The LA Times‘ food writers list what kitchen items really are necessary, and which you can safely skip.
Essentials include:
- Pestle and mortar
- Instant-read thermometer
- Heavy-duty roasting pan
- Dutch oven
- Whole vanilla beans (not extract)
- Micro-plane
- Larousse Gastronomique
Unnecessary utensils:
- Mini food processors
- Most non-stick pans
- Flavoured salts
- Crème brûlée torches (use a normal blow torch: cheaper and they work on pipes, too!)
- Expensive red wine vinegar (keep and use dinner party dregs)
- Fondue sets
via Lifehacker