Being more organised in the kitchen

NickiM

This is probably one of the silliest questions ever asked...

But, I am moving into a student house soon, which has a tiny kitchen. I have a problem in that when I cook I tend to splurge the mess everywhere!

So, how do people cook, tidily?

Do you wash up as you go along? Do you prepare all the ingredients beforehand?

Thanks!

smetf

Hi Nicki

One hint I read (poss flylady) was to fill a sink with hot soapy water before you start and then all dirty stuff goes straight in, you can then either wash straight up or let soak till cooking is sorted.

I find if I make sure kitchen is clean before I start then do this- it doesn't seem like such a huge job to get clean again afterwards. Means I'm more likely to do it too

Hth

Smetf

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

First make sure you have a clean tidy kitchen to begin with and everything handy.Store your utensils at hand and get your ingredients ready so your'e not forever going in and out of cupboards at the last minute.Make sure your bin is empty so you can put your rubbish straight into it and wash up as you go including work surfaces.You just need to get into a routine and you'll be fine.

NickiM

Thanks very much to both of you. I move on Saturday, so I'll be trying out your tips

Mellika

Thanks for those tips, I have this problem too, even though my kitchen is very big. I particularly liked the idea of filling the sink with soapy water, so thanks xx

SmlSave

Wow, these are some really good tips!

I'm slowly becoming tidier when I'm cooking, very slowly.

My main thing is trying to use less pans/dishes. I've found that I can cook most veg all together - i.e. potatoes and veg, rice and veg

avinabacca

Hi Nicki,

I find that one of the best things I can do to keep things tidy is to make sure I have a clean, damp cloth (for wiping down splashes and spills), a spare plate or plastic tub (for dirty utensils) and something like a plastic bag or compost tub (for rubbish and peelings) to hand when I start cooking - that way it's all in place to keep things tidy as I cook.

Good luck in your new place, btw!!!

tessie_bear

the steamers with a pan at the bottom and then a couple of rac ks are good for cooking veg as u only have 1 pan to wash up..........and save gas

Triggles

i find that getting out all the ingredients needed helps me in two ways - first, i'm not spreading stuff all over to get out things halfway though (like flour or whatever might be on my hands while mixing), and second then i know i actually have everything needed - nothing more annoying than getting halfway through a recipe and realising you're out of something you need.

Obukit

One thing I have always found is invaluable is investing in a really good sized chopping board with a "groove" running around the outside. That way you can do all your work on the chopping board rather than on the work surface, keeping all the mess and spills in one place, and any crumbs etc. are caught by the groove rather than ending up on the floor etc.

I keep a separate small one for fish and meat but everything else, be it cutting veg, slicing bread, rolling pastry, etc etc. can be done on the other.

NickiM

Thanks very much!

I've made a cake before and then realised half way through I had no eggs.