As Penn State students move off campus and into apartment complexes around State College, it becomes necessary for them to begin to cook their own meals.

There are a group of vital kitchen appliances that make living in apartments a little bit easier for college students.

Microwaves are a must-have kitchen accessory for nearly all college students who want to make quick, hot meals.

"A microwave is important. It can cook Hot Pockets, Ramen [Noodles], and that's pretty much all you really need," Christopher Panigel (sophomore-business management) said.

Scott Frazer, manager at Kitchen Kaboodle, 104 W. Beaver Ave., also said microwaves are important.

"Microwaves are the single most versatile piece for the kitchen," he said.

Because of the necessity for microwaves, most apartment complexes include these in the rent, along with refrigerators, ovens and other large appliances.

"My apartment for next year comes with most appliances like a microwave, but we still need to get a couple things like a George Foreman grill and a blender," Megan Kerr (freshman-business) said.

George Foreman grills are designed to make cooking easy and healthy, which is important for busy college students.

"A Foreman grill would be of use, because you can cook so many types of food with it," Kristina Cosma (freshman-communications) said.

Dan Pflaum (sophomore-economics) said his George Foreman grill gets a lot of action.

"I use it on an almost daily basis for grilling, and what is grilling without a nice, cold margarita from a blender?" Pflaum said. "With a Foreman grill and a blender, all problems are solved."

Some Penn Stater students find that blenders are an important appliance for their kitchens, while others do not find them useful.

"I don't think I would buy a blender. I don't use one at home now, so I don't see a use for it in my own kitchen," Cosma said.

Jenny Anderson (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) also said she didn't see the need for a blender.

"Blenders are good, but I think I would only use it a few times," she said. "However, a toaster oven is a good appliance to have, because they are amazing and you can make anything in them."

Electric kettles or water heaters are other important items for students who have little time to spare.

These appliances can heat up water in 90 seconds.

"My hot water dispenser was really useful in my dorm, but I also plan on using it in the apartment next year," Kerr said.

Frazer said he sells a lot of water heaters.

"Electric kettles are good for boiling water for Ramen, coffee and tea," he said. "There are also small, four-cup coffee makers, which are popular."

Dishwashers are included with some apartment complexes, and students say they definitely make life a little easier.

"A dishwasher is necessary because most college kids are lazy and they want someone to do everything for them," Kerr said.

Some appliances are more practical than others.

However, there is one appliance that most college students would appreciate, especially on the weekends.

"A kegerator would be wonderful for many reasons," Kerr said.