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| (photo credit: stagetecture.com) |
Let’s start with one of the essential elements in your kitchen that not only saves you time....but money - the pantry!
Whether you’ve got a walk-in, floor-to-ceiling space or just a few shelves tucked away in a nook - the pantry is a part of your kitchen’s "mission control". Typically, pantries are used to store dry goods and products, but with the advent of larger homes and more food as well as container options, this needs to be one of the first places you get organized based on your particular cooking needs.
Here a few tips to get your pantry in great shape:
1) Inventory:Pull EVERYTHING out (yes, I mean everything) and place it in clear view so you can see what’s available. Check for bulging cans, expired dates, dust and other signs of deterioration and throw those items away.
The products you’ll be keeping? Group them by usage (i.e. dry goods, canned goods, jarred foods, paper items, etc.)
2) Spiffy Clean:Use a heavy duty household cleaner (I’m partial to Spic-N-Span’s Antibacterial Spray) and do a thorough wipe down of your pantry area. From top to bottom, make sure you get every shelf (top and undersides) as well as the doors and floor.
3) Containment Field:Your pantry will work best if everything has a home. There are so many excellent storage solutions from the tried-and-true Tupperware to Rubbermaid to fashion-forward offerings, so based on what your individual "tastes" are - you’ll be able to find something to meet your need!
IMPORTANT: Clear is the way to go when it comes to food storage. You need to be able to identify everything that’s in your "storehouse", so make sure your containers meet this criteria.
(photo credit: toolskitchen.net)
4) There’s A Label For That:If you are not keeping items in their original boxes or jars, use a label on the front of the container so you’ll know what it houses. In addition, make sure you place the date of purchase on the label, so when it’s time to do another inventory, you’ll know what’s safe to keep - and what to toss.
(photo credit: streamlife.ca)
5) Make a list - then check it twice:I highly recommend keeping a written list of what’s in your pantry. When it’s time to head out and do your grocery shopping, knowing what you ALREADY have is one of the best ways to save money! How many times have you been at the supermarket, in one of the aisles, wondering if there’s a bottle of steak sauce or jar of strawberry jam in the pantry, buying it anyway because you’re unsure and then getting home only to realize that you have FIVE of them? Having a written inventory stops that madness from even raising it’s ugly (and expensive) head....
Whether it’s electronic (on your laptop or tablet) or done the old-fashioned way, on a sheet of paper and pegged to a corkboard on the door, simply having everything in writing will save you time (in the short-term) and money (in the long-run).
**check out this cool app for your smartphone - it makes life a lot easier!!*
A pantry is one of the tools you need in order to make your meal preparations easier and more efficient. With a bit of organization and staying on top of what you have, not only will your home kitchen run more smoothly, but your wallet will thank you!!
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