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If you're in the formidable position of flying the family coop, there's a solid chance you'll be in dire need of some kitchen essentials for your new home. The thrill of ordering in a constant stream of takeaways will get old fast, leaving you with no choice but to whip up some cheap, nutritious, and hopefully delicious meals from scratch.
Looking to acquire the whole kitchen kit and caboodle? Brands like Noah's Box, Argos Home, and Morphy Richards are ready to stock your cupboards full of pots, pans, and every imaginable utensil. Whether you're shopping for yourself or a gift for your uni-bound teenager, check out our top 10 ranking from the always reliable Amazon, eBay, and Argos. We're sure you'll agree, our picks will help students to eat like kings, queens, and everything in-between!
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Table of Contents
Learning how to cook early on will set you up for a life-long appreciation of good food and the love that goes into making it. This simple buying guide will run through the main types of kitchen sets available, giving you the basic knowledge to make choosing a new set easier than cooking a packet of noodles!
With each set on the market containing a variety of pieces, we recommend figuring out what you already have and then deciding what else you might need to stock up your kitchen adequately. If you've arrived at uni with virtually nothing though, you might need a bit more guidance - read this section to learn more!
In order to suit each student's unique circumstances, kitchen sets can vary quite a lot in terms of the items they contain. If your kitchen is basically bare, you'll need to look for a complete set that includes cookware, crockery, and cutlery, as well as a few extra bits like a chopping board and tea towels.
If, however, your parents gave you a selection of cups and plates as a going-away present before shipping you off to uni, you'll probably need a less comprehensive set. In this case, you might just need to purchase a set featuring a saucepan, some bakeware, and a few fancy utensils.
The next factor to consider is how many pieces a kitchen set is packing. Some of the largest all-in sets can feature up to 70 individual pieces which should fill up every cupboard available in the house! If you're sharing your kitchen with other people though, you might want to think about whether you really need this many items - after all, you can always take turns when it comes to making dinner!
On the more modest side, you'll find sets with around 10-21 pieces which should give you a good base for cooking up a storm without taking up too much space. Or, of course, you could opt for a medium-sized kit of around 30 pieces - this will still let you reach your culinary potential and harness the power of all those 15-minute meal cookbooks that have been thrust upon you by well-wishing family members!
Knowing which individual pieces come as part of a set can sometimes be a head-scratching affair, but it's something that simply can't be overlooked. Checking which ones you'll find inside the box, as well as how many of each are included, will help you to understand the cooking capabilities of the set.
We've listed all of the items in the specification tables below each product review, so you can scan through the list and see if a set contains the pieces that you need. Or, if you're someone who understands the world better through pictures rather than words, you'll see that each review has a photo of the contents for you to cast your eye over.
Sets that come equipped with crockery and cutlery usually state the number of place settings - this indicates how many people can dine using them. When browsing kitchen sets, you'll notice that the number of place settings will usually be for 2-6 people.
While this should be sufficient for you and your flatmates, you may need to top up with a few extra plates, forks, and glasses if you enjoy hosting the occasional dinner party for uni friends!
You won't get very far in the kitchen without a few pots and pans at the ready. You'll need to check that the material that they're made from is suitable for your stovetop though before you start cooking!
Most of the pots and pans on our list are of a non-stick nature; this is to make them as student-proof as possible, ensuring no piece of pasta is left behind!
Non-stick basically means an aluminium base that has been coated in a synthetic chemical known as Teflon. It's both cheap and easy to use, which will be music to any student's ears, but it does have its drawbacks. The main one is that it can scratch and become damaged if you use metal utensils. It also can't handle high temperatures, as this will cause the coating to break down.
If you're already well acquainted with the stovetop and feel like you're as ready as you'll ever be to bring your cooking to the next level, then stainless steel is probably a better option than non-stick. Good quality stainless steel is unrivalled in the kitchen arena due to being extremely long-lasting, durable, and versatile.
Induction cookers benefit from being extremely speedy at reaching the temperature you desire, thanks to electromagnetic radiation reacting with the base of the pot or pan. This rapid-fire heat also inevitably reduces energy costs, which again is perfect for the pound-saving student lifestyle.
While most modern kitchen sets feature pots and pans that are ready to roll with induction hobs, it's not always the case. If you'll be using an induction cooker, be wary of cheap cookware sets that may not be compatible - usually, more expensive kitchen sets are suitable for induction stoves.
Noah's Box has undoubtedly got it going on when it comes to equipping students with everything they need to get started in the kitchen! This is their impressive 70 piece set, which will fill up your bare cupboards nicely and have you whipping up a feast in just a few minutes.
Since this set is equipped with 4 place settings in terms of cutlery and crockery, you could even skip washing the dishes occasionally when your essays start to pile up. Best of all, each pot, pan, and tray has been coated with non-stick ceramic and is fully compatible with an induction stove, making this our top pick when it comes to kitchen sets!
Here's another set from the marvellous Morphy Richards that features utensils and specialist knives as well as pots and pans. The cookware is made from pressed aluminium with a non-stick ceramic coating, meaning it'll last you for years to come - which can only be a good thing when you're spending this much!
One of Amazon's bestsellers in the kitchenware category, this set is well worth the price considering the quality of the pieces that are included. It's a must-buy if you'd rather cook up a fantastic feast than face beans on toast 3 nights a week.
This is a seriously stacked set of kitchen essentials from student favourite Argos Home. With 50 practical items including non-stick cookware, a variety of knives, and storage canisters, you won't miss a beat with this one.
From baking tools such as a loaf pan to breakfast essentials like egg cups, you can rest assured that all the cooking bases have been accounted for here. There's even enough cutlery for 4 people, which will gain you brownie points with your housemates too!
This 21 piece set pretty much ticks all the boxes when it comes to the cooking life of a student. Every pot, pan, and baking tray is non-stick, giving you added confidence that each delicious meal will turn out as expected.
Two heavy-duty microwaveable containers with lids are also included, so you can heat up last night's leftovers for lunch rather than wasting money on an overpriced sandwich! The only downside is that the induction compatibility isn't stated by the manufacturer, meaning you may want to steer clear if you have that type of stove.
This is definitely a set for those students who don't mind spending a little more on good quality gear. The premium stainless steel pots and pans with glass lids are built to last, meaning you can cook away confidently knowing they'll stand up to the heat.
The utensils are just as fabulous, as they're also made from top-quality stainless steel. Plus, they have stay-cool handles which protect your hands from burns. Moreover, every piece of cookware is induction compatible, so you can save some money on energy - sounds good to us!
Noah's Box sure knows how to help students stock up their kitchen cupboards. This comprehensive set includes items for cooking, baking, and dining - so it'll help you eat out less and save money in the long run!
Whether you're planning to have a Sunday morning fry-up or a decadent dessert, everything you need is here. However, this set does skimp on place settings, so you may need to seek out some extra crockery and cutlery if you want to have friends over.
This all-inclusive set leaves no utensil behind, so it's bound to get your creative cooking juices flowing! Oak & Steel emphasise that these utensils are of premium quality, with a durable stainless steel and nylon composition.
All the usual suspects like spatulas, whisks, and ladles can be found here, alongside convenient tools such as a pizza cutter, a garlic crusher, and a bottle opener. If you've already got your cookware sorted, this set will take your drool-worthy dishes to the next level!
This set is a little different to the others on our list, with its focus being on crockery and cutlery; this makes it a great sidekick for the other cookware-focused sets. Featuring six place settings, it should cater nicely to all of your dinner guests.
If you need a mug for your morning coffee and a bowl for your brekkie, this set should sort your student house out from the get-go. Yet again, Argos Home have brought their budget A-game with this impeccably-priced set - although the plain white design might be a bit boring for some.
Argos Home has really put its best student-sized foot forward with this 20 piece kitchen set costing just over £20. It includes the basics, with 2 complete cutlery place settings and a few pieces of cookware to get you started.
The pots, pans, and baking tray are all non-stick, which can only be a good thing if you're a culinary novice. Plus, extras like kitchen knives, scissors, and a can opener mean there should be no excuses for not whipping up something tasty. The only hitch is that it's not induction compatible, which could pose a problem for some cooks.
This 21 piece starter kit from Gr8 Home will get the ball rolling when it comes to life in the kitchen. As it's focused on cookware and utensils, we'd say this set should ideally be bought alongside a crockery and cutlery set.
Every piece of cookware is made from a non-stick material and is finished with a copper coloured coating that gives it a striking look. The low price does come with a downside though - none of the pieces are compatible with an induction stove!
If your thirst for a complete kitchen hasn't been quenched just yet, we've got a few more brilliant articles lined up just for you. From stylish cutlery to non-stick saucepans, we've got plenty of suggestions for items to top up your kitchen set - then you should have nothing left to buy, only to cook!
Learning a few culinary skills and being able to conjure up signature dishes means you'll be able to impress your friends, family, and anyone who's lucky enough to walk into your kitchen. We hope we've helped you to find a set that'll keep you well-fed in your formative years - it's just a shame that it can't help with the studying too!
Author: Connor Macanally
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Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
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Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
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Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
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