Which kitchen items are essential when moving to Costa Rica?
These items are suitcase and space worthy. When we first moved to Costa Rica I did not bring a lot of kitchen stuff. The first trip back to the states I brought almost a whole suitcase dedicated to my kitchen. Many of these recommended products are difficult to find in Costa Rica, others are much more expensive, and almost all of them will have a limited selection on the style and brand. We recommend making room in your luggage to bring them with you.
These are the top recommended kitchen products to pack when moving to Costa Rice. We use these tools and products daily and think you could definitely benefit from owning them in any kitchen around the world.
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Apron
Every cook knows that food is messy. You don’t have time to change clothes to make a quick snack or prepare tonight’s dinner. Throwing on an apron takes a few seconds, but can save you hours in trying to get that stain out of your favorite shirt.
Inevitably, your spouse or child will fly into the kitchen or bump you as you are slicing a dragon fruit or pouring your cup of coffee. Save yourself the time and energy of stain-fighting by getting an apron.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Stainless Steel Metal Straw
Pineapple Slicer
Knife Set
Did you know the knife is the number one tool for any kitchen? That’s right! It doesn’t matter if you are an amateur or a professional cook, this tool is used more than any other. If you watch the really good chefs, you will notice the importance they put on their knives. Knives are an investment. After all, they are your primary kitchen tool and are used to prepare a variety of foods.
That’s why it’s important to have sharp, good-quality knives. Knives can be found at supermercados or department stores, but if you prefer a specific style, it is best to bring them with you. The selection is definitely limited in Costa Rica unless you travel to the San Jose or Liberia. If you don’t want to make the trip, you may want to consider bringing a good quality set with you.
Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are a must in every kitchen. Whether chopping up a piece of fruit for a quick snack or preparing a meal for an army, cutting boards make the process of cutting and chopping easier. It’s nice to have multiple sized cutting boards too. Who wants to wash your cutting board before chopping or mincing your next item if you don’t have to. Small cutting boards work great for a number of fruits too. We prefer the type with a juice groove, especially for watermelon and other high liquid items. Make sure you have a few cutting boards on hand for your favorite fruits and vegetables.
Banjo or Mandolin Slicer
Aside from our knives, our slicer is the next most used tool in our kitchen. It is much faster and more precise than hand slicing. We can churn out a quick slaw salad in a matter of a few short minutes thanks to this appliance. Make sure you look for one with the slicing guard to help protect your fingers, as these babies are sharp! The cheap version is very common in Costa Rica, but you may want to consider an upgrade if you enjoy sliced fruits and vegetables like us.
Silicon Fruit & Veggie Storage
Want a quick and easy way to store your cut fruit and vegetables? Give these silicone fruit and veggie storage savers a try. These simple little food savers come in handy and are quick and easy to use. Simply slide the silicone on the cut end of tomato, onion, cucumber…whatever. They are dishwasher safe and you don’t have to waste any time looking for a missing lid for a container. If you don’t have a dishwasher, they are easy to hand-wash too. They are also easy to store and nest together, so they don’t take up much cupboard space. In addition, they are color coded, so you can quickly identify the size you want.
Hot Water Kettle
After over three years of tests and trials, we have concluded that the Hot Water Kettle is the way to make water for coffee in Costa Rica. We have tried standard coffee pots and three broke in a single year. Not to mention the coffee wasn’t as good. There are other ways to heat water, but the electric kettle is the fastest and most energy efficient solution we have found.
Hot water kettles are cheap and have a multitude of uses, from making hot beverages to heating up water for instant soups etc. We recommend removing any excess water immediately following use and washing regularly. The minerals in the local water can cause a nasty buildup. Cleaning the pot regularly with vinegar has really helped us keep our kettle in good shape.
Immersion Blender
Standard Blenders can sometimes be a big pain to maintain and wash. Luckily we found an immersion blender that works great for single serving smoothies and cocktails. This immersion blender works great for frozen fruit drinks, as well as delicious soups and sauces. Cleanup is as simple as mixing a glass of soapy water and it works great to clean both the mixer and the glass. It also doesn’t take up very much storage space, and makes a great addition to any kitchen.
KitchenAid Mixer
No kitchen is complete without a KitchenAid mixer. Whether mixing up a batch of banana pancakes or whipping up some frosting for a cake, a hand mixer is a must. Unfortunately, many rentals in Costa Rica fail to offer this simple appliance. While you can always mix your cake, cookies, or gravy by hand,KitchenAid hand mixers save time and typically blend food items together better. If you have the room don't leave behind the big KitchenAid Mixer. Like other appliances in Costa Rica, selection, colors, and options are limited. In addition, prices may be more than you want to pay, so we recommend bringing a hand-mixer with you.
Costa Rican Coffee Maker
COFFEE! Some call it the nectar of life. I like to call it my “go juice”. Regardless of what you call it, Costa Rica has some of the best coffee in the world. If you want to really experience Costa Rican coffee the traditional way, however, you need a Costa Rican Coffee Maker. The pour-over sock method creates the perfect aromatic treasure of rich flavor and bold presence. This coffee maker is easy to fold up and take on the go when you travel and will allow you to experience the best coffee wherever you go. Replacement socks are easy to find throughout Costa Rica or can be ordered online.
Costa Rica Pots and Pans Suck
I wish I had not given my Pampered Chef stones and cast Iron skillets to my childen. I should have brought them with me. Gas is used mostly in Costa Rica. Man, I miss my stone pans. If you have to pack light and can't bring the heaver pans, I still recommend bring a mid to good grade set. New pans seem to last about six months here.
Cota Rica oven mitts and pot holders
A surprise to the list for me was oven mitts and pot holders. While you can find them, the quality is lacking. Melting mitts and pot holders. Cheap Cheap Cheap that's all I can say.
OUR NUMBER ONE THING TO BRING WITH YOU!!!
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker / Slow Cooker
The instant pot, pressure cooker, a slow cooker is the most important appliance for eating on a budget. In fact, we prepare the majority of our meals with this one appliance. It is extremely versatile and a great energy saver too.
Not only does it take much less electricity to cook items like beans and soups, but it also puts out much less heat than an oven, which saves on air conditioning costs. This instant pot is great for meats, vegetables, grains, soups, and so much more. It is a great addition to any kitchen.
My newest 2023 thing kitchen item that will be going back with me is the KitchenAid air fry. I have been using this on my last return to the states and love it. From cooking pizzas cakes, meat, and even eggs this KitchenAid air fry has replaced most overcooking. It even has a dehydration setting.
We hope you enjoyed our packing list. We are always looking for new things to use in the kitchen. Drop a comment and let us know what your favorite kitchen tools and gadgets are. If you have not grabbed a copy our International Bestsellers check out the special offer below.
