Home Science — Foods and Nutrition

Subtopic: Kitchen Equipment (for 10-year-olds)

Simple notes with Kenyan examples and safety tips.

What is kitchen equipment?

Kitchen equipment are tools and things we use to cook, serve and store food. In Kenya you may see:

• Sufuria (cooking pot), sufuria kubwa (big pot) for ugali or stew.
• Jiko (charcoal stove), gas cooker (LPG) or electric stove.
• Knives and chopping boards for cutting vegetables like sukuma wiki.
• Spoons, ladles and serving plates.
• Measuring cups and spoons to measure ingredients.
• Storage containers for flour, maize meal and other foods.

Uses of common equipment (easy)

• Sufuria: to boil water and cook ugali, rice, stew.
• Jiko / Gas cooker: where we place the pot to cook.
• Knife and chopping board: to cut onions, tomatoes and vegetables safely.
• Ladle / big spoon: to stir food and serve soup or stew.
• Measuring cup/spoon: to get the right amount of sugar, flour or salt.
• Storage container: keeps food dry and away from ants or weevils.

Safety rules (very important!)

• Always ask an adult to help when using a knife or the jiko.
• Keep hands dry when holding hot pots or handles — use a cloth or glove.
• Never run in the kitchen. Walk carefully to avoid spills.
• If using a charcoal jiko, keep it on the floor and in a well-ventilated place so smoke goes out of the house.
• Turn off the gas or electricity after cooking.
• Store knives safely where small children cannot reach them.

How to clean and store

• Wash sufuria, plates and spoons with soap and clean water after use.
• Dry with a clean cloth or in the sun to avoid rust and germs.
• Cover storage containers (airtight) to keep food fresh and safe from insects.

Simple activity (fun and useful)

Draw your kitchen on a paper. Label 6 items you see (for example: sufuria, jiko, knife, ladle, plate, measuring cup). Ask a parent to show you one new kitchen tool and write what it is used for.

Quick quiz (ask your teacher or parent)

1. Name two safe ways to carry a hot pot.
2. Why should we keep food in covered containers?
3. Which tool do we use to measure one cup of maize flour?

Notes for Kenyan homes: many families use sufuria and jiko at home. Always learn from an adult how to use each tool safely. Kitchen equipment helps us to prepare healthy foods for the family.