Simplifying and Reducing: In The Kitchen

April 15, 2010

in less is more

One of the jobs on my April to do list was to spring clean the kitchen; I did it yesterday and  took the opportunity to cut back the stuff in the cupboards; anything that I felt was surplus went into my car boot pile.

I keep kitchen equipment in one small base unit and a large drawer; the contents are below:

I then took inventory of what I had, removing items that I hardly ever use.

Items I kept:

  • 4 copper bottom saucepans and 1 steamer
  • 1 small frying pan
  • 1 griddle pan
  • 1 colander
  • 2 small glass bowls, 1 large glass bowl {mixing, salads, fridge storage}
  • 1 salad spinner {which gets used all summer for lettuce storage}
  • 1 measuring jug
  • 1 small handheld mixer
  • 1 pyrex casserole dish
  • 1 pyrex square dish
  • 2 food warmers {fajitas!}
  • 3 chopping boards
  • 1 set scales

Items I removed:

  • 1 large glass salad bowl
  • 1 silver mixing bowl
  • 1 lasagne dish
  • 1 loaf tin
  • 1 small pan

 

All the items I kept, apart from the chopping boards, should last me a lifetime, if I don’t break them!

Even though I haven’t removed a lot, and I still have some plastic*, the cupboard and drawer seem much easier to navigate and it feels much better to know that I only have items left that I use all the time.

 * I’m not sure what to do with the plastic items as it feels wrong to just replace them, so I keep using them until I find a solution.

For free updates you can subscribe to this site here. Thanks for visiting!

Related Posts with Thumbnails

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

mo April 15, 2010 at 5:20 pm

I know what you mean about the plastic. THrowing them out just isn’t right. est.
.-= mo´s last blog ..the carless debate =-.

[Reply]

Simple in France April 17, 2010 at 6:59 am

Well, your measuring pitcher could be used to water plants. And plastic dishes and tupperware can be used to store non-food items or for organizing drawers and toiletries. As for the good kitchen stuff that you don’t need, why not see if a friend could use it or donate it?
.-= Simple in France´s last blog ..How do you chose a ‘new’ car? =-.

[Reply]

Move to Portugal April 17, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Yes mo..i may be keeping the plastic forever…I can’t throw it away!

Hi sif, it’s difficult to know what to do with plastic, apart from keep it and repurpose.

[Reply]

Money Funk April 20, 2010 at 10:19 pm

I seriously need to do this to my utensil drawer! Its so crammed that I can barely open the drawer. I hope to declutter/spring clean the kitchen cupboards. Good idea.

Question, cooking with stainless steel… do you have problems with your food sticking to the bottom or realize that you need to use a lot of butter/oil in your cooking to prevent it (especially cooking eggs)? My husband and I want to move away from the tephlon pans, but am afraid to go with stainless steel.
.-= Money Funk´s last blog ..Sunday Brunch with Christine =-.

[Reply]

Move to Portugal Reply:

Hi Christine; yes eggs sticking is a problem. I either poach eggs or use the microwave for scrambled. I never make omelettes as family doeasn’t really like them, but I think butter would be needed to stock the sticking :-)

[Reply]

Early Retirement Extreme April 20, 2010 at 10:22 pm

4 sauce pans? That’s a lot of sauce!

[Reply]

Move to Portugal Reply:

Hi Jacob, yes a lot of sauce! I know, 4 saucepans and a steamer is a lot! I will try putting 2/3 away and see if I can do without them.

[Reply]

Leave a Comment

Anti-Spam Protection by WP-SpamFree

Previous post:

Next post: