Ten Must Have Essentials for a Working Farmhouse Kitchen
From mason jars to mixers, I’ve rounded up ten must have items that keep this working farmhouse kitchen going.
Undeniably the kitchen is the workhouse of our home. From fermenting and baking, to drying herbs and preserving the garden harvest, it gets the most use out of all of the rooms in our home. I used to think that you had to have all of the newest gadgets to have an efficient working farmhouse kitchen, but over the years I’ve learned you really only need a few basic kitchen essentials.
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The Top 10 Essential Tools for a Productive Farmhouse Kitchen
1. Mason Jars – The All Purpose All Star
Mason jars are the Swiss Army knife of the farmhouse kitchen. Beyond their classic role in canning and preserving, they serve a myriad of purposes. Store freshly filtered goat’s milk in half-gallon jars, turn cabbage into delightful sauerkraut, or cool down with a jar of sweet tea on a balmy summer afternoon. Opt for a variety of sizes – quarts and pints for canning, and small jelly jars for your spreads and sauces.
My Favorite Mason Jar Accessories
2. Large Mixing Bowls – The Foundation for Batch Preparations
Whether you’re kneading bread dough or tossing a fresh garden salad, having large mixing bowls is an indispensable asset. You’ll want to have a large stainless bowl on hand for canning season, and a nice stoneware bowl for baking.
3. Crocks – For The Art of Fermentation
Crocks are not just decorations, they were once the custodians of fermentation. They are perfect for making homemade pickles, fermented vegetables, and even your own sourdough starter. Their stoneware composition keeps contents cool and promotes the perfect fermenting environment. If you’re fortunate to find some larger ones, I suggest keeping root vegetables tucked away in them in the kitchen.
4. KitchenAid Mixers – The Powerhouse of Efficiency
Efficiency is crucial in a farmhouse kitchen, and a good stand mixer amplifies this. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of cookies, churning butter, or kneading bread, the KitchenAid stands as a tireless assistant. Its versatility is further enhanced with attachments like pasta rollers, meat grinders, and more.
5. Cast Iron Skillets – The Multitasking Hero
Cast iron skillets are synonymous with farmhouse cooking. Virtually indestructible, they transition from stovetop to oven with ease. Whether it’s searing meat or baking cornbread, cast iron provides even heat distribution and adds a hint of traditional flavor that’s hard to replicate with other cookware. There are many great brands out there, but I stick with American made when it comes to cast iron. Lodge is a really great choice because of it’s affordability.
- Lodge 10″ Skillet
- Lodge 12″ Skillet
- Lodge 5 piece bundle – This would make a wonderful gift for a young couple starting out!
6. Dutch Ovens – The One-Pot Wonder
Slow-cooked stews, simmering soups, and tender roasts are all made possible with a good Dutch oven. Enameled or bare cast iron, this heavy-duty pot retains heat and its tight-fitting lid ensures moisture and flavors are sealed within, making it a versatile tool for a variety of recipes. They’re also essential for the perfect loaf of artisan sourdough!
7. Wooden Spoons and Spatulas – For Your Stirring Needs
Every pot and pan deserves a gentle touch, and that’s where wooden spoons and spatulas come in. They’re soft on cooking surfaces, durable, and they don’t conduct heat, making them safe for stirring your hottest dishes. Be sure to take good care of them so you can pass them down from generation to generation. How To Make Wooden Spoon Wax
8. Canning Supplies – To Preserve The Bounty
Preserving your harvest is a cornerstone of the farmhouse kitchen, and canning supplies like a water bath canner, jar lifter, and funnel are essential for safely storing fruits and vegetables. They help extend the life of your garden’s yield well into winter, ensuring no part of your harvest goes to waste.
9. Baking Sheets and Racks – For Oven-baked Goodness
Baking sheets and racks are indispensable when it comes to oven-baked goods. From cookies and biscuits to roasted vegetables and meats, they are the unsung heroes that ensure consistent results and contribute to the efficiency of meal prep. I love to use stainless steel baking sheets.
10. Sharp Knives and Cutting Boards – The Basics of Meal Preparation
No kitchen can function without a set of sharp knives and ample cutting boards. They are the fundamental tools required for the precise chopping, slicing, and dicing that go into creating every dish. A solid, easy-to-maintain set alongside durable cutting boards can make all the difference in food preparation. My favorite brand over the years has been Rada cutlery. American made, and very easy to keep sharp!
A working farmhouse kitchen is the heart of a home and equipping it with these essential tools ensures it beats strong day after day. Each of these indispensable items brings a unique function, making cooking and preserving less of a chore and more of a joy. From the versatility of mason jars to the durability of cast iron, these tools not only simplify life but also enrich the cooking experience, guaranteeing that the farmhouse kitchen remains a place of warmth, joy, and delicious farm-to-table meals.
Maybe you’re like me, and you don’t love to cook. You may find this helpful: How To Cook More Meals From Scratch (Even when you don’t like to cook!)
As always, thanks for spending a tiny part of your day with me.
Here’s an image to pin for later…
