Cooking in college dorms requires some creativity, but it is easier when you have the right tools. While most residential campuses have meal plans, dining hall hours and food selection can be limited. Making their own meals is a great way for students to feel independent and can satisfy late-night cravings.
Consider durability and price when shopping for essentials like travel mugs, ice cube trays, and microwaves. Additionally, look at the dorm's rules on kitchen appliances. The rule of thumb is no open flames or hot plates, but adding a mini fridge to your room can be huge. If you're making the purchase for someone else, double-check approved lists so that your thoughtful gift won't be confiscated.
Here are the 16 cooking essentials for dorm kitchens
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A mini fridge with a reversible door Midea 3.1 Cu. Ft. Compact Refrigerator The mini-fridge is a college classic. This one from Midea is a great option, giving you a bit more freezer space than the smaller version.
A coffee maker that brews in minutes Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker Under 5 inches wide, the K-Mini easily fits in small spaces. Pod coffee machines are often approved for dorms because of the concealed heating element and auto-off feature.- Staff Pick
A truly leak-proof travel mug Stanley Classic Trigger Action Travel Mug Insider tested a dozen travel mugs, and this was the best. It keeps coffee or tea hot and won't leak in a jostling backpack. 
An electric kettle for easy boiling water AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Electric Hot Water Kettle Some colleges only allow electric kettles if they have an auto-off feature and concealed heating element. This stainless steel one from Amazon has both.
A durable and colorful set of dishes Gibson 12-Piece Brela Melamine Dinnerware Set The best dish sets for a college dorm are easily stored, have only the pieces you need, and are sturdy. Plus, this set comes in bright colors for a personal touch.- Staff Pick
A portable blender BlendJet BlendJet 2 With this rechargeable portable blender, students may be inspired to skip the breakfast pizza and try a smoothie instead. Plus, it's submersible and sturdy. 
A clever way to make breakfast sandwiches Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker You still have to purchase ingredients, but this will save breakfast sandwich fans save time and money. You'll want to check dorm safety rules for this appliance before buying.
A microwave-safe ramen cooker Rapid Ramen Cooker Toss in ramen or a box of mac and cheese, pour in water, and pop the cooker in the microwave. Plus, these cookers are dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and convenient for reheating any kind of leftovers.- Staff Pick
A pair of plastic cutting boards OXO Cutting Board Set These OXO boards are easy to clean and store. Use the boards to protect dorm-issued furniture from water rings or food stains, in addition to any kitchen prep work. 
A set of food storage containers Rubbermaid 18-Piece Plastic Food Storage Container Set Cooking and eating for one often leaves leftovers. This 18-piece food storage set has lids that snap together to help keep everything organized
A water pitcher to keep water on hand Brita Standard 6-Cup Water Pitcher A water pitcher ensures you'll always have filtered water ready. The lid has an electronic sensor that lights up when it's nearing time for a filter change.
A basic knife set with blade covers Cuisinart 6-Piece Non-Stick Cutlery Set Even for students who only buy baby carrots and limes, this six-piece knife set will come in handy. This set has a chef's knife, a serrated utility knife, a paring knife, and safety covers.
An egg cooker with four cooking options Dash Deluxe Rapid Egg Cooker Make poached, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, and scrambled eggs with this cooker. It has an auto-shutoff feature and comes a measuring cup and recipe guide.
A stackable ice cube tray Made by Design Ice Tray This ice tray is great for the communal fridge or a small freezer compartment in a mini fridge. The plastic lid snaps on the base, which allows for stacking and keeps out surrounding odors.
A set of coffee mugs Serami Classic Diner Mugs (4-pack) For comforting tea or the essential coffee, get a set of sturdy coffee mugs. The heavy-duty ceramic can withstand minor drops and falls.- Staff Pick
A low-wattage microwave Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven This compact microwave clocks in at 600 watts and is easy to use. It's perfect for college standbys like frozen meals or instant noodles. Check the dorm's appliance guidelines.
Lily Alig Editor, Home and Kitchen
Lily Alig is an editor on the Business Insider Reviews team, covering the home and kitchen verticals. She helps run the kitchen section, working with in-house and freelance writers to build out coverage of small appliances, kitchen tools, and gourmet food.Since joining Business Insider as a fellow in August 2020, Lily spent a year and a half as a full-time reporter before becoming an editor. As a writer, she spoke with independent spice houses and professional chefs, as well as tested products by making 50 waffles in one day and searing 7 steaks in a week. In her role as editor, Lily tracks stories from pitch to publish, maintains the kitchen publishing calendar, and edits every story for copy and content.Lily is an avid home cook and baker, so she knows what consumers are looking for in kitchenware products. After work, you can find her watching sports, reading fantasy novels, and finding new recipes to try.Reach out to Lily at lalig@businessinsider.com. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test kitchen products. Read more Read less
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