Everybody needs to eat. This is a fact of life, even though it can be an annoying one. Unfortunately, cooking and prepping food itself can be a hassle, especially if you have to work full time and have limited hours to buy groceries, clean and cut food, and then get it cooking. If you worry about feeding yourself and your family and want a fully stocked kitchen, make sure you have these five must-haves to keep everyone happy, healthy, and fed with ease.

Non-Stick Pots and Pans

Source: Pinterest Non-stick pans are great for easy cleanup

These devices are a blessing since they cut down on the inconvenience of needing to soak or over scrub regular pots and pans that end up with too much food burning or sticking to them. There are even green, environmentally friendly options without toxic chemicals to keep your family safe and fed. These pots and pans seem to physically repel food, meaning there are fewer burnt bottoms and edges that need to be carefully peeled away with the steel wool, errant spatula, or the dreaded kitchen sponge. Most even come in sets, so you don’t have to about having mismatched pieces.

Oven Mitts

Source: Pinterest Arent these the cutest oven mitts, there’s a great tutorial

Oven mitts are a necessity because they protect your hands from burns when working with hot dishes. Many a young adult has found out the hard way that a folded dish towel just isn’t the same as having a special mitt to take pans and casserole dishes out of the oven. Oven mitts can even be an excellent creative outlet and provide a wonderful pop of color to even the blandest of kitchens by expressing a little personality. If none at the store appeal to you, making your own can be an easy project for you and the family. Just remember to use heat-resistant fabric!

Sharp Knives

Source: Pinterest Knowing which knives for a project, do you have all of these?

Most people do not take good care of their knives, and this is a problem. A dull knife does not cut well and can actually be dangerous since the blade is more to slipping and breaking. Nobody wants to be sliced up while trying to prepare some chicken for dinner, especially because of the hazards of germs and potential infection! Invest in a knife sharpener to make prep work simple and easy, and also consider having a designated place to store knives so little hands don’t grab them. Most kitchens function well with a few good, sharp knives and a convenient storage block.

Storage Space

Source: Pinterest A kitchen cart is a great way of adding extra storage and organization

Not everyone can afford a large dream kitchen, especially if you live in the city or an apartment. What are you supposed to do when you have nowhere to put your dishes or dry foods?

Instead of cluttering up counters, invest in some extra storage space like hanging or floating cabinets, pantry bins, or organizers that cling to the insides of doors. These materials will keep unnecessary items off of your counter and help you keep track of items like dried pasta, cooking utensils, and dishes. The storage space will also mean you have enough room for the final significant thing to have in your kitchen: an area for food preparation.

Prep Space

Source: Pinterest Wouldn’t it be nice for a prep area with a hidden receptacle for scraps

This should go without saying, but there should always be a place for you to prepare and cook food for meals and snacks. Most people don’t leave themselves enough counter space to cook, and this can be a major problem. Instead of storing food, dishes, and papers on the countertop, invest instead in more cabinets and leave a designated area open, clean, and sanitized for food prep. The standard rule is to have enough space for a cutting board, cooking utensils, and a couple of bowls that can be set aside with spices and ingredients. Your family and stomach will thank you in the long run when you can have dinner ready in no time.

Conclusion

These five must-haves seem basic, but you would be surprised how many people neglect their kitchens by failing to have one or even more of these items. Too many people rely upon ancient dishes, cluttered counters, and precariously stacked food that can easily spill from the lack of space. If you think something might be missing from your cooking area, check off each of the items on this list and make sure you have everything you need to keep life functioning smoothly.

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