Depending on the college or university, access to a kitchen varies widely for students. A microwave and mini fridge are staples in most dorm rooms. And, many dorms also have a communal kitchen. College students who can whip up a few meals for themselves can save a lot of precious cash and develop an important skill that will serve them in their adult lives.
When shopping for dorm supplies, don’t forget a few key kitchen tools. Many are small and easy to store when space is at a premium. Here’s your essential dorm kitchen tool checklist.
1. Small Micro-Cooker $9.50
If the microwave is the primary cooking tool in the dorms, this little wonder will steam veggies, heat up soup, and even poach chicken breasts for a fast, healthy meal. The lid doubles as a strainer for vegetables or pasta.
2. Pizza & Crust Cutter $15
Pizza is a way of life in college, so this pizza cutter is one of the most prized tools a student can own. The exclusive crust cutter gets all the way through deep-dish and thick-crust pizzas.
3. Personal Size Pizza Stone $17
Stoneware is ideal for getting oven-like results from a microwave. This 8½” stone fits nicely into a small microwave or toaster oven for making or reheating pizza, but it will also be a student’s go-to pan for reheating leftovers.
4. Microwave Popcorn Maker $25
Microwave popcorn is the ultimate power snack for college students. Now they can have all the convenience of microwavable popcorn without extra cost and greasy, buttery bags (gross). This reusable popcorn maker is collapsible for convenient storage too.
5. 4-qt. Collapsible Serving Bowl $22.50
This bowl pops open to serve chips, popcorn, or salads. Then it collapses down into a thin disc that fits in any closet or cabinet. When it’s collapsed, it also creates a well that can neatly hold chips and dip.
6. Mini Measure-All® Cup $7
Another great all-in-one space-saver. This cup measures liquid and dry ingredients in one tool. And it’s designed to make measuring portions of yogurt, peanut butter, and honey less messy.
7. Coated Utility Knife $16
Knives are essential tools in every kitchen, and the green utility knife covers the basics—slicing fruits, veggies, and meat. All our knives are coated stainless steel blades, corrosion-resistant, and nonstick. Pair it with the colorful Flexible Cutting Mat Set. These three mats are designed with helpful tips to help new cooks learn knife skills and food prep. Add on the Small Flexible Cutting Mat Set for quick chopping tasks on small countertops.
8. Ceramic Egg Cooker $15.50
Give busy students a break from cold cereal and breakfast bars with something warm and healthy. This handy cooker is designed to pop eggs or oatmeal in the microwave, and it’s portable. No more excuses to be late for class or skip a meal. Bonus! You can also use it for microwave mug cakes. Did someone say: “study break?”
9. Mini Mix ‘N Scraper® $10.50
This is like a spoon and scraper in one. It’s built to take what any novice college dorm cook can dish out. It won’t come apart, split, stain, burn, melt, or crack. But it’s still not a good idea to accidently leave it in the oven!
10. Leakproof Glass Containers $11-$24
Available in four sizes, these containers are essential for keeping leftovers handy during the week. That’s how to stretch one take-out Moo Shu Beef into one or two more weeknight dinners. The containers are also microwave-safe for cooking dorm room meals.
11. Make & Take Mason Jar Set $27.50
The trendiest way to carry a salad for optimal freshness is layered in a mason jar. Pampered Chef’s version goes a step further with a built-in dressing cup in the lid (no soggy salads!), a nesting snack jar, plus spoon and fork. This set also includes a sleek carrier to pack and go.
It’s perfect for fast-paced schedules when there’s no time to stop for lunch or dinner at the student union.
12. Basic Tool Set $20.50
These are the staples students need in the dorm—and later in their apartment kitchens. The set includes just what they’ll need.
13. Smooth-Edge Can Opener $21.50
Most dorm-inspired meals start with something in a can. This opener eliminates sharp edges and plucks the lid right off so no one has to touch it.
14. Small Batter Bowl $15
Every kitchen, big or small, needs a mixing bowl. Our batter bowls have measurement markings on their sides, and the small version is another microwave BFF. Mix and cook in one bowl!
15. Tool Turn-About $20
Nobody has the time or space to deal with junk drawers, especially in dorms. This clutter management tool will keep that kitchenette neat and tidy. Its spinning compartments can also keep hair products and makeup contained in a bathroom. And it makes a great gift for art students as a place to keep their pencils, brushes, and pens.
Thank you for this AWESOME list of ideas!! I was so busy thinking about bedding and things like that – I hadn’t even thought about setting up the kitchen!! You’ve saved me from having to run around WalMart and buy sub-par products we’d end up replacing in a few weeks!
I’m glad you found it helpful. My daughter leaves next Thursday for college and has a whole boxful of PC tools 🙂 Did you get everything you needed? Have any questions about use and care?
I agree Janet, this list is fantastic! So glad to have it as a resource 🙂
I wish they had these things back when I went to college!
Are there any recipes for the micro cooker?