31+ Ultimate Dorm Kitchen Essentials List
If you are starting college soon, there will be many things you have to buy for college as well as for the dorm or apartment you are staying in. If you plan to cook meals, make snacks or store food in your dorm then you must include dorm kitchen essentials in your college packing list.
Here are the recommended items you must bring to college to have a complete kitchen in your dorm room.
College Kitchen Essentials
There is a lot of stuff you should have in your dorm kitchen. But that depends on what you plan to do – if you want to cook your meals or just store food in your dorm room. It is recommended to prepare your own meals since it is way healthier. Pre-cooking microwave meals beforehand are one of the best ways that are used by many college students.
At a minimum, college students would need a mini fridge, microwave, cookware, utensils, water filter, and electric kettle for their dorm kitchen. These kitchen items are essentials that you must have in your dorm room and they will be used every day.
Dorm Kitchen Appliances List
This kitchen essentials list will include the most expensive items you have to purchase for your dorm. It is recommended to communicate with your dorm roommate before you buy them so that you don’t buy the same things for the dorm which could waste money as well as the storage space in your dorm.
Here is the complete list of dorm kitchen appliances you must have in your dorm room.
Mini Fridge
A mini fridge is a lifesaver kitchen appliance to keep late-night snacks and refreshing beverages. This will most be a split purchase with the roommate and we recommend EUHOMY Mini Fridge with Freezer for college students.
Microwave
Making meals always isn’t a possible thing especially when you are close to your finals exams or finals projects. Making microwave meals, storing them in the fridge, and microwaving them when needed is the best option for college students. We recommend the Farberware Countertop 1000 Watts microwave for college students to keep in their dorm rooms.
Electric Kettle
Warm water is needed to make water drinkable, make tea or coffee, or use it to clean a wound at the dorm. Small electric kettles can do this and it won’t take up much kitchen space in your dorm room. We recommend Chefman Electric Stainless Steel Kettle for college students due to its safety features and capacity.
Dorm Keurig
Without a doubt, coffee will be the best friend of most students studying in college and cramming for exams day and night. Our recommendation is Keurig K-Slim + ICED Coffee Maker can make either hot coffee or refreshing iced coffee within minutes.
Dorm Blender
Blender is a needed appliance in the kitchen for food prep. Especially you would need it to make smoothies, and juices at the dorm. We recommend the nutribullet Personal Blender for college students since it has the capacity and efficiency.
Dorm Mini Rice Cooker
Making rice, grains, oatmeal, and quinoa would need a rice cooker but the normal one would take a lot of space in a dorm. So, Instant Zest Mini Rice Cooker can cook up to 8 cups and would be perfect for college students living with a roommate.
Dorm Pasta Cooker
Ramen and pasta are one of the cheapest meal ideas for college students that ever existed. You can make this using the rice cooker but it would be best to have a pasta cooker in the dorm kitchen. We recommend the Topwit Multifunctional Electric Cooker which can cook pasta, ramen, soup, oatmeal, and eggs.
Dorm Water Filter
Clean water can be so hard to find sometimes, especially in college. So it’s better to have a water filter in your dorm room which could filter out any harmful content in the water. Hskyhan Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher that we tried was a better option for college students to purify the water and make it drinkable.
Dorm Kitchen Cooking Essentials List
Saving money in college is one of the tough tasks that student faces. Cooking your own meals in the dorm could save money significantly as well as it can help you have healthier meals every day.
Here are the Cooking Essentials that you must have in your dorm kitchen.
Pots & Pans
You need pots and pans in your dorm room to cook and boil water, cook pasta, make soups, and fry food. These six pieces of Pots & Pans from clockkitchen are more than enough for college students to use in the dorm room kitchen.
Cutting Board + Knife
A cutting board is essential in your dorm room because it provides a safe and clean surface for cutting and chopping ingredients, fruits, and vegetables. It protects your countertops from scratches and prevents cross-contamination. Gintan TPU Cutting Board comes with a knife and a juice groove and it is scratch resistant.
Utensils
Cooking utensils such as spatulas, ladles, and tongs are necessary tools in your dorm room for stirring, flipping, and serving food. They make cooking more efficient at the dorm and allow you to handle different types of dishes. This 24 pieces of Kaulens Kitchen Utensils set is more than enough for college students.
Salt & Pepper Sets
Having salt and pepper set in your dorm room is important to add flavor and seasonings to your meals for your preferences. OXO Salt and Pepper Shaker Set made out of stainless steel is ideal for college dorm use.
Pot Holders & Mitts
They are crucial for handling hot pots, pans, and baking dishes safely. They protect your hands from burns and ensure you can comfortably handle hot cookware without any accidents. Rorecay oven mitts and pot holders have many color options and are perfect for a college dorm kitchen.
Colander
A colander is useful in your dorm room for draining pasta, washing vegetables, and rinsing fruits. This large Comfify Colander is perfect for college students to use in the dorm kitchen.
Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls are essential for various cooking and baking tasks in your dorm room. They provide a convenient space for mixing ingredients, whisking eggs, enabling you to try a lot of college meal recipes. This 8-piece mixing bowl set from COOK WITH COLOR takes only a little space in your dorm room.
Dorm Kitchen Serving Essentials List
College students often confide in paper plates and paper utensils since most hate washing dishes. However, as time goes it could cost you more money unless your parents are covering you. For the better, it is recommended to have serving items that could cut the cost of paper plates.
Here is the kitchen essentials list for serving food in the dorm room.
Dinnerware Sets
A dinnerware set is necessary for your dorm room and it includes plates, bowls, and utensils that allow you to serve and eat food comfortably. Wheat Straw Dinnerware Sets include 28 pieces of bowls, plates, and microwave-safe cutlery sets.
Straw Cups
Having Cups in your dorm room is important for enjoying beverages such as water, juice, or soda. Glasses are better than plastic cups since they are the most environmentally friendly. These stackable shopwithgreen straw cups set are awesome for dorm room use.
Silverware
Silverware, including forks, knives, and spoons, is essential for dining in your dorm room. It enables you to properly eat and enjoy a variety of meals, from simple snacks to full-fledged dinners. We recommend these Eco-Friendly Wheat Straw Cutlery Set and the 4 Piece Ansukow Travel Utensils Set.
Steel Straws Sets
Using a steel straw set is a sustainable choice in your dorm room. It helps reduce plastic waste and allows you to enjoy your drinks while being eco-friendly. Hiware 12-Pack Reusable Stainless Steel is perfect for the dorm room and you would also get a pouch to keep the straws in.
Yeti
A Yeti is a high-quality, insulated container that keeps your beverages hot or cold for an extended period. It is useful for carrying drinks on the go or while studying or relaxing in your dorm room. Yeti Rambler has a capacity of 30 oz which is more than enough for a college student living in the dorm.
Travel Mugs
A travel mug is needed when you want to bring your favorite hot or cold beverage with you – especially if you are traveling somewhere. It keeps your drink insulated and spill-proof, making it convenient for commuting or taking a drink to class. We recommend the Simple Modern Reusable Stainless Steel Travel mug that comes with a straw for college students.
Dorm Kitchen Cleaning and Storage Essentials List
Keeping your kitchen clean and organized is one of the important things to do while living in the college dorm. It can be sometimes a tough thing to archive but not if you are better equipped for it.
Here are the must-have dorm kitchen storage and cleaning essentials list.
Food Storage Cans
Food storage cans are essential in your dorm room for keeping dry goods and pantry items organized. They help maintain the freshness of your food and prevent any spillage or mess.
Our Recommendation: KUON Collapsible Silicone Food Storage Containers
Dish Drainer
A dish drainer is useful for drying your dishes after washing them. It provides a designated space for placing wet plates, glasses, and utensils, allowing them to air dry efficiently.
Our Recommendation: TOOLF Expandable Dish Rack
Sponge
A sponge is necessary for cleaning dishes and utensils in your dorm room. It helps remove food particles and grease, making your dishes clean and ready to use again.
Our Recommendation: Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges
Dish Rack
A dish rack is convenient for organizing and drying your washed dishes. It provides a structured space to stack plates, bowls, and cups, allowing them to dry without taking up too much counter space.
Our Recommendation: VABNEER Dish Drying Rack
Soap Dish
A soap dish is important for keeping your soap bar dry and preventing it from becoming mushy. It helps prolong the life of your soap and keeps your sink area clean and tidy.
Our Recommendation: Zero Waste Natural Dish Soap Bar
Sanitizer
Having a sanitizer in your dorm room is essential for maintaining proper hygiene. It helps kill germs and bacteria on surfaces, including kitchen countertops and dining areas, ensuring a clean and safe environment.
Our Recommendation: VANELC UV Light Sanitizer
Trash Can
A trash can is a must-have in your dorm room for proper waste disposal. It keeps your space clean and organized by providing a designated place to throw away trash.
Our Recommendation: Baffect Small Trash Can with Lid
Trash Bags
Trash bags are necessary to line your trash can and make it easy to dispose of garbage. They help contain waste, prevent leaks or spills, and make it more convenient to empty the trash can when needed.
Our Recommendation: Glad Medium Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags
Dorm Kitchen – FAQ
Can you Cook in the Dorm Room?
While most dorm room does not have the space to cook, some have larger space available called suites where college students will be able to keep all of their appliances and kitchen essentials.
Are you allowed to Cook in the Dorm Room?
Yes, you can cook in the college if a kitchen is provided for you. However, some colleges might not allow you to cook in college since it could cause fire hazards and create hygiene problems.
Are Kitchen Appliances allowed in the Dorm Room?
Some colleges will prohibit you from having kitchen appliances as well. But there won’t be any issue keeping appliances such as a dorm mini fridge in your dorm room to store snacks and food. It is recommended to check in with the school you are going to before purchasing any of the kitchen essentials.
The Conclusion – Dorm Kitchen Essentials List for College Students
The dorm kitchen is a must-have when it comes to preparing your college meals as well as your late-night snacks in the dorm. The dorm kitchen essentials list has everything a college student living in the dorm must have in their college packing list.
At Squaredmile there are a couple of editors who go through many articles with our writers that includes educators as well as students who write for the audience of students. Their only intent is to help students make their lives much easier by providing them the best information as much as possible.
