Gifts for Home Cooks in Australia: Ideas by Type of Cook

Shopping for someone who loves to cook can be tricky. They often have the basics already, and a gadget that sits in a drawer isn't much of a present. A practical way to choose is to think about how the person actually cooks. This guide sorts gift ideas by type of home cook, with a few things to check before you buy and some food safety basics if you're giving homemade food.

Before you buy: a few questions

• How do they cook? Weekly meal prep, big weekend batches, packed lunches or dinner parties all call for different tools.
• How much space do they have? A small kitchen fills up fast, so think about cupboard and fridge space.
• Do they have a dishwasher? If so, check the care instructions of anything you buy.
• What do they already own? A spare or replacement for something they use every day can be more welcome than something new.

Gift ideas by type of home cook

The meal-prepper

Meal-preppers cook once and eat several times, so they go through containers, chopping boards and measuring tools quickly.

• A set of matching containers in a few sizes
• A large chopping board and a sharp, comfortable knife
• A good set of measuring cups and spoons
• A sturdy roasting tray for cooking several portions at once

Vuumex option: the Vuumex Glass Vacuum Food Container Set ($59) includes four borosilicate glass containers in 470ml, 800ml, 1.4L and 2.7L sizes, plus a rechargeable vacuum pump. The glass bases "suit the fridge, freezer, oven, microwave (lids off) and dishwasher." Our meal prep for beginners guide is a handy read to pass on with it.

The batch cook and freezer fan

If someone makes a big pot of soup or bolognese and freezes the rest, practical gifts include:

• A large, heavy-based stockpot
• A ladle and a wide funnel for portioning
• Freezer labels and a permanent marker
• Freezer-suitable containers in portion sizes

FSIC's general advice on leftovers is: "Refrigerate or freeze leftovers as soon as possible." For the Vuumex set, the product FAQ states: "The glass bases are suitable for the fridge, freezer and dishwasher." The 1.4L and 2.7L sizes suit family-sized portions. Our guide to freezing and thawing leftovers covers the food safety side.

The lunch packer

For someone who packs lunches for work or school, think about gear that's easy to carry and easy to clean:

• An insulated lunch bag
• A couple of freezer bricks
• A reusable drink bottle
• A compact cutlery set

FSIC's lunchbox advice is worth keeping in mind when choosing: "choose ones which are easy to clean and dry. Insulated lunchboxes are a great idea, but not if they are difficult to keep clean" (Food Safety Information Council, Lunchbox safety).

The smaller 470ml and 800ml Vuumex containers suit single lunch portions. If they reheat lunch at work, note the product's care instruction: "Remove the lids before putting the glass bases in the oven or microwave."

The entertainer

People who love having friends over tend to appreciate serving and prep gear:

• A large serving platter or a set of serving bowls
• An esky or cooler bag for drinks and picnics
• A fridge thermometer
• A meat thermometer

A fridge thermometer is a useful gift for summer hosting. FSIC advises: "Use a fridge thermometer to check that the fridge temperature stays at 5°C or below (the colder the better!)." It also suggests "placing shelf-stable drinks on ice in a container, esky, or laundry sink" to free up fridge space (Food Safety Information Council, Christmas and Summer entertaining tips).

For hosts who prepare ahead, the Vuumex set is designed for "leftovers, meal prep, pantry storage, marinating and more". Our guide to marinating meat safely pairs well with it.

The low-waste household

For someone trying to waste less food, reusable storage often goes down well:

• Reusable produce bags
• A benchtop compost caddy
• A set of airtight jars for the pantry
• A meal-planning notepad for the fridge

Love Food Hate Waste NSW notes: "Airtight jars are great for storing flour, grains and cereal in the cupboard, as well as storing leftover liquids like salad dressing in the fridge" (Love Food Hate Waste NSW). The Vuumex lids have a date dial, which is simply a reminder of when you put food in. Our guides to reducing food waste at home and pantry storage containers have more ideas.

Someone who already owns a Vuumex set

A spare pump can be handy. The Vuumex Rechargeable Vacuum Pump ($26) is a spare or replacement; the listing notes that "this listing is intended for customers who need a replacement or would like a spare." The Vuumex Manual Vacuum Pump ($17) works "without electricity or charging".

Practical things to check

• Charging: for the Vuumex rechargeable pump, "A USB-A to USB-C cable is included; a USB power adaptor is not."
• Care: check whether items are dishwasher, oven or microwave suitable, and whether lids need to come off first.
• Returns: keep the receipt or order details. Vuumex's returns FAQ says: "We have a 30-day return policy. Items must be unused, in their original packaging and in the condition you received them."

Giving homemade food or a hamper

Homemade jams, biscuits and hampers are popular gifts, and a few food safety habits help. FSIC's festive tips include: "don't forget to check if your guests have any food allergies." For perishable food, it advises: "Don't leave perishable chilled foods out, unrefrigerated, in the heat of Summer for more than 2 hours."

If you're carrying chilled food to someone's place, FSIC's shopping advice applies: "Insulated bags or coolers should be used to carry food such as meat and dairy products that require refrigeration" (Food Safety Information Council, Shopping and storage). Our tip: add a label listing the ingredients and the date you made it.

Shipping

Vuumex's shipping policy says: "Orders are generally shipped within 1 business day using Australia Post." The product FAQ adds: "Shipping is free Australia-wide with Australia Post." See the shipping policy for delivery times.

More food storage guides

Our guides to how long leftovers last in the fridge, choosing food storage containers in Australia, glass vs plastic food storage containers, vacuum sealing food at home and how to store vegetables in the fridge pick up from here. Questions about our containers? Contact us.

Sources: Food Safety Information Council, Christmas and Summer entertaining food safety tips, Lunchbox safety and Shopping and storage; Love Food Hate Waste NSW, Storage Superhero. This guide is general information only.