Top 10 Tools of the Trade for a Raw Kitchen

Utensils and Appliances That Simplify

Taking dried tomato slices off a dehydrator shelf
Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

Raw food enthusiasts claim a raw foods diet promotes glowing skin, hydration, increased energy and vitality, and a general sense of well-being. If you decide to embark on this new food journey, you will want to be sure your kitchen is ready for such a radical lifestyle adjustment. It may seem counterintuitive that you need to equip your kitchen when you are going to stop cooking, but when it comes to ease and success in raw food preparation, a well-stocked kitchen makes all the difference. Learn what types of utensils and appliances will make this diet transition easier.

Knives

A good sharp knife is every chef's first mate in the kitchen. Though most household knife sets have several shapes and sizes, there are two knives that you'll use over and over again: an 8-inch chef knife and a 3- to 4-inch paring knife. It is worth noting that ceramic knives are ideal for most raw food kitchens. They are lightweight, which is a huge relief for your wrist, and most importantly, they stay sharp for months and even years. Pair your good knives with good cutting boards.

Blender

Vital for making healthful foods, blenders turn out smoother, more refined sauces, smoothies, raw nut cheeses, and raw nut milks. Powerful high-speed blenders are the best choice for making raw foods and they even make raw whole juices. If you aren't ready to invest in a high-powered blender, an Osterizer is your best commercial brand.

Food Processor

Food processors are useful when making shredded salads, raw food pates, puddings, and all manner of raw food desserts. Although a higher-end model is more reliable, some of the less expensive food processors can do a decent job. Food processors also come in mini sizes which are great for when handling smaller amounts of food or making dishes for one or two people. Most models come with grater and slicer attachments which will make prepping fruits and vegetables quick and easy.

Mandoline

These handy devices slice, julienne, and shred vegetables not only quickly, but also decoratively and with so much ease. Mandolines earn their place in this top 10 list for their ability to turn zucchinis and other raw vegetables into noodles. A less common tool called a spiralizer (also called a spiral slicer) can be used to turn vegetables into long curly noodles, salad toppings, or garnishes.

Juicer

A citrus juicer is another indispensable tool in the raw food kitchen. Turning fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables into juice not only creates great beverages but also makes a flavorful addition to raw soup stock, sauces, and marinades. Though you can juice citrus in any juicer, citrus juicers are smaller, much easier to clean, and don't require that you peel the fruit.

Fine Mesh Strainers

Though many raw food recipes call for straining milks, cheeses, or sauces through a cheesecloth, fine mesh strainers do a nice job in much less time and with less mess.

Dehydrator

Nothing says commitment to raw food like purchasing a dehydrator. These machines are invaluable to a raw foodist for making seed crackers and granolas, and for heating up food just enough to give it a softer, sauteed texture.

Once you try it, you'll find myriad uses for a dehydrator. Make sure yours comes with some Teflex sheets or other non-stick pads to lay over the mesh trays. These make dehydrating and clean up a breeze.

Glass Jars

Great for storage of dry goods and prepared foods, glass jars really come in handy when fermenting foods. Raw nut cheeses, raw kim chi, sauerkraut, and other pro-biotic raw foods are fermented and stored using glass or ceramic jars. Sprouting jars with their fine mesh caps also commonly make their appearance in the raw food kitchen. Sprouts are a great source of nutrients as well as anti-oxidants and sprouting is simple.

Spice Grinder

Also known as a coffee grinder, this tool doubles as a great way to grind up fresh spices or small amounts of seeds or nuts. Ground flax seeds are a common ingredient in raw food cuisine and freshly ground spices are highly prized over pre-ground spices.

Accouterments

Measuring spoons and cups, rubber spatulas, a zester, tongs, kitchen scissors, and a basting brush are but a few of the accouterments that make your raw foods life in the kitchen that much easier and more enjoyable. Add to your collection little by little.