WHAT TO LOOK FOR Flashcards
1
Q
What to look for: chef’s knife
A
- High-carbon stainless steel knife
- Thin, curved 8-inch blade
- Lightweight
- Comfortable grip and nonslip handle.
2
Q
What to look for: paring knife
A
- 3 to 3-1/2 inch blade
- Thin, slightly curved blade with pointed tip
- Comfortable grip
3
Q
What to look for: serrated knife
A
- 10 to 12-inch blade.
- Long, somewhat flexible, slightly curved blade.
- Pointed serrations that are uniformly spaced and moderately sized.
4
Q
What to look for: slicing knife
A
- Tapered 12-inch blade for slicing large cuts of meat.
- Oval scallops (called grantor edge) carved into blade.
- Fairly rigid glad with round tip.
5
Q
What to look for: cutting board
A
- Roomy work surface at least 15 by 20 inches.
- Teak board for minimal maintenance.
- Durable edge-grain construction (wood grain runs parallel to surface of board)
6
Q
What to look for: knife sharpener
A
- Diamond sharpening material for electric sharpeners.
- Easy to use and comfortable.
- Clear instructions.
7
Q
What to look for: traditional skillets
A
- Stainless steel interior, fully clad for even heat distribution.
- 12-inch diameter and flared sides.
- Comfortable, oven safe handle.
- Cooking surface of at least 9 inches.
- Good to have smaller (8 or 9-inch) skillets too.
8
Q
What to look for: nonstick skillets
A
- Dark, nonstick surface.
- 12 or 12 1/2-inch diameter, thick bottom.
- Comfortable, oven safe handle.
- Cooking surface of at least 9 inches.
- Good to have smaller (8 or 10-inch) skillets too.
9
Q
What to look for: Dutch oven
A
- Enameled cast iron or stainless steel
- Capacity of at least 6 quarts.
- Diameter of at least 9 inches.
- Tight-fitting lid.
- Wide, sturdy handles.
10
Q
What to look for: saucepans
A
- Large saucepan with 3 to 4-quart capacity and small nonstick saucepan with 2 to 2 1/2-quart capacity.
- Tight-fitting lids.
- Pans with rounded corners that a whisk can reach into.
- Long, comfortable handles that are angled for even weight distribution.
11
Q
What to look for: rimmed baking sheets
A
- Light-colored surface (heats and browns evenly).
- Thick, sturdy pan.
- Dimension of 18 by 13 inches.
- Good to have at least two.
12
Q
What to look for: roasting pan
A
- At least 15 by 11 inches.
- Stainless steel interior with aluminum core for even heat distribution.
- Upright handles for easy gripping.
- Light interior for better food monitoring.
- Fixed V-rack with tall handles.
13
Q
What to look for: tongs
A
- Scalloped edges
- Slightly concave pincers
- 12 inches in length (to keep your hand for from heat)
- Open and close easily.
14
Q
What to look for: wooden spoon
A
- Slim yet broad bowl
- Stain-resistant bamboo
- Comfortable handle
15
Q
What to look for: slotted spoon
A
- Deep bowl
- Long handle
- Enough holes for quick draining
16
Q
What to look for: all-around spatulas
A
- head about 3-inches wide and 5 1/2 inches long.
- 11 inches in length (tip to handle).
- Long, vertical slots.
- Useful to have a metal spatula to use with traditional cookware and a plastic spatula for non-stick cookware.
17
Q
What to look for: rubber spatula
A
- Wide, stiff blade with edges that’s flexible enough to conform a curve of a mixing bowl.
- Heatproof
18
Q
What to look for: all-purpose whisk
A
- At least 10 wires
- Wires of moderate thickness
- Comfortable handle
- Balanced, lightweight feel.
19
Q
What to look for: garlic press
A
- Large capacity that holds multiple garlic cloves
- Curved plastic handles
- Long and short distance between pivot point and plunger
20
Q
What to look for: pepper mill
A
- At least 1/2-cup capacity
- Wide, unobstructed filler doors
- Easy to adjust grind settings
21
Q
What to look for: can opener
A
- Intuitive and easy to attach
- Smooth turning motions
- Magnet for no-touchlid disposal
- Comfortable handle
22
Q
What to look for: vegetable peeler
A
- Sharp, carbon steel blade
- 1-inch space between blade and peeler to prevent jamming
- Lightweight and comfortable
23
Q
What to look for: grater
A
- Paddle-style grater
- Sharp, extra-large holes and generous grating plane
- Rubber-lined feet for stability
- Comfortable handle
24
Q
What to look for: rasp grater
A
- Sharp teeth (require little pressure or effort when grating)
- Maneuverable over round or irregular shapes
- Comfortable handle
25
What to look for: rolling pin
- Moderate weight (1 to 1 1/2 pounds)
- 19-inch straight barrel
- Slightly textured wooden surface to grip dough for easy rolling
26
What to look for: oven mitt
- Form fitting and not overly bulky for easy maneuvering
- Machine washable
- Flexible, heat-resistant material
27
What to look for: ladle
- Stainless steel
- Handle 9 to 10 inches in length
- Hooked handle end for hanging on pot
- Pouring rim to prevent dripping
28
What to look for: colander
- 4 to 7-quart capacity
- Metal ring attached to bottom for stability
- Many holes for quick draining
- Small holes so pasta doesn't slip through
29
What to look for: fine-mesh strainer
- At least 6 inches in diameter (measured from inside edge to inside edge)
- Sturdy construction
30
What to look for: potato masher
- Solid mashing disk with small holes
| - Comfortable grip
31
What to look for: salad spinner
- Solid bottom for washing greens in bowl
| - Ergonomic and easy-to-operate hand pump
32
What to look for: dry measuring cups
- Stainless steel cups (hefty and durable)
- Measurement markings that are visible even when cup is full.
- Evenly weighted and stable
- Long handle that are level with rim of cup
33
What to look for: liquid measuring cups
- Crisp, unambiguous markings that include 1/4 and 1/3-cup measurements.
- Heatproof, sturdy cup with handle
- Good to have in a variety of sizes (1, 2, and 4 cups)
34
What to look for: measuring spoons
- Long, comfortable handles
- Rim of bowl flush with handle for easy "sweeping" off of excess ingredients
- Slim design
35
What to look for: digital scale
- Easy to read display not blocked by weighted platform.
- At least 7-pound capacity.
- Accesible buttons
- Gram to ounce conversion feature
- Roomy platform
36
What to look for: instant-read thermometer
- Digital model with automatic shut-off
- Quick response reading in 10 seconds or less
- Wide temperature range (40 to 450 degrees)
- Long stem that can reach interior or large cuts of meat.
- Water-resistant
37
What to look for: oven thermometer
- Clearly marked numbers for easy readability.
- Hook for hanging or stable base
- Large temperature range (up to 600 degrees)
38
What to look for: kitchen timer
- Lengthy time range (1 second to at least 10 hours)
- Ability to count up after alarm goes off
- Easy to use and read
39
What to look for: glass baking dish
- Dimensions of 13 by 9 inches
- Large enough to hold casseroles and large crisps and cobblers
- Handles
40
What to look for: metal baking pan
- Dimensions of 13 by 9 inches
- Straight sides
- Nonstick coating for even browning and easy release of cakes and bar cookies
- Handles
41
What to look for: square baking pans
- Straight sides
- Light gold or dark nonstick surface for even browning and easy release of cakes
- Good to have both 9-inch and 8-inch square pans
42
What to look for: round cakes pans
- Straight sides
- Nonstick coating for even browning and easy release of cakes
- Recommend a set of 9-inch and 8-inch pans
43
What to look for: pie plates
- Glass for even browning and easier monitoring
- 1/2-inch rim (makes it easy to shape decorative crusts)
- Shallow angled sides prevent crusts from slumping
- Good to have two
44
What to look for: loaf pans
- Light gold or dark nonstick surface for even browning and easy release
- Good to have both 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch and 9 by 5-inch pans
45
What to look for: muffin tin
- Nonstick surface for even browning and easy release
- Wide, extended rims and raised lip for easy handling.
- Cup capacity of 1/2 cup
46
What to look for: cooling rack
- Grid-style rack with tightly woven, heavy-gauge bars
- Should fit inside standard 18 by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet
- Dishwasher-safe
47
What to look for: food processor
- 14-cup capacity
- Sharp and sturdy blades
- Wide feet tube
- Should come with basic blades and disks: steel blade, dough blade, shredding/slicing disk
48
What to look for: hand-held mixer
- Lightweight model
- Slim wire beaters without central post
- Digital display
- Separate ejector bottons (not part of speed dial)
- Variety of speeds
49
What to look for: blender
- Large blades that reach close to the edge and bottom of the jar
- Powerful motor (at least 700 watts)
- Automatic shut-off to keep motor from overheating
- Clear jar to monitor progress
50
What to look for: parchment paper
- Sturdy paper for heavy doughs
- Easy release of baked goods
- At least 14 inches wide
51
What to look for: gas grill
- Large grilling area (at least 350 square inches)
- Built in thermometer
- Two burners for varying heat levels (three are even better)
- Attached table
- Fat drainage system
52
What to look for: charcoal grill
- Large grilling area
- Deep grill cover to fit large food items (such as turkey)
- Hinged grill grate to tend fire
- Ash catcher for easier cleanup
53
What to look for: chimney starter
- 6-quart capacity
- Holes in canister so air can circulate around coals
- Sturdy construction
- Heat-resistant handle
- Dual handle for easy control
54
What to look for: grill tongs
- 16 inches in length
- Scalloped, not sharp and serrated, edges.
- Open and close easily
- Lightweight
- Moderate amount of springy tension
55
What to look for: grill brush
- Long handle (about 14 inches)
| - Large woven-mesh detachable stainless steel scrubbing pad
