The idea behind this resource page is to provide a core set of tools that you need in the kitchen to create amazing food. No lettuce knives here! I tried to provide a few different pricing options to fit a variety of budgets. Remember, no matter what the description says, never put any of your good knives or cookware in the dishwasher!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links meaning that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. Please know that I have experience with all of these companies, and I’m recommending them because of the product or service they offer, not because of the small commission I might make if you purchase something.

Knives

A good knife will be your primary tool in the kitchen. You’ll want to spend as much as you can to get a good quality knife. I’ve provided a few options that I either personally have owned or used that will do the job properly without breaking the bank.

Chef Knives

The blade of a chef’s knife has a distinctive curve to it. That curve is actually by design, and it allows the smooth, rocking motion common in finer mincing. If you’re more of an up-and-down chopper than a rocker, then you might not want that curve. The tip of the chef’s knife also forms a finer point than the santoku, giving it an edge in finer detail work and for getting in to those joints during butchery.

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B0029OXHVY” cloaking=”default” height=”45″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21RDOACH0DL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_link asin=”B0029OXHVY” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Wusthof Classic Ikon 10-Inch Cook’s Knife[/easyazon_link] – This is my primary chef’s knife. Great weight, keeps its edge, and a comfortable grip…everything I could ask for in a knife. [easyazon_link asin=”B000YMURSE” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Also available in an 8″.[/easyazon_link]

Most major knife brands have a range of product lines to accommodate different pricing options. I highly recommend actually holding a knife before you buy it so that you can check the weight and make sure the grip is comfortable.

Below are the 10″ chef’s knives available to the home chef from some of the more popular brands and their product lines.

Wüsthof [easyazon_link asin=”B00005MEGC” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Classic[/easyazon_link] |[easyazon_link asin=”B0029OXHVY” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Ikon[/easyazon_link]

Shun [easyazon_link asin=”B0000Y7KN6″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Classic[/easyazon_link] | [easyazon_link asin=”B004M410JU” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Premier[/easyazon_link]

Global [easyazon_link asin=”B00005OL4O” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]G Series[/easyazon_link] | [easyazon_link asin=”B00005OL4N” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]GF Series[/easyazon_link]

Santoku Knives

Compared to the chef’s knife, the santoku has a stubbier tip and much less curve to the blade, making it less suited for the rocking motion and more suitable for straight down cuts and slicing. The blade of the santoku is also made from a harder metal, meaning the blade can be made sharper than a softer metal, but it can sometimes be harder to maintain and more susceptible to chips. If you’re doing a lot of butchery, that means that the santoku and bones are not going to be friends. If you’re a vegetarian, though, the santoku is ideal for years upon years of vegetable chopping.

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B00005MEGX” cloaking=”default” height=”32″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21lNOtnvskL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_link asin=”B00005MEGX” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Wusthof 4183-7 Wusthof Classic 7-Inch Santoku Knife[/easyazon_link] – Wüsthof also makes a santoku knife, and I picked up their Classic version at a great price. [easyazon_link asin=”B000WW45NY” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]The Ikon version is also available.[/easyazon_link]

Shun [easyazon_link asin=”B0000Y7KPO” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Classic[/easyazon_link] | [easyazon_link asin=”B003B66YK0″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Premier[/easyazon_link]

Global [easyazon_link asin=”B00005OL44″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]G Series[/easyazon_link]

Knife Storage

One of the most important things you can do for your knife investment is to protect it when you’re not using it, and that means not just throwing it in a drawer where they will bang around every time you open the drawer.

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B004T2ZG2W” cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WrRzhHhUL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_link asin=”B004T2ZG2W” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]The Container Store Deluxe Knife Dock[/easyazon_link] – I love this in-drawer knife dock. While other knife storage blocks limit you to a certain number of knives using pre-sized slots, this dock can hold nearly any size knife. The flexible cork-like dividers are easy on the knives but keep them firmly in place.

Cookware

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B005EXVUFC” cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31BAYIU%2BPkL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_link asin=”B005EXVUFC” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]All-Clad 401599 Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded Dishwasher Safe Cookware Set, 5-Piece, Silver[/easyazon_link] – This was my first set of good cookware. I’ve had these All Clad for almost 5 years and they’ve been incredibly reliable and provide consistent cooking on both electric and gas ranges.

Other Tools

[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B00004XSC5″ cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412vySK7-XL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ width=”160″] [easyazon_link asin=”B00004XSC5″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”minimalistchef-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Taylor 1470 Digital Cooking Thermometer/Timer[/easyazon_link] – Underdone meat can be dangerous. Take the guesswork out of whether that chicken in the oven is ready yet with this digital thermometer. Stick it in the bird before it goes in to the oven, set the target temperature, and wait for the alarm. No more opening the oven and letting the heat out to check on dinner!