The kitchen will be the coronary heart of the house, however kitchen counters are the fingers. These important work surfaces are tasked with holding every part from children’ homework to sensible audio system to bowls of fruit. They’re the workbenches of American life.
However some countertop storage habits may be impractical at greatest — and dangerous at worst. If you want to convey sanity to your kitchen counters, learn on. Listed here are frequent countertop gadgets it is best to discover a new dwelling for.
1. Paper towels and napkins
Based on the American Purple Cross, most dwelling fires begin within the kitchen. Cut back threat of fireplace by conserving paper towels and napkins off the counter.
Storing paper merchandise away from the range is a superb begin, however you by no means know the place somebody will inadvertently park the toaster, air fryer or scorching plate. The most secure guess is to retailer paper towels beneath the sink and napkins in a drawer.
See additionally: “How I Make a Roll of Paper Towels Final All Yr”
2. Spices and herbs
It’s thyme to rethink spice storage. Although it looks like everybody makes use of turntable spice racks on the counter, that is probably not the perfect place for them.
Spices needs to be avoided warmth, mild, air and moisture, in response to Penn State Extension. As a substitute of on the countertop, retailer these taste necessities in hermetic containers in a cupboard or pantry (sage recommendation, should you ask me). Tiered spice racks like this mannequin on Amazon will hold every part organized.
3. Cooking oils
Based on the Oregon State College Extension Service, cooking oils needs to be saved in a cool space that’s not uncovered to direct mild. When saved on a desk or countertop, oils can oxidize extra rapidly and turn into rancid.
As a substitute of the counter, retailer bottled oils in a cabinet that’s close to the range however not shut sufficient to warmth up when the equipment is on.
4. Junk meals
Seeing is consuming. In a second of starvation, stress, or boredom, who can resist the siren track of countertop cookies or chips?
A 2015 research by Cornell College linked what’s on individuals’s counters to their total weight and physique mass index (BMI). Although research individuals had been restricted to ladies, we are able to assume the identical holds true for males. For instance, ladies who saved delicate drinks on the counter weighed 24-26 kilos greater than those that saved the sugary drinks out of sight.
5. Electronics
Alexa could also be a lifesaver if you’re making an attempt out a brand new recipe, however don’t set your gadget too near the motion. Counter tops are made for spills and grease splatter — private electronics usually are not.
And in response to the FDA, dealing with units throughout meal prep might pose a meals contamination threat. We’ve all heard about research exhibiting smartphones may be dirtier than a rest room seat. Do you really need that in your countertop?
6. Breakable decor gadgets
Watch any dwelling design present and also you’ll see kitchen counters loaded with non-essentials like apothecary jars, elaborate floral preparations and framed artwork.
However with all that loveliness, who has room to cook dinner? For security and practicality, resist the temptation to embellish work surfaces. In spite of everything, nothing ruins an amazing meal like damaged glass.
7. Paperwork
Kitchen counters typically function a handy catch-all area for homework, artwork initiatives, family payments. However like all paper merchandise, this stuff can catch hearth simply when positioned too near a burner or small equipment.
Hearth threat apart, vital paperwork may be ruined by spills, grease splatter and the final messiness of meals prep. Maintain the counter tops clear and the paperwork on a desk or separate work floor.
Professional tip: No room to retailer paperwork? Strive the “tray trick.” Relegate all paperwork or children’ homework to massive, shallow tray with handles. Throughout meal prep, simply transfer the tray as a substitute of wrangling piles of muddle.
8. Mugs
What sort of tree does the world want fewer of? The mug tree! Although charming, mug bushes appear designed to gather mud and cooking grease splatter. My first intuition is to totally wash each mug I pluck from their questionable “branches.”
Give your self extra prep area and one much less factor to scrub — retailer mugs in a cupboard.
9. Seldom-used home equipment
In most kitchens, counter area is prime actual property. Is yours being eaten up by small home equipment?
Positive, it is sensible to maintain toasters, blenders, juicers and meals processors helpful. However until you’re utilizing these home equipment each day or each time you cook dinner, they will stay in a cupboard or pantry.
10. Knives
I’ve most likely watched too many horror motion pictures, however doesn’t each dwelling intruder attain for the knife block first? Severely although, these cumbersome blocks take up a whole lot of counter area and don’t appear to be the most secure selection in households with younger, energetic children.
As a substitute of blocks, select an in-drawer knife holder like this mannequin from Wayfair.
