Here’s all the kitchen equipment you need when you don’t have a kitchen. There were considerably fewer pieces of cooking equipment to help you cook wonderful food in minutes and less space when I was in college. For example, there were no air fryers or Instant Pots.
I don’t think the personal blender has even taken to the air yet. So all of my petty whinings is to say that you young people have it pretty good, and if you fill your dorm with the correct equipment, you can feast like kings and queens during your first few months away from home. We picked the Best Cooking Gear For College Dorm 2023
These are just a few kitchen helpers for when you don’t actually have a kitchen, and many are absolute dorm cooking essentials every college student should own.
Best Cooking Gear For College Dorm 2023
1. Frigidaire mini fridge
You’ll need to buy a tiny refrigerator-freezer if your dorm room doesn’t already have one. It’s a requirement. Even if your dorm room is now your childhood bedroom or basement, having a designated snack area is still beneficial. This retro-style 3.2-cubic-foot dry-erase fridge with neon markers is elegant and allows you to write and erase lists and notes right on the fridge door, whether it’s a warning to stop stealing your oat milk or a reminder of next week’s Zoom class schedule.
2. Galanz retro microwave oven
A microwave is already an accepted essential for some of us, but many dorm vets raise the hot pot flag. (A $20 Sunbeam hot pot boils water in one to two minutes and may also be used to prepare pasta, rice, potatoes, and vegetables, as well as coffee or tea.) However, if you want to cook everything in the microwave, this could be the one for you. Start with a tiny portion and double-check that all your plates, bowls, and mugs are microwave-safe. You’ll need a compact microwave with 700 watts of power or less to comply with typical dorm safety rules, such as this trendy model with a retro oval window. It comes in three hues and will brighten up an otherwise dreary dorm.
3.NutriBullet personal blender
Do you want to avoid the “freshman 15” by eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables? Smoothies, smoothies, and even more smoothies. We prefer personal blenders to standard blenders since they’re more compact, the blending container serves as a cup, and they come with lids so you can drink on your way to class (or as you log in to your laptop at the kitchen island again).
For a good reason, the NutriBullet Magic Bullet is a best-seller: it can break ice, seeds, skins, and stems into a smooth, even consistency. In addition, this handy small machine can handle ice and frozen fruit, making it ideal for cold, healthful drinks and smoothies. Aside from that, there are margaritas.
4. Hamilton Beach single-serve coffee maker
This should’ve been at the top of the list. Even if you try to arrange all of your classes late in the day, you will ultimately have to attend at least one 8 a.m. class (ugh). Regular coffee machines have a maximum capacity of 12 cups, which, as ambitious as you are, may be insufficient. It’s also quite massive and takes up a lot of valuable space.
This top-rated model is compact, and gleaming, and features a mesh scoop filter that allows you to select your chosen coffee grinds. The maker can create an 8-ounce cup in 90 seconds, but you’ll need a 14-ounce travel mug, which takes only two and a half minutes to fill.
5. Bodum electric tea kettle
An electric kettle is important for tea drinkers, and this Bodum model combines design and functionality at a college-friendly price. There’s no risk of fire because it’s powered by electricity, but it’ll get 27 ounces of water boiling in just three minutes. If tea isn’t your thing, this kettle may also be used to make pour-over coffee. Is that clear?
6. Bella digital air fryer
You can cook all of your favourite fried foods, including wings, fries, tots, mozzarella sticks, empanadas, and other frozen delicacies, without using any oil using this little robot-looking oven. The 2-quart capacity is ideal for a dorm room, and the digital presets include a 60-minute auto shut-off for added safety. All I can say is that I wish I’d had one of these when I was a freshman. Nowadays, you kids have things so easy.
7. Ninja Foodi Flip-Away oven and air fryer
Get this beast of an oven and air fryer combo if you want to take things up a notch — or a few notches. You’ll get considerably more cooking options with the Ninja Foodi oven than you would with a single air fryer, including bake, roast, toast, and warm settings. Furthermore, the entire appliance folds up against a wall, taking up far less room than any oven with this much power should.
We tried it out, and the air fryer function works great, producing ultra-crispy wings and fries in around 25 minutes. Just keep in mind that it gets boiling very quickly, so verify with your college’s rules and regulations before bringing one in.
6. Dash egg cooker
It’s nearly impossible to leave the dorm with a good breakfast, but an egg cooker can certainly assist. In minutes, the popular Dash cooker will cook six freshly cooked eggs — hard-boiled, soft-boiled, or poached (if you’re feeling fancy). It also takes up less room, which is ideal for college students who are limited on space. Protein, hallelujah!.
7.23-piece kitchen utensil set
You might not need everything in this set if you’re still in a dorm, but save it for next year when you move off-campus and have to fill a real kitchen. When selecting cutlery, plates, cups, and bowls, it’s easy to overlook small items such as a cheese grater, can opener, measuring spoons, cups, and peelers. If colour is important to you, you can get more colourful sets, but this basic set is inexpensive and contains both a bottle opener and a pizza cutter, which you could use more than the others.
8. Quesadilla maker
“Wait, do I even have time to eat?” is one of the most common questions you’ll ask yourself in college. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s the reality. You’ll need equipment that can help you cook food quickly, so you don’t go hungry if you’re late for class, an internship, or wherever else you have to be. This quesadilla maker is inexpensive and ideal for a fast lunch. Just remember to put the top tortilla down before closing it up, as I did multiple times during my freshman year.
9. Water bottle with fruit infuser
I’m not sure if everyone drinks fruit-infused water anymore, but I do, so this is vital. A reusable water bottle is a sensible item to have in your dorm, even if it isn’t really kitchen equipment. Why spend money on water bottles when you can filter tap water for free? And you can add tea, lemons, berries, or whatever else you want to that all-important H2O with this durable and slick-looking HYDY water bottle (which comes in a variety of fantastic colours).
10. Brita filtered water pitcher
Clean, drinkable water is even more important than coffee (gasp!). A filtered water pitcher is an excellent method to keep the essential nourishment on hand at all times. You’ll want this if you can’t fit it in your fridge. There are many types, but for your limited area, a sleek design is optimal. With white, turquoise, and red colour options, the Brita 5-Cup Space Saver BPA-free water pitcher fits the bill.
11. Instant Pot Duo Nova 3-qt pressure cooker
An Instant Pot is a no-brainer if your dorm allows it, and this compact little version is ideal for limited areas (and those who might not want to deal with five pounds of pulled pork at a time). This type doesn’t make yogurt, but it serves double duty as a rice cooker and steamer, and it always makes quick dinners, breakfasts, and excellent boiled eggs.
Best Cooking Gear For College Dorm 2023
- Frigidaire mini fridge
- Galanz retro microwave oven
- NutriBullet personal blender
- Hamilton Beach single-serve coffee maker
- Bodum electric tea kettle
- Bella digital air fryer
- Ninja Foodi Flip-Away oven and air fryer
- Dash egg cooker
- 23-piece kitchen utensil set
- Quesadilla maker
- Water bottle with fruit infuser
- Brita filtered water pitcher
- Instant Pot Duo Nova 3-qt pressure cooker
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