{"id":4377,"date":"2021-11-23T15:19:55","date_gmt":"2021-11-23T23:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easyveganmealprep.com\/?p=4377"},"modified":"2021-11-23T16:20:24","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T00:20:24","slug":"meal-prep-equipment-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/easyveganmealprep.com\/meal-prep-equipment-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Meal prep equipment: Complete guide to stocking your prep kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ready to stock your meal prep kitchen? In this post I share with you meal prep equipment and a complete guide to stocking your prep kitchen. You don\u2019t really need much equipment to prepare your weekly meals. Stock your kitchen with the below listed basics to make meal prep a breeze.<\/p>\n

Meal prep equipment starter set<\/h1>\n
\"Meal<\/a>
Meal Prep Equipment Starter Kit at Walmart.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I’ve created a handy meal prep equipment shopping list<\/a> starter kit for you at Walmart.com. This shopping list has everything listed in this post that I recommend for a well stocked meal prep kitchen.<\/p>\n

You can purchase the entire Meal Prep Equipment Starter Set for just over $1,800<\/strong> at Walmart online.<\/p>\n

That price includes all of the high quality equipment I use and recommend, such as:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. a Vitamix<\/strong> blender<\/li>\n
  2. Cuisinart<\/strong> food processor<\/li>\n
  3. Kitchenaid<\/strong> hand mixer and hand immersion blender<\/li>\n
  4. Ninja<\/strong> air fryer<\/li>\n
  5. Wusthof<\/strong> knives<\/li>\n
  6. Pyrex<\/strong> meal prep containers<\/li>\n
  7. bamboo cutting boards<\/li>\n
  8. kitchen utensils<\/li>\n
  9. cleaning supplies<\/li>\n
  10. …and more.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You can also easily delete anything on the list that you do not want to purchase.<\/p>\n

    Use this meal prep equipment shopping list as a guide for what to purchase for your own kitchen. Or, purchase this starter kit as a gift for a loved one who is starting their own home meal prep kitchen.<\/p>\n

    View the Meal Prep Equipment Starter Kit<\/a> at Walmart.com ><\/p>\n

    \n

    Tips for purchasing meal prep equipment<\/h1>\n
      \n
    1. Check discount retailers such as TJ Maxx<\/a> and Marshalls<\/a> for great deals on meal prep equipment.<\/li>\n
    2. Purchase your meal prep equipment refurbished (like on ebay<\/a>) or recycled at your local thrift store for the best deals.<\/li>\n
    3. Choose stainless steel materials.<\/li>\n
    4. It’s better to have several quality meal prep equipment items, over lots of low quality items.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Is aluminum cookware safe?<\/h3>\n

      According to Dr. Neal Barnard, founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, we should avoid using aluminum cookware.<\/p>\n

      “Our bodies do not need aluminum. The link between this metal and Alzheimer\u2019s is more controversial than the other metals listed above. Until we know for sure, Dr. Barnard recommends avoiding aluminum. Sources include baking powder, many antacids, single-serve creamers and salt packets, pickle relish, aluminum cookware, aluminum foil (especially used with acidic food such as tomatoes), and antiperspirants (most deodorants are fine).” \u2013 PostIndependent.com<\/em><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      \n

      Meal prep equipment: Complete guide to stocking your kitchen<\/h1>\n

      Bowls, Utensils, Cutlery & Cutting Boards<\/h2>\n

      Below is a list of tools for meal prep in your kitchen:<\/em><\/p>\n

      \"Quality
      Quality kitchen knives<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Culinary knives<\/h3>\n

      A good quality, sharp knife will help you easily prep and chop your meals each week. Our favorite knives are made by Wusthof brand. Two must haves are an 8\u201d culinary knife and a 4\u201d paring knife. Also, invest in a \u201csteel\u201d so you can sharpen your knives at home.<\/p>\n

      Wooden kitchen utensils<\/h3>\n

      I prefer to have a great set of wooden utensils always on hand. These are utensils that often last a long time and can be used on any surface, such as glass or nonstick pans. They also work well on stainless steel.<\/p>\n

      \"Bamboo
      Bamboo cutting boards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Cutting boards<\/h3>\n

      Bamboo cutting boards are our favorite. They are inexpensive and last for a long while.<\/p>\n

      Heat resistant rubber spatula<\/h3>\n

      It’s nice to have a spatula for scraping sauces and pureed soups from out of a blender, pot or pan. I prefer to only have heat resistant spatulas because they can be used for both hot and cold food prep. If you use a spatula that is not heat resistant on a hot pan it will melt into your food.<\/p>\n

      Large metal and\/or glass mixing bowls<\/h3>\n

      Make sure to include a set of mixing bowls in your meal prep kitchen. These are great for making salads in and reserving prepped vegetables, soaking beans, etc. Pyrex makes great glass mixing bowl sets.<\/p>\n

      \"Oven
      Oven mitts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Oven mitts<\/h3>\n

      You’re going to definitely need a good set of oven mitts for pulling hot baking pans and dishes out of the oven. I recommend having at least two in your kitchen at all times. Sometimes its nice to have extra in the case that the other ones become wet or soiled.<\/p>\n

      Natural parchment paper and baking cups<\/h3>\n

      Choose unbleached parchment paper (because bleach hurts our environment and our bodies). Our favorite brand is Because You Care. Purchase online or at most grocery stores.<\/p>\n

      \"Stainless<\/a>
      Stainless steel compost bin at Walmart.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Compost bowl or bin<\/h3>\n

      Reserve all your food scraps in a large bowl, or in a compost bin. Place your food scraps in the green waste bin or into your garden compost pile.<\/p>\n

      View Stainless steel compost bins<\/a> at Walmart.com<\/p>\n

      \"Pyrex
      Pyrex meal prep containers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Meal prep containers<\/h3>\n

      Stock your kitchen with glass pyrex containers with lids, and\/or glass mason jars to store prepared foods. Avoid storing in plastic containers.<\/p>\n

      9 super cute Pyrex Halloween glass serving bowls<\/a><\/p>\n

      \n

      Stainless steel equipment<\/h2>\n

      Below is a list of stainless steel meal prep equipment:<\/em><\/p>\n

      \"Meal
      Stainless steel cookware<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Stainless steel stock pot with lid<\/h3>\n

      Purchase a good quality stainless steel pot with lid either new online as well as recycled at your local thrift store. Avoid aluminum, non-stick, and cast iron materials.<\/p>\n

      Large metal colander<\/h3>\n

      A colander is a bowl with holes. Choose a metal one with medium-sized holes. You can use this to drain pasta, beans, and lentils, rinse your vegetables, and also to reserve cooked food.<\/p>\n

      Steamer pot<\/h3>\n

      A steamer pot is ideal for steaming vegetables quickly and easily. Essentially, a steamer pot is a metal pot with about 1 inch of water at the bottom, with a metal colander sitting inside with a lid on top. You can easily steam vegetables and dumplings using a steamer pot.<\/p>\n

      Stainless steel pans<\/h3>\n

      Purchase good quality stainless steel saute pans either new online as well as recycled at your local thrift store. Avoid aluminum, non-stick, and cast iron materials.<\/p>\n

      Stainless steel baking sheets<\/h3>\n

      Purchase good quality stainless steel baking sheets either new online as well as recycled at your local thrift store. Avoid aluminum, non-stick, and cast iron materials.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Small kitchen appliances<\/h2>\n

      Here are the small kitchen appliances I recommend for meal prep:<\/em><\/p>\n

      \"Meal
      Air fryer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Air Fryer<\/h3>\n

      I recently started using an air fryer and realize it is a very great tool to have on hand. It’s basically like a little convection oven. The hot air is easily able to be distributed in the oven during “air fryer” to allow food to cook evenly like it would in a deep fat fryer. I like to use my air fryer to fry tofu, potatoes, falafel, and more.<\/p>\n

      \"Meal
      Vitamix blender<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Blender<\/h3>\n

      Purchase a good quality blender new or recycled, our favorite blender is a VitaMix. Other great brands are Ninja, Nutribullet, and Cuisinart.<\/p>\n

      View Vitamix blenders at Walmart.com<\/a><\/p>\n

      Hand mixer<\/h3>\n

      If you enjoy baking, get yourself a KitchenAid hand mixer. You can use this to make batter, dough, and also mix your salads and similar dishes. I like using a hand mixer over a large stand mixer because it’s easier to clean and store.<\/p>\n

      View Kitchenaid hand mixers<\/a> at Walmart.com<\/p>\n

      \"Meal
      Food processor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Food processor<\/h3>\n

      Purchase a good quality food processor new or recycled, our favorite brand is Cuisinart. Learn more below.<\/p>\n

      View Cuisinart food processors at Walmart.com<\/a><\/p>\n

      \n

      Kitchen cleaning<\/h2>\n

      Here’s a list of cleaning products and tools I use in my meal prep kitchen:<\/em><\/p>\n

      \"The
      The best natural dish soap is Sal Suds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Cleaning solution<\/h3>\n

      I use Dr. Bronner\u2019s Sal Suds, a biodegradable natural cleaning fluid. Use this to do your dishes, mop your floors, clean your bathroom, etc.<\/p>\n

      Here’s THE best natural dish soap<\/a><\/p>\n

      Cleaning sponges<\/h3>\n

      Use plant-based sponges that will eventually biodegrade. My favorite brand is called Twist. They make scrubbing sponges and scouring pads all from plant materials.<\/p>\n

      View stainless steel compost bins<\/a> at Walmart.com<\/p>\n

      \"Steel
      Steel scrubber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      Steel scrubbers<\/h3>\n

      Having a steel scrubber on hand is a must for scrubbing pots, pans and dishes that have food stuck on them. One of these sponges allows you to scrub even the hardest to clean pots and pans quickly.<\/p>\n

      Kitchen towels<\/h3>\n

      I have two sets of kitchen towels. One for decoration and hand drying. The other for scrubbing and deep cleaning. The pretty towels I are usually seasonal themed and purchased while I’m out shopping and see something I like. The kitchen towels I use for deep cleaning come in a large pack and are usually white.<\/p>\n

      View kitchen towels<\/a> at BedBathBeyond.com<\/p>\n

      \n

      Meal prep equipment brands<\/h1>\n

      Below is a list of brands I trust and use in my kitchen.<\/p>\n

      Wusthof culinary knives<\/i><\/h3>\n

      Having a good quality knife is important for safety as well as efficiency. I recommend investing in a good quality knife or set of knives. The brand I recommend is called Wusthof and they are located in Germany. When I was in culinary school, these were the standard issue knives we received in our knife kits.<\/p>\n

      Sometimes you can find a great deal on Wusthof knives at TJ Maxx. Save $35 on this Wusthof Santoku knife -limited availability!<\/a><\/p>\n

      If you’re looking for a good quality inexpensive knife, the ones they sell at Smart n Final or other kitchen supply stores are also great. The benefit to purchasing a higher quality knife is that it is usually just one piece of steel. This is as opposed to an inexpensive knife which is often two separate pieces stuck together. These risk coming apart while chopping which is a potential hazard. You can avoid this by keeping sure any knife that is two pieces is securely together.<\/p>\n

      Vitamix<\/h3>\n

      Vitamix makes my favorite high powered blender. I have two, one of which I’ve had for over 15 years and it still works great. Having a high powered blender makes it easy to make creamy beverages, sauces and soups. Sometimes a lower powered blender will not be able to make your dishes blended into a creamy consistency. Having the benefit of a high powered blender can help you really improve your cooking.<\/p>\n

      A Vitamix is an NSF Certified blender which means it is a blender that is approved for use in commercial kitchens. I trust the brand highly because of this designation. There aren’t many household small appliances that are NSF Certified.<\/p>\n

      I use my Vitamix to meal prep:<\/p>\n