Kitchen essentials...

[Mum2Fergus]

Next on my list for declutter is the kitchen!

What would you consider the key essentials that I could manage with?

Microwave, Collendar, 2x wooden spoons, spatula, ladle, cheese grater, 2 baking trays, 1 casserole dish, 2 mixing bowls, 3 saucepans, frying pan, 1 rolling pin, 1 funnel, 1 seive, scales, Tupperware- enough for one per member of the family. It does depend on the size of your family though and what you like to cook!

As for mugs and plates I always have enough for 2 of everything per person so 2 mugs each, 2 bowls each, 2 plates etc, anything else I give away to charity or throw out because I can't stand clutter taking up my cupboards.

Other than that I reckon you can get rid of everything else because they're not essentials although my husband does insist that we keep the caftiere which we probably only use twice a year (grrrrr). I am pretty ruthless though.

Oh also a Slow Cooker, if you don't have one, get one. Literally my favourite thing in the house!!!

Ok, I may need more boxes to pAck all my kit into then!

You'd think I cooked for a living with the amount of stuff I've bought thinking I needed it!!

Wow, how much do you have????? I'm intrigued to know what gadgets you have?! I also have an electric whisk which does get used but only for making Angel Delight for the boys .

Like I say though, I am quite ruthless. I hate clutter. We have 5 children age 21 months to 11 years so the house is cluttered with kids toys and books etc, I can't stand any more mess!

Ooh this is really useful, thank you! I'm moving kitchens and am trying to work out what I REALLY need, rather than random stuff I've inherited...

I'm here to learn

When it comes to the basic equipment (knives, ladles, large spoons etc), anything not used within the last month can probably go.

When it comes to appliances, apply the month test - then think really hard about if it's something used less but actually useful and not cumbersome. I have an electric hand whisk and it does not get used every month. But it is very useful for when I need it, so I keep it, and that one item is not what makes the major clutter.

What should go are the unused machines that seemed like a great idea but get used once every 6/12/18 months, if that, and permanently occupy cupboards/worktops.

I also agree with Twerking what an odd statement about 2 for each person - glass, mug, plate etc. I did this recently and it has made a massive difference. You can't really use more than that! Also if you want to buy something new, seriously consider getting rid of something old.

Also be really honest about what gets used in your household. I've had a kettle on my worktop for years because that's just normal, right? Well, we hardly ever boil water. Because we're coffee drinkers. And we have a coffee maker. If we boil anything in a pan the water boils whilst in the pan. So, the kettle has been relegated to storage for a month to see if I think I need it during that time. If not, it's out.

Some great advice folks...thank you

So I've 2 drawers full of cutlery and utensils...8 tumblers of each variety of the glassware that Tesco did with the stickers (bargain...not!), more Tupperware than can possibly be healthy...numerous dip/crisps/salad bowls (cause they looked nice lol) about 7 pots (but only 1 lid?), 3 frying pans, 2 woks...I could go on...I'm a lost cause!

Gadgets, not so much...microwave, steamer, slow cooker... clearly more into the display/presentation than the actual cooking itself lol

That's the thing...more for display than for cooking = clutter and wasted space!

I used to have a steamer and a blender, a pizza maker (wtf???!) a sandwich toaster, a huuuuuuge coffee machine (got it as a present and it looked impressive on the worktop!) The more children we had the more we needed to scale back on the crap just to make room for the essentials. For example, our 2 mugs, cups, plates and bowls per person still means we have 14 of everything , which takes up a lot of space. I have cleared off the work surfaces, sold the pizza cooker (2hich I never used) sold my George Foreman grill, my steamer and told DH to take the coffee machine to his office at work! My worktops now have a fruit bowl on which gets stripped and refilled seemingly every bloody day incidentally! I keep my kettle out and my big 6 slice toaster. Other than that it's all away and out of sight.

8 tumblers of each variety??? Get rid, honestly. You can give them to charity and you'll never miss them I promise! Thin out the Tupperware too, it takes up so much space. All you need is a couple of biggish ones for left overs or home made frozen meals, then all we have is some sandwich sized ones, one for each of us so if we go on a picnic and also for the DCs packups for school. That's all you need if you're honest. I do have a cake tin which also lives in the Tupperware cupboard which I do use on the occasions we bake fairy cakes etc. Honestly, you need a lot less than you think. Get rid of all the pots with no lids!

You can manage with far less than 2 drawers full of utensils as well! You're kitchen will feel so much more organised when you bite the bullet and do it! Good luck.

PS, delasi I loved your statement on agreeing with twerking! hahaha

You're so right Twerking...right, have my list...will clear it out tomorrow, thanks all!