Larders...are they worth it?

[maisiedaisy64]

Hello!

Long time lurker, first time poster. We’re about to extend/renovate our kitchen, and everything I’ve read says get a large larder cupboard.

My question is, is it not really inconvenient to have all food in one giant cupboard that isn’t necessarily near your cooking area? Does it not result in traipsing across the kitchen to get bits you need while cooking? Or is it just I’m a very disorganised cook?!!

I would have a read of kitchen zones and the triangle. It sounds like you need to organise better - you should be walking back and forth in circles to cook a meal.

Can we have some pictures of your real pantries or larders please?

WE have a pantry. It was here when we moved in, and was something I looked forward to using. House is Victorian, but the pantry was carved out of the kitchen (an extension) in the 90s.

Floor- recycling crates stacked, veg rack, six foot tall freezer, wine fridge, boxes of crisps, popcorn etc

Next shelf up - tins, OILS, sauces, juices, baking stuff

Next shelf up - cereals, pastas, rice, school snacks, custard, rice pudding, jellies, spices, extra supplies of coffee and tea etc

Top shelf - bbq stuff, preserving stuff, spare toaster and kettle

Fridge is separate

I keep all bakery stuff in a cupboard, tea/coffee/squash to hand, and have a fruit bowl on the worksurface.

I fantasise about having a pantry. My whole kitchen is the size of a pantry...! In my imaginary pantry I have a space which perfectly fits a trolley with a similar space conveniently located in the kitchen so I can load up the trolley with all the things I'll need & wheel it through into the kitchen. My trolley has 2 shelves to it - the top shelf for putting things on from the pantry, the bottom shelf is where everything gets moved to when it's been used so I don't get confused about which ingredients I've done already.

One day...

A TROLLEY! You’re a genius!!

I remember my grandparents house having a pantry, with a cold slab in it. It used to house so much! I was always intrigued what was on the higher shelves as I was to small to see lol

There are lots of lovely larder ideas on Pinterest. I'm having one when we get around to doing the kitchen. Can't wait!

When we redid our kitchen I wanted a sliding out larder but then couldn't justify the price to myself (too frugal for my own good)

Compromised by having a tower unit solely for use as a larder, bought extra shelves for it (it came with one fixed shelf), got my carpenter to put the shelves exactly where I wanted them for maximum loading

Best thing I ever did, all food other than spices and cereals are in one spot. Its between my integrated fridge/freezer and my double oven on the other side, opposite my hob.