How to Equip the Perfect College Kitchen

College students are notorious for getting by with what they have, but with a little help from home, students can equip the perfect college kitchen without breaking the bank.

Experts on off campus living recommend that roommates get together before moving into an apartment to determine what they already have and what they need to get.

Many apartment kitchens come equipped with microwaves, so the last thing your student needs is to end up in an apartment with three microwaves when everyone brings their own.

A few essential appliances and the basic cooking utensils can usually be gathered up from “extras” found at home or from relatives like grandmothers, aunts, and uncles. If your student insists on buying new, send them to a local discount retailer. There’s no reason to buy gourmet appliances when you’re living in a college apartment.

The Basics:
1 large skillet and 1 small skillet
1 set of sauce pans
2 cookie sheets (or one cookie sheet and one pizza pan)
1 colander
1 can opener
1 pizza cutter
Spatulas and serving spoons/fork
Sharp knives (a set in a knife block is nice to have)
Toaster
Coffee maker
Cutting Board
A set of 8 dinner plates, salad plates, and cereal/soup bowls (they don’t have to match)
Flatware for 12
8 drinking glasses (these will be supplemented with plastic cups from every party)
Coffee cups, including a couple of travel mugs
One covered Pyrex-type casserole dish
A set of plastic containers with lids (in various sizes)
A pitcher
Ice cube trays

With all of these essentials, your college student will have everything he or she needs for a functional kitchen.