Food I Made

Will Chiong

Mild-mannered engineer by day, ambitious home cook by night

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My Kitchen Kit

This is the gear I use and recommend to other chefs to recreate the recipes on my blog. Click on any of the recommendations to get my tips on caring for these items, and the various recipes that I use them for.

Basics

These are the products that I would recommend to anyone, including a beginner chef. For everything else like knives you should use the options you have readily available cheaply until you can afford one of the advanced or upgrade picks.

Stock Pot

Calphalon Stainless Steel 8 quart Stock Pot

This is the largest pot I own- you’re going to need a large pot to boil large volumes of water for various pastas and soups. They don’t vary…

Kitchen Shears

Global GKS-210 Kitchen Shears

Kitchen shears are essential for tasks like spatchcocking chicken, trimming wing tips, cutting through poultry bones, and various kitchen…

Sauté Pan

Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware, Saute Pan, 3-quart

Living in a New York apartment, you have to optimize the number of pans and pots you have. This is one of only two pots I have that is non…

Food Storage Containers

Snapware 18PC Total Solution Pyrex Glass Food Keeper Set

If you’re going to be cooking a lot, you’re going to have leftovers. I don’t like storing my food in plastic, so I think these pyrex ones…

Baking Sheet

Kitchenatics Half Sheet with Cooling Rack

Baking sheets vary a lot- they are made of various materials and have different height rims. I prefer an aluminum baking sheet with a…

Frying Pan

Tramontina Professional Aluminum Nonstick Restaurant Fry Pan

A good nonstick frying pan should have a smooth finish- the mark of a great pan is the ability to make a perfectly unburnt french omelettes…

Oven Mitt

San Jamar Cool Touch Conventional Oven Mitt

Obviously any time you’re dealing with hot dishes coming out of an oven, or touching the handle of a metal pot or skillet on the stove, you…

Cutting Board

Progressive Prep Solutions Cutting Board, Juice Grooves

This is a simple polyethylene cutting board that is easy to use, won’t dull your knife, and is easy to clean. The grooves make it so you can…

Locking Tongs

OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs with Silicone Heads

Tongs are the most versatile tool you can use- you can declump pasta with it, flip bacon or burgers with it, or even do some fancy plating…

Advanced

These are the products that I recommend to people trying to get more involved in a home cooking practice, but might be too extravagant or might require a very specific type of upkeep that might be a lot for someone just getting started.

Heavy Spatula

Winco Stainless Steel Spatula

This heavy spatula is a great addition to the kitchen. This one is heavy and good for flattening burgers on a griddle. It also has a sharp…

Dutch Oven

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Enameled Cast Iron is a little tricky to recommend because it is a very expensive item, and it requires very specific care. You can’t use…

Food Processor

Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor

A 14-cup food processor with a 720-watt motor. Simple on/off and pulse controls make it easy to use. The large capacity handles both big…

Clay Pot

Nagatani Seitou Kamado-san Rice Cooker

A 2-go (2 cup uncooked rice) donabe made from traditional clay in Japan. The double-lid design creates pressure and retains moisture for…

Chef's Knife

Global GF-33 21-cm Chef's Knife

Global is a Japanese forged steel knife brand that has a distinctive look. In the GF line, the blade and handle are forged from a single…

Air Fryer

Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1

An air fryer circulates hot air to cook food with little to no oil. The Ninja AF141 has a 5-quart capacity that’s good for 2-4 servings. It…

Immersion Blender

Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion Blender

A 500-watt immersion blender with variable speed control. The ergonomic handle reduces hand fatigue during use. The bell-shaped blending…

Hand Mixer

Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender

An immersion blender like the Breville can serve a number of purposes and doesn’t take a lot of counter top space so it can fit a lot of…

Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot DUO60

Pressure cookers have long been staples in South and East Asian kitchens- by cooking at a higher pressure you can reduce cooking time on…

Slow Cooker

Instant Pot DUO60

You’ll notice this is the same recommendation as my pressure cooker recommendation. The real value of a multipurpose device like the Instant…

Food Thermometer

ThermoPop

The best food thermometer is one that can take a reading super fast. The Thermopop is really great for taking quick, accurate temperatures…

Mandolin

OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer

A mandoline slicer with a sharp V-blade and four thickness settings. Includes both straight and wavy blades. The non-slip base provides…

Kitchen Scale

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Food Scale

One of the best ways to improve your cooking and baking is to start measuring everything when you start cooking. Then you can improve your…

Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge 12" Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

A properly seasoned cast iron pan will have a dark shiny black surface that provides a naturally nonstick surface. The seasoning of a cast…

Wok

Yosukata 13.5" Carbon Steel Wok

A 13.5-inch hand-hammered carbon steel wok. Carbon steel heats quickly and responds to temperature changes for precise control. The flat…

Pepper Mill

Unicorn Magnum Pepper Mill

This is one of those purchases that may feel unnecessary- if you like you can get by with the grinders that come with the peppercorns…

Mini Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge Mini Cast Iron Skillet, 3.5 Inch

A mini cast iron skillet is perfect for individual portions, side dishes, or serving appetizers. Like its larger counterpart, a properly…

Cheese Cloth

Cotton Farm Grade Cheese Cloths

Cheese Cloth is a fine mesh cloth that can be used to strain liquids like stock, fine custards, or cheese.

Specialty

These are the products that I love to use that may only apply to cooks for specific niche dishes.

Donabe

Kotobuki Japanese Donabe

The donabe is an earthenware pot in the Japanese tradition. It is usually glazed on the inside and porous on the outside. It is my preferred…

Roasting Rack

All-Clad Stainless Steel Roasting Rack

A stainless steel roasting pan with a non-stick rack. The rack elevates meat above the pan so heat circulates evenly and fat drips away. The…

Baking Dish

Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Rectangular Dish

A 4-quart stoneware baking dish with a glazed interior that resists sticking. The stoneware distributes heat evenly and retains it well…

Griddle

Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle

A 9.5 x 16.75 inch cast iron griddle that’s flat on one side and ribbed on the other. It spans two burners and is pre-seasoned and ready to…

Pie Plate

Emile Henry 9-Inch Pie Dish

A 9-inch ceramic pie dish made from Burgundy clay. The deep sides hold generous fruit fillings and the wide rim provides space for…

Colander

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Colander

A 5-quart stainless steel colander with non-slip handles and an elevated base. The perforations are sized to drain liquids quickly while…

Trivet

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Deluxe Round Trivet

A cast iron trivet with an enameled finish. The tripod-footed design elevates hot pots and pans above countertops and tables, protecting…

Cocktail Beaker

Catamount Glassware 2-Cup Measuring Glass

A scientific beaker like this is a functional, durable, and stylish container, and can serve double duty as a measuring cup in a space…

Loaf Pan

USA Pan Pullman Loaf Pan With Cover

I got into baking bread recently, and upgraded my loaf pan to this covered pullman loaf pan. I think for a small kitchen it’s great because…

Potato Ricer

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Potato Ricer

A stainless steel potato ricer with non-slip handles that provide leverage for easy pressing. The fine holes create smooth, fluffy mashed…

Fat Separator

OXO Good Grips 4 Cup Fat Separator

A 4-cup fat separator with a bottom-draining trigger that lets you control liquid flow. The built-in strainer catches solids when pouring…

Silicone Whisk

Le Creuset Silicone Whisk

A whisk with heat-resistant silicone wires that won’t scratch non-stick cookware. The silicone is rated to 482°F, so you can stir hot sauces…

Slicer

Westmark Germany Stainless Steel Multipurpose Slicer

Burmese dishes frequently use sliced eggs as a garnish. I had the wire egg slicers, but they break so easily and are impossible to clean…

Biscuit Cutter

Homy Feel Round Biscuit Cutter Set

A set of 12 graduated round metal cutters. The sharp edges cut cleanly through dough without squishing, which is important for achieving…

Fine Mesh Strainer

OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Double Rod Strainer

An 8-inch fine mesh strainer with stainless steel mesh and a non-slip handle. The double rod construction keeps the mesh from sagging under…

Ramekin

Le Creuset Stoneware Round Straight Wall Ramekin

A 6.75-ounce stoneware ramekin with a glazed interior that resists sticking. The stoneware distributes heat evenly for consistent baking…

Heatproof Bowl

Pyrex Essentials Glass Mixing Bowl Set

A set of three glass mixing bowls (1-quart, 1.5-quart, and 2.5-quart) made from borosilicate glass. The clear glass lets you see ingredients…

Muffin Tin

USA Pan Bakeware Mini Muffin Pan

A 12-cup muffin pan made from heavy-gauge aluminized steel with a ceramic-reinforced non-stick coating. The micro-textured surface prevents…

Wire Rack

OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Cooling Rack

A steel cooling rack with a PFOA-free non-stick coating. Fits standard half sheet pans and works for both cooling baked goods and roasting…

Flexible Spatula

OXO Good Grips Silicone Everyday Spatula

A silicone spatula with a beveled edge that scrapes bowls and pans clean. The silicone is heat-resistant up to 600°F and safe for nonstick…

Whisk

OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk

An 11-inch balloon whisk with stainless steel wires and a non-slip handle. The balloon shape incorporates air efficiently for whipping cream…

Scraper

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Scraper & Chopper

A stainless steel bench scraper with measurement markings for portioning dough. The non-slip handle provides a secure grip. The straight…

Ice Cube Tray

Tovolo King Cube Silicone Ice Tray

Larger ice cubes melt slower and are easier to stir cocktails with.

Musubi Press

Kitchen Helper K5SPS Spam Musubi Sushi Rice Press

This is a uni-tasker which I’m normally not a fan of, but this is a much better way of making spam musubi than using the cut out can.