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Gear guide

Small-kitchen essentials

Short on drawers and counter space? We ran our recipe data to find 12 pieces that, together, cover as many Simmerbee recipes start to finish as we could find. No countertop appliances, just tools, pans and bakeware. They're listed by how many recipes need each one.

Worked out across all 342 Simmerbee recipes. The ranking counts how many of our recipes use each item; it isn't a product test or review.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Brands are suggestions; any similar item works.

  1. Measuring cups and spoons

    Needed in 263 of 342 recipes (77%)

    Accurate dry measures for baking.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Measuring cups and spoons (opens Amazon)

  2. 8-inch chef's knife

    Needed in 221 of 342 recipes (65%), nice to have in 4 more

    One sharp knife handles most prep.

    Suggested: Victorinox

    See price on Amazon: 8-inch chef's knife (opens Amazon)

  3. Large cutting board

    Needed in 215 of 342 recipes (63%), nice to have in 1 more

    Room to chop without ingredients sliding off.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Large cutting board (opens Amazon)

  4. Nesting mixing bowls

    Needed in 197 of 342 recipes (58%)

    A few sizes cover mixing, marinating and proofing.

    Suggested: Pyrex

    See price on Amazon: Nesting mixing bowls (opens Amazon)

  5. Balloon whisk

    Needed in 100 of 342 recipes (29%), nice to have in 7 more

    Smooth batters and sauces with no lumps.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Balloon whisk (opens Amazon)

  6. Locking tongs

    Needed in 87 of 342 recipes (25%), nice to have in 4 more

    Flip and grab hot food with control.

    Suggested: OXO

    See price on Amazon: Locking tongs (opens Amazon)

  7. Half sheet pan

    Needed in 83 of 342 recipes (24%), nice to have in 7 more

    Heavy aluminum bakes evenly and won't warp in a hot oven.

    Suggested: Nordic Ware

    See price on Amazon: Half sheet pan (opens Amazon)

  8. Parchment paper sheets

    Needed in 65 of 342 recipes (19%), nice to have in 6 more

    Nothing sticks and cleanup takes seconds.

    Suggested: Reynolds

    See price on Amazon: Parchment paper sheets (opens Amazon)

  9. Silicone spatula

    Needed in 58 of 342 recipes (17%), nice to have in 2 more

    Scrapes every bit out of the bowl and handles heat.

    Suggested: GIR

    See price on Amazon: Silicone spatula (opens Amazon)

  10. 3-quart saucepan

    Needed in 48 of 342 recipes (14%), nice to have in 8 more

    Sauces, grains and custards.

    Suggested: Cuisinart

    See price on Amazon: 3-quart saucepan (opens Amazon)

  11. Rasp grater

    Needed in 47 of 342 recipes (14%), nice to have in 31 more

    Zest, garlic and hard cheese in seconds.

    Suggested: Microplane

    See price on Amazon: Rasp grater (opens Amazon)

  12. Pint mason jars with lids

    Needed in 8 of 342 recipes (2%), nice to have in 3 more

    Single portions of overnight oats, dressings and leftovers.

    Suggested: Ball

    See price on Amazon: Pint mason jars with lids (opens Amazon)

Together these 12 cover 31 recipes start to finish, and 43 more recipes need just one more item. Recipes that need an appliance (a mixer, a slow cooker) aren't counted.

Nice to have later

These show up in the same recipes, but more often as optional than as needed.

How we count

Every Simmerbee recipe lists the gear it uses, and marks the extras that help but aren't required as "nice to have". For this list we searched for 12 items that let you cook the most recipes with everything each recipe needs (trying one-for-one swaps until none helped), leaving out countertop appliances. As recipes are added, the counts update on their own.

More gear guides

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