Advice for Buying Kitchenware and Bath Towels Please!

shamalama on 10/07/2022 - 14:27

Hey everyone,

Moving out of home in a couple weeks and needing to buy basically everything.

The community here usually have favourites for good quality lowcost items and was wanting peoples advice / recommendations for the following:

Bath towels: looking to spend under $20 per towel but wanting something that will last. Target have some for $12 but unsure on longevity.

Kitchen knives: Bought a knife set from Meyer for $60. Quality is horrendous (read thin and poor quality) which was to be expected. Looking to spend around $100 for quality set of 3 knives (bread and two medium sized for preparing meat)

Frypans and pots: saw a $9 frying pan at big w but skeptical on how good it could really be. Tefal seems ok value for money but mixed reviews. Wanting to buy 1 medium size and one large size non stick frying pan and 1 small and one large saucepan. Price varies so much but wanting something that will last spend around $150 for the 4.

Ikea had coreli style plates and bowls for 80 cents a pop so bought a few of them and they seem to be good.

Open to anything else that you would recommend. Even furniture that is hard wood (not mdf) any recommendations for shops to look at?

Thanks so much in advance:)

Home & Garden Kitchenware Towel

Comments

  • brad1-8tsi on 10/07/2022 - 15:05
    +3

    Target/K-Mart towells. They won't last forever but for $12, what do u expect? You need something to get the job done within a budget. I like Sheridan towels but they cost a bit more.

    Get some Kiwi Knives. I don't use a bread knife anymore, the Kiwi chefs knife cuts really well. I use for 90% of my cutting requirements.

    • cookie2 on 10/07/2022 - 21:35

      Second the kiwi

  • hmac on 10/07/2022 - 15:14
    +2

    I personally buy Sheridan towels from DFO, approx around $18-20 a towel.

    As for kitchenware (pots and pans), don't buy the cheap stuff. At least start off with Tefal (they have their entry level range, mid level and higher end). Currently 50% off at bigw for their clearance sale. Quite a few other brands are 50% off too.

    As for Knives, i am looking at buying new ones and based on ozbargain and advice from friends, i am leaning towards Global Knives
    I did the same for plates, Ikea was dirt cheap and easy to replace if broken

    Hardwood furniture isn't cheap but it all depends what look you are going for. My recommendation is to buy essentials first and buy the rest later as it comes on sale or when you save up more. Essentials to me include a fridge, washing machine, microwave, bed, mattress, etc. I bought my Sofa and TV cabinet 2 months in.

    Don't cheap out on appliances as you want something that will last you the longest period of time to get the best value for your money. Energy ratings make a difference too, especially with higher electricity prices, a more expensive and efficient fridge may cost you less in 5 years from now

    • try2bhelpful on 11/07/2022 - 11:14
      +1

      There are a few outlet places at the DFOs that would be good options for buying towels.

    • hmac on 11/07/2022 - 12:05

      I forgot to add, Facebook Marketplace is great to score some bargains. Always pay with Cash on pickup please

  • skid on 10/07/2022 - 15:31
    +1

    Don't buy the Kmart towels.

    Pots and pans at $150 for 4 is about right.

    Ikea plates and bowls are good. The Target and Kmart ones are fine too.

  • Benoffie on 10/07/2022 - 16:15
    +1

    Towels - Sheridan outlet or Adairs (they have a clearance sale on atm)
    Knives - spend a bit and buy a 4 piece set of Furi or similar. Try Peters or Harris Scarfe
    Pots etc - honestly, second hand places like Savers have awesome pots (I scored a great Swedish 70's one for pasta for like $8). Otherwise, you can find a good Circulon set around out there for $150. Just make sure you have plastic utensils to avoid scratching them.
    I changed to Ikea for plates. Until you know what you like. Otherwise, Vinnies. You'll get a Maxwell Williams white set for $20.

    Without knowing precisely where you are, can't give specific recommendations. However, auction houses are a go to for furniture, especially deceased estate sell offs. If you're in SA/Vic, Interbid will have some listings.

    Otherwise, on FB, find your local Street Bounty, and Buy Nothing groups. People are always giving away stuff for free.

  • toristo on 10/07/2022 - 16:55
    +1

    Check Facebook marketplace for timber furniture. You'll get much better quality stupid cheap compared to buying new.

    If you feel the urge, you can always buy a $30 sander and some paint from bunnings too if you really want to dress them up more later.

    No ute/van? Check carnextdoor
    Bribe a mate to help you pick up/get them in to your house.

  • shamalama on 10/07/2022 - 17:24

    Thanks for the comments guys - keep them coming some really good advice :)

    I was thinking to get these towels but they seem abit expensive and not too different from the target ones. Anyone had experience with Morgan Finch ?

    Cheers

    https://www.bedbathntable.com.au/bamboo-teal-080101

  • Euphemistic on 10/07/2022 - 18:04
    +2

    Don’t expect to have everything all at once. Sometimes it’s better to buy quality once, other times buy cheap to have it now and replace with quality later.

    Eg: Nice towels are pretty good, Cheap plates are fine. Decent knives and saucepan. Cheap kettle.

  • peppet on 10/07/2022 - 18:38
    +1

    In the exact same boat as you, need to furnish an entire house.

    I "upgraded" my Kmart towels for Target towel, so much better. I shower twice a day and I've had them for 4 years and they still look and feel pretty much new. Not sure how long you're meant to have towels for.. I found out my partner has had his Sheriden towels for 10+ years and they're better than Target, feel heavier and softer.

    I'm planning to cheap out with Ikea/Fantastic Furniture for low-use furniture like side tables and TV unit, but I've budgeted in for a $2k sofa and bed frame+mattress since we spend so much time on them. Spending a bit on good quality sheets and blankets and pillows too.

    I bought an Analon 6 piece set for $230 after a recommendation from a friend, who said they prefer them over circulon. Also planning to buy Ikea plates and cutlery. Bought a Sunbeam kettle, stick blender and toaster after a recommendation from a friend too, theirs have lasted ages.

    No clue what to do for washing machine and dryer because we need them to stack perfectly in limited space but this thread is helpful!

    Good luck OP! (and please update with advice)

  • Some Human on 10/07/2022 - 18:59
    +1

    Find a good OP shop.
    You can often find quality cookware at throwaway prices. The heavier the frypan the better quality I’ve found as they don’t buckle as easy.

  • Quantumcat on 10/07/2022 - 22:29
    +2

    Join your local Buy Nothing group - you could get everything you need for free. Then gradually replace things with very good quality items over time.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 11/07/2022 - 10:04
    +1

    Are you moving in with housemates? If so then forget buying quality knives/pans, just buy from IKEA as it will get ruined anyway.

  • Slinky0111 on 11/07/2022 - 10:29
    +1

    My local butcher sells this knife set for $65. Grab a steel and you're set for life. I only ever use a bread knife if cutting anything bigger than a bread roll, a cheap steak knife is perfect for everything else.

    Have a look around for these knives

    https://montyspawnbrokers.com.au/tramontina-knife-set-cape-g…

    • ihbh on 12/07/2022 - 09:09

      Bad advice mate. Unless OP is a butcher, then no. These are for carving and filleting.

      Just get a chef's knife.

  • try2bhelpful on 11/07/2022 - 11:21
    +1

    Personally I would look at a few OP shops for furniture. It is, usually, a lot cheaper than buying new. You get better quality too. It is worth looking on the Ikea scratch and dent area. My Corelle plates have lasted for decades but, every now and again, you will get one that just breaks.

    Fir cookwear get the best you can afford. Quite a few of my pots, pans and knives are decades old. It might be worth considering getting a Costco membership if you are buying a fair bit of stuff. Apart from anything else if you buy something, and don’t like it, you can take it back. They have towels, pots and pans, instant pots, furniture etc.

    Best of luck.

  • cupcake on 11/07/2022 - 15:45

    Myer have a sale on Japanese knives at the moment and I ordered two at $25 each.

  • ihbh on 12/07/2022 - 09:07

    If it's not urgent to get everything in by the time you get to the new place (e.g. GF won't visit or dates won't go home with you), then take it slow.

    Check marketplace and op shops first. You'll be amazed at some of the quality of free or cheap second hand stuff. It will save you and is far more sustainable for the environment. Once you get a few things, it will be easy and you'll be kicking yourself you didn't do it earlier.

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