Setting Up The Ideal Kitchen

The kitchen can be, for the primary cook of the household, a hub, and where much of the time in the house is spent. It also affects everyone living there, as the health and nutrition of your food, as well as the quality of its taste, is something that can be enjoyed by all, if to a high standard. In this, choice of food may be considered responsible, but the functionality of your kitchen is as much a part of it - a well prepared kitchen opens up possibilities for easier ways of getting a varied diet and tasty meal plans.

Oven
The most essential of appliances is doubtless the oven. Stews, cakes, vegetables and even ready meals can all be cooked well in an oven. As well as this general cooking, the oven can also be used to make toast, and grill other things, so make sure to get an oven and grill in one, as countertop grills take up space that is so valuable in food preparation.

Countertop Layout and Hob
A countertop should be long and uncluttered, with the oven underneath at one end, with a hob on the top. The hob can be used for frying, heating soups and beverages, and much more. For this you should hang saucepans of different sizes and shapes from the cupboards over the counter, so they can be easily accessed without displacing other things in the cupboards.

Overhead Cupboards
In the cupboards themselves, it's wise to keep not only preparation tools such as whisks, bowls, and cake tins, but also some freezer-proof storage boxes for keeping leftover portions fresh, to avoid wasting and the hassle of cooking again. These cupboards shouldn't be too high to access but neither should get in the way of your head over the counter.

Fridge/freezer
Many people choose to keep extra fridge and freezer space in a garage or shed, but it's best to have a large fridge and freezer in one unit in the kitchen. This should be out of the way, on a different wall to the counter, but accessible enough for grabbing ingredients. They're particularly useful for keeping drinks cold for visitors.

Countertop Devices
On the counter itself, lack of clutter should be the emphasis, to avoid mess getting on your possessions and reducing your workspace. Store anything which can be in the cupboards, and keep only the essentials on the counter. Essential items for the kitchen which can be kept here include a food processor, which can be expensive but has a great many uses, such as blending smoothies, grating cheese, and chopping vegetables while you wait. Another essential is a microwave. It's a lot quicker than an oven with most things, and will find a great many convenient uses, such as warming drinks. After that, your household's preferences should be thought of - if you enjoy steamed food, invest in a tiered steamer.

Overall, go for appliances which multitask efficiently, and remember that space is everything.