Do you love baking or do you spend most of your time cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Traditionally, Christmas is a time for giving, but there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself, as well as those around you. If you’re hoping to grab some bargains in the New Year sales, here are some essential investments to look out for.
Pots and pans
Do you find yourself washing up in the middle of a recipe because you don’t have enough pans or have your pots seen better days? Every chef, no matter their skill level, needs pots and pans to rustle up tasty meals at home. When you’re shopping for pans, you’ll soon notice that there’s a huge variety available and a vast price range. It often pays to spend more, as the quality tends to be better, but you don’t have to part with hundreds of dollars to buy great items. Set a budget and look out for discounts and flash sales. If you do a lot of frying, it’s a good idea to search for non-stick pans.
Knives
Have you ever wondered how TV chefs seem to rifle through a whole chopping board full of vegetables in a matter of seconds? Their skill level is obviously a contributing factor, but they’re also helped by using brilliant knives. They say a poor workman blames their tools, but in this case, it is true that having the wrong utensils can hold you back. If you’re on the hunt for a new set of knives, sites like Cut it Fine can be really useful. You can read reviews and get recommendations based on how much you want to spend, what kinds of knives you’re looking for and how you plan to use your knives.
Boards
If you’re cooking dinner, it’s highly likely that you’ll need a variety of boards, especially if you’re making a dish that contains meat, fish or vegetables. If you haven’t got enough chopping boards, you’ll need to wash up mid-recipe, and this can prolong preparation time and add to your workload. If you need a new chopping board, it’s worth looking in-store and online after the holidays and choosing products that are sturdy and durable. If you buy cheap boards, they’re not likely to last, especially if you cook on a daily basis.
Kitchen gadgets
Are you a gadget lover? If so, now is the time to seek out some star buys and keep an eye on the prices. Do you long to enjoy coffee shop style lattes at home or are you desperate for an electric peeler or a new mixer?
Are you a budding chef? If you love to cook at home, it’s important to have the right tools and equipment to enable you to do the best job possible. If you don’t have the best knives, you’re short of pans or chopping boards or you long to introduce modern technology to your kitchen, now is the time to make a list and keep an eye on prices. If you wait until after the holidays, you may be able to take advantage of some great offers.