Success in the kitchen is just like success in any other field – to enjoy it, you need the proper tools for the job. And rarely is that more true than when you’re just getting started! Here at Butchers Equipment Warehouse, we’ve had more than 20 years to become the one-stop-shop for butchers and chefs all over the North West, so if you’re just kicking off the first steps of your career, you can trust us to help you get tooled up.

And if you’re just working out where to begin, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top six tools and equipment you’ll need to prepare for success in the kitchen.

Gloves and apron

Before you do anything else, you’ll need to ensure safety and hygiene first, and you can only do that with the proper PPE (personal protective equipment). An apron and cut-resistant gloves will probably be amongst your top priorities. For starters, durable apron shields your clothing from stains, splatters, and potential contaminants while cooking. This helps prevent cross-contamination and keeps your kitchen environment cleaner by reducing the risk of transferring food particles from clothing to other surfaces.

Meanwhile, cut-resistant gloves (like chainmail gloves) are crucial for protecting your hands from sharp knives and potential injuries, especially when working with meat and bones. These gloves provide an extra layer of safety, allowing you to handle tasks with confidence.

Knife set

A high-quality knife set is the backbone of any efficient kitchen, so after PPE, that’s by far the best option to begin with. Here at Butchers Equipment Warehouse, we’ve got a variety of the best knife sets for the very best prices, and we also supply a comprehensive range of individual types of knife, so that you can add to your own – or even create it from scratch.

Generally, as a bare minimum you’ll need:

  • A chef’s knife for versatile tasks like chopping, slicing, and dicing.
  • A butcher’s knife for handling larger cuts of meat with ease, making it ideal for breaking down bulkier pieces.
  • A boning knife to remove bones from meat or filleting fish, so you can complete delicate tasks with precision
  • A cleaver, with its robust build, excels at chopping through bones and dealing with larger cuts of meat.

Each knife in the set plays a unique role, and together they provide the versatility and precision needed to tackle a wide range of jobs effectively, so you can handle everyday kitchen tasks and more specialised butchery work. And of course, maintaining the knives with proper care will also extend their lifespan, making them a valuable asset for years to come.

Cutting board

You probably guessed this one already – a sturdy cutting board is crucial for any kitchen, particularly when working with meat. Here at Butchers Equipment, we’d generally recommend a butcher block cutting board, because it offers a robust and spacious surface capable of withstanding heavy-duty chopping and slicing. This type of board is also gentle on knife edges, which helps to keep your knives sharp and efficient even with long-term use.

Plus, a well-chosen cutting board protects your countertops from damage and also provides a safe, hygienic surface for food preparation, helping to prevent cross-contamination – especially when handling raw meats. Don’t forget that regular cleaning and proper sanitation of the board are essential to ensure food safety and maintain a clean workspace.

Butcher's saw

Occasionally, the job will call for something that’s even heavier than a butcher’s knife – which is when you’ll typically need a butchers handsaw. It’s a powerful tool designed specifically for handling tasks that require cutting through bones and frozen meat. Crucially, it’s engineered to make clean, precise cuts, vital for breaking down whole animals or large cuts of meat without damaging the quality of the meat, especially tougher cuts that standard knives might struggle with.

Whether you’re working with whole carcasses or large sections of meat, a butcher’s saw can really help to simplify the process, making it far easier to achieve professional results. For that reason alone, it’s essential for any serious meat preparation or butchery tasks. (We also supply butchers bandsaws!)

Knife sharpener

Even the best knives in the world will do you no good if they’re not maintained properly. A knife sharpener or honing steel plays a crucial role in maintaining safety and performance by keeping your blades in optimal condition, ensuring that they cut smoothly and accurately. Regular use of a sharpener helps to maintain the edge of your knives, reducing the risk of accidents and making food preparation more efficient.

A well-sharpened knife is not only safer to use but also makes slicing, dicing, and chopping tasks quicker and easier, so that you’re always getting the most out of your knives. Here, you can find a variety of knife sharpeners, from sharpening stones to sharpening steels.

Meat thermometer

A meat thermometer is a vital tool for any chef aiming to achieve perfectly cooked meat every time. It’s not quite as obvious as the usefulness of a good knife set, so it’s frequently overlooked by new chefs – but don’t underestimate how useful it can be! It basically provides accurate readings of the internal temperature, helping you avoid the common pitfalls of undercooking or overcooking. That ensures that you can always have peace of mind when it comes to food safety, as you can always be sure that the meat has reached safe temperatures to prevent foodborne illnesses.

So whether you’re preparing a steak to the perfect medium-rare, roasting a chicken, or cooking a pork loin, a meat thermometer ensures that your meat is always cooked to perfection, keeping diners satisfied. And as we all know, satisfied customers come back time and again!

Speaking of which – with over thirty years of experience behind us here at Butchers Equipment Warehouse, we know exactly how to keep our own customers coming back, and that’s by providing the very best butchery tools, machinery and equipment, and all at the very best prices. So, whatever your environment and whatever the application you have in mind, you can count on us to have something to suit you.

We source our products from all over the world, from leading manufacturers like Victorinox Knives, F Dick and Swibo. Feel free to explore our site to find your new favourites, or if you have any questions or advice, reach out to our experts at 01254 427721 – we're always happy to help!