Kit Supplies

Before you get started putting your kit supplies together, take a look at your local community Facebook pages(s).  My city has a Buy Nothing page and folks are constantly getting rid of or upgrading their kitchen wares.  I have been able to get for free most kitchen supplies on our list over time.  Also take a look in your own kitchen!  You don’t have to buy anything new if you already own!

Each recipe comes with a supply list/packing list, so before you run out and buy something, make sure that you actually need it!  You could find yourself waiting 6 months before you use a whisk or ladle!

Please note, that the items shown are merely for visual example. I am not endorsing or
recommending any specific brands for any products.


TO CARRY

You will need some sort of rolling cart, dolly, or wagon. This/a collapsible beach wagon is the ideal thing to get in your car and then hold all your supplies to get into the buildings/rooms.  This is an example https://a.co/d/5X0lhet  ($35). I have found the wagons to be the best size.                                                                                                                                               

 You will also need food bags to transport groceries/food and an ice pack to keep items cold that require refrigeration.  Any insulated cooler bag will do the trick!  All other supplies and items that don’t need to be refrigerated can go into bags of your choice. 


TO COOK

Your hot food cooking element is super important.  You have 3 choices. 

  1. Electric portable burner/hot plate and then whatever pot/skillet/and you need. Pros: inexpensive and you can choose what to bring to cook IN (pot, skillet, etc).  Cons: heat settings are basically low, medium and high.  They get the job done but you may have to adjust often as needed and boiling water requires a lid and some extra time.   One thing to note:  hot plates with a coil top tend to be less effective with a shorter life span.  Get a flat-top hot plate.  Oster brand is one that was recommended to me and mine is still going strong 7 years later. 
  2. Electric skillet – this is an all in one kinda thing that I really like.  You can control and adjust heat settings, and they’re pretty powerful.  They sear and cook foods nicely.  If it’s deep enough, you can make soups in them and not have to bring a big pot separately.  Heat settings typically go to about 450 degrees and they can handle most stuff.  Big fan. 
  3. Portable induction burner – these are more expensive, but great.  You can do any and all cooking and boiling water is a breeze.  You have total and complete control of the heat and they go higher than an electric skillet.  Cons: more expensive and you need to have induction friendly skillet or pot to be able to use them (a lot are, but you must make sure what you already have works on them)

TO MEASURE

By all means, bring any of the following from home, but Dollar Store/Tree has the least expensive options if you prefer a separate set:

  • Measuring spoon set
  • Measuring cup set (dry)
  • Liquid measuring cup

TO PREP

Kids’ knives and cutting boards:

You can buy separately or use sturdy paper plates as disposable cutting boards, but if you want to buy once and be done forever with it, something like this is great: https://a.co/d/iEQZKMg

                                               

Any of the following will be used OFTEN.  Bring from home or get from the Dollar Store/Tree

  • Chef’s knife for you
  • Box grater – for cheeses, carrots and to grate things like ginger root or zesting lemon/lime
  • Scissors
  • Stirring spoon
  • Whisk
  • Tongs
  • Ladle
  • Spatula
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Juicer for citrus fruit (like this)      

 

Things that you might need OCCASIONALLY but should bring from home or borrow for a day if you do (ie try not to buy if you don’t have to):

  • Blender
  • Small food processor    
  • An extra large skillet or griddle
  • Immersion blender     

 TO PROTECT

 Gloves (only need to be worn by participants if there is no heat used during class to kill bacteria).  Dollar store carries thin ones to use in a pinch or get inexpensive ones on Amazon.  You should only need these once or twice a session MAX. Buying a case is most economical and the investment will last you a LONG time.

  • Band-Aids  and Hair Ties – I have a bunch of each in a zipseal bag on hand at every class just in case
  • Hand Sanitizer – Dollar stores, again for the win!
  • Bleach Solution in a spray bottle
  • Rags or paper towels

 


TO SERVE

 You can go two ways here.  Buy everything disposable and replace as needed, or buy a set of reusable utensils, plates, bowls and cups and be done with it forever.  Regardless, you will need at every class:

  • Plates or bowls (disposable or not)
  • Utensils – forks, knives, spoons (disposable or not)
  • Small cups for seltzer (disposable or not)

 If you choose to go the permanent route, this set looks fun and is relatively inexpensive.   https://a.co/d/408K9qk or the Dollar Store will have sturdy, inexpensive options.

 

                                                            

 Please note that the items shown are merely for visual example. I am not endorsing or recommending any specific brands.

**PLEASE be certain that all equipment used for Kids’ Test Kitchen classes are completely NUT/TREE NUT FREE