Michael’s Equipment List
On this page you will find a list of everything I use in the kitchen and to make the show. I’ve spent the better part of 10 years assembling everything on this list. Some of the items are what I would consider “investments.”
I try to buy top-quality items, one at a time, until I have the kitchen I dreamt about in college. Please know that there is no need to buy the most expensive version of all of these items. Sometime the cheaper versions do just fine. Sounds like the them of the show, actually. Maybe I need to do a series on equipment only?
Click below to jump to each section
Frequently Used Items
Cookware
Measurement tools
Infrequently Used Items
Production Equipment
Frequently Used Items
Chef’s Knife
If you spend money on one item in your kitchen, make it a good knife. The first good quality chef’s knife I ever had opened my eyes and changed the way I cook. The one i use is a Wustoff Classic 8” Chef’s knife. The current price is $149.95 but you can find them on sale, frequently.
Cutting Board
This is a top-quality board. There is no reason to have one this nice but it is nice. It requires some special care. You have to oil it and care for it regularly. Its a luxury item but it is worth it, to me. Its an 18”x12” Boos Walnut Edge Grain Cutting Board
Stand Mixer
A stand mixer isn’t a necessity but it certainly makes things much easier. I can’t imagine not having one anymore. It’s also more versatile than you might think. Mine is a KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Qt. in Almond Cream
Kitchen Scale
If I could get anyone to buy something they think they don’t need, it would be a scale. I use this every single time I cook and I think it’s something every kitchen should have. Mine is an Ozeri Multi-Function. Its cheap and the batteries have literally lasted for 4+ years.
Prep Bowls
On camera, these are the bowls I use to prep all my ingredients. This act is known as “mise en place” (pronounced [mi zɑ̃ ˈplas]) It means, “everything in its place.” Doing this seems like it might be more work but it actually saves a ton of time. My bowls are from Target.
Thermometer
If you cook meat and you want to get better, an instant read thermometer is the answer. Making sure you don’t meat is the absolute key to making sure it stays juicy or as tasty as possible. The one I have isn’t on Amazon any longer but this one is also good.
Side Towels
I worked, briefly, in restaurants and I learned that a clean towel was prob the most important things to have handy at all times. I cut the parts out of me cleaning but it happens after every step of the show. These are cheap and save on paper towels.
Apron
I bought an apron to film the first episode of our show. I thought it felt kind of silly at first but I wanted to “look the part.” Now, I don’t know how I spent so long without one. I spent a little to buy a quality apron because I didn’t want to buy an apron twice. Its from Hedley & Bennett.
Cookware
Non-Stick Pan
The most recent addition to the kitchen are these two non-stick All-Clad. One is 10” and the other is 12”. These two sizes cover just about everything I need. They are very easy to care for and their namesake would suggest that they will last a long while. The price is actually pretty reasonable for All-Clad.
Frying Pan
This is certainly one of the “investment” category purchases. I’ve cooked on cheap pans for years and when I started the show I did some retail therapy and got an All-Clad D5 12” Frying Pan. Its top quality and I love it. Is it worth it? Kinda but lower price pans do a great job.
Sauté Pan
Again, this is an investment and after a long “treat-yo-self” amazon session. I would say that this pan is more “worth it” than my frying pan. It’s top-quality and I love it already. Its an All-Clad D5 3 Qt. Sauté Pan with a lid. As with all quality stainless cookware, you do have to take care of it with love but it is dishwasher safe.
Cast Iron
Tried and true, cheap and reliable. I have several cast iron items in the kitchen including a 10”, a 12” and a griddle pan. I’ve also got a combo cooker/dutch oven rattling around here somewhere. Lodge has always been good to me but I’d love to get some vintage smooth cast iron.
Dutch Oven
Of all the items I have that I would get the cheaper version, this is it. A lower price dutch oven would be just fine. Also, the one I have is far too small. This is on the short list of items I will be replacing soon. Its a Le Creuset 2 ¾ Qt. Oval dutch oven in Flame.
Baking Sheets
I absolutely love these baking sheets. I find that I replace baking sheets about every 1-2 years, regardless of the quality. They get baked on BS and they get too gross to use. These Nordic Ware Sheets are cheep and come in lost of standard sizes. I use half sheets for baking and quarter sheets for prep or small dinners.