Why you don’t need to buy every kitchen gadget for university

You might think going to uni involves living off pot noodles and last night’s leftover pizza. But these days, students are taking their food very seriously. So how do you know what you really need in your kitchen?

It can be tempting to see a TikTok recipe or a friend’s new kitchen gadget and decide you need one too.

But you don’t want to end up spending money on something that never really gets used, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

What kitchen items are students taking to uni?

According to Nationwide, many current students bought or took classic kitchen staples with them to uni, such as:

• knives - 22%
• a microwave - 19%
• pots and pans - 19%

But many also took items that are, shall we say, not essential for everyone, such as:

• a toastie maker - 14%
• a pasta cooker - 13%
• a cafetiere - 11%
• a grill, such as a George Foreman - 11%
• a sushi mat - 9%

Buy the equipment you’ll actually use

The key to buying kitchen equipment is thinking about what will actually get the most use.

Nearly one in five (19%) current students, for example, have bought or taken an air fryer with them to uni.

That’s not surprising, as air fryers can be handy for cooking all sorts of meals and smaller portions without having to heat up a whole oven.

So if you’ll use it regularly, it could be a good investment before you head to uni.

But there’s little point buying an expensive gadget just because it’s fashionable and it’s not going to get much day-to-day use.

How to save money on your student kitchen

If you’re stocking up your kitchen, you can keep costs down if you:

Start with the basics

Think about what you know you'll use, such as a decent knife, chopping board, pan and saucepan. 

You can always add other equipment later if you find you genuinely need it.

Check what’s already provided

Your accommodation might already have a microwave, kettle or other larger appliances, so check before you buy.

Look for ways to share the cost

Before buying something new, see if you can borrow one from a family member, buy it second-hand or split the cost with your housemates.

And once you’ve got everything you need, check out our tips on how to save money on food at university.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to eat well, and with just a bit of planning, you can keep your food costs under control.