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The kitchen could be the coronary heart of the house, however kitchen counters are the fingers. These important work surfaces are tasked with holding all the pieces from youngsters’ homework to good audio system to bowls of fruit. They’re the workbenches of American life.
However some countertop storage habits will be impractical at greatest — and dangerous at worst. If it’s worthwhile to convey sanity to your kitchen counters, learn on. Listed below are widespread countertop gadgets it is best to discover a new house for.
1. Paper towels and napkins
In response to the American Crimson Cross, most house fires begin within the kitchen. Scale back danger of fireplace by maintaining 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 sizzling 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 12 months”
2. Spices and herbs
It’s thyme to rethink spice storage. Although it looks as if everybody makes use of turntable spice racks on the counter, that is probably not the perfect place for them.
Spices needs to be refrained from warmth, gentle, air and moisture, in keeping with Penn State Extension. As an alternative of on the countertop, retailer these taste necessities in hermetic containers in a cupboard or pantry (sage recommendation, when you ask me). Tiered spice racks like this mannequin on Amazon will hold all the pieces organized.
3. Cooking oils
In response to the Oregon State College Extension Service, cooking oils needs to be saved in a cool space that’s not uncovered to direct gentle. When saved on a desk or countertop, oils can oxidize extra rapidly and change into rancid.
As an alternative 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 examine by Cornell College linked what’s on folks’s counters to their general weight and physique mass index (BMI). Although examine members had been restricted to ladies, we will assume the identical holds true for males. For instance, ladies who saved gentle 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 attempting 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 will not be.
And in keeping with the FDA, dealing with gadgets throughout meal prep could pose a meals contamination danger. We’ve all heard about research exhibiting smartphones will be dirtier than a bathroom seat. Do you actually need that in your countertop?
6. Breakable decor gadgets
Watch any house 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 ideal 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, these things can catch hearth simply when positioned too near a burner or small equipment.
Hearth danger apart, necessary paperwork will be ruined by spills, grease splatter and the final messiness of meals prep. Preserve 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 youngsters’ 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 timber appear designed to gather mud and cooking grease splatter. My first intuition is to completely 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?
Certain, it is sensible to maintain toasters, blenders, juicers and meals processors useful. However except you’re utilizing these home equipment daily or each time you cook dinner, they will stay in a cupboard or pantry.
10. Knives
I’ve in all probability watched too many horror motion pictures, however doesn’t each house intruder attain for the knife block first? Severely although, these cumbersome blocks take up a whole lot of counter area and don’t look like the most secure alternative in households with younger, energetic youngsters.
As an alternative of blocks, select an in-drawer knife holder like this mannequin from Wayfair.
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