glad to have my KA stand mixer.

I haven't made a cheese cake in years, but may someday and a springform pan is essential.

If I were starting over would I go out and buy all these things? Perhaps not, but something tells me I'd be placing a quick Amazon Prime order for things all the time if I didn't!

One thing I have multiples of in my kitchen is a small mixing bowl (have it on both sides of the kitchen, a liquid measuring cup (one by the sink, one near the stove), kitchen scissors - I actually have 3 pair on 3 different walls!), and my beloved spreaders are on two walls.

My weakness has been vintage pyrex cookware - along w/ vintage dishes. I've managed to rein myself in by avoiding the thrift stores and yard/rummage sales as much as possible, because our tiny 1950s kitchen (with only 2 drawers!) has reached saturation point. I also have several storage bins and a large credenza containing the overflow.

I agree w/ Anglophilia that some things may only get used a few times yearly - like my vintage cooky gun - but I would never give them up!

I do find myself envious of those w/ huge modern kitchens and loads of storage space and multiple drawers.

"I look at kitchen equipment/bowls/pots/pans etc like I do clothes: I wear only some of my clothes all the time, but when I need a particular piece, nothing else will do, so I must have it!"

Exactly! :-)

I've found that you can often manage with a small amount of key items (fry pan, saucepan, stockpot, sheet pan, chef knife) but it just makes life a lot harder and good results more difficult to achieve. This is especially true when you branch out to a wide array of dishes and baked goods, or start serving a larger crowd.

That being said, I have too much stuff (I'll deny it if every confronted with this fact). Interestingly, I don't have a lot of All-Clad, though. Thanks to people here, I found Demeyere to be a superior clad line and also have a good assortment of stainless-lined and tin-lined thick copper, plus vintage cast iron, enameled cast iron, carbon steel wok, etc. These items, and the tools/appliances (mixer, immersion blender, blender, instant pot, toaster oven) just make life easier. Having a big selection of spoonulas/spatulas, multiple measuring cup/spoon sets and muliiple bowls that all get dirty when making a complex dessert (cake layers, fillings, multiple icings).

Just this weekend, I was making a large poached salmon and I was thankful for a long yanagiba knife to cleanly skin the large fillet, and a nicely even copper roasting pan to poach, and a square platter to hold the rather wide filet. These were not dedicated tools for the task (like a turbotiere) but I was glad to have them available to properly filet, poach and present a side of fish (without chopping it up into smaller pieces).

I have cast iron and VINTAGE Revere Ware skillets and pans. I love them and can't see the need for changing to the new stainless. I have a stainless covered turkey roaster used once or twice a year, but can't imagine cooking my turkey without it.

I use my sous vide cooker almost everyday.

dcarch

The blessing of a small kitchen is there is no choice but to keep only what has multiple uses. I read a lot of "I use everyday"/"I love my______" ok but the original question is do you HAVE TO. In most cases the truth is no we don't have to have much of what we fill our cupboards with. My rule, if it's in my home it is used at least once a year. Not just kitchen but every room.

Arcy, when I've tried that kind of rule, I always end up having to get another one of that thing I shed, so I stopped ever thinking that way. If there's no imaginable good use for something, I'll get rid of it. I hadn't used my ball bearing rolling pin in probably ten years, having mostly switched to wood with no handles, then used it last month. The handles/spin are great for rolling softer doughs. It stays. I like having the right tool, not just whatever I can make do with. I've used the classic wine bottle as a rolling pin trick. It's not very good. It sort of gets the job done, but not well. The fork for a whisk/beater and pot for a mixing bowl worked too, but I wouldn't do it by choice. Even for camping. Backpacking, if I still did that, I'd rather eat the freeze dried packaged trail food that's lighter to carry than try to cook real food in a sterno jug.

I always end up having to get another one of that thing I shed, so I stopped ever thinking that way.

Me, too! I have things like an angel-food cake pan that I may not even use once a year, but when you need one, you need one.