25 Uni Kitchen Essentials You Need To Have | Your Guide to the Currys Student Discount
- Christina Attrah
- Jan 28
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 19
Student kitchen essentials made easy thanks to your Currys student discount
Uni kitchens are… an experience. Tiny cupboards, mystery utensils, and a tiny fridge shelf to stack all your goods. That’s why having the right uni kitchen essentials can seriously upgrade your day-to-day without spending all your money.
The good news? You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup. You just need smart, compact kitchen appliances that earn their space. That’s where Currys kitchen appliances come in; practical, reliable, and even better with a cheeky Currys student discount. Students can unlock a range of savings at Currys such as £15 off large kitchen appliances over £299 and 10% off selected Ninja products.
When you upgrade your kitchen tools, you'll be able to cook some banger recipes, like some of these easy uni lunch ideas or these delicious meals for veggies and vegans. And to help you on your student budget, here's how to get cheap food shopping with a £20 a week food budget.
So, if you're moving to halls for the first time, or want to upgrade your current kitchen set, below is your no-nonsense, student-approved guide to the kitchen essentials you'll need. This includes tips, FAQs, and plenty of ways to get more meals (and more value) out of every appliance.
The must-have student kitchen essentials list (that actually fit in halls)
When space is tight, every appliance has to pull its weight. These Currys small kitchen appliances are perfect for shared kitchens, studio flats, and anyone who wants decent food without the drama.
To save you the hassle of forgetting crucial uni kitchen essentials, and overpacking, below we've listed all the things you might need to take to make your life easier (and tastier, hopefully).
Just remember to check with your university's rules if you're staying on campus in the uni's halls of residence — they won't always let you take your own electrical appliances!
Kitchen appliances from Currys
Item | What it's good for | Our Currys pick |
| Perfect for quick dinners like chips, sausages, nuggets, and roasted veg without waiting ages for the oven. | |
| Essential for your morning cuppa, late-night noodles, and emergency hot chocolate during deadline season | |
| From toast and bagels to crumpets and waffles, a toaster is a reliable way to eat something filling when you’re short on time (or motivation). | |
| A toastie maker turns basic bread into proper meals — think cheese toasties, leftover curry melts, or even dessert toasties. | |
| Rice cookers take the guesswork out of cooking rice, noodles, and grains — and many can handle one-pot meals too. Ideal for batch cooking. |
Item | What it's good for | Our Currys pick |
| Add ingredients in the morning, head to lectures, and come back to a hot meal. Brilliant for stews, chilli, curries, and cooking once to eat all week. | |
| A true uni kitchen essential. From reheating leftovers to cooking a jacket potato in minutes, microwaves are lifesavers when time (and energy) is low. | |
| For anyone who relies on caffeine to function. This helps you skip expensive café runs and make decent coffee at home — whether a quick espresso or an iced coffee. | |
| Ideal for smoothies, protein shakes using bulk's powders, soups, and sauces especially useful if you’re trying to eat well on a budget. | |
| A more compact alternative to a full blender. Hand blenders are perfect for soups, sauces, and smoothies straight from the pot or jug. |
Cookware from Currys
Item | What it's good for | Our Currys pick |
| The foundation of any student kitchen. A small set of pots and pans lets you cook pasta, sauces, soups and more. Stick to a few good-quality, versatile pieces and you’re set. | |
| A wok is great for stir-fries, noodles, fried rice, and one-pan meals — especially useful when you want something fast, filling, and easy to share with housemates. | |
| Frying pans are essential for eggs, pancakes, quesadillas, stir-fries, and last-minute dinners. Having one good non-stick pan can cover a lot of meals. | NINJA Foodi Zerostick 2-piece Non-stick Frying Pan Set - £37.97 (RRP £89.97) (remember you can get 10% off selected Ninja products with SB!) |
| Oven trays are an essential needed for roasting veg, cooking frozen food, baking, or making oven chips. | |
| A simple way to improve the taste of tap water — especially in shared housing. Water filter jugs are great for cold drinks, filling your Stanley, and staying hydrated without constantly buying bottled water. |
Other useful uni kitchen essentials
These might not be the exciting buys, but they’re the things that keep your uni kitchen running smoothly. Small, affordable, and genuinely useful — these essentials make cooking, cleaning, and sharing space with housemates a whole lot easier.
Knife set — knife set of 3, Amazon
Mugs — set of 4 mugs, Dunelm
Plates & bowls— 12 piece dinner set, Dunelm
Measuring cups — 4 piece measuring cups set, Currys
Reusable containers — 4 piece meal prep bowls set with lids, Currys
Colander — stainless steel colander, Amazon
Chopping boards — set of 4 colour-coded chopping mats, Dunelm
Grater — grater with lid, Ikea
Can opener — stainless steel can opener, Ikea
Veg peeler — peeler, Ikea
Make your uni kitchen essentials shop more affordable with Ikea deals and discounts.
Now you've got the kit, you can learn to cook!
Check out our video on 5 essential cooking skills for students:
And that's our best uni kitchen essentials rounded up! We hope it's given you a well-rounded view of the type of items to kit out your uni kitchen with.
FAQs: Basic cooking tips and how to actually use your uni kitchen appliances
How do you air fry chicken?
Preheat your air fryer to around 180°C. Season the chicken, place it in a single layer, and cook for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway. Always check it’s cooked through before eating. It’s quick, crispy, and way cheaper than ordering in
How do you cook rice in a rice cooker?
Rinse the rice, add it to the cooker with the right amount of water (usually one cup of rice to two cups of water), then press start. The rice cooker switches off automatically when it’s done. No stirring, no stress.
How long does pasta take to cook?
Dried pasta, including spaghetti, penne, linguine, and tagliatelle takes roughly 10-12 minutes to cook. On the other hand, ravioli or fresh pasta is much quicker to cook and only takes between 3-5 minutes to boil in a saucepan.
How do you use a slow cooker for batch cooking?
Add all ingredients in the morning, set it to low, and leave it to cook for several hours. It’s perfect for making multiple portions of chilli, curry, or stew — ideal for busy uni weeks.
What pans work on induction hobs?
Induction hobs need magnetic pans. If a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan, it’ll work. Stainless steel and cast iron are usually safe bets.
How do you roast potatoes in an air fryer?
Parboil potatoes first for best results, then shake them in a little oil and seasoning. Air fry at 200°C for 15–20 minutes, shaking halfway through. You’ll get crispy edges without having to wait for the oven.
How do you make soup with a hand blender?
Cook your veg and stock in a pot first, then remove from the heat. Place the hand blender directly into the pot and blend until smooth. It’s quick, easy, and saves transferring hot soup to a jug blender.
How do you clean small kitchen appliances properly?
Always unplug and let appliances cool first. Removable parts can usually be washed with warm soapy water, while the main unit should be wiped with a damp cloth only. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
How do you use the Currys student discount?
Sign up or log in to Student Beans, go on the Currys page, and reveal your unique discount code. Add your Currys kitchen appliances to your basket and enter the code at checkout to save instantly.
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