Help me live through my kitchen renovation!
Hey everyone, so next week begins the two month process to transform my kitchen into (hopefully) the one of my dreams, the only problem is that for two months my family of 5 will not have a kitchen (try explaining that to 3 hungry teens as they storm through the door at 6:30). As much as we love takeout it can get a bit tedious not to mention expensive, so I will be setting up a temporary kitchen with a microwave & fridge & grill and was wondering if there were any other appliances that might be able to help us through. Any ideas?
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10 Comments:
My dad installed a temporary sink. I'm not sure how he did it but I can ask. I do know that he said it was the best thing he thought of during his kitchen remodel.
evilchefmom at 8:42PM on 04/04/08
Does the Costco size of Chinet count?
beth1 at 8:58PM on 04/04/08
Crockpot.
thepictsie at 9:17PM on 04/04/08
My sister is going through a remodel and is washing dishes in the powder room sink, or taking big loads upstairs to the hall tub (not used by any people). I'd suggest anything to cut back on dirty dishes, glasses, silverware, pots and pans. Paper and plastic are your friends. Don't forget foil for cooking, too. Make meal pouches, line the grill.... I hope you live where you can enjoy picnics outdoors!
It will get worse before it gets better, but remember, you will look back and remember your sacrifices fondly as you enjoy your beautiful new kitchen!
PerkyMac at 9:18PM on 04/04/08
Get an electric skillet, or 2 for a 3-teenager household. The cheapest model is probably less than $20, and it will serve you very, very well. I got mine when they were repairing the gas lines in our apartment building. I use it now just because I like it it's big, it maintains an even temperature, and it can get superhot for stir-frying, etc.
renzata at 10:45PM on 04/04/08
daryn at 11:17PM on 04/04/08
It's difficult to be stoveless, but the grill will be your best friend, particularly if the weather cooperates. But it's good to have other options, if the weather is bad. Running out to babysit dinner on the grill in the pouring rain can be a pain.
Crockpot is great for soups and stews, but with warm weather coming, you might not get as much use from it as you would in cooler weather. But having one handy would be nice.
An electric skillet can do a lot. You can make burgers, make scrambled eggs, poach fish...for five people you might want to get the larger size, though, or you might have to cook things in batches. Or get two of them. They're pretty cheap. Or get an electric griddle/grill along with the electric skillet. You could have your meat on the griddle or grill and have veggies simmering in the electric skillet.
dbcurrie at 12:30AM on 04/05/08
I once was "stoveless" for almost a year and did very well with just a toaster oven, microwave and electric kettle. Now, granted, I didn't have 3 teenagers in the house:-). I would also recommend an electric skillet and/or a large electric grill/griddle - I have one and I can tell you, it's so good/convenient/efficient that I often prefer it to the stove even though I have one.
Depending on what you want to cook, a rice cooker might be a good idea as well, or perhaps, a steamer (again, I use both on a regular basis, and they are quite helpful) - there are plenty of things you could cook in both.
brooke29 at 1:13AM on 04/05/08
Thanks so much everyone, you're help will really be appreciated, i'll definately have to check out the electric skillets and a trip to Costco has already been planned : )
avryan at 7:32AM on 04/05/08
Also, as a general note, the hardest part about going kitchenless is the washing. I lived about 8 months in a cottage with no kitchen, and we used a combination of small appliances and washed in the bathroom sink.
I really, really wish I had thought to get the skillet at that time, but I was gifted a double cooktop by my aunt (Again, just a basic Wal-Mart model) and it worked pretty well. But for a family, the skillet is the way to go because of it's size.
If you're willing to lay out a little dough, my brother has this Cuisinart Griddler machine that works, I believe, as a contact grill/panini press (with grooved or flat plates) and an open grill or griddle. He's got 4 kids and he freakin' loves this thing.
The toaster oven is also a great suggestion. I'd also recommend at least a single burner. Kettles are great, but you'll need to keep a lot of water at the boil if you ever plan to eat pasta.
I liked my electric steamer but it's not essential with a microwave. You might want to get one of those microwave bowls for cooking rice, though, if you do much of that. There's a neat looking silicone gadget on thekitchn.com from Orka for steaming veg and meats in the microwave, too. I'm very tempted to get one.
Good luck!
renzata at 10:47AM on 04/05/08