These Are the Dorm Kitchen Essentials You’ll Need at College

Cooking in a college dorm can be a challenge. En suite kitchens can be cramped, and prepping food in a shared space calls for true efficiency. That’s why the best college cooking essentials are those that can perform more than one function and be stored easily when not being used to turn out a quick breakfast, a simple dinner, or on-the-go snacks. So, what are the best dorm kitchen essentials and other compact kitchen tools your student should have on hand? This curated guide explains how to make dorm cooking easier courtesy of a few key, must-have dorm kitchen items.

Compact Cooking Tools for Dorm Kitchens

When spaces are tight, small kitchen essentials that are stackable or that nest one inside the other are a great choice. Another strategy: Choose mini versions of larger items since busy college students usually prep meals for themselves or a small group rather than a large crowd.

Mixing bowl set

A functional kitchen needs mixing bowls. This color-coded, plastic mixing bowl set saves space by allowing each bowl to nest inside the other.

Mini utensil set

A curated set of smaller utensils makes it possible to perform all essential cooking tasks, such as flipping, turning and spooning while taking up less space

Compact slicer and grater

Any equipment that cuts down on the number of items used during meal prep in a small kitchen is a hero product. The OXO Good Grips Mini Grate & Slice Set has blades for grating and slicing plus its storage box can also be used to collect ingredients as they’re cut.

Mini tongs

A tool that makes it easy to extract cooked items from a frying pan or serve a meal doesn’t have to be full-sized. In fact, mini tongs might even be better at jobs like these if your student is cooking for one. They also take up less space.

Essential utensil set

Limited space calls for paring down to only the true must-have dorm kitchen items. Our Good Grips 4-Piece Essential Kitchen Tool Set includes everything needed to scrape, mash, mix and more.

Coffee maker for one

Limited counter space? Not a problem when using OXO’s Pour-Over Coffee Maker with Water Tank. It comes with all the items necessary to make a great cup of coffee, including a “dripper” or the cone that holds the grounds, a water tank, and a lid that doubles as a drip tray. If your student prefers cold brew, the OXO Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker creates up to a week’s worth of concentrate in the brewing container. Pair either coffee maker with an insulated coffee mug that keeps drinks cold for 12 hours or hot for 6 hours.

Collapsible colander

Our collapsible colander can be used to drain noodles or wash fruit. When not in use, it lays flat in a drawer or stands up in a cabinet to make room for other items.

Measuring Tools for Simple Dorm Cooking

Measuring tools usually don’t take up too much space, but they’re even more efficient when they’re bundled together so a drawer or cabinet isn’t crammed with unnecessary dupes.

Silicone measuring cup

This microwaveable, flexible measuring cup does it all. It measures and also makes it easy to mix ingredients right in the cup before squeezing or pouring them out, which protects against waste. It’s a jack of all trades!

Angled measuring cup

The cup, ounce and milliliter markings on this angled measuring cup can be read from the exterior or from the top, making it super versatile for measuring both liquids and solids.

Measuring cups and spoons

This stainless steel set of measuring spoons and cups includes all the sizes needed for cooking and baking. Bonus: The handles are magnetized, which helps cups and spoons stay together so they’re easier to locate in a drawer.

Storage Solutions for Small Dorm Kitchens

Three important things to keep in mind when storing food and pantry items in small spaces. First, stackable storage solutions work far better than the floppy plastic bags or oddly-shaped original packaging most food comes in. Second, air-tight seals keep freshness in and any possible pests out. Third, transparent containers make it simple to see how much of an item at a glance. That’s why we recommend:

Air-tight containers

A selection of air-tight, stackable containers will help keep ingredients fresh and cupboards organized. If students want to keep their own food separate, these removable labels make them easy to identify.

Refrigerator organizers

When all the students in a suite share one refrigerator, it’s easy for items to get mixed up. Another common problem with shared refrigerators is too much unused vertical space between the shelves. Solve both of these challenges with a selection of refrigerator bins and organizers that make it possible to stack cans and bottles, and to group like items, such as condiments or salad dressing shakers, together.

Oven-to-table containers with lids

Busy students who are short on space in their dorm or apartment will definitely appreciate glass cookware with dedicated lids, which eliminates the need for additional storage containers that take up space.

Stackable containers

Whether students are packing up leftovers or extra takeout food, OXO Twist & Stack Containers keep food fresh and keep the refrigerator organized.

Cereal container

The snack of choice for college students everywhere? Cereal, of course! All that’s needed is a bowl, a spoon and some granola. Help students keep their stash fresh with an airtight cereal container with a spout that makes it simple to pour out the desired amount.

Cleaning Tools for Dorm Kitchen Spaces

Make tidying up more likely by kitting out your student’s college apartment with these must-have tools for cleaning their dorm kitchen (and dorm room!).

Soap-dispensing cleaning tools

Whether it’s dirty dishes, non-stick pots and pans, or glassware, the OXO Soap Dispensing Dish Sponge helps with the dirty work. A built-in scraper helps with baked-on messes and replacement sponges are available. If more serious cooking and baking is happening in the dorm kitchen, a scrub brush with a built-in soap dispenser can help make clean up more thorough and efficient.

Dust pan and brush

To gather up crumbs and scraps after cooking, make sure there’s a compact dustpan and brush on hand. Our version has a soft lip that conforms surfaces, which makes it simple to sweep up on floors and counter tops.

Drying Mat

Most dorm kitchens don’t have enough counter space for a dish rack. They can, however, accommodate a silicone dish mat that can be rolled up or folded away after use. Heat resistant up to 425F, our mat can also be used as a trivet for hot dishes or pans, which means it helps with both cleaning and cooking.

Broom and dustpan

Dorm kitchens and living spaces will feel cleaner (and hopefully bigger!) when swept regularly. The OXO Sweep Set with Extendable Broom has a handle that can be extended from 39 to 53 inches. It also has a comb to help move debris from the broom’s bristles into the dust pan. 

Paper towel holder

When messes happen in a small area, they need to be cleaned up before they overtake the whole workspace. The OXO SimplyTear Paper Towel Holder has a spring-activated arm that prevents the entire towel roll from unspooling at once and makes it possible to quickly tear off one sheet at a time.

Multi-Purpose Tools for Small Dorm Kitchens

Small spaces call for tools that can do more than one job or be used in more than one way. Here are some of our favorites.

Multi purpose sponge holder

Pour dishwashing liquid into this combined sponge holder and soap dispenser to cut down on bottles crowding around the kitchen sink.

Squeegee

A squeegee is a great tool for wiping down any tiled surface, backsplash or countertop in the kitchen or bathroom. Ours has a built-in hook for easy storage in a utility cabinet, pantry, on a towel bar or over a faucet.

Storage bins

In a cupboard, on the counter top, under the sink—just about everywhere in a small kitchen benefits from a few storage bins. Wherever they get used, they help tame clutter and keep things organized.

When it comes down to it, a kitchen in a dorm or college apartment doesn’t need an overblown list of niche items that only get used occasionally. Instead, small kitchens and shared prep spaces function best with a collection of compact, versatile items that make dorm cooking easier and more enjoyable. Looking for additional suggestions to make college move-in go smoothly? Check out this OXO guide to college dorm room essentials and this checklist for must-have dorm cleaning tools.