Essential Kitchen Appliances for the Modern Home

The kitchen is, as they say, the heart of the home, and the right appliances can make it not just a destination for function but also a bastion of efficiency, inspiration and joy. Another set of pans, kitchen knives Cupboard essentials Luckily things do change but you'll always need a core collection. A good saucepan ensures you cook smarter not harder, so invest in quality pans and get some decent knives, they will last for years.

Refrigerator and Oven: A Core You Just Can't Avoid

Refrigerator and stove are mainstays in a kitchen. Today's refrigerator is more than just a pit stop between farm and table; it's a veritable playground of preservation technology, including advanced humidity controls and adaptable storage. When you select, consider energy efficiency and the placement that works for your family. Then there's the oven, which is like your roasting/baking/broiling workhorse. Ultimately, whether or not you prefer the gas version over the electric one (which does use a convection system to deliver even heating, remember) is a matter of personal preference; though it may appear weightier than some other models on the market, that's because it offers more accurate temperature control. For most of us, a range — essentially a stove and oven in one appliance — makes sense and saves space, with the oven situated below the cooking surface.

The Time-savers: Microwave, Toaster and Coffeemaker

A triumvirate of space-saving small appliances is a godsend for working around busy mornings and meals to go. As for leftovers, delicious frozen foods and the simple hot meal snack, they are nothing if not conducted quickly. You will want a good toaster or toaster oven around to be able to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for yourself without using your stove. They are as integral to many people's good morning as could be imagined without a coffee maker. Whether your tastes run toward no-frills drip brewers or more high-end single-serve pod machines, with the appliance comes a convenient and soothing ritual: the perfect brew at arm's length.

Food Processor and Stand Mixer

For anyone who loves to cook and bake, the food processor and stand mixer will change your life. A food processor is a serious kitchen workhorse, making it much easier to chop veggies, shred cheese, and grind meat, as well as whip up home made mayo and pie crust in seconds. It robs much of the tedium of prep work, and pushes toward more scratch cooking. A stand mixer is an excellent sidekick for bakers. And that strong motor easily powers through thick doughs — we're talking heavy cookie dough here, whipping up egg whites or creaming butters and sugar into airy perfection in under three minutes, forcing even the most tenacious ingredients to submit to your will.

The Dishes: Crockpot and Blender

And beyond that, I am guessing but honestly there isn't much a slow cooker can't do and perhaps the blender. The slow cooker is the epitome of convenience: Toss all your ingredients in there in the morning, and come home to a fully cooked dinner. It's also ideal for tenderizing the toughest cuts of meat, and can turn out hearty stews in no time. On the other hand, a high-speed blender is perfect for pureeing ultra-smooth soups, sauce that's as silky as butter and healthy smoothies or even making your own nut milks. Thanks to its 600-watts- of-power, it's also easily as strong for both health nuts and creative cooks.

So, long discussion short. Investing in a set of essential kitchen appliances is an investment in your home-school, housewife management and good eats enjoyment. Beginning with these basic tools, you'll end up with a kitchen that isn't merely set up to tolerate daily use, you'll also be motivated to deal with the limitless opportunities presented by home-cooking.