First kitchens usually boast the basics - no double-wide refrigerators, built-in ovens or double-decker warming drawers. Most don't even have automated dishwashers, but many have the essentials for good cooking.

In her first kitchen, Carol Blackford received most of her cookware from her mother. The Garretson native, who now lives in Rapid City, said that while her first kitchen doesn't have a dishwasher, she has all of the other major appliances needed to get a meal on the table or to entertain after a day teaching in the classroom.

"I have what I need," she said.

Sarah Morey, 28, purged a lot of her kitchenware when moving from Bozeman, Mont., to Rapid City to begin her nursing

career. But what she has works for her.

"When I left Bozeman, I did get rid of a lot," Morey said.

She has a four-place setting of dishes, a 12-inch skillet, several saucepans, a slow cooker and a built-in microwave oven.

"I like that because it doesn't take up a lot of space," she said of her microwave.

Brenda Biberdorf, a registered dietitian and family and consumer science educator at the Pennington County Extension Service, said the first kitchen a man or woman sets up really depends upon individual interests and preferences.

"It depends on what kind of person you are. If you're not a baker, you won't need baking pans. If you don't drink coffee, you won't need the coffee pot," she said.

Biberdorf, 26, recalls her own first kitchen being filled with her fair share of hand-me-downs. She did have her own baking kit, measuring spoons, measuring cups and mixing bowls. Also, her grandmother gave her a complete set of pots and pans at college graduation.

"My mom went to garage sales and got me a lot of Tupperware," she said.

Recently married, Biberdorf has come a long way since her first kitchen.

"Now I have everything under the sun," she said.

Walking into a standard furnished kitchen, be prepared to add the following to the cabinets and shelves, she said.

For utensils, a paring knife, chef knife, mixing spoons, spatulas, rubber scraper, pizza cutter, ice cream scoop, flatware for eight are musts, she said. Dishes include plates and bowls for eight, coffee mugs and glasses. Appliances include a coffee pot, toaster and microwave oven, hand mixer, electric grilling machine and a blender.

Other items include a large pot, saucepan, two skillets, colander, cake pan, pie pan, bread pan, cookie sheet, pizza pan, casserole dish, as well as measuring cups, measuring spoons, cutting board, vegetable peeler, can opener, whisk, two-quart pitcher, canister set, storage containers for leftovers and salt and pepper shakers.

"It's pretty basic," Biberdorf said.

Morey's apartment is a step up from her previous home, which had a half-sized stove and refrigerator. The new kitchen features a double sink, dishwasher, full-sized refrigerator and a standard-sized stove with an oven that has never been used.

"I'm looking forward to my first frozen pizza," Morey said.

Blackford has a blender, mixer and a variety of kitchenware. Her mother and grandmother taught her at an early age the basics of baking and cooking.

"My mother believed in good, quality cooking ware so you can have it for your whole life," she said.

She has an eight-piece dish set, glasses and plenty of knives and forks. She even has cloth napkins and tablecloths. A lot of this she inherited from her mother and grandmother, including a 60-year old Dutch oven.

"I never had a vinyl tablecloth in my life. I had the kind that was a pain in the behind that you have to iron and then fold," Blackford said with a laugh.

When she moved in, Morey inherited two dishtowels and two hot pads from the previous renters. But it doesn't mean she can't cook. Twelve-hour work shifts make cooking more of a challenge. This explains why her favorite meals are made up in the slow cooker, but she also has a knack for simple meals.

"I do salads. I cooked up a chicken that I put on the greens. I eat a lot of sandwiches - all bachelor foods," she said. "I'm very inventive when I cook."

She owns a Leatherman knife, which has several sharp blades that she uses to slice cheese or bread.

Since age 12, Morey lived with her father. While her mother and grandmother were both excellent cooks, "Dad was the influence."

"He cooked, but nothing fancy. He had the basics. I don't remember him making anything off the wall. He did grill a lot," she said.

Morey recalls her mother's kitchen having a variety of appliances, pots and pans.

"She had things in her kitchen that I couldn't even identify. Mom had a well-stocked kitchen," Morey said.

This included pasta makers, egg cups and waffle irons - "stuff I would never think to buy," Morey said.

Morey uses a French press for coffee and regularly makes meals in her slow cooker. Her kitchen essentials also include a corkscrew.

"It's the most important," Morey joked.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.