Skimmer
Making Meat Stock or Bone Broth? Use a skimmer to “skim and discard” the scum that rises to the top when you bring it to a boil. Skimmers will retain fat and get rid of impurities.
Chinois
simmer plate
A great way to strain stock and broth. Commercial grade, 18/8 stainless steel, coarse strainer. Chinois
Many people have difficulty getting their stock or broth to a simmer, especially if they have a gas stove. I have found simmer plates help. Simply place a simmer plate over the gas burner, and your pot on top of it. The plate will help to diffuse the heat, so that you can achieve that perfect “simmering” temperature. (Never boil stock or broth!) Here is a stainless steel simmer plate, with a handle that folds.
If you have an electric stove, here is a simmer plate that could work for you.
Dutch oven
Poultry Shears
Knives
Cutting Boards
I have found that using a Dutch oven makes making Meat Stock so easy. No need to measure water! I love Le Crueset. 4-6 quart is best. (Le Creuset has said that only Palm and Dune are without lead. Do your research!
You may also like a cast iron Dutch oven. Here’s a 5 quart from Lodge.
Several students have asked that I include poultry shears on this page. Poultry shears are the best when you are cutting through the breastbone of a chicken. They should be stainless steel and made well. The price varies from $15-85 or more, depending upon the brand. Here are a few for you to consider:
It is imperative that you use sharp knives in your kitchen. It will make your chopping faster, easier, and safer. There are only two knives that I use daily - a Santoku knife and a paring knife. (I also like a good, sharp cleaver!)
Santoku knives: For chopping everything! The blade of a santoku is usually between 5 and 7 inches long, shorter than a typical chef’s knife. They also have a straighter bottom edge. For those with smaller hands, you may wish to get a 5 or 6” blade.
Henckels Classic 7 inch - the knife I use every day!
Wusthoff Classic 7 inch - more of a Cadillac!
Victorinox 6.7 inch - a good budget knife.
Paring knives: to use when you are doing finer cutting such as peeling, hulling strawberries, etc. It does not touch the board.
Wusthoff Classic IKON 3.5” paring knife
Cleaver: Great for chopping organ meats such as hearts and gizzards, chopping through bones and meat, etc.
Gorgeous Wusthoff 6” cleaver
Cutting boards: No plastic, please! I prefer bamboo cutting boards; I have used them for decades. Look for one that is made from sustainable bamboo, with non-toxic glue. Here are some that look like they make the grade. However, I always suggest that you do your own research! Greener Chef — sold either as “glue-free surface” OR “organic” bamboo boards. When I contacted the company for clarification, the rep stated that “For No Glue Surface Cutting Boards it still has glue but structured that it wont make contact with the food you are prepping. It has a one whole flattened bamboo Cylinder and bind together to create a cutting board. And yes our other cutting boards use the same glue and steam compression that is completely safe and free of any preservatives or harmful chemicals.” Totally Bamboo and Bambu are other companies to check out, that offer beautiful bamboo boards. Bambu says: “Each board is constructed using a water-based, food-grade adhesive imported from Europe that contains no formaldehyde. They are then hand finished with food-safe wood oil.”
Remember to wash bamboo boards by hand, with warm soapy water. Do not put in the dishwasher, and do not leave in the sink. Stand your board up to dry. Oil your board every few months (or more, if yours is drying out). Oiling your board seals the board, repels moisture, and can prevent cracking, extending the life of your board. Here are a few to consider, which are NOT mineral oil (petroleum-based) and are food grade. Italian Walnut Cutting Board Oil is “food-based, food-grade, edible, and contains no mineral oil”. It is also non-aerosol. Ziruma Non-Toxic Wood Wax is made of three ingredients - beeswax, flax oil, and lemon oil. Rowdy Rooster Unscented All Natural Cutting Board Oil made of walnut oil and beeswax!
This page contains affiliate links. Purchasing through a link adds no additional cost to you, and supports my work. Thank you!