Mini Fridge
The mini fridge is a must-have for any dorm room kitchen. Space is precious in these small refrigerators, so be smart about what you buy at the grocery store. For example, instead of taking up space with bottles of ketchup and mustard, grab a few extra packets when you stop for fast food.
Microwave
From popcorn to pizza, there are a wide variety of items you'll want to heat up in a microwave during your college years. Look for microwave meals online to get ideas for things you can make. Don't forget that you can find microwave pasta cookers and rice cookers to make this appliance even more versatile than you thought possible.
Coffee Maker
Most students would get their coffee intake through an IV if they could. Until that's possible, though, you'll want your own coffee maker. If your dorm doesn't allow them, you can use an electric kettle and a French press travel mug to get the job done.
Electric Indoor Grill
You can thank George Foreman for this dorm room kitchen appliance. When you get sick of microwaved meals, pop some meat, tofu, or even veggies on the grill and enjoy a tasty treat. If you want your grilling done quickly, consider getting a grill with a hinged top that cooks both sides simultaneously.
Waffle Iron
Image via Flickr by Dvortygirl
Fresh waffles make for a great meal in the morning. The batter is easy to whip up, and you can even keep some at the ready in that mini fridge of yours. You can also add all sorts of toppings like syrup, whipped cream, bananas, strawberries, and chocolate chips to mix things up. Plus, there are tons of waffle iron recipes online to inspire your meal planning. Did you know you can also make hash browns, grilled cheese, s'mores, frittatas, quesadillas, brownies, or even omelets in a waffle iron?
Blender
Thanks to the increasing popularity of smoothies, there are all types of blenders available, including small versions that will fit easily in your dorm room kitchen. Grab some fresh fruit and get ready to make some tasty smoothies to start off your days. Like microwaves and waffle irons, this appliance is more versatile than you might think. Get creative and blend up some veggie soups or make a tasty dip to snack on while studying. You can even make homemade ice cream if your freezer space allows.
Before making a big purchase, make sure any items you want to add to your kitchen are permitted by your dorm before you go on a shopping spree. Once you've got the go-ahead, have fun creating a dorm room kitchen that'll make you look forward to skipping some dining hall meals.
Featured image via Flickr by ckelly
