Equipment · Phil’s Food

Knives & Sharpening

Sharp knives do most of the work. Buy a good chef's knife first.

Chef's Knife

The one knife that handles 90% of prep.

Budget Taylors Eye Witness Syracuse Chef's Knife, 20cm ~£15 British-made budget all-rounder, razor-sharp with a 25-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Victorinox Swiss Classic Chef's Knife, 20cm ~£35 The classic value pick: light, grippy and keeps a keen edge. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Wusthof Classic Cook's Knife, 20cm ~£120 Forged Solingen steel with full bolster; a buy-it-for-life blade. View on Amazon ↗

Paring Knife

Small, nimble blade for peeling and fine work.

Budget IKEA 365+ Paring Knife, 9cm Stainless Steel ~£5 One-piece stainless steel, sharp and tough for the price (IKEA only). View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife, 8cm, Black ~£8 Nimble, featherlight Swiss blade that's brilliant value. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Wusthof Classic Paring Knife, 8.9cm ~£60 Forged precision in miniature; perfectly balanced for fine work. View on Amazon ↗

Bread Knife

Long serrated blade for crusty loaves, tomatoes and cake.

Budget Caffney Serrated Bread Knife, 10in, Stainless Steel ~£10 Well-reviewed budget serrated blade with comfy wooden handle. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Victorinox Swiss Classic Bread Knife, 21cm, Serrated ~£30 Saws through crusty loaves and soft tomatoes alike with ease. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Wusthof Classic Bread Knife, 23cm ~£100 Forged serrated edge that glides through hard crusts and cake. View on Amazon ↗

Knife Sharpener

Keep your edges keen and safe.

Budget AnySharp Pro World's Best Knife Sharpener ~£12 Suction-grip, hands-free; restores a usable edge in seconds. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range AnySharp Pro Metal Knife Sharpener, Brass ~£22 Same trusted design in a durable all-metal body. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Dual-Sided Whetstone Sharpening Stone, 1000/6000 Grit ~£30 Two-grit water stone for a precise, blade-friendly edge on good knives. View on Amazon ↗

Pans & Pots

A good frying pan and a heavy saucepan cover most cooking.

Frying Pan

Non-stick 28cm everyday hero.

Budget Tefal Easy Cook & Clean 28cm Frying Pan ~£15 Reliable titanium non-stick with Thermo-Signal heat indicator; the default cheap everyday pan. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range ProCook Elite Forged Non-Stick Frying Pan 26cm ~£35 Heavy 5.2mm forged aluminium, triple-layer PFOA-free coating and a 25-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Shallow Frying Pan 28cm ~£115 Hard-anodised, metal-utensil-safe non-stick with a lifetime guarantee; lasts for years. View on Amazon ↗

Saucepan

18cm pan for sauces, grains and small batches.

Budget Russell Hobbs Excellence 18cm Saucepan with Lid ~£18 Mirror-polished stainless steel with a glass lid; induction-safe and inexpensive. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range ProCook Gourmet Stainless Steel 18cm Saucepan ~£30 18/10 stainless with an aluminium core for even heat; sold individually on ProCook (Amazon lists it in sets). View on Amazon ↗

Premium Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel 18cm Saucepan with Lid ~£90 Fully-clad tri-ply, oven and induction safe with even heat and a lifetime guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Cast Iron Skillet

Unbeatable sear, pan-to-oven.

Budget Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 26cm ~£35 USA-made, pre-seasoned and near-indestructible; the classic value skillet. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range ProCook Cast Iron Skillet 26cm (Matte Black) ~£40 Enamelled cast iron (no seasoning needed) with helper handle and 25-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Skillet 26cm ~£135 Enamelled cast iron with superb heat retention and a lifetime guarantee; a buy-it-for-life pan. View on Amazon ↗

Casserole Dish

Heavy lidded pot for stews, braises and bread.

Budget Lodge Enamelled Cast Iron Round Casserole 3.4L ~£55 Enamelled cast iron Dutch oven at a fraction of premium prices; great heat retention. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range ProCook Cast Iron Round Casserole 24cm / 4.7L ~£60 Self-basting lid, induction-safe enamel and a 25-year guarantee; serious value. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Round Casserole 24cm / 4.2L ~£250 The benchmark French casserole; even braising, oven-to-table looks and a lifetime guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Bakeware

A sturdy tray and a couple of tins unlock most baking.

Baking Tray

For roasting, traybakes and cookies. Buy heavy.

Budget Amazon Basics Non-Stick Carbon Steel Baking Tray ~£15 Cheap, heavy-enough carbon steel for everyday traybakes and roasting. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Circulon Momentum Large Oven Tray (44 x 29cm) ~£18 Thick carbon steel with durable raised non-stick and a lifetime guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet Pan ~£28 Pro-grade uncoated aluminium with steel-rimmed edges that won't warp. View on Amazon ↗

Springform Cake Tin

20cm loose-base tin for cakes and cheesecakes.

Budget Wilton 20cm Round Springform Cake Tin ~£12 Trusted budget baking brand; easy-release clasp for cakes and cheesecakes. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range MasterClass Non-Stick Springform 20cm Cake Tin ~£14 1mm carbon steel with quick-release loose base; the reliable middle pick. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Lakeland PushPan Loose Base 20cm Cake Tin ~£30 Patented silicone seal makes it 100% leakproof, ideal for water-bath cheesecakes. View on Amazon ↗

Loaf Tin

2lb tin for bread and banana loaf.

Budget Amazon Basics Non-Stick Carbon Steel Bread Pan (2-pack) ~£13 Two heavy non-stick loaf pans for the price of one branded tin. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range MasterClass 2lb Non-Stick Loaf Tin ~£11 1mm carbon steel, PFOA-free non-stick; the standard 2lb workhorse. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Nordic Ware Naturals 1.5lb Loaf Pan ~£22 USA-made uncoated aluminium that bakes evenly and lasts a lifetime. View on Amazon ↗

Muffin Tin

12-hole tin for muffins, cupcakes and Yorkshires.

Budget Amazon Basics Non-Stick 12-Cup Muffin Pan (2-pack) ~£13 Hugely reviewed, two non-stick 12-cup pans for batch baking. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range MasterClass 12-Hole Non-Stick Muffin Tray ~£10 1mm carbon steel, good depth for muffins, cupcakes and Yorkshires. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Nordic Ware Naturals 12-Cavity Muffin Pan ~£30 Heavy USA-made aluminium for even browning and no warping. View on Amazon ↗

Prep & Tools

Boards, bowls and accurate scales make everything smoother.

Chopping Board

Big enough to work on; wood is kind to knives.

Budget Amazon Basics Wooden Chopping Boards, 3-Piece Set (Acacia) ~£17 Three pre-oiled acacia boards with juice grooves; knife-friendly wood at a budget price. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot Plus Folding Chopping Board (Large) ~£17 Folds into a chute so chopped food tips straight into the pan; non-slip and dishwasher safe. View on Amazon ↗

Premium John Boos 18-Inch Square Maple Chopping Block ~£190 Made-in-USA end-grain hard maple block that lasts decades and is gentle on blades. View on Amazon ↗

Mixing Bowls

A nested set covers prep, mixing and serving.

Budget Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 3 (with lids) ~£20 Durable nesting stainless bowls with lids in 1.5/3/5qt; lightweight and dishwasher safe. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Mason Cash S30 Mixing Bowl 21cm (In The Forest) ~£15 Iconic earthenware bowl with gripping rim; heavy and stable for whisking and kneading. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Joseph Joseph Nest 9 Plus 9-Piece Food Preparation Set ~£40 Two bowls plus colander, sieve and measuring cups all nest into one compact stack. View on Amazon ↗

Digital Scales

Baking lives or dies on accuracy.

Budget Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display ~£11 Compact stainless platform, tare and metric/imperial units to 5kg; batteries included. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Salter Disc Digital Kitchen Scale (5kg) ~£18 Slim disc holds most bowls, Add & Weigh plus Aquatronic liquid measuring; 15-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Premium OXO Good Grips 5kg Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display ~£55 Pull-out display avoids shadowing from big bowls; sturdy stainless build and 1g accuracy. View on Amazon ↗

Measuring Jug

Clear markings for liquids and batter.

Budget Wham 1 Litre Clear Plastic Measuring Jug ~£4 Cheap, light and shatterproof with bold easy-read markings; fine for everyday liquids. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Pyrex Glass Measuring Jug, 1L ~£7 Tough heat-resistant glass with durable markings; microwave and dishwasher safe. View on Amazon ↗

Premium OXO Good Grips 1L Angled Measuring Jug ~£12 Patented angled scale lets you read measurements from above as you pour; non-slip grip. View on Amazon ↗

Utensils

The hand tools you reach for every day.

Wooden Spoons

Kind to pans, classic for stirring.

Budget Tala Wooden Spoon Set of 3 (FSC Beechwood) ~£6 Cheap, sustainable beechwood trio that won't scratch non-stick. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Tala Wooden Spoon Set with Coloured Handles ~£12 Sturdier multi-size set with handy colour-coded handles. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Eddingtons Olive Wood Cooking Spoon Set of 3 (10/12/13.75-inch) ~£30 Dense Italian olivewood, hard-wearing with beautiful grain. View on Amazon ↗

Silicone Spatula

Heatproof, scrapes the bowl clean.

Budget KitchenCraft Colourworks Silicone Spatula Spoon, 28 cm ~£6 Heat-resistant to 260C with a five-year guarantee for the money. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range OXO Good Grips Silicone Heavy-Duty Spatula ~£12 Stiff enough for thick dough, comfy non-slip handle. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Joseph Joseph Elevate Silicone Spatula ~£14 Weighted handle rests the head off the worktop to stay clean. View on Amazon ↗

Kitchen Tongs

An extra pair of heatproof hands.

Budget Silicone Kitchen Tongs 2-Pack, Stainless Steel ~£9 Two locking tongs with non-scratch silicone tips for little outlay. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Locking Tongs, 12-inch ~£13 Scalloped grip and one-pull lock; an everyday workhorse. View on Amazon ↗

Premium OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Tong Set (mini + large) ~£24 Pairs a small and large tong for everything from bacon to BBQ. View on Amazon ↗

Balloon Whisk

For eggs, cream and lump-free sauces.

Budget KitchenCraft Stainless Steel Hand Balloon Whisk, 25 cm ~£6 Simple all-steel whisk, dishwasher safe with hanging loop. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk ~£12 Resin-set wires and a soft grip that won't slip in wet hands. View on Amazon ↗

Premium KitchenAid Premium Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk ~£22 Rigid heavy-gauge build aerates fast; heat-resistant to 260C. View on Amazon ↗

Gadgets

Small tools that punch above their weight.

Y-Peeler

Fast, comfortable peeling.

Budget Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler, Black ~£6 Cult-favourite carbon-steel blade that out-peels presses many times its price. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range OXO Good Grips Y Peeler ~£10 Sharp twin stainless blades with a chunky non-slip handle. View on Amazon ↗

Premium OXO Good Grips Prep Y-Peeler (Stainless Steel) ~£14 All-steel build, replaceable feel and extra-comfy grip for daily prep. View on Amazon ↗

Box Grater

Cheese, veg and zest in one.

Budget KitchenCraft Deluxe Stainless Steel Box Grater ~£10 All-steel four-sided grater with sharp blades and a 25-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range OXO Good Grips Box Grater ~£22 Four surfaces plus a catch container and lid, soft non-slip handle. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Microplane 4-Sided Box Grater ~£40 Photo-etched razor-sharp blades, removable fine side and grippy feet. View on Amazon ↗

Garlic Press

Crushed garlic without the sticky fingers.

Budget KitchenCraft Professional Stainless Steel Garlic Press ~£10 Solid steel press with removable chamber and a 25-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Zyliss Susi 3 Garlic Press ~£17 Crushes unpeeled cloves with a built-in cleaning tool; 5-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Premium OXO Good Grips Garlic Press ~£22 Die-cast zinc with big soft handles and a flip-out built-in cleaner. View on Amazon ↗

Microplane Zester

Fine zest, hard cheese, nutmeg.

Budget OXO Good Grips Zester & Grater ~£12 Etched stainless blade, non-slip feet and a protective cover. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Microplane Premium Classic Zester (White) ~£25 The original 400-tooth rasp that defined the category; soft-touch handle. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Microplane Master Series Fine Grater, Walnut Handle ~£40 Red Dot-winning blade with a US walnut handle and non-slip foot. View on Amazon ↗

Appliances

The kit that saves time — buy the level that matches how often you cook.

Stand Mixer

Game-changer for bread, cakes and meringue.

Budget Salter Boston Stand Mixer 5L (1300W) ~£70 Planetary mixing, 8 speeds and full accessory set at an entry price. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Kenwood kMix KMX754 Stand Mixer (1000W, 5L) ~£250 Metal-body workhorse with K-beater, whisk and dough hook for serious baking. View on Amazon ↗

Premium KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer (5KSM125) ~£430 Iconic all-metal build, huge attachment ecosystem and lifelong reliability. View on Amazon ↗

Hand Blender

Soups and sauces blended in the pan.

Budget Amazon Basics Multi-Speed Hand Blender (600W) ~£20 Variable speed plus beaker, whisk, masher and chopper for the money. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Braun MultiQuick 7 MQ7035X (1000W) ~£70 SmartSpeed control and ACTIVEBlade blend smoothly with less splashing. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Bamix Classic Stick Blender (Swiss-made) ~£105 Hand-built in Switzerland, near-indestructible and a cult kitchen classic. View on Amazon ↗

Air Fryer

Fast, crisp results with little oil.

Budget Tower Vortx T17082 Manual Air Fryer 4L (1400W) ~£40 Simple dial controls and a family-friendly 4L basket on a tight budget. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK 3.8L (4-in-1) ~£80 Air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate; the benchmark single-drawer Ninja. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF400UK 9.5L (6-in-1) ~£180 Two zones with Sync/Match cook a full meal that finishes together. View on Amazon ↗

Food Processor

Chops, slices, blends and doughs in seconds.

Budget Russell Hobbs Desire Food Processor 24732 (600W) ~£45 Slicing/shredding disc, dough hook and blades cover the basics cheaply. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Ninja Food Processor BN650UK 2.1L (850W) ~£80 Auto programmes plus chop, slice and dough blades in a roomy bowl. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Magimix 5200XL Food Processor 3.6L (1100W) ~£330 Commercial induction motor, Sabatier blades and a 30-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Slow Cooker

Set-and-forget stews and pulled meats.

Budget Crock-Pot 3.5L Slow Cooker (Red) ~£25 The original brand at its simplest — two heat settings, removable pot. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range Crockpot DuraCeramic Sauté Slow Cooker 4.7L (CSC026) ~£70 Hob-safe ceramic pot lets you sear then slow cook, with a digital timer. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker 6L (OL550UK) ~£200 Slow cook plus pressure cook and air fry — one pot replaces several. View on Amazon ↗

Coffee & Cocktails

For the cocktails section and your morning brew.

Cafetiere

Simple, great coffee with no electricity.

Budget VonShef 8 Cup Stainless Steel Double Walled Cafetiere, 1L ~£20 Double-walled steel keeps coffee hot and survives knocks better than glass. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range KitchenCraft Le'Xpress Deluxe 8-Cup Glass / Stainless Steel Cafetiere, 1L ~£25 Borosilicate glass and polished steel frame with a 10-year guarantee. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Bodum Chambord French Press 8 Cup, 1L (Chrome) ~£35 The classic cafetiere; 12,000+ reviews and a benchmark for design and filtration. View on Amazon ↗

Cocktail Shaker

For the Margaritas, Daiquiris and Espresso Martinis.

Budget BarCraft Luxury Stainless Steel Cobbler Cocktail Shaker, 700ml ~£14 All-in-one cobbler with built-in strainer; easiest start for a home bar. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range VonShef 6-Piece Silver Boston Cocktail Shaker Set ~£25 Boston shaker plus strainer, jigger, muddler and spoon in a gift box. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Cresimo 4-Piece Boston Cocktail Shaker Set, 18/8 Steel ~£30 Weighted 18/8 tins for a proper seal, with strainer and jigger; bartender favourite. View on Amazon ↗

Instant-Read Thermometer

Perfect steaks, bread and sugar work.

Budget ThermoPro TP19H Waterproof Digital Meat Thermometer ~£15 Fast, waterproof and rotating backlight; the value bestseller. View on Amazon ↗

Mid-range ThermoPro TP620 Professional Thermocouple Instant Read Thermometer ~£30 Thermocouple speed and 2-3 second reads at a fraction of premium cost. View on Amazon ↗

Premium Thermapen ONE Digital Instant-Read Thermometer ~£65 1-second reads, hand-calibrated in Britain; the gold standard for chefs. View on Amazon ↗