Welcome to my Kitchen Essentials guide!
These are the cooking tools, cookware, and gadgets I use in my own kitchen — from filming my YouTube cooking videos to making family dinners at home.
I only recommend items I personally use and love. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep Team Donovan cooking up more delicious recipes and videos for you — thank you!
Knives & Cutting Tools
Henckles Kitchen Knife Set – Buy on Amazon
My #1 kitchen must-have. A sharp, balanced, and durable chef’s knife makes cooking so much easier. I use this Henckles knife daily for chopping vegetables, slicing meats, and prepping ingredients.
Henckles Pairing Knife – Buy on Amazon
Perfect for peeling, trimming, and making precise cuts. A good paring knife is a small but mighty tool every kitchen needs.
Henckles Steak Knives – Buy on Amazon
Cookware
Cast Iron Skillet – [Buy on Amazon]
This is the ultimate pan for searing steaks, frying potatoes, and even baking cornbread. Cast iron holds heat beautifully and lasts for decades with proper care.
Henckles Pans – [Buy on Amazon]
I use this for quick weekday breakfasts like my breakfast quesadilla and for delicate items like eggs or pancakes.
Baking Tools
Silicone Baking Mats – [Buy on Amazon]
Reusable and nonstick, these mats make baking cookies, roasting vegetables, and even working with sticky dough so much easier — and they’re eco-friendly.
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls – [Buy on Amazon]
Great for prep, mixing batters, and tossing salads. Stainless steel bowls are lightweight, durable, and easy to clean.
Small Appliances
Crock-Pot 6qt Slow Cooker – [Buy on Amazon]
I use my slow cooker for so many recipes — from tender corned beef and cabbage to creamy white chicken chili. Just set it and let it work its magic.
Food Processor – [Buy on Amazon]
A food processor saves time by chopping, slicing, shredding, and mixing in seconds. Perfect for salsa, pesto, or quick veggie prep.
Rice Cooker – [Buy on Amazon]
Cooks perfect, fluffy rice every time with minimal effort. Great for meal prep, grains, and even steaming veggies or proteins.
KBS Bread Maker – [Buy on Amazon]
Bakes perfect, bread every time with minimal effort. Great for making homemade bread everytime.
Pantry Stables
Gochujang – [Buy on Amazon]
A Korean chili paste with sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Great for marinades, sauces, and adding depth to soups or stir-fries.
Instant Ramen – [Buy on Amazon]
A sturdy set you’ll use every day, from baking cookies to making marinades.
Red Curry Paste – [Buy on Amazon]
Red Star Instant Sourdough Yeast – [Buy on Amazon]
A sturdy set you’ll use every day, from baking cookies to making marinades.
Measuring & Prep Tools
Digital Kitchen Scale – [Buy on Amazon]
Perfect for accurate baking measurements, portion control, and consistency in recipes.
Measuring Cups & Spoons (Stainless Steel) – [Buy on Amazon]
A sturdy set you’ll use every day, from baking cookies to making marinades.
Cutting boards – [Buy on Amazon]
A sturdy, reliable cutting board is a must-have in any kitchen. Perfect for chopping vegetables, slicing meats, and prepping ingredients safely, it keeps your counters protected while making cleanup easy.
Shop My Kitchen
If you want to see all my favorite tools in one place, visit my Amazon Storefront. I keep it updated with everything I personally use and recommend.
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I update my kitchen essentials regularly as I discover new tools I can’t live without. Thanks for supporting Team Donovan — every click helps keep the recipes and videos coming.