KNives.
I like and started with a SMALL set of Wusthof Trident, and I've added a few that I liked, a 12" chefs knife, and a 7" Santuko (sp?).
I agree however, that it is best usually to buy separate, but a small set is good to start with, get a chefs knife, paring knife, etc.
I"m looking to maybe experiment with a nice longer carver like this: Granton Edge Carving knife, and possibly this nice Chinese vegetable cleaver.
You do often get what you pay for, these tools can last a lifetime, so buy quality..save and buy as you can.
I like my All clad stainless steel pans, I have a few great cast iron piecesâ¦and lately, my most used kitchen toy, is the Vitamix blender. Yes, a ton of money, but worth it I believe.
Just remember, you don't have to buy everything at once, save and get pieces as you can.
I figured out long ago, it was better to buy one pan that was $60 and keep it for life, rather than buy cheap pans that you threw out after a year or so and replaced. That and I don't worry about hot spots either.
As for brewing, cheap way to do brew kettles for 10 gallon all grain batches, get a grinder and cut the tops off of full sized kegs.
It helps if you can get your kegs to use from friends that have a "don't ask, don't tell" type attitude as to how they acquired them.
;)