This is about Kitchen tools.

1. KITCHEN
TOOLS &
EQUIPMENT

2. Knowledge of kitchen tools and
equipment plays a vital role in the
success of a food business, primarily
in kitchen operation. Currently, there
are various pieces of equipment in the
market that are used in the food
service industry.

3. Cook work entails the use of specific tools, utensils and
equipment for proper and efficient preparation of food.
Every tool and piece of equipment has a specific use or
purpose in the kitchen. The tools, utensils, and equipment
are made from different materials, each having some
advantages and disadvantages. For example, a good
utensil distributes heat evenly and uniformly. However, a
cooking utensil of poor quality develops hot spots which
are likely to burn the food that is being cooked.

4. Kitchen tools and utensils can be made
from the following materials: aluminum,
stainless steel, cast iron, plastic and
rubber.

5. Aluminum is used on most cooking utensils in food service kitchens. It is a popular lightweight and less
expensive material in the kitchen. It provides heat distribution on the food at any temperature. Aluminum
turns dark when used with alkalis such as potatoes, beet, carrots, and other vegetables. In addition, it tends
to create discoloration on light-colored food such as sauces, especially if they are stirred or beaten with a
metal spoon or whip.

6. Stainless steel is considered the most popular but more expensive materials used in the kitchen. Some
advantages of stainless steel are durability, non-reaction to acidic food, and non-discoloration of light
sauces. It is easier to clean and shine and will not wear out easily as compared to tools made of aluminum.
It is also available in thin to thick layer of copper, aluminum, or laminated steel bonded to the bottom of
the pan.

7. Cast iron is considered as one of the favorite materials in the kitchen of chefs
because of its ability to evenly distribute heat. This item cracks easily if dropped
and rusts if not kept properly.

8. Ceramic and heat-proof glasses are used for baking dishes and casseroles and as measuring cups. Heat conducts
slowly and evenly in tools made from ceramic and heat-proof glasses. This is the reason why many baking dishes
are made from decorated in ceramic and heat-proof glass, which can be placed in a stove or inside the oven and
onto the dining table.

9. Teflon is a special coating applied in the inside of aluminum or steel pots and pans. It
prevents food from sticking to the pan. Tools made from Teflon are easy to wash and
clean. It is ideal to use a wooden or plastic spatula with Teflon pans to turn or mix food
rather than with something sharp such as a knife or a fork.

10. Plastic and hard rubber equipment such as chopping boards, table tops, bowls, trays, and
garbage trays and canisters are used for cutting and chopping ingredients. Plastic is
durable, less expensive and long lasting.

11. Baster brush is used for buttering the top part of bread and baked
goods after taking it out from the oven. It can also be used for returning
the cooking juices from the pot and pouring them over the food.

12. Can or bottle opener is used to open food cans or tins by turning
the knob. It is also used to open bottles sealed with crown
caps.

13. A colander, sometimes called strainer, is essential for various kitchen tasks
such as washing vegetables and straining pasta or the contents of a can.

14. A chopping board, which can be wooden or plastic, is where meat,
vegetables, and fruits can be cut.

15. A double boiler is used to keep food such as egg, sauces and
puddings from reading below boiling point. It is used to keep
the food warm without overcooking it.

16. A food turner is used for turning burger patties and
other food items.

17. A funnel is used to fill jars. It is usually made in various sizes. It is made
of stainless steel, aluminum or plastic.

18. A garlic press is used to crush garlic cloves by putting
pressure on them.

19. A grater is used to grate, shred and slice food such as carrot,
cabbage and cheese.

20. Kitchen knives are often referred to as cook’s or chef’s tools. They
are used to peel, chop, or slice.

21. Kitchen shears are used for opening food packages or cutting
meat products.

22. Measuring cups and spoons are used to measure dry ingredients such as flour,
sugar, butter and other items. They can be made of plastic and metal (tin)
and they come in different sizes.

23. Pasta spoon or server is used to transfer cooked pasta to
the serving plate.

24. Potato masher is used for mashing cooked vegetables such as carrots,
potatoes and other soft-cooked vegetables.

25. Wire whisk is a cooking utensil used to mix liquids and blend thinner liquids smoothly into
a mixture. It consists of a long, narrow handle with loops attached to the handle. Wires
are usually metal but some are made of plastic.

26. Scoopers have a standard size and are used for portioning soft solid
food.

27. A serving spoon is used for serving food placed in a dish. It
consists of a small, shallow bowl at the end of the handle.

28. Tongs is a spring type or scissors type kitchen tools that
enables one to pick up and handle food easily.

29. A soup ladle is used for portioning and serving liquids such as
soups, stews and gravy.

30. Peeler is short kitchen tools with a slotted blade that is used for peeling
vegetables and fruits.

31. A pastry wheel is round, rotating blade with a handle. This utensil
is used for cutting rolled-out dough, pastry products and
baked pizza.

32. Saute pan is used for sautéing and frying meat, fish,
vegetables and eggs.

33. Saucepan is typically a deep round cooking vessel ideally used
for making sauces.

34. Stock pot is a large, deep, straight-sided pot for preparing stocks and
simmering large quantities of liquids.

35. Tools that are larger than utensils are
called equipment. Equipment pertains to
electrical appliances such as blenders,
ranges and other power-operated
appliances.

36. A blender is made of stainless steel, glass or plastic. It is
used for mixing and pureeing liquids.

37. A deep fryer is used to cook food in large amounts of fat
or oil.

38. Oven is used to heat, reheat or bake food items.

39. A measuring device is a kitchen tool for weighing ingredients used in
cooking. The following are the tools in measuring food ingredients:

40. Measuring spoons are used to measure small volumes of ingredients, which are
often used as seasonings, spices, and baking ingredients. Examples of such
measurements are 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon and ¼ teaspoon.

41. Measuring cup is a tool used to measure dry ingredients such as
flour, sugar, butter and other food items.

42. Scale is a piece of equipment used to measure the weight of food or
ingredients.