The $150 Starter Kitchen

Have you ever found yourself in an empty apartment, scratching your head, and wondering how on earth you’ll afford everything you need to create a functional starter kitchen? Don’t fret, because I’ve got your back!

Know anyone getting ready to move into their first apartment? Whether it’s a recent college grad, newlyweds, or maybe it’s you, outfitting the kitchen can be a daunting, albeit essential, task. And it can get expensive. The problem is that as long as that kitchen sits idle, someone will be spending a lot of money eating out.

For less than the cost of a week’s worth of restaurant meals, I can show you how to set up a starter kitchen that will get that special someone in your life excited about cooking at home. Just keep in mind that these aren’t the highest quality items available. But for newly minted grads and couples, this will get them started cooking great cheap meals in their starter kitchen while they save to one day invest in higher quality cookware.

Pots and Pans

Cook N Home Colorful Pots and Pans, 10-Piece

Here’s a budget-friendly 10-piece cookware set that looks good, cleans up easily, and will get a new kitchen up to speed in a hurry!

Tempered glass lids with steam vents make viewing food easy, keep heat and moisture in, and do double duty on the fry pans. These pans are not induction-compatible. They work well on gas, electric, glass, ceramic, and heating. They are oven-safe to 350F and dishwasher safe, too. Two handy utensils are a nice bonus.

This 10-piece set includes both an 8- and 10-inch fry pan, 1.5- and 2-quart saucepans with lids, 3- and 5-quart casserole pans with lids, and 5-piece utensil set.

Cook N Home Stay Cool Handle, Multicolor 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set

Knife

Utopia Kitchen 8 inch Chef Kitchen Knife

Every kitchen needs one good all-purpose chef’s knife. Of course, you could spend hundreds or not that much at all. This 8-inch knife gets rave reviews, which is surprising given its price.

The 100% stainless steel knife is tough and can be utilized for a number of varying tasks. The knife will maintain its functionality and sharpness for a long time. You will have no regret in testing the durability of this knife during tough and challenging tasks.

Utopia 8-Inch Chefs Knife

Coffee Maker

Mr. Coffee® 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

Nothing is more essential than coffee. This coffee maker has no bells or whistles, but it’s a reliable workhorse that will make hundreds and hundreds of great cups of coffee.

It makes up to 25 oz. of coffee, just right for two 12-oz. cups, and the compact design fits nicely into small spaces.

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Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker

MORE: 13 Surprising Ways to Use Your Coffee Maker

Baking Dish

Pyrex Basics Square Glass Baking Dish

Any kitchen that’s worth its salt needs at least one Pyrex baking dish. Make it this basic 8 x 8-inch beauty—perfect to get dinner on the table, day after day.

Nonporous Pyrex glass won’t stain or absorb odors. Safe for oven, microwave, freezer. Dishwasher safe. Made in USA.

Pyrex Clear Glass Square Baking Dish

Oven Mitts

Hvalucen Silicone Oven Mitts

Oven mitts are essential, and this silicon set has very high reviews. You don’t want to skimp on safety, especially with novices running the kitchen! This pair is flexible and heat resistant to 500 F., and the soft cotton lining provides additional protection and comfort.

Say goodbye to burns and steam scalds. These Hvalucen Silicone Oven Gloves are on a mission to keep hands safe and heat resistant up to 500°F.

Hvalucen Silicone Oven Mitts

Slow Cooker

Elite Gourmet MST-350B Electric Slow Cooker

No one should have to live without a slow cooker. This 3-quart slow cooker is a basic starter appliance for making chili, stews, sauces, and even a 3 lb. chicken or roast. The removable inner stoneware pot is easy to clean.

Just the perfect size for starting out. This slow cooker has basic settings of Warm, Low, and High. And it’s good-looking too!

Elite Gourmet MST-350B Electric Slow Cooker

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