Page 2 | New kitchen

rainbowstardrops · 2025-02-20T18:11:57+00:00

This isn't really an AIBU but it kind of is at the same time. The situation is, we're having a new kitchen very soon. Our old kitchen is being ripped out completely and being replaced (except for the white goods/fridge freezer etc) What with levelling the floor, plastering the walls, new fuse boxes and then the whole refitting etc and it therefore means we're not going to have any sort of functioning kitchen for about three weeks (that's if there are no hiccups along the way). I'm dreading it. We are lucky that we have two downstairs rooms but we obviously can't use the larger room when the floor is being levelled etc because we have to access it through the kitchen. But this room is where the fridge/freezer and all of the kitchen will be boxed up, plus the new kitchen units etc will have to be stored. I honestly don't know where we're going to put it all! Anyway, I will have a slow cooker, an air fryer and a microwave in the larger room (somehow). My AIBU is, how awful would it be to order a shit load of takeaways, or more importantly, what can I cook with my very limited cooking options? It's me and two DC and an H that comes home at about 10pm We usually rely on pasta etc but I won't have a hob. I just need ideas for some meals please, or a thumbs up that we can all just eat shit for three weeks! Joking. Obviously. Kind of.

LovelySunnyDayToday · 22/02/2025 13:01

Buy a camping hob.

Glamiss · 22/02/2025 11:54

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 09:35

I think I kind of envisioned having a bowl downstairs to just put boiling water in to wash up but then most people are saying about washing up in the bath? I don't even know if there'll be enough room on the table with the microwave etc and a room full of a boxed up kitchen and boxes containing the new kitchen! We shall see!

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Lugging a bowl of dirty plates upstairs to wash them is a pain, but lugging bowls full of dirty washing up water around the house is worse. It made sense for us to wash up where the tap and plughole was. You'll figure out what works for you.

Thinking out loud, I wonder if a B&Q bucket might be better than a washing up bowl. Easier to carry for a start.

It will be worth it.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 22/02/2025 10:37

APT · 22/02/2025 09:16

The worst bit is washing up. Over the bath is bloody hard work. I prepped some meals for freezer, bought prepped veg and managed proper dinners most days. But HATED carrying it upstairs to wash up then bringing it down again. I would say try to prep things you can eat from the same container. Then a few decent ready meals. Then a few takeaways you don't need plates for.

I have never been so grateful for a downstairs bathroom as when I had my kitchen replaced!

Nannyfannybanny · 22/02/2025 10:04

I had to wash up in the bath, because DH had dug up the concrete kitchen floor to put in new pipes,there wasn't a water supply in there. Then he did the bathroom!! At least I had the kitchen sink to wash up in!

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 09:57

*Can you not clear a small space somewhere for the fridge. We had to shuffle things about a bit but it worked fine. Yes it was cramped and a bit of a pain but not the end of the world.

You can buy most normal veg ready prepared. Things like packs of mashed carrot, potato, brocoli, peas, Mediterranean veg that all just need microwaved. Do jacket potatoes with cheese, coleslaw, beans etc, scrambled egg done in the microwave with toast. Buy large quiche and have with crusty bread, salad, microwave new potatoes.

Washing up was done over the bath. I just had a couple of washing up bowls and washed up straight away.*

Yes, we're going to have to squeeze it in somewhere. It's a large American fridge/freezer, so it'll take up quite some room but needs must and all that!
I'm a fairly good cook, (well the kids eat it!) and I'm just going to have to get my head round making shortcut tweeks to what I'd usually do. Or just buy takeaways and ready meals like I originally considered! 😁

OP posts:

rainbowunicorn · 22/02/2025 09:38

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 09:31

That's really helpful, thank you. The fridge/freezer will have to stay downstairs somewhere as no room in any of the bedrooms.
I'm definitely going to look into to a plug in hob and have a look at what veggies etc you can buy pre-prepared. I'm not very mobile at the moment and undergoing tests, so I can't even have a wander round the supermarkets! I think I'm focussing too much on the food though and not enough on the washing up/silly little inconvenient things!

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Can you not clear a small space somewhere for the fridge. We had to shuffle things about a bit but it worked fine. Yes it was cramped and a bit of a pain but not the end of the world.

You can buy most normal veg ready prepared. Things like packs of mashed carrot, potato, brocoli, peas, Mediterranean veg that all just need microwaved. Do jacket potatoes with cheese, coleslaw, beans etc, scrambled egg done in the microwave with toast. Buy large quiche and have with crusty bread, salad, microwave new potatoes.

Washing up was done over the bath. I just had a couple of washing up bowls and washed up straight away.

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 09:35

PinkPinkPinkBlue · 22/02/2025 09:28

@rainbowstardrops just remembered after a few days of washing up in the bath I bought two washing up bowls and set them up on the table followed by an old bath towel folded in half. One had hot soap water from bath tap and one with plain water, I also filled an empty 2 litre bottle with fresh water so I could easily change the water if needed. Washed in the soapy bowl, then in the plain water and straight onto my towel drain board, it was so much easier than washing mugs, glasses etc in the bath.

I think I kind of envisioned having a bowl downstairs to just put boiling water in to wash up but then most people are saying about washing up in the bath? I don't even know if there'll be enough room on the table with the microwave etc and a room full of a boxed up kitchen and boxes containing the new kitchen! We shall see!

OP posts:

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 09:31

rainbowunicorn · 22/02/2025 09:22

We had our fridge freezer in one of the bedrooms and had a table set up in the livingroom with microwave, kettle, toaster and single induction hob. We ate a lot of stuff like cooked chicken with salad and nice bread. Bought the small new potatoes that are ready to microwave with butter and herbs on. I also cooked in advance and froze it. I made, chilli, stew, curry, bolognese and just microwaved it and used the songle halogen hob for pasta or rice. Bought the steam fresh bags of veg to microwave, ready made mash, frozen jacket potatoes, fresh pasta and sauces. Ready made fresh soup with sandwiches. Had takeaway probably couple of times a week and went out to eat a couple of times in the 5 weeks we were without a full kitchen.

That's really helpful, thank you. The fridge/freezer will have to stay downstairs somewhere as no room in any of the bedrooms.
I'm definitely going to look into to a plug in hob and have a look at what veggies etc you can buy pre-prepared. I'm not very mobile at the moment and undergoing tests, so I can't even have a wander round the supermarkets! I think I'm focussing too much on the food though and not enough on the washing up/silly little inconvenient things!

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PinkPinkPinkBlue · 22/02/2025 09:28

@rainbowstardrops just remembered after a few days of washing up in the bath I bought two washing up bowls and set them up on the table followed by an old bath towel folded in half. One had hot soap water from bath tap and one with plain water, I also filled an empty 2 litre bottle with fresh water so I could easily change the water if needed. Washed in the soapy bowl, then in the plain water and straight onto my towel drain board, it was so much easier than washing mugs, glasses etc in the bath.

rainbowunicorn · 22/02/2025 09:22

We had our fridge freezer in one of the bedrooms and had a table set up in the livingroom with microwave, kettle, toaster and single induction hob. We ate a lot of stuff like cooked chicken with salad and nice bread. Bought the small new potatoes that are ready to microwave with butter and herbs on. I also cooked in advance and froze it. I made, chilli, stew, curry, bolognese and just microwaved it and used the songle halogen hob for pasta or rice. Bought the steam fresh bags of veg to microwave, ready made mash, frozen jacket potatoes, fresh pasta and sauces. Ready made fresh soup with sandwiches. Had takeaway probably couple of times a week and went out to eat a couple of times in the 5 weeks we were without a full kitchen.

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 09:22

MasterBeth · 22/02/2025 09:02

I hadn't thought about the logistics because firstly, I more often than not, cook from scratch and don't tend to rely on microwave meals and takeaways as a rule.

Yes, but you will have started to think about logistics when you knew you were having your kitchen done.

And, at that point, you know you will only have a microwave... You know you don't usually rely on microwave meals...

No, you're right, it's impossible to figure out how to cope.

You clearly have nothing constructive or helpful to say, so I hope you have a good day. Maybe try and be kind and tolerant to someone who is out of their comfort zone?

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APT · 22/02/2025 09:16

The worst bit is washing up. Over the bath is bloody hard work. I prepped some meals for freezer, bought prepped veg and managed proper dinners most days. But HATED carrying it upstairs to wash up then bringing it down again. I would say try to prep things you can eat from the same container. Then a few decent ready meals. Then a few takeaways you don't need plates for.

DiscoBeat · 22/02/2025 09:13

I'd also get a plug in induction hob so you could then do eg rice with slow cooker dishes, pan fried food etc.
New kitchen sounds exciting!

MumofCandRA · 22/02/2025 09:05

We had a job that went on for a year - induction 2 hob stove from IKEA, microwave and an air fryer kept us going.

MasterBeth · 22/02/2025 09:02

I hadn't thought about the logistics because firstly, I more often than not, cook from scratch and don't tend to rely on microwave meals and takeaways as a rule.

Yes, but you will have started to think about logistics when you knew you were having your kitchen done.

And, at that point, you know you will only have a microwave... You know you don't usually rely on microwave meals...

No, you're right, it's impossible to figure out how to cope.

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 08:55

*I wonder about threads like this sometimes. This can't be real.

How can you not have thought of "things like that"? What even are things like that? You mean things like slightly changing how you do things to suit your slightly changed circumstances?

Hmm, I need to prepare meals and I only have a microwave.

How about you buy microwave meals?

Great idea. I hadn't thought of that.

How do you people get through life?*

I hadn't thought about the logistics because firstly, I more often than not, cook from scratch and don't tend to rely on microwave meals and takeaways as a rule, hence my original question! The kids would no doubt love it because all that shite would be a treat for them because they don't have them often but for me? Not so much.
Secondly, I have all sorts of other things going on in my life that are also taking up space in my head above washing up bowls and the logistics of storing everything etc. It's only now that it's all getting nearer, that I'm asking for ideas and pointers.

I'm not sure why you took time out of your day to post if you had nothing constructive or helpful to add.

We're all different. Thankfully.

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Iwontlethtesungodownonme · 22/02/2025 08:48

We lived on microwave meals, sandwiches and toast mainly.
It was 3 years ago and I still could not face a microwave meal now 😂

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 08:41

HidingFromDD · 21/02/2025 20:15

2 or 3 Washington up bowls. One for dirty, one for washing up in and one for clean, although for clean a laundry basket also works if you have one spare. Tables! Make sure you’ve got at least some prep space or it’ll drive you mad. Check any ready meals carefully. It’s really annoying when you get something and then find its oven cook only.

Cooked chicken and micro chips (salad if you can get away with it) is vaguely reminiscent of actual food. Tinned potatoes in the air fryer are a tasty carb alternative and cous cous is fab.
Do anything you can to reduce washing up, it’s way more of a pita than the cooking!

And don’t feel guilty about take aways. It’s fine for a short time.

Make sure you know exactly where you want plug sockets, light switches and light fittings or you’ll be making snap decisions constantly.

make sure you have a bin and plenty of bin bags and decide where you’re putting recycling

This is all really useful, thanks! I hadn't given the recycling a thought because we do A LOT. Hmm. Lots to think about!

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brokenwand · 22/02/2025 08:41

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 08:07

Can I ask why it took weeks and weeks?

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It was a pretty big job, a wall removed, re-plastering etc. it took a few days for the plaster to dry then a delay on the appliances of a week.

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 08:35

Mandylovescandy · 21/02/2025 19:32

We ripped out our kitchen and then various issues (DC illness, snow impacting supply etc) delayed installation. Managed for several weeks on camping stove, microwave etc but would definitely recommend a plug in induction hob. In the middle of another renovation just now and have the induction hob, microwave and an air fryer and are able to cook as usual - we do have access to the fridge and a sink/dishwasher though. Hello fresh meals maybe if you are stuck for inspiration. And can you put the fridge somewhere you can easily access and keep a sink as long as possible?

The fridge/freezer is hopefully going into a room downstairs. DD also has a mini fridge in her room, so hopefully we can use that for milk etc while the floor is being levelled and we can't access that room.

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Littlemisscapable · 22/02/2025 08:31

grumpygrape · 21/02/2025 17:08

Literally just done this for 2 weeks. We had a few takeaways but ready meals were easier because single serving ones can be eaten from the container and the only washing up is the cutlery.
Everyone can choose what they fancy and you'll all survive for a couple or three weeks.
I love my new kitchen and it was worth the inconvenience.

Edited

This. Its the washing up which is more of a pain than the cooking ! There will be dust everywhere but it will b worth it.

Original poster

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 08:23

Favouritefruits · 21/02/2025 19:31

I’m going through this at the moment I’m 2 weeks in and the fitter said he should be finished by Tuesday! It’s been really, really hard. Much harder than I anticipated, washing up in the bath, nowhere to dry things, the kitchen table full of microwave and air fryer so can’t sit at it to eat. I seriously would consider going on holiday for two weeks. The upheaval has made me really anxious and upset, it’s the mess everywhere. Remember you need a room to put your new kitchen when it arrives as it’s in boxes and can’t go in the kitchen…. It’s something I didn’t factor in.

This is exactly how I'm feeling at the moment. I just know I won't cope well with the mess and upheaval. Until we'd booked it all, I had no idea either that we'd have to store the boxed units in our house. I thought they'd just bring what they need each day! There's four of us here and I honestly don't think we're going to be able to move! I imagine the kids will spend A LOT of time in their rooms!

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Nannyfannybanny · 22/02/2025 08:22

Ah, the memories! DH refitted ours,it's open plan at the end of the living room. I was working from nights, with a long commute,he was working 6 days a week with a long commute. It took 4 months, I wanted to kill him! I thought I was the only person who washed up in the bath on my knees.luckily my washing machine is in the conservatory,so that wasn't an issue. I made do with a microwave and slow cooker. I don't have an air fryer,no where to put one. I have 4 DKs and not one now uses a standard oven because of either space considerations or cost.. definitely, DO NOT use camping gas indoors.

MasterBeth · 22/02/2025 08:18

rainbowstardrops · 22/02/2025 08:10

Yes, they can can't they! See, I haven't thought of things like that. And we could then all just eat when we fancied and not the logistics of getting multiple plates of food ready together in a limited space. Thanks!

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I wonder about threads like this sometimes. This can't be real.

How can you not have thought of "things like that"? What even are things like that? You mean things like slightly changing how you do things to suit your slightly changed circumstances?

Hmm, I need to prepare meals and I only have a microwave.

How about you buy microwave meals?

Great idea. I hadn't thought of that.

How do you people get through life?

curious79 · 22/02/2025 08:13

I went through this about 10 years ago and was absolutely dreading it for all the same reasons. Somehow we got through it. There were lots of takeaways, and also lots of uncooked meals. Think fruit, sandwiches, nuts. I tried to go away for a couple of the weekends.