My Minimalist Kitchen: How Just 5 Essential Appliances Make Cooking Easy
When I first moved out of my mother’s house, I thought I needed an entire cookware set, a well-stocked pantry, and a perfectly organized kitchen to be able to cook decent meals. After all, I had watched my mother and late grandmother cook elaborate dishes with a variety of pots, pans, and utensils. From selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering the art of budget-friendly cooking, they made everything look effortless.
But once I settled into my own tiny rental flat, I quickly realized that I didn’t need a fully equipped kitchen to make delicious, home-cooked meals. Space was limited, and I didn’t want to clutter my home with unnecessary items. Slowly, I streamlined my cooking process and found that a simple, practical setup was all I really needed.
Now, my kitchen setup looks more like a pantry than a traditional kitchen, but it works perfectly for my needs. I’ve narrowed it down to just five essential appliances, and they’ve made cooking easier, more efficient, and stress-free.
1. PowerPac Rice Cooker: My One-Pot Wonder
My rice cooker isn’t just for cooking plain white rice—it’s my go-to appliance for all sorts of meals. With it, I can make:
✔️ Biryani rice, chicken rice, and tomato rice for flavorful, fuss-free meals.
✔️ Garlic rice with salmon for a quick, satisfying dish.
✔️ Congee and savory porridge when I’m feeling under the weather or just want something comforting.
✔️ Even steamed cakes—yes, I’ve experimented with baking in it, and it works!
It’s an absolute must-have for my minimalist kitchen because it allows me to cook complete meals with minimal effort and cleanup.
2. PowerPac Multi-Cooker Steamboat/BBQ Grill: The All-in-One Workhorse
When I first moved in, I thought I needed a gas stove and multiple pots and pans to cook properly. That changed when I got this multi-cooker.
✔️ Perfect for cooking Malay gravy dishes like rendang and asam pedas without needing a separate stove.
✔️ Great for stir-frying noodles, fried rice, and even sautéed vegetables.
✔️ The removable pot makes cleaning easy—no scrubbing stubborn stains off multiple pots and pans.
✔️ No need for extra cookware, making my tiny kitchen feel less cluttered.
This appliance does everything my old stove setup did, but in a more compact, convenient way.
3. Morries Blender: 10 Years and Still Going Strong
I’ve had this Morries blender for almost a decade, and it’s still working like new. A good blender is essential, especially for someone like me who loves to cook Malay dishes that require blended spice pastes (perencah).
✔️ Helps me prepare fresh spice blends instead of relying on store-bought pastes.
✔️ Cuts down prep time significantly, making cooking more efficient.
✔️ Well-maintained and durable—I clean it after every use, and it’s lasted for years.
For someone who cooks a lot of flavorful dishes, a powerful and reliable blender is a non-negotiable kitchen tool.
4. Morries Toaster Oven: My Baking Companion
I don’t have space for a full-sized oven, but this compact toaster oven does everything I need it to.
✔️ Bakes cupcakes and cookies perfectly when set at the right temperature.
✔️ Great for roasting chicken and small dishes, giving me a homemade oven-baked taste without the need for a large oven.
✔️ Compact and energy-efficient, so I don’t have to worry about high electricity bills.
I used to think I needed a big oven for baking, but this little toaster oven has proven me wrong.
5. Panasonic Electric Kettle: A Coffee Lover’s Best Friend
As someone who drinks coffee multiple times a day, having an electric kettle is a must.
✔️ Boils water quickly, so I don’t have to wait long for my caffeine fix.
✔️ Perfect for instant noodles, tea, and quick soups, making it a multi-purpose tool.
✔️ Compact and easy to clean, taking up minimal counter space.
It may seem like a simple appliance, but it’s one of the most frequently used in my kitchen.
Bonus: Farfalla Fridge – Small But Reliable
While I don’t keep a large stock of fresh ingredients, my Farfalla fridge is just the right size for my needs.
✔️ Keeps my groceries fresh, especially since I shop daily after my morning walks.
✔️ Cools quickly and efficiently, though I have to adjust the temperature often to prevent the ice compartment from freezing over completely.
A fridge may not be a “kitchen tool,” but it’s an essential part of my minimalist cooking setup.
Why My Minimalist Kitchen Works for Me
Although my kitchen is small and lacks the traditional setup of gas stoves, multiple cookware sets, and fancy gadgets, it’s more than enough for me. My five essential kitchen tools allow me to cook everything I need while keeping my space uncluttered and easy to manage.
✔️ Budget-friendly and easily replaceable – If anything breaks down, I can replace it without spending a fortune.
✔️ Space-saving – No excess pots, pans, or appliances taking up valuable space.
✔️ Perfect for my lifestyle – I cook simple meals, so I don’t need a complex setup.
✔️ Easy to move – If I ever relocate, I won’t have to deal with packing bulky kitchen equipment.
At the end of the day, a minimalist kitchen isn’t about having less—it’s about having enough. And for me, these five appliances are exactly that.
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