<p>You could start with something like this and add any additional pieces they may need. It’s not great quality but my kids found it functional and we didn’t care if anything was ruined or walked away. I would think a pizza cutter and ice cream scoop would get used.
[Gibson</a> Home Basic Living III 84-Piece Combo Set, Assorted Colors: Kitchen & Dining : Walmart.com](<a href=“http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gibson-Home-Basic-Living-III-84-Piece-Combo-Set-Black/23980851?findingMethod=Recommendation:wm:RecentlyViewedItems#Product+Reviews]Gibson”>http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gibson-Home-Basic-Living-III-84-Piece-Combo-Set-Black/23980851?findingMethod=Recommendation:wm:RecentlyViewedItems#Product+Reviews)</p>
<p>I forgot: a corkscrew!</p>
<p>The last two apartments my daughter lived in had small stoves with small ovens. The oven needed tiny baking pans. If you can check the size of the oven, that might be helpful.</p>
<p>Brillo pads. Cookbook.</p>
<p>Thank you all! I can’t believe the things I forgot, like measuring cups (and spoons) and a colander. And I love the idea of starting at the local Goodwill. I’m always a little “icked” at using stuff that has lived in someone else’s home (seen too many episodes of Hoarders), but much on the list can be completely cleaned/disinfected and should do fine.</p>
<p>D is indeed a grad student, but is moving into a grad housing situation with 3 strangers, at least some of whom are internationals, and she won’t have their contact info in advance (I know it’s an odd system), so she’s assuming that she’ll have to bring whatever she wants to have in the kitchen. If there’s any duplication, well, the broken/lost/lent effect will probably take care of that.</p>
<p>I second checking out Goodwill if you have one nearby. I’ve found so many treasures at Goodwill. No need to be icked out. Just run it through a hot cycle in the dish washer.<br>
Think about it. There’s no difference in that and eating in restaurants where all dishes, cutlery, glassware has been used/handled thousands of times by thousands of different people, not to mention the people who handle your food before it arrives at your table.</p>
<p>For easy reference, I thought I’d compile the ultimate list based on the above. I left out items that have reasonable substitutes–e.g., anything that can be peeled with a peeler can be peeled with a paring knife; toast can be made in the broiler instead of a toaster; anything that requires beating can be done by hand rather than with a mixer–because I’m really trying to have a minimalist approach, at least until D has a better sense of the storage space available (she has no access until she moves in) and whether the roommates will be bringing anything. I’ve also left out dishwashing/cleaning supplies and foil baking pans, since they can easily be purchased as needed at the local supermarket. Please cut and paste to make any additions, but keep in mind that the key word here is BASIC.</p>
<p>table settings, # as needed–microwave safe plates and bowls, flatware, plastic glasses, coffee mugs
medium lidded saucepan
medium lidded non-stick skillet
pasta pot
mini-blender
colander
tongs, non-scratch spatula, wooden spoons
cutting board
knives–paring, chef’s, serrated
set of measuring cups
set of measuring spoons
set of microwave-safe, multi-sized plastic bowls usable for mixing and food storage
2 potholders
standard can opener, church key opener, corkscrew</p>
<p>A metal steamer insert that will fit in the medium saucepan can double as a colander and be stored in saucepan, if space is tight.</p>
<p>Earlier someone mentioned 13 x 9 glass Pyrex dish. Can use for baking, marinating chicken, fish, etc and also for storing and transporting skewered veggies or seafood. </p>
<p>Pyrex also sells individual and sets of round, fluted bowls with lids (marinate, store leftovers, or serve) and rectangular non-fluted. Can also bake a small pasta dish or brownies in same.</p>
<p>Wow - so much stuff. I don’t even have that much stuff in my own kitchen. But I am a minimalist at times.</p>
<p>You only need one pot - the right sized pot can be used for frying, sauteeing, boiling, etc. Then one jelly-roll pan for cookies, brownies, chicken etc. Basically a stove top pan and an oven pan.</p>
<p>You don’t need all those appliances. Just a mixing bowl and a spoon.</p>
<p>Then enough eating utensiles and you’re done.</p>
<p>Of course you don’t NEED all those appliances - but I can tell you that I would probably cook/bake a lot less if I didn’t have a mixer and I would never have toast if I had to heat up the broiler first…and I’m an adult - college students are busy and used to “quick” - a toaster, mixer and blender can be bought on the cheap.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I would add a Pyrex measuring cup that is at least the 4-cup size. It has many uses…</p>
<p>I’ll stand by that baking sheet and the 9x13 pan.</p>
<p>I forgot that S also has a vegetable peeler. He decided against a grater. </p>
<p>I have a strong prejudice against non-stick pans, and I would advocate for a skillet that can be put into the oven, which means no plastic handles.</p>
<p>I agree that a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup is very useful, although S only took a 2-cup.</p>
<p>Once you have the absolute basics, you can add an item or two that expand the repertoire: a pie pan, a cookie sheet, a gratin dish, etc.</p>
<p>What about basic spices? I gave S:</p>
<ul>
<li>jar of home made chili powder (no salt)</li>
<li>jar of freshly ground black pepper</li>
<li>jar of homemade Madras curry powder</li>
<li>jar of homemade toasted spice rub</li>
<li>jar of crushed red pepper flakes</li>
<li>jar of freshly ground cumin</li>
<li>jar of thyme</li>
</ul>
<p>He bought:</p>
<ul>
<li>oregano</li>
<li>bay leaves</li>
<li>fennel seed</li>
<li>a couple of additional Indian prepared spice mixes</li>
<li>jar of garlic paste</li>
<li>jar of ginger paste</li>
</ul>
<p>Those should enable him to make a variety of interestingly spiced foods. Obviously there are many other possibilities, especially if a person actually knows how to cook or likes to bake. But he doesn’t.</p>
<p>This might be a moronic question, but why would you ever put a skillet in the oven? I don’t think I’d ever think to put anything used for the stove into the oven. Am I missing something?</p>
<p>Some gladware or similar containers would be nice for leftovers. I used those a lot in college. I bought glass ones so all the pasta sauce I made wouldn’t stain the containers.</p>
<p>Cast iron pan - you can prep stuff stove top and then bake/finish off in the stove.</p>
<p>Went through my cupboards tonight - found some duplicate spices so will send those on. Also realized I had 4 different 9x13 pans and 3 pie plates so pulled one of each for S. also came up with a few spare utensils and some dish towels.</p>
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</p>
<p>Fritata: start on the stove, finish under the broiler.
Whole pork tenderloin: sear on all sides on the stove, put whole skillet in 500F oven to finish.
Fish filets: cook for 3 minutes face down in very hot skillet, flip to skin side down and finish in very hot oven.</p>
<p>And so forth.</p>
<p>abasket: I was originally thinking about cast iron–my fave 
– but I was concerned that it would not be cared for properly and is a lot heavier to carry back and forth from room. As it turns out, apparently they leave their stuff there in a labelled box. Oh well.</p>
<p>My two have, for the most part, made do with scavenging kitchen necessities from home, their grandparents downsizing and goodwill. Throw in a trip to Ikea and another one to Costco business, and they had it all.
The younger one is moving from a 4 person suite with kitchenette to an apartment, so we will fill in what’s needed. </p>
<p>Make sure plates, bowls, measuring cups, mugs, etc. are microwave safe, especially if you are thrifting or dollar store-ing it. Surprising how much isn’t. </p>
<p>My daughter also had an issue with one of the suite mates (international, but it may not make a difference) who borrowed things, took them to other dorm kitchens to cook with friends, and never returned the items. In the end, she was happy that most of it was second hand. </p>
<p>Amazing what they decide they need and how cheaply they can find it - knife block, new, $7, foreman grill, pie plates and casserole dishes for a couple of dollars. </p>
<p>If there’s a Costco business close by, they have great deals on cutting boards, knives, utensils, saut</p>
<p>Let the thrift shop deals be your guide. </p>
<p>I’ve done fine myself for 30 years with a single glass measuring cut - 2 cup size. I do occasional baking, so I also have nesting plastic measuring cups. </p>
<p>It’s nice to have a pot you can use for making pasta and Kraft mac/cheese. A small nonstick frypan is great for eggs, but I find a custard cup or pyrex coffee mug works great - cook 30 seconds in microwave. A large nonstick frypan is great for skillet frozen skillet dinners and hanburger helper.</p>
<p>If her fridge isn’t “fancy”, ice cube trays.</p>