STOCKING YOUR FIRST HOME

By Betty Ann Deobald, Home Economist
TEAM Resources

A friend of mine is leaving home and setting up her first apartment. This fall many other young people will be doing the same thing. Just like my friend they will be unsure of what is needed to stock their first home. The following is a list of some of the basics to start with in the kitchen.

Kitchen Equipment

• Sharp paring knife and a serrated-edged knife, for bread and tomatoes
• Kitchen scissors, can opener and vegetable peeler with a floating blade
• Mixing bowls ( can be used for mixing and serving)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Jug or large jar with a lid for fruit juice and ice-cube tray
• 10 inch frying pan, with lid, ( cast iron, non-stick, electric or other)
• Large pot (2 litre or 2 quart) with lid, preferably stainless steel,
• At least one other pot with a lid, this could be a casserole that can be used both on the stove and in the oven, read the bottom of the pot to confirm stove top use.
• A dutch oven (large pot with high sides and a handle on each side) with a lid. It is good for making spaghetti, chili and soups. If the handles are covered with foil it can double as a roasting pan in the oven.
• Steamer insert for one of the pots or a metal or plastic colander for draining pasta
• Glass or aluminum cake pans and a cookie sheet or pizza pan
• Kettle (electric or stove top)
• Long handled spoon and a slotted spoon
• Flipper/turner ( you'll need a plastic one if you have a non-stick pan)
• Toaster or toaster oven
• Oven mitts and hot pads

Dishes and Serving Utensils

The number needed will depend on how many people will be living together. Include large plates, soup/cereal bowls, drinking glasses, mugs, knives, forks, teaspoons, tablespoons or soup spoons, salt and pepper shakers, sugar bowl.

Storage

Large jars or plastic containers with tight lids for flour, sugar and brown sugar plastic containers with lids that seal for storing and freezing leftovers and unused portions of canned foods. ( reuse cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream and margarine containers)

Clean Up

• Cloth for washing dishes, dish-drying towels and terry cloth hand-drying towels
• Wire or plastic (for non-stick coated pans) mesh pot scrubber
• Dish drainer and tray
• Garbage container, a bucket will do, line with plastic bag to make disposal easy
• Dish detergent , hand soap and general purpose cleaner
• Aluminum foil wrap, plastic wrap, sandwich bags and plastic food-storage bags
• Rags for cleaning

Food Supplies

This is a starter list of foods that will keep for a least a month. Buy small quantities first.

Items that should be stored in the refrigerator: butter or margarine, jam or jelly, mayonnaise, salad dressing, mustard and ketchup.

Items that can be stored in the cupboard: canned or dried soups, macaroni, spaghetti and other pasta, rice, cereal, crackers, peanut butter, honey, salt and pepper, herbs (parsley, basil and oregano) and spices (cinnamon) soya sauce, white sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, white vinegar. Organize the kitchen by putting things where they will be used first, such as the towel, soap, garbage container and cutting board near the sink and the pots, pans, lids oven mitts, hot pad and utensils, like the flipper and slotted spoon near the stove.

My friend has decided she is going to search for garage sale bargains and hand me downs from friends and neighbours. in setting up her first home She has decided to do this to save money and wait until she discovers her lifestyle pattern and preferences before investing in new items.