When you host Thanksgiving dinner, your kitchen needs to work with you perfectly to keep things running they way they should. This means you’ll need to organize and prepare your kitchen to make everything runs smoothly. Kitchen organization and preparation can be a daunting task for those who haven’t done much of it, but by following these steps, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get your kitchen ready for even the busiest Thanksgiving.
Check Your Appliances
Whether you cook every day or tend to eat out for most of your meals, you need to make sure all of the appliances you’ll be using are in tip-top shape. Try out the appliances and make sure there are no sounds, smells, or smoke. If any of your appliances don’t seem to be working properly, make sure to get them fixed by a professional repairman as soon as possible. Once you know your appliances work, take the time to properly clean them too.
Clean Out Your Pantry and Fridge
Before you start stocking up on all the food you’re going to need for Thanksgiving dinner, take the time to clean out your pantry and fridge. Group items into three piles - one for expired items, one for items that are still in date but you won’t use, and one for keeping. Throw out all of the expired items. If you have items that are still in date and that you haven’t used in at least six months, donate them to your local food bank to allow someone else to have a happy Thanksgiving. For all of the items you decided to keep, put them back in an organized fashion with all the spices and canned goods you’ll need for Thanksgiving readily available.
Get Your Recipes Ready
Even if you have all of your Thanksgiving recipes memorized, chances are you’ll need to glance at them while you’re rushing to get everything cooked in time. Gather all of the recipes you’ll need and put them in a safe but accessible location. That way you won’t have to go searching for them when you forget how many cups of sugar to put in your pumpkin pie.
Clean Your Kitchen
When hosting Thanksgiving dinner, you need a clean kitchen. Not only will clutter-free counters provide you with more space, but washing the floor will keep you safe while you run around your kitchen. Make sure all the pots, pans, and utensils you’ll need to cook Thanksgiving dinner are washed and dried and put away where they’re supposed to go. If you don’t already have them, invest in a utensil organizer and drawer organizers. If you have small appliances such as a waffle maker or panini press that you won’t be using to cook Thanksgiving dinner, put them in your basement or a storage closet for the day. Doing so will clear up both counter space and outlet space.
