Must Have Students’ Day to Day Kitchen Appliances – college & university essentials
There is nothing like being independent and having to fend for yourself, growing your own set of wings and taking on the world. Leaving the nest, the comfort of home and starting on your own doesn’t have to be daunting.
No, we are not talking about starting your own family just yet. We look at what you need for the kitchen when starting at a college or university. Some university halls and rental accommodation may already have basic kitchen appliances, please check with the university accommodation office or landlord.
Here, we help list out the best and some of the most popular appliances you will need for your student accommodation. Be it a first-timer or returning to university, use our list below as a guide to help you get started.
What to take to university or college: check out our list of essentials for the kitchen and make your own university checklist ready for the big move.
Top 10 Must Have Kitchen Appliances for University
Apart from the basic small kitchen appliances such as electric kettle, toaster and microwave oven, we also look at some ‘would be nice to haves’ such as coffee machine, air fryer and multi-cookers which will make cooking on your own easier. Our list also include cutlery, pots and pans as well as crockery and the all important bottle and can opener for those lazy evenings.
Our categories of appliances and kitchen wares to consider include:
Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories.
1. Electric Kettle
Every kitchen has to have one, not only for the university dorm, the electric kettle is an ultimate essential. We recommend see through glass kettle.
2. Toaster & Toaster Oven
Next to the kettle is a toaster or toaster oven to enjoy your morning toast or bagel.
3. Microwave Oven
When you are too lazy to cook and don’t want to live on a toast and cereal only diet, try microwave meals. Microwave ovens are so versatile that you can warm pre-cooked meals in minutes, heat up your hot beverage and pop some pop corns for movie night.
Westinghouse WCM660B 600 Watt Microwave Oven 0.6 Cubic ft.
4. Coffee Machine
Not one for freeze dried coffee, then a drip coffee machine is your first port of call for that morning cup of joe. If you are after something more fancy, the Ninja Coffee Bar single serve system offers coffee with a built-in frother. It makes classic or rich brew to enjoy over ice, or as specialty brew with flat or frothy milk.
Ninja Coffee Bar Single-Serve System with Built-In Frother (CF112)
5. Rice Cooker or Multi Cooker
Here you can either have a standard Rick Cooker or a Multi Cooker with Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer.
6. Deep fryer or Air fryer
Live a little, for those nights that you crave southern fried chicken with french fries. One of these Deep Fryer or Air Fryer should do the trick.
7. Iron
For the odd time that you care iron your clothes, the times when you have to go out for a formal function or for your presentation day. One of these irons should do the job. Steam irons with large anti-drip and non-stick stainless steel soleplate are what you would consider to make your life easier. These let you set the amount of steam with variable steam control with some even come with retractable cord.
Sunbeam Steam Master GCSBSP-201-FFP Iron 1400-Watt
Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron 1700-Watt
8. Pots and Pans
Kitchen cookware sets that include saucepans and frying pan are what you will need. Non-stick cookware sets often come with complementary cooking utensils but may not cope well with overheating and burns. Stainless steel will be your best bet if you are the forgetful type. Big cookware sets have a combination of up to 5 pots of various sizes and up to two frying pans.
9. Crockery or Tableware
Glass, mug, plate, bowl and saucer are things you can’t do without. While you will only need one of each, it is actually better value to buy them as a pack. A 4 or 6 place sets are quite common.
10. Utensils and Cutlery
Cooking utensils, knives, chopping board, can and bottle opener, vegetable peeler are some of the utensils you will need. But first and foremost, cutleries.
BONUS: Can Opener
Now for the all important can opener, something you can’t do without.
ALSO: Kitchen Linen (oven glove, tea towels)
