After being diagnosed with celiac disease, it was essential that I set up my kitchen in a way that kept me healthy. Gluten was lurking everywhere – even in tiny hidden bits of spaghetti long forgotten about in was hiding in the inner depths of my colander.
But I assure you, there is a way to set up your gluten-free kitchen in a way that helps you avoid hidden gluten!
When you go gluten-free, you’ll want to carefully wash all your pots, pans, utensils and cutting boards. Some things you will want to replace too – like your colander, toaster and wooden cutting boards that most definitely have hidden gluten bits in them.
Here is everything you need to set up your gluten-free kitchen.
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Pots and Pans
You are going to be cooking at home more, so it’s important to invest in good pots and pans for your gluten-free kitchen. I had been using old non-stick Teflon coated pans from my wedding that had seen better days. I decided I wanted to be proud of my pots and pans, so I upgraded my entire set to All-Clad stainless steel pots. I suggest you purchase one or two dedicated gluten-free pots and pans – perhaps a small skillet and a small pot for preparing gluten-free grains and noodles. You don’t want to use old pots that might be contaminated with gluten bits.
Honestly, I know high quality pots cost a lot, but the investment is worth it as you’ll be using them a lot! I’m very proud of my pots and they get lots of love and attention.
I recommend getting two items to start:
And if you’re able to, I recommend you splurge and get this whole set:
If you’re on a tight budget, you could purchase this Non-Stick Ceramic Set* to get started too!
Knife
You want a good, high quality chef’s knife to help you chop those delicious whole foods in your new gluten-free kitchen. I use this chef’s knife from Wusthof* and love it! I use it daily and it makes my life in the kitchen so much easier!
Strainer
If you’re going gluten-free, it’s important to throw away your old strainer and start anew – or at least have one new strainer dedicated gluten-free in your kitchen (no gluten in it EVER!). It’s just not worth getting cross contaminated with old bits of dried up pasta. I recommend this set of three stainless steel strainers* – and it’s under $20! This is a great strainer too* and it’s pretty with the attached silicon handles that will help you color code the gluten-free stuff.
Utensils and Spatulas
Chances are bits of gluten are caked on your utensils, so it’s time for you to get some new ones in your new gluten-free kitchen set up. As mentioned prior, if you’re going to have both gluten and gluten-free items in your house, color code the gluten-free items. Try these beautiful red utensils* – they stand out and everyone will know RED is for cooking gluten-free things only. Period! Also, any wooden spoons you used for gluten foods should not be used for gluten-free foods due to the risk of cross contamination.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
I think this set of measuring cups and spoons* is adorable – and for under $20, the price is right too! You will need measuring spoons and cups, especially when baking with gluten-free flours. If you already have these, no need to purchase new ones; instead just run them through the dishwasher so they are clean. Whatever you do, don’t use the same measuring spoons and cups for gluten flour as you do for gluten-free flour. Have a special dedicated gluten-free set in your kitchen. Got it?
Baking Sheets
I highly recommend that you purchase new baking sheets and make them your dedicated gluten-free baking sheets. Remember, bits of gluten can bake into your pans, and then when you bake something gluten-free on that same pan, you cross contaminate the gluten-free stuff. This beautiful baking sheet by Farberware* will do the trick! Purchase 2-3 pans, you’ll need ’em as you cook away in your gluten-free kitchen!
Mixing Bowls
Get a nice set of stainless steel mixing bowls to use in your gluten-free kitchen. You’ll be using them a lot – trust me! These stainless steel mixing bowls* have lids, which is nice because they can double as storage containers.
Cutting Boards
I personally recommend using wooden cutting boards for chopping vegetables, this way you don’t have to worry about plastic bits leaching into your food. Avoid plastic cutting boards at all costs! The only problem with wood is that if you use it to cut gluten, you might have contaminated it. So start anew with some fresh cutting boards. I love having a few in different sizes, and I also love cutting boards with grooves to serve as a retaining pond for juices. Here is the set of cutting boards I have at my house* and that I love love love! Remember to have a dedicated gluten-free cutting board!
Food Processor
You will want to have a food processor in your gluten-free kitchen – it’s very useful for chopping meats, shredding vegetables and processing grains. I love my Cuisinart* and have used it for more than 16 years and it’s still going strong! The Cuisinart pictured is the newer model of the one I have (mine is old-looking and in white). There is no need to replace your food processor if you already have one – just run it through the dishwasher to decontaminate it from gluten.
Immersion Blender
It’s very handy to have an immersion blender* for when you make soups. I made a ton of soups as they have super healing powers, so I find myself using my immersion blender three or more times per month! I use it to quickly blend my butternut squash soup or my carrot walnut soup. It’s awesome! You simply stick the blade of the blender in your pot with the soup and blend.
Rice Cooker
I encourage you to enjoy a moderate amount of whole grains on your gluten-free diet. I love brown rice, black rice, wild rice and quinoa the most. I cook every single one of these grains in my rice cooker* and they always cook up perfect and delicious each and every time I seriously love my rice cooker so much! Some rice cookers double as a steamer and/or a slow cooker, freeing storage space in your gluten-free kitchen!
Slow Cooker
On busy days, there’s nothing like coming home to a warm slow cooked meal. A slow cooker allows you to prepare dinner in the morning so you can come home on a busy night and simply eat! Your rice cooker can double as a slow cooker, or you can get this slow cooker from Crock-pot*. (The one pictured is a newer version of mine.)
Vegetable Spiralizer
You’ll be making zoodles, or zucchini noodles, in no time with this handy-dandy spiralizer*. I love making zoodles – it’s an awesome low-carb, no-guilt and naturally gluten-free way to enjoy noodles!
Juicer
There’s no better way to heal your gut and whole body than through homemade green juices. I talk about green juicing your way to health all the time and believe it’s one of the best ways you can accelerate your health and healing. I love my juicer from Jack Lalanne* and have used it for 4+ years already and it’s still going strong!
High Speed Blender for Juices and Smoothies
If you don’t like juicing, you can try blending your vegetables and fruits. I recommend the Nutri Ninja with AutoIQ*. It pulverizes your veggies so you can quickly digest and assimilate the nutrients.
Hand Mixer
Think of all the times you used your hand mixer to mix gluten-y flours! Yuk! It’s definitely worth investing in a new hand mixer that you know is totally gluten-free. Use your mixer only for gluten-free baking – ok? Notice how I picked this hand mixer in red* so you can easily color code your gluten-free appliances too.
Standing Mixer
I recommend either doing an extremely thorough clean of your standing mixer and then never using it for gluten flours again or simply replacing it. I never replaced mine when I reorganized my gluten-free kitchen, but I was nervous for a while! If you do want to replace it, you can get this beautiful KitchenAid in red*:-).
Toaster
Sorry, the toaster has gotta go! It’s full of gluten bits ready to sabotage your gluten-free diet. Invest in a small toaster like this one that can be dedicated gluten-free. If you have a toaster oven, you should always use the pan covered in foil before putting anything gluten-free in there. Make sure no one touches your toaster if they’re not gluten-free! And whatever you do, keep your gluten-y toaster away from your silverware drawer. You don’t want gluten bits falling on your silverware!
Storage Containers
You’ll need good storage containers for storing your gluten-free flours and grains. Gluten-free flours are less shelf stable and require a little more TLC to take care of. You don’t want your expensive GF flours going rancid before you’ve used them, so store them right. I use these storage containers from OXO to store all my gluten-free flours and grains. They work perfectly!
Indoor Grill Pan
As much fun as grilling outdoors is, I like to grill year round with no fuss. So I use my awesome grill pan to grill turkey burgers and vegetables year round. They taste great and I don’t have leave my kitchen to grill up some yummy food! I like this grill pan and it’s color coded so you know it’s for gluten-free stuff only.
Tip! Label all your gluten-free kitchen items or use a color coding system so everyone knows these items are for gluten-free cooking and baking only! Just as you would label your tub of peanut butter, jelly or stick of butter, “gluten-free,” label your cooking ware too! You don’t want others getting you sick!
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