Everyone has their favorite kitchen gadget. Depending on what you love to cook most, your favorite kitchen item may be the toaster, or it may be your set of knifes. We all know that there are some basics that are a given. A good set of knifes, sturdy measuring cups and spoons, a good blender. However, as with most things, in some areas, the needs of the large family kitchen can be dramatically different than the needs of the kitchen of a couple. A 10 quart electric deep fryer might be a bit of overkill for the family of 4, but it would be perfect for a family of 8.
We set out to find the 10 Must-Have Items for a large family kitchen. Some are obvious, others perhaps not so much. Our focus was on items that would specifically allow a big family to complete a super-size meal with greater ease, as well as making preparation of large quantities of food easier.
| SLOW COOKER/CROCKPOT - This is surely a must-have for any kitchen, but particularly so for a large family. What can beat putting the food in, switching it on, and having dinner done in just a few hours. Many large families used to resort to running 2 cookers at a time. However, you can now get slow cookers in large sizes. 7 and 8 quart slow cookers are readily, and you can find some that are even larger. These sizes allow even mega families to make a meal big enough to feed their crew. You can find slow cookers on with a variety of options. However, a bare bones model with high-low-warm will often do the trick and can be found for relatively inexpensive. |
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ELECTRIC ROASTER - This is almost an extension of our previous entry, but certainly holds its own. A roaster is another great choice for the large family. It’s wonderful for cooking larger roasts and turkeys, and can free up valuable oven space during the holidays. With special inserts, you can even use it as a buffet steam table. However, a growing number of people are using roasters as super-sized slow cookers. With 12 to 20 quart sizes, you can make more than enough to feed your crew. The only downside of a roaster is that due to its large size, it can be hard to store. |
| ROASTER/LASAGNA PAN - I wanted to get a pan to make an authentic multi-layered lasagna. I purchased a deep lasagna/roaster pan and it worked great. Little would I know that the pan would not only be used for lasagna, but would end up being one of my most used pans overall. For the large family, roaster pans allow you to make super-sized casseroles and other dishes. Instead of using 2 smaller dishes, you can double or triple a recipe and cook it in one pan. I prefer the stainless steel versions, which are easy to clean and pretty indestructible. However, I have a couple of ceramic pans in the same size which are used just as often. These pans are also great for preparing meals to bring to parties and other gatherings.
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STAND MIXER - This is one of the pricier items on the list, but is one that many people swear they cannot live without. It can do so much more than merely mix. With a variety of attachments, it can be used in so many different areas of the kitchen. If you are trying to save money from cooking and baking from scratch, this can be a valuable appliance to add to your arsenal. With prices upward of $300 for a low-end model, they are truly an investment. If cost is a factor, look for gently used and refurbished mixers on Craigslist and eBay.
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FOOD PROCESSOR - Again, convenience is the key here. A good food processor can help you make foods faster. Plus, there are models with a super large capacity (14+ cups), which allow you to double or triple recipes easily. Processors can chop vegetables, blend sauces, and much more. A very simple appliance with many uses.
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VEGETABLE CHOPPER – One of the most time-consuming things in the kitchen can be prep. Specifically, cutting fresh vegetables, cheese, and other foods can take up lots of time—even if you enlist the kids to do it. A good vegetable chopper can save precious time and make cooking more enjoyable. A mandoline can make fresh cut fries in record time, while manual choppers like the one pictured can dice fruit for a salad in no time at all. The great thing about this item is that you can generally find good models at affordable prices. |
| STAINLESS STEEL BOWL SET - One mom swears that she could not live without her set of stainless steel bowls. They are the mixing bowls most used in professional restaurants due to their durability, which is the precise reason they are a great choice for a large family. They will hold up to high use, and won’t crack like plastic or shatter like glass. They also come in generous sizes that will allow families to prepare large batches of food. |
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STOCKPOT - In my large family, a stock pot is not used merely for making stews. We use it to make spaghetti, mashed potatoes, etc. Especially for the mega family, even large pots may not be quite big enough for everyday dishes like pasta. You can get stock pots in a variety of sizes, and the smaller ones may turn out to be your pot of choice when preparing many meals. |
| DOUBLE GRIDDLE - If you are making pancakes for a large crew, you know how long it can take using conventional frying pans or griddles. For making large batches of French toast or bacon, a double griddle is ideal. It fits over 2 burners on your stovetop, more than doubling your cooking area. The mega family could easily use 2, giving them 4 burners worth of cooking space. Griddles can be used to cook a variety of things, including hamburgers and grilled cheeses. Some models have different cooking surfaces on either side, allowing you to cook different types of foods using the same pan. |
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DEEP FRYER PAN - A large, deep frying pan is a must for a big family. These pans are often called “fryers” as they are traditionally used to make fried chicken and other dishes that require a lot of liquid. However, for the large family, they can easily be used to make big batches of Hamburger Helper or another everyday dishes. |
| MEASURING PITCHER - We all know we could not live without our traditional measuring cups. However, another must-have in the large kitchen is a measuring pitcher. Simply put, it is a super-sized measuring cup, allowing you to measure out liquid quantities 4, 6, or 8 cups at a time (depending on the size of your pitcher). Granted, you could simply measure using your traditional 2 cup glass version, but it truly is so much easier and faster to use this item when you are cooking in larger quantities. |
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Honorable Mentions:
We know there are numerous items that didn’t make our list that families of many swear by. Again, we had to limit our list to 10 and truly feel our selection is pretty good, all considering. However, there were a few items that just missed the list and deserve an honorable mention.
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PANINI MAKER - This is on my personal top-10. I use my panini maker weekly and honestly don't know what I'd do without it. It is my go-to piece for "quick meal" nights. Despite common belief, you can use regular bread in the maker, not just heavy loafs. Though thicker breads do hold up better, I use regular white bread and it works well. The model I have can makes 4-6 regular sized sandwiches at a time, which means I can make grilled cheeses for my crew of 11 in about 10 minutes. I also use it to cook crisp flat bacon and make grilled onion rings. It's perfect for making grilled burritos and breakfast sandwiches. A subset of this is a traditional sandwich maker, which often make sealed sandwiches. They can also be used to make mini-omlets, rolls, and much more.
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| STORAGE CONTAINERS - One mom emphasized the need for a good sturdy set of storage containers. We agree. When a family is making lots of food, there is the potential for lots of leftovers. While you can purchase inexpensive lidded containers, there is nothing that beats a good set of high-end Rubbermaid or Tupperware containers which will often last for years. |
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BREAD MAKER - If your family goes through a lot of bread, a bread maker may be an indispensible addition to your kitchen. Many models do all the work for you. Simply add the ingredients, set, and go. There are also double loaf models which allow you to cook 2 loafs at a time. Baking from scratch is healthier and cheaper, so for many a bread maker is a good deal in more ways than one.
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| RICE COOKER - Rice can be tricky to make. It's easy to burn or to undercook. A great way to avoid that is to get a rice cooker. Simply measure out the rice and water, place in the unit, turn on, and in about a half hour you'll have perfect rice. There are now units that can make large batches which will easily feed a big family. |
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