#I hate air fryer baskets in most models

[mooseboogaloo]

I'd like to add that ALL non stick pans are built to be thrown out and replaced every 6-24 months (yes this includes higher end ceramic pans).

Non stick is not inherently bad but have to be treated with care to preserve the coating if you want them to last longer, but once you notice it sticking its advised to toss. Do not use them on high heat, They're best used with liquid in them and try not to use them above the med setting (usually 3-4 if ur stove thar goes from 1-6). Do not leave them on heat with nothing in them as it damages the coating faster. Only use silicone or wood tools, NEVER steel. Avoid the dishwasher, soft sponges and hand wash.

What you do NOT want to do is buy sets because you will end up overpaying for stuff you won't use often and it will take up a lot of extra space

Cookware is a daily use item and investing in the right tools can help make cooking less of a chore.

The staples you want to have:

- a small non stick pan for things like eggs (I recommend all clad, good brand and their non stick is cheaper than their SS)

- a 10-11 inch 3ply stainless steel sauté pan (all clad d3 [$$$], viking[$$], Cuisinart [$-$$]) **if you're just starting to cook, thinner/regular SS is cheaper and still works well, 3-5ply is just thicker and will last longer/transfer heat better, 5ply is rather expensive and is a professional level (a sauté pan is a frying pan with taller walls and lid)

- a smaller 3ply SS frying pan (~9inches) OR cast iron skillet OR carbon steel wok (this depends on what you want to cook more often, I cook a lot of Asian food so I have a wok [the frying pan still gets used but depends on the dish since I mostly use the sauté pan, and i have abandoned cast iron as I don't cook a lot of meat and have weak wrists 🥲 they're heavy so it's something to take into account])

- a large pot of your choice (I use a cheap 7qt $10 non stick one I got off amazon [imusa] and u can upgrade to a SS stock pot when u have the money or if you want to make a lot of soups or are cooking large quantities)

- a SS 4qt sauce pan (which is a small pot, not a pan)

OPTIONAL (for if you want to cook a wider variety of food)

- a second, smaller (2qt) SS sauce pan

- a carbon steel wok (I've seen yosukata recommended but I just got one from my Asian grocery store for cheap [you do need a wok ring if you don't get a flat bottom one])

- a 9 inch SS frying pan

- a cast iron pan (Lodge[$(Chinese)], staub[$$-$$$(American)], le Creuset[$$$+(French)]).

- an enamel coated cast iron deep skilett, same brands as above

- a cast iron Dutch Oven, same brands as above.

The first 5 will let u cook just about anything, and u don't even need the frying pan/wok/cast iron if ur just stating out and cooking simple stuff and don't plan on multitasking. Build out ur kitchen to ur needs, as you need it! Don't feel like you have to buy everything at once! Also, get larger pots/pans than the sizes I listed if you're cooking for a family or cook large quantities and feel like u need it. The sizes I listed are relatively standard but I also don't eat a lot and am only cooking for myself.

For reference, (all prices in USD) when I first moved out and was learning to cook all I had was a 7inch+10inch tfal frying pan set (~$15 on sale) and a 3qt(?) Ikea pot (5 dollars?). Then I bought a 7qt pot a couple months later, cause I wanted to make pasta/noodles (that weren't just instant noodles), for $10 on sale on Amazon. Then the generic nameless wok from the Asian grocery store for ~20 (wok ring was ~10). My viking sauté pan was my first big kitchen purchase at $40 earlier this year. I still use the tfals, tho I plan on replacing the 10inch with a 9.5inch SS (fingers crossed it goes on sale over Christmas) and the 7inch with an all clad whenever the coating goes.

Kitchen appliances I would recommend purchasing when moving out on your own:

Air fryer

One of those panini press grill things (not only can you make sandwiches but you can grill chicken and steak if you have an expensive model)

Rice cooker (not only good for rice but quinoa and any other grain, alternatively you could buy an Instapot)

Electric kettle (depends on how much tea you drink but it’s good for boiling water for cleaning and preheating water for pasta etc)

Kitchen appliances I would not recommend buying when you move out on your own:

Counter top coffee maker (you should not be drinking an entire pot of coffee on your own and it will be stale by the time you get to the bottom, plus these bitches suck to clean, Keurigs, French presses and stove top percolators where you make one or two cups at a time are more practical for a single person)