The holiday season is a joyous time filled with parties, decorations, and lots of cooking and baking. But all of that extra use can take a toll on your kitchen appliances and leave them worse for wear when the new year arrives. With some preventative care and main
tenance, you can help your appliances stay in tip-top shape through the busy holiday season and beyond. Here are some tips to help your appliances endure the rigors of the holidays.
Preparing Your Kitchen and Oven for the Holiday Season: A Comprehensive Guide"
Another year has flown by and the next holiday season is almost here, and it's time to start thinking about how to remove some of the stress that can come with this time of year. As much as we like to think about all the delicious
meals and treats you'll be preparing for your loved ones. To ensure a stress-free and enjoyable holiday cooking experience, it's essential to get your kitchen and oven ready in advance. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through a series of steps and tips to help you prepare your kitchen and oven for the holiday season. From deep cleaning to organizing, stocking up on supplies, and ensuring your appliances are in top shape, we've got you covered.
Deep Cleaning and Decluttering: How To Prepare Our Kitchen For a Happy Holidays!
Before you dive into holiday cooking, it's crucial to start with a clean and organized kitchen and appliances set up for a successful holiday season. A happy kitchen helps you create happy memories with your loved ones. Here's what you need to do:
Clean Out the Refrigerator and Freezer
Begin by emptying your refrigerator and freezer. Check for expired items and dispose of them. Wipe down shelves, drawers, and the interior to remove any spills or stains. Don't forget to vacuum the coils at the back of the fridge for optimal performance. A clean refrigerator lowers the risk of extra repairs and can help you have the space for all the extra food that will be going into the refrigerator in the coming days. This can help when you start creating a calendar of when things need to be cooked.
Clean the Oven
Your oven is going to be put to good use during the holidays, so it's essential to clean it thoroughly. Remove racks and clean them separately, then use an oven cleaner to tackle grease and grime inside the oven. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to ensure it's spotless and ready for baking. Be very careful when you use self cleaning in your oven, it can cause your oven to stop working. It is worth hiring a professional house cleaner to come in and do a deep cleaning in your kitchen. This will create the space you need to develop your holiday dinners and more.
Scrub the Stovetop and Range Hood
Give your stovetop a good scrub, paying attention to burners and knobs. If you have a range hood, clean it's filters and wipe down the exterior. A clean stovetop and range hood not only look better but also function more efficiently. Never spray water directly on your gas cooktop, this is a way to cause parts to get wet and stop working. Take a rag or sponge, wet it and then wipe it down.
Remove All Food Splatters in the Microwave Oven
A dirty microwave oven can cause lots of issues, it over uses the magnetron which can cause it to prematurely fail and cost you both time and money. Its best to keep the splattered food cleaned up as quickly as possible and to do a deep clean at least once a month by getting a large glass measuring cup and putting water with lemon juice in it. Then run it 1 minute for every cup of water in the container. Then wipe down the unit once it steams up the inside. Also a cover to use when microwaving your food can stop it from spattering in the future.
Maintain All of the Kitchen and Laundry Appliances
Well maintained appliances are appliances that work well. The last thing you want to happen is wake up in the morning. It's time to start cooking your thanksgiving meal to find an oven that is not turning on, or to find that your refrigerator is no longer cool and all the food you had in it is ruined. All electronic devices no matter if they are a washing machine or car need proper maintenance regularly. Your appliances need to be maintained by a professional at least once a year, and having it done before holidays can be a routine that makes your holidays work better. This is one of those secrets that has been hidden from the general public for a very long time. Empowering our community is very important, especially when it comes to helping you create memories with your family and friends.
Declutter Countertops and Cabinets
Clear your countertops of unnecessary items to create more workspace. Take this opportunity to declutter your cabinets and drawers as well. Donate or discard kitchen tools and gadgets you no longer use. Having a space that works for you and the preparation needed can reduce the amount of time it takes to prepare your dishes which can give you more time with family and friends.
Polish Stainless Steel Appliances
If you have stainless steel appliances, use a specialized stainless steel cleaner to make them shine. This small touch can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your kitchen. Again, all of these items do not have to be done by you. It can be done by someone who you hire. Delegation is one of the most important skills I have learned. As a mother of 8 kids, I never seemed to have enough time for everything. Today, I am no less busy, so I have a list of professionals that can help me with all the things I do not have time to get done.
Organize Your Kitchen
Once your kitchen is clean, it's time to get organized. This will help you work efficiently and find everything you need during the holiday rush. Taking your time to put everything in a place that makes preparation not only simple but removes unnecessary steps along the way. In business we often will utilize a concept called six sigma. And I often find myself utilizing it in my home from the way my kitchen, office, laundry room and more is arranged. Remember to leave space for those extra groceries you will be buying. You might consider going ahead and getting those things now, so you do not have to redo this step later. It also means you do not have to go to the grocery store when it's packed with extra people.
Create a Baking Center
Designate a specific area or drawer for baking supplies. Keep measuring cups, spoons, mixing bowls, and baking sheets together to streamline the baking process. Depending on the size of my kitchen, I love to create spaces for different activities. For example, I have a “station” for coffee. This allows all the ingredients to be easily reached without moving and lowering the risk of me being in someone else's space. Thanksgiving at my house can be a time that we all run into each other. Part of this is I live in a house with multiple cooks.
Create A Menu For The Coming Holiday Events
Over the next few months, there are multiple holidays and each one has its own needs. Sitting down with your family or whoever will be involved to create a game plan for the menu and other such details is important to everyone getting what they expect out of this time of the year. This time of year also can create the most frustration and people feeling alone. Including everyone is fun and makes it where not anyone has to do all the work. It is to cook and prepare as a family. Plan your holiday meals, including appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Create a schedule with dates for shopping, prepping, and cooking each dish. Remember to put some considerations for those who can not eat commonly used items such as bread or sugar. If you can make dishes ahead of time on weekends or evenings.
Be Committed to Creating Holidays Worth Remembering
Starting today, preparing for the holidays can make this year amazing and remove the frustration and stress. Just because it has not worked the way you wanted it to in the past does not mean something better is available with the right preparation and conversations. Additionally, maintaining your appliances and planning your holiday menus in advance will help you focus on what matters most during the holidays – spending quality time with loved ones and savoring delicious meals together. With these steps, you'll be well-prepared to create unforgettable holiday memories in your kitchen. Lets Make Your Holidays Fantastic!