The Iglu Guide | Blog
Essential items for every student kitchen
In the past, the words ‘cooking’ and ‘students’ weren’t often found in the same sentence – and the idea of preparing a nutritious meal from scratch at uni was almost unheard of.
Fast forward to today, and it’s a vastly different story with the modern student well-educated and informed around the importance of maintaining a balanced diet.
But stocking up the pantry is just the beginning. Here’s the essential kitchen items every student will need to get the very best out of every ingredient.
Top tips
- If you’re unsure about what you’ll need to bring along when you leave for university, make a start with an Iglu linen pack. Available at all Iglu properties, it will set you up with a quilt, quilt cover, pillows, bed linen and towels, it has everything you need to freshen up, make your bed and settle in for a good night’s sleep.
- Planning your kitchen equipment in advance will make life a whole lot easier once you get to university. It means you can concentrate your time and energies on settling in, meeting friends and getting to know your new surroundings.
- Having the right cooking equipment at your fingertips means you are more likely to eat a balanced diet than just reaching for those tempting ready-made meals or sugary snacks.
Kitchen essentials
The prep
Think about how you like to prepare food, the sorts of meals you are likely to cook and what you might need for that process. It’s a very personal choice and it will be different for every student. Whatever your preferences, you are likely to need:
- Chopping board/s (one for veg and one for meat)
- Knives
- Spatula
- Slotted spoon
- Garlic crusher
- Measuring jug
- Can opener
- Peeler
- Cheese grater
The cooking
Once it’s time to get down to business you’ll need to think about what you want to use for cooking. One saucepan is considered a minimum, with an additional saucepan usually recommended. Woks are great for quickly rustling up a giant stir-fry, and strainers are a godsend for most student dishes.
- Saucepans
- Wok
- Frying pan
- Colander/sieve
The eating
Yes, you could eat straight from the saucepan and yes, that would also save on washing up. But if you’re eating as a household, or you have friends visiting, it’s always a little more pleasant to offer up a plate, some cutlery and a glass for water.
- Plates
- Bowls
- Cutlery
- Glasses
- Mugs
The clearing
All good things must come to an end – and all that kitchen mess has to be cleaned away before the stains and smells take hold. Store away your leftovers using airtight containers, sandwich bags or cling wrap. That way you can batch cook and freeze leftover portions for another day.
- Plastic storage tubs
- Foil wrap
- Clingfilm
- Re-sealable sandwich bags
- Cleaning wipes
- Dishwasher liquid/sponge
Nice to have
Most students have a habit of managing on the bare minimum. But for some, the prospect of surviving without those home comforts is a little too much to bear. Here’s what you might like to make a little room for in your luggage.
- Sandwich toaster – Capable of elevating the ordinary slice into a plate of molten heaven, this handy device is inexpensive to buy and transformative in nature. When you’re bored of the everyday, but you still want to make life easy, the humble sandwich toaster is the perfect solution. Think ham and cheese, tuna melt, cheese and tomato just for starters.
- Blender – If you’re a fan of smoothies or you simply can’t do without your morning green juice, don’t forget to pack yourself a blender for your student kitchen. Perfect for ensuring you get your daily five, they can also be used to make soups and salad dressings.
- Coffee machine – Depending on how much access you need to your caffeinated friends, bringing along your own machine to university is a personal choice. If you’re not keen on the bulky size of a capsule maker or an espresso machine, try a more slimmed down affair such as the elegant French press or stove top espresso maker.
- Slow cooker – One for the super organised. There’s nothing better after a busy day at uni than coming home to the delicious aromas of a slow cooked meal. Combine this with the satisfaction of knowing that dinner is already covered off, and the smug prize is definitely yours for the taking.
Photo by Meg Boulden on Unsplash
