The holidays are only a few days away and your kitchen looks like the inside of a pig pen. In order to prepare the holiday feast (along with dessert), you need to make sure your kitchen is cleared of all distractions and filled with the necessary tools. Preparing your kitchen now will help make holiday food preparations a whole lot smoother.
- De-Clutter – There’s no need to have a stack of mail, seven phone chargers, and wrapping paper stacked on the countertops and table. Not only will these items get in your way and inhibit your workflow, but they’ll have a chance of getting ruined with food droppings.
- Dishware – You’re going to spend many hours preparing your holiday feast, so make sure you have utensils to cut, serve, and eat with when it’s all said and done. Make sure your carving knives are sharpened, serving dishes are ready to use, and that there’s enough dinnerware for all of your guests.
- Oven Rules – The oven needs to be ready to go for the big holiday celebration. However, avoid using the self-cleaning option at all costs! The extreme temperatures of this setting can oftentimes cause the oven to break down. Wait until after the holidays to use this, but for now, use oven cleaner, vinegar, and a wet rag for a good cleaning.
- Empty the Refrigerator – Before you begin preparing all of the dishes, make sure you have enough storage room for the ingredients and final products. Throw away food that won’t be used or is expired to make room. Since this appliance will be packed to the gills this week, make sure the vents and hoses are cleaned of any dust to improve airflow and efficiency.
- Dishwasher Ready – The cleanup after a holiday feast is ugly — really ugly. So before you have to load the dishwasher up five times over, clean the inside parts of any food residue (especially the drain). Afterward, fill the dishwasher with white vinegar and run it on an empty cycle on the hottest setting.
Spending the time to prepare your kitchen for the holidays will cut down on the time it takes to cook the food and clean the dishes. If your appliances break down during or after the holiday madness, contact Tri-City Appliance, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (203) 303-5700.