I would only send them off with items that they already use at home (frying pan, pasta pot and colander, wooden spoon, pancake turner, cutting board and a few knives), not tools or appliances with which they have no experience. The kitchen accessories that will be used the most are silverware, drinking glasses, and the microwave.

If you want to buy new, the Amazon Outlet section often has great deals on pots and pans.
https://www.amazon.com/outlet/?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=sv_subnav_goldbox_3

Agree with thrift stores. It can be hit or miss but fun if you like a treasure hunt.

Value Village

I love an electric kettle. Use not just for tea but hot chocolate, and theraflu! And no risk from leaving it on a burner.

Dollar tree and then whatever you can’t find, buy from Walmart

We made the mistake of starting at target- things were not cheap - like $12 for a spatula and $6 fot a can opener - and then found most were sold at the dollar tree when we went later. We could have saved. When my kid moved out 2 years later, we ended up donating it all and getting brand new stuff for their first grown up apartment.

Remember that other kids will be using her items. You don’t want to buy expensive pots that may get burned, silverware that get thrown away, glasses that may get broken, etc.

At dollar tree you can get 4 forks, glasses, mugs, plates, oven mitts, plunger, mop, broom, buckets, “Tupperware”, placemats, etc. all for $1 each.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get two aluminum half sheet pans, a roll of wide foil, a pack of flat half sheet parchment paper, and a wire half sheet rack. They can use that to roast anything.

Nordic Ware. Accept no substitute.

(But parchment paper not in a roll is a crime.)

Actually I just get cheap aluminum half sheet pans from Webstaurantstore. I don’t think it matters.

How joyless.

Are we supposed to be deriving joy from buying pots and pans for college kids?

Don't buy too much.

I have things handed down to me plus my own starter stuff. I've had one set of pots for 30 years.

I plan to tell my kids to not by any extras on whim. Wait until they are needed.

Collegetown thrifting/resale shopping is a good idea.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get two aluminum half sheet pans, a roll of wide foil, a pack of flat half sheet parchment paper, and a wire half sheet rack. They can use that to roast anything.

Nordic Ware. Accept no substitute.

(But parchment paper not in a roll is a crime.)

Actually I just get cheap aluminum half sheet pans from Webstaurantstore. I don’t think it matters.

How joyless.

Anonymous wrote:IKEA

+1. No sense in buying expensive stuff for college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get two aluminum half sheet pans, a roll of wide foil, a pack of flat half sheet parchment paper, and a wire half sheet rack. They can use that to roast anything.

Nordic Ware. Accept no substitute.

(But parchment paper not in a roll is a crime.)

Actually I just get cheap aluminum half sheet pans from Webstaurantstore. I don’t think it matters.

If you have any friends breaking up a parent’s house, you might be able to get some things from them. I was able to make up several kitchens in a box from my parent’s kitchen stuff that no one else wanted.

Anonymous wrote:A lot of thrift stores have a great selection of pots and pans

This - I got a ton of 2nd hand stuff for my kid that was nice quality/great shape this way. Much nicer than we would have found if new/cheap.