A must-have for any kitchen. Any of the KitchenAid models works great, just depends on your needs. Works reasonably well for kneading bread, although I generally prefer doing it by hand so you can feel when it's ready.

Basics for measuring liquids.

I think this is the one I inherited from my sister-in-law. It goes from stovetop to oven, has the great extra handle for easy moving (cuz it's a bit heavy) and stands up to anything. I love it and use it for everything from sauteeing vegetables to mixing a caramel sauce. The heavy base distributes heat well, even on my crappy electric rangetop.

Beautiful and long-lasting.

Metal is less likely to discolor or retain flavors of some spices. It is also easier to clean sticky stuff out of them (like corn syrup, honey, or peanut butter).

Helps to make sure your oven is at the right temp, or to find hot- or cold-spots that might trouble your baking. Cheaper brands also work just fine.

I love this item. Makes great french loaves and long italian loaves. Easy to clean, works great as a place to proof the loaves as well. The perforations allow air to circulate during baking and give a nice crisp crust.

Good basic whisk. Don't get the ones with the silicone-covered tines, they are a pain in my mind (everything sticks to them).