Just Get A New Kitchen? Organize Your Spices In Style
If you are moving into a new kitchen after the remodeling process, you need to set up your spices. It is tempting to just put them in the cabinet, but if you can't find what you're looking for quickly, then you may have some frustrations while cooking, or you may buy spices that you don't need. This guide provides the steps necessary to organize your spices, so that cooking is a breeze.
Step 1: Choose the Area and Equipment
Find just the right location for your spices to live. The cabinet above the stove is not ideal because you may not be able to reach the spice you need and some can get lost in the back throughout the hustle and bustle of cooking. Instead, choose to keep your spices in the cabinet next to the stove or if the pantry is near this area, you can keep them there.
Pick out a spice rack to fit on the inside of the door and follow the instructions to install it. If you prefer and have the room, choose a rack that sits on the wall or a Lazy Susan that's made specifically for smaller cabinets. Once you have it home, simply set it in the cabinet of your choice. You may need to remove the cabinet's shelf to provide room for more spices.
Step 2: Sort Through Your Spices
Set all your spices on the counter and check each one for quality and safety. If any of the spices exhibit these symptoms, throw them out:
- lost aroma
- faded color
- expired
- clumping
- musty smell
- hard-packed in the container
Check what's left of your spice collection and combine the same spices. Most people go to the store and forget whether they have a certain spice at home, so to be on the safe side they buy a new one. If you are one of them, it is perfectly fine to combine the spices together, as long as the expiration date is not close.
Step 3: Organize Your Spices According to Your Style
Make several sections of spices on the counter. How you determine the sections is up to you. Here are three different ways to organize them:
- Alphabetically
- Types: baking, cooking, grilling
- Categories: Savory, spicy, mild, sweet
When you have your sections created, begin placing them in the spice rack or Lazy Susan.
Take your time in going through your spices, and when you put them in the cabinet, make sure that they are within easy reach. Ask your contractor, like one from Luxe Home And Design, about new-fangled ways others are storing their spices in kitchens that they remodel, if you want more ideas.