Some kitchen tools just stick with you – the ones you reach for without thinking twice. Whether it’s a cast iron skillet that makes the best fry-up or a condiment that gets dolloped over anything and everything, these essentials are what make the kitchen your playground. The Crush team shares their favourite kitchen essentials, from countertop appliances to pantry staples and must-have ingredients – the items they honestly can’t do without.
Julie – Editor & Food Stylist
Butter is my ride-or-die ingredient. My go-to is Woolworths Salted Butter or Clover Mooi River – I use it in everything. There’s something so satisfying about browning it until it gets all nutty and fragrant, and then using it to finish off a perfectly seared steak. I love slathering it on fresh sourdough and using it to make batches of shortbread at Christmastime. It just makes everything taste better, and I can’t imagine cooking without it.
My KitchenAid Stand Mixer is something I saved up for ages to buy, and it was worth every cent. The pistachio green colour makes me happy. It’s such a workhorse – the build quality is solid, and I have found it to be incredibly reliable. I often teach my nieces or nephew how to bake using it, and I love knowing that it will probably outlast me and get passed down to one of them someday.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven – this was a gift, and it’s become one of my most treasured kitchen essentials, partly because of the gorgeous pistachio green colour (there’s definitely a theme here!). It’s perfect for cosy winter days when I want to throw together a hearty stew or braise and just let it bubble away for hours. The best part is how easy it is to clean afterwards – no scrubbing or soaking required. It’s one of those pieces that just makes cooking feel more enjoyable.
Robyn – Digital Content Creator
My most treasured kitchen essentials were all gifted to me or borrowed indefinitely (thanks, mom). First place goes to my SCANPAN Classic Chef Knife – there’s nothing I hate more than a blunt knife. I won it in a cooking competition as a consolation prize. The Danish-designed blade makes prep work light work when cutting hardy vegetables for everyday cooking or carving chicken or lamb roasts at special occasions.
Bourdain would probably be rolling in his grave, but I would say that my garlic press is one of the hardest working appliances in my kitchen. I’m a garlic girl, so whether I’m making a lazy lemon zucchini pasta, basic vinaigrette, midweek chilli con carne or any recipe that requires a ton of it, like Shilpa Uskokovic’s Chickpeas with 40 Garlic Cloves recipe, best believe my garlic press is making an appearance. It’s pretty old-school, nothing fancy, but it’s been with me for years and gets the job done.
Inkomazi Full Cream Maas or any double cream plain yoghurt is a definite kitchen essential. I grew up in a household where amasi (fermented milk) was a staple. To this day, my dad still drinks it by the glass. Besides being good for your gut, it’s also a great baking ingredient. The lactic acid acts as a rising agent when combined with leavening ingredients like baking powder or bicarbonate of soda, resulting in the fluffiest American-style pancakes, flatbread and scones.
Devon – Graphic Designer & Production
My favourite thing to do in the kitchen is to bake. It has been since I was a child, so my KitchenAid Stand Mixer is also a kitchen essential for me. While I didn’t have one when I was younger, getting my KitchenAid was a game-changer. I use it all the time, especially with having chronic pain in my joints – making pasta is even a breeze!
Dark chocolate is another kitchen essential when baking. Cadbury Bournville Classic Chocolate Slab is one of the best on the market and is relatively affordable compared to other brands, in my opinion. A good dark chocolate can be broken up and added to treats such as muffins, brownies and banana bread. It adds a special something to almost any sweet recipe.
Hell hath no fury like a woman without her air fryer! With my busy schedule, my air fryer has been my saving grace. To be able to cook anything in half the time has made this a great time-saver appliance for me. I have the Balzano 5.5L Air Fryer – it’s quite standard in functioning, but it’s great for me and my family, and makes cooking easy.
Stacey – Social Media Manager
Lao Gan Ma Crispy Chilli is that dangerously addictive jar of spicy goodness that I can’t help but add to absolutely everything – eggs, noodles, rice, avocado toast, and yes, even ice cream. It’s the perfect mix of heat, crunch and umami that somehow transforms even the most boring dish into a crave-worthy masterpiece. One spoonful turns ‘just okay’ into ‘wow, what is this?’ Honestly, it’s a problem, but it’s a delicious problem I’m happy to have.
My Phillips Air Fryer is the ultimate time-saver and hands-down one of the most life-changing gadgets in my kitchen. It crisps food to golden perfection without drowning it in oil or making me wait a soul-sucking eternity for the oven to heat up. It’s quick, efficient and, somehow, makes me feel like I have my life together – even on days when I’m reheating leftovers from the fridge.
That childhood mug – the slightly chipped one I will never, ever retire because it’s more than just something to hold coffee in the morning, it’s a tiny time machine. Every sip feels like a warm hug from my younger self, complete with all the comfort, nostalgia and familiar safety of simpler times. Sure, I own much nicer mugs now, but none of them carry the same kind of magic.
Kaylin – Creative Campaign & Sales Strategist
If I had to pick three things I can’t live without in my kitchen, the first would be my trusty Victoria Round Grill Cast Iron Skillet from Yuppiechef. It’s the ultimate all-rounder. I use it for everything from searing chicken breasts to roasting veggies, and even baking the best homemade bread.
Then there’s my Cape Herb & Spice Extra Bold Black Pepper Grinder, which I use daily. Freshly cracked pepper just makes such a difference, whether I’m finishing off a simple salad or adding a peppery kick to creamy pasta sauces.
Lastly, my Russell Hobbs Royal Stick Blender. It’s a lifesaver when making soups, quick sauces or whipping up smoothies. It just makes cooking at home feel a lot easier and tastier!
Just moved into a new apartment? Keep these kitchen essentials handy.
