Kitchen Organising – Storing Cooking Tools (Part 2)

Previously I focused on general kitchen organising and Storing Dinnerware (Part 1). This week I will discuss tidying up and organising all the cooking tools.

If you want a kitchen in which you can enjoy cooking, the focus should be on ease of cleaning after preparing a meal. Don’t try to aim for simplicity in the kitchen. It’s more important that you know where everything is stored.

Just a short recap on the kitchen storage guidelines:

• Store items based on material category, e.g. metal, plastic, wood and glass.
• Keep like items together by size, shape and function.
• Items that you use often should be easy to reach.
• Store items you use less often in the back or on the top shelf.
• Utilise smaller boxes to store small items.

Cooking utensils

Includes knives, wooden spoons, spatulas, graters, peelers, etc.

• Group like items together such as knives, spoons and cuttings boards.
• Ideally, keep two same pieces of all your frequently used utensils.
• Store them in a drawer organiser, near the stove.
• Avoid hanging utensils above the stove where oil and dust can cover them.
• Ensure that all knives are sharp and functional.
• Stack cutting boards according to size.

Cooking vessels

Includes pots, oven cookware, mixing bowls, colanders, etc.

• Keep your pots and pans inside a cupboard to avoid dust and grease.
• Put same type category together, e.g. plastic, ceramic and metal items.
• Stack same shape and size together or place smaller items in bigger ones.
• Place cooking vessels near the stove.

Cooking appliance

Includes food scales, blenders, food processors, breadmakers, etc.

• Remove all items that you haven’t used in the last 2 years to make more space for other items. Some appliances might have been in trend in the past and now are no longer being used.
• Try to avoid buying too many kitchen gadgets. They might be difficult too clean and take up space.
• Those appliances that you use often should be easily reachable.
• Store bigger items that you use less often in the back or on the top shelf.

Storage containers

Includes all plastic and glass containers.

• Remove old and stained items.
• Make sure that each container has a lid.
• Store them by category and size.
• If you have more then you need then reduce the number so it all fits neatly in your cupboard space.

Baking items

Includes rolling pins, baking pans, tins, baking accessories, etc.

• If you enjoy baking as a hobby, you will probably have accumulated a lot of baking accessories.
• Remove items that are damaged or old.
• Keep all baking items together inside a box in your cupboard. Not only will you have a good overview of what you have, but also it will make prepping for baking easier.

Kitchen consumables

Includes aluminium foil, cling wrap and storage bags.

• Save them in a long box inside your cupboard.
• Use dividers to arrange everything neatly.

“Preparation is the key to a good chef.“

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