ONE is NOT enough... IMO

[kseiverd]

My kitchen isn't huge but not minute either. Counter top is in almost constant state of clutter. Found a few BIG, pottery crocks a few years back that now hold all my cooking implements... things that used to be in 1-2 " junk drawers... easy access now.

There are a few things that I think just ONE is NOT enough... and don't care if some think I have WAY more than necessary. One of these things is wooden tools... probably have a dozen different wooden tools. Probably have 6+ whisks... from smallish ones face for non-stick pans to a BIG balloon whisk. Have several (maybe 8 or so) spatulas & "spoonulas"... some very flexible silicone, some more rigid, some smaller/narrower spreaders. Think my SIL actually has only ONE of each in her kitchen??

Have way more bowls than I probably need... a "vintage", avocado green, 3-piece, Pyrex set... was a wedding gift MANY years ago. Have a 4 piece set that were found one at a time at yard sales... each looking like they had rarely been used.

I'd rather end up with a dishwasher full of things than have to wash the same thing several times while cooking.

What do you have that some might say you have TOO much of?

[PanFreak]

I have an entire room full of cookware. I converted a first floor office into my "pan room." I have 8 Costco stainless steel racks filled with cookware. It really has gone too far...but I don't care! I love it!

[sherrib]

PanFreak,
For the love of fellow pan lovers, post a picture!

[tcamp]

That is awesome! I want to see a picture too.

[PanFreak]

I will try to post a picture. I live in Virginia and our power has been out for 3 days. Currently hanging out in a hotel...hopefully the lights will be on soon!

[sherrib]

PanFreak,
I'm sorry for your situation right now. I've been through it before and it's definitely not fun. I hope the power outage has been the worst of it for you from the bad weather. And I especially hope your power returns sooner rather than later, if for no other reason than my selfish desire to see a picture of your cookware room!

[Delphine]

I am totally and utterly jealous. I seem to be turning green - I've got to adjust my makeup. Please post a photo.

I am sorry about the power outage.

[INDIANRIVERFL]

All-Clad. Lived close to the factory in Canonsburg Penna. and Mom went to the yearly seconds/rejects/discontinued pieces. A set of oval copper saute pans from 6 inches to 12 inches. Interior steel lining but without handles. 40 qt stock pot. 4 woks of varying style and sizes. Almost two dozen various lids. 20 inch diameter fry pan without a helper handle. Everything designed for a flattop and the trade. The era when cooks had wrists of steel and females were kept doing pastry.

Lids at the sale started at $1.00 each and pots and pans depending on flaws, at $5.00.

Long before they shipped seconds to Ross and Marshall's.

[sherrib]

Saute pans, fry pans, and pots in general. The ONLY thing stopping me from having more is space limitations. Oh, and also roasting pans, I have tons of those - in all the various shapes and sizes. I won't apologize for any of them and if anyone wants to accuse me of having too much, they can buzz off. I'm all growed up and will do what I like in my kitchen - especially since it brings me much happiness.

[chuffle]

Oh gee...

Five crocks of whisks, spatulas, wooden spoons, ladles, etc.
Measuring cup sets
Measuring spoon sets
Knives, knives, knives
Mixing bowls
Cast iron
Pots
Three food processors of various capacities (purchased at estate sales)
KA K5SS, K45SS, venerable old GE hand mixer

While I don't have a dishwasher, I don't mind doing the washing up. The task is better than having to stop mid-stream to wash something when I'm "on a roll."

[KSlink]

I'm relieved to find it isn't just me who hates stopping mid-stream to start washing bowls and utensils, it throws me off my game!!! Finally, people who understand why I have so many duplicates.....

[chuffle]

I have friends who love to cook, and once in a while, when I visit, we will do a cooking frenzy. Unfortunately, they never have enough "stuff," and we always need to wait for a particular item to be washed. I have toyed with taking a package of my own bits when I show up for a visit - I think that I read somewhere that Julia Child would carry her own knives when visiting and would be asked to cook...

[tcamp]

Wooden spoons
Wooden salad bowls and cutting boards
Cast iron skillets
Rubber spatulas
Tongs
Herbs and spices (according to my spouse)

[blondelle]

We have too many according to WHOM? Are there kitchenware police that will enter your kitchen and take away what is too much? If the items make you happy and you can afford them they aren't too much.

Disclaimer: The above has been posted by a Le Creuset and All-Clad junkie who definitely has too much but it makes me happy. Isn't that what matters most?

[FrankJBN]

"too many according to WHOM?"

According to you, the owner.

[mangiare24]

Bakeware. I have 3 shelves of it in my utility closet. Included in that inventory is at least 20 round and square cake pans of varying sizes. And it goes on from there.

[cookie monster]

Electric mixers, given then some cooks don't own any at all and I have three - 6 quart stand, 4 quart stand and hand mixer. But I use them all.

[biscottifan]

I have multiple tongs - most have a rubberized tip and some are shorter than the others. I like short tongs for working because I have more control but longer ones are needed when using the braiser so I don't get spattered.

Separate spatulas for cooking versus baking. I don't want onions and garlic getting on my baking spatula.

Several different whisks and I still use a fork at times to whisk ingredients.

[Delphine]

The long rubberized tip tongs are also great for reaching things from a upper shelf.

[SAHCook]

whisks, spatulas, cookbooks and paper cupcake liners :)

[chefathome]

Too many of everything in the pantry. But I just cannot resist bringing back foods from our travels! Justifying, I know...

- meat thermometers.
- muffin, pie, cake, cookie tins/pans/sheets
- cookie cutters

[escondido123]

Cheap restaurant style tongs tucked over the rim of the crock that holds my wooden spoons.

[tcamp]

I had to double check the author of this post to make sure it wasn't me. Same situation here only my wooden spoons are in a metal container rather than a crock.

[Davwud]

I will disagree with the OP about wooden utensiles. I have a crock full of them that are hardly ever used. I just don't like them.

Now, I can agree that a bunch of spatulas are definitely need and agree with you es that a you can't have too many tongs. I have about 4 pair of small scalloped, 1 medium, 1 large, 1 medium plastic and 1 small plastic. I still find myself without a pair fairly often.

Measuring cups as well. Different sizes and styles are always useful.

DT

[tim irvine]

As long as I adhere to my "use it at least once a year" rule I will contend I do not have "too much" of anything, but I am the kind of addict who'd buy a duck press if the price were right, just to try it. I agree 100% on a preference for a full dishwasher over having to pause and wash as I plow through a meal. I have eight mixing bowls, most sizes of Mason Cash, a gripstand, and a couple made in Ohio. I have never used them all on one meals, but I am not done yet (I hope).

[INDIANRIVERFL]

My duck press purchased in Europe gets used 2-5 times a year, but primarily for mature chickens.

[kaleokahu]

Hi, Indianriver:

If you ever want to sell that press, let me know. [e-mail]

Aloha,
Kaleo

[Chemicalkinetics]

I may have too many woks, and I would agree to that. I also have too many spice jars, but I really need them to store the spices. I guess that I just have too many different spices. I also have too many kitchen towels? (8 pieces) Too many Dutch Ovens -- 3. A few sand pots. Too many knives for most people, but I think have just about the right numbers. I think most people definitely think I have too many knife sharpening stones even it isn't that many compares to others.

[splatgirl]

colored silicone spatulas. Every color of the rainbow represented, some in multiple shades, all standing up in one bin on my open stainless steel white dishware shelf, just because it looks cool and is functional. Certain color/style combo's are like my holy grail of spatula and I am helpless to not buy them. And if one needs to get tossed, I obsess about finding just the right one to replace it.
One day I will switch to rotating collections of just one color, light to dark, or holiday color themes!
Uh oh. I think I just infected myself with that idea.

[Sooeygun]

I sometimes think I have too many silicone spatulas and then I do a big baking or cooking session and realize they have all been used. I guess I could have fewer and keep washing them as I cook, but I'd rather not.

Ditto on stainless steel bowls.

[flourgirl]

I have a ton of bowls, a lot of stainless steel and glass bowls in all sizes that I use for prep. (Let's not even get into the collection of ceramic bowls I own that I use for serving.) I just bought 2 new stainless steel bowls a few weeks ago at Marshall's and even though I kept telling myself I didn't need any more bowls I was helpless to resist them. They're just perfect, just the right size and very deep. I find myself using them all the time & i'm so glad I bought them!

[splatgirl]

Marshalls, TJMax and Homegoods are the enablers!

[Uncle Bob]

Cast iron............

[kseiverd]

Uncle Bob... I LOVE YOU!! Cast iron, especially unusual pieces, is a MAJOR weakness of mine! Right now on the hunt... NEED a deep chicken fryer and muffin/pop-over pans. Well, not exactly NEED but definitely WANT to add to my collection.

[wekick]

pots and pans...cookbooks..dishes...bowls
I am trying to consolidate.
I do use all of my utensils though.