Kitchen equipment they need to take to Halls

[amumthatcares]

I may seem really dumb here, but I am not sure what DD needs to take to Halls in the way of kitchen stuff.

I know she'll need crockery, cutlery etc but what about things like kettles, toasters, baking tins etc...do they end up with 6 in each flat or is that kind of thing provided? Also, do halls have things like microwaves provided for when DD prepares herself a good hearty, healthy meal

If you are taking her up to University (so you have transport) then I wouldn't sweat it. The likes of Tesco/Asda/Wilko have the situation sized up - the local hypermarket will be full of cheap student stuff at Freshers. Wait til you get there and see what's missing.

Does the University run some sort of facebook page so she can chat to flatmates beforehand and decide who brings what.
Halls usually provide the obvious electricals (kettle, microwave,etc) so they can ensure that they have been PAT tested.

Halls are all different in what they supply and what stuff is not allowed. So even in the same uni, the rules might vary.

The ratio of people to kitchens also varies, although with bigger numbers usually there is more than 1 cooker. Microwaves are pretty standard though.

The uni website will probably have a list and that is your best guide. Some places sell starter-packs with the basics in, and although they are aimed at international students, can be useful for anyone.

If she intends to leave utensils etc in the kitchen, invest in value lines that won't matter when something happens to them.

Hi, There's a very good thread on this that keeps being resurrected every year. I think it's been going for about 7 years now here

I found it invaluable when mine was off a few years ago.

Good luck.

She may need a small frying pan, a milk pan and a large saucepan. A few cheap utensils, including a chopping board (but cheaper the better as they rarely come back home) and a knife that actually cuts.
A small amount of crockery/cutlery as well - but never take the much loved mug or whatever as someone will break it.
Plastic boxes for storage in fridge - labelled with name (fwiw).

At DS halls, they all chipped in and bought a toaster, sandwich maker, kettle etc between them.
In fact, it was their first trip to town as a group.

As a minimum:
Small & large saucepans
Frying pan (teflon)
Cutlery
Crockery - plates, bowl(s), mugs.
Small sharp knife
Baking tray
Tin opener
Tupperware
Ovenproof mixing bowl (pyrex?)
Scales

Nice to have:
Wok
Cheese grater
Chopping board
Hand held blender (honestly, everyone in my house uses mine)
Knife sharpener (I have a whetstone)

Definitely shouldn't bring a pint glass - they must be liberated from a pub, as is the right of passage!

I'd also recommend setting your offspring up with a box of basics - pasta, sauce, oil, herbs, spices, rice, tins and so on, just to see them through the first week or so and stop them from having to spend a lot getting themselves set up. A cookery book (I like the Hamlyn ones, and the Beyond Baked Beans series).

Great advice/suggestions, thank you and brill boomting thank you

Hi...

I am (hopefully fingers crossed that my offspring get the grades) - facing the same dilemma...

I came across the following:-

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8613585.htm Stuff

I might add a proper knife - now that he is over 18 !!

That and a trip to Asda to add a few bits of crockery/knives/forks/spoons and I think that he will be sorted...

...must admit that I also have a list of "other stuff" that he may need - but this may been influenced by the Mumsnet Zombie Pack and he will think that I am taking the pi**!!!

Hope he doesn't though ..... we will see.....

..all I would add to that would be a cutting board and wooden spoons..

..but to be honest - they would probably never use half of the stuff there - but relax and turn your phone off - that is what I need to do when my son leaves home - and I am dreading it ........

Sod the nappies and weaning debates - we have raised demi-adults - and I don't know how we (actually I) will adapt !!!

lookover - I agree, though I would suggest a silicone spatula instead of a wooden spoon (easier to clean, and better for doing things like flipping pancakes and getting the last bit of soup / batter / whatever out of the pan. I've never had a chopping board - I've always just use plates, but I suspect that that's partly because I spent my first 6 months of independent living (and cooking) in backpackers hostels where things like teaspoons, glasses, scales and chopping boards simply didn't exist!

PS actually that's a lie. There were chopping boards in some places. But they were primarily used to squish cockroaches (surprisingly effective!) so unsurprisingly I wasn't rushing to use them for their intended purpose.

PPS I'd err towards a glass chopping board as they're easier to keep clean than a plastic / wooden one which will inevitably get scratched and scored.

My top tip?

Send them with a box of your old stuff !

The new ultra cheap student kit that the shops are selling is likely to be a bit lot cheap and nasty. Think frying pans that are never none stick, chopping boards that are hard and skiddy for knives and knives that don't even start out decently sharp.

A box of your old stuff that still has life in it but you are not a bit about ( you won't see it again I doubt!) and your child knows they don't have to have panic attacks about when flat mate forks the non stick frying pan or puts the electric kettle down on a hot ring and melts it, is ideal.

However also tell them to keep their own sharp knife, tin opener, best pan, whatever in their room. DD1 had a little paring knife in a sheath. It was lovely. Someone " acquired it"

dd does loads of cooking, is in 2nd yr now
things she and her housemates were very glad she brought;

roasting tin (small one from ikea) , they regularly do a roast chicken
garlic crusher
tongs
decent knife

they already had kettle toaster etc in halls

Thank you for all your helpful suggestions Theas that's exactly what I was thinking of doing. That way I won't worry about stuff getting broken or sprouting legs. Have asked grans and aunties to have a sort out too and am sure we will have most things covered between us