Eating During a Kitchen Remodel
If you’ve ever undergone a kitchen remodel, you know that perhaps the most exasperating element is learning to survive for weeks at a time without one of the most essential rooms in your home. Eating out can quickly add up in terms of cost and calories, and who wants to spend every evening outside the comfort of their own home anyway? In this blog post, we discuss several tips for cooking and eating properly while your house is undergoing a kitchen remodel. Living without a kitchen may seem like a daunting task, but with a few simple adjustments you might even come to enjoy the change of pace. Contact Showcase Kitchens in Long Island today to learn how we can help you create the kitchen of your dreams!
Set up a temporary kitchen
The most important step to take when it comes to resuming your domestic life during a kitchen remodel is to set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in your home. The ideal spot for a temporary kitchen would be somewhere with a sink, such as a basement, garage, or utility room. If you’re looking for a more elegant space to do your cooking and eating, however, consider your dining or living room, or somewhere else where you could set up a table, prep space, and chairs. You may have to do dishes in your bathroom sink, but this is something that you will quickly get used to.
Countertop space is also an important consideration. If there are no surfaces in your temporary kitchen on which to prepare food, lay down some plywood to accommodate your food prep and small appliances. Even moving boxes can suffice as temporary counter space. Another option is to use folding tables, which have the advantage of being easy to store if space is limited.
Utilize small appliances
After determining an appropriate space for your temporary kitchen, collect all of your small appliances and cooking instruments. Make a list to ensure that you get everything. There’s nothing worse than gathering all the ingredients for a meal only to discover that you’re missing the pot to cook it in! If there is room in your temporary kitchen, you might even want to relocate your old refrigerator so that your ingredients are within easy reach. Next, consider purchasing some smaller appliances, if you don’t already have them, to streamline your cooking process. Some appliances that we recommend include:
Microwave: Microwave meals may not be the healthiest option for eating during your kitchen remodel, but they are quick, convenient, and they require zero prep. Another advantage of having a microwave is that it makes for easy reheating of leftovers, so your meals can serve double-duty.
Instant Pot: These trendy new devices will save you valuable time and energy on cooking your meals while maintaining your food’s nutrients, appearance, and taste. Even professional chefs are beginning to turn to instant pots for a way to cook elaborate meals while they prepare their other ingredients. Best of all, instant pots are incredibly easy to clean. They can go in a countertop dishwasher, or you can painlessly wash them by hand.
Electric burner: The ultimate space-saving device when it comes to countertop cooking is an electric burner, also known as a “hotplate.” Consider this handy appliance a stove in miniature form. Hotplates come in gas or electric varieties, but we recommend electric burners since they are more economical and generally safer.
Bullet blender: Bullet blenders are a fast and easy way to prepare luxurious smoothies, dips, and soups. Their space-saving design makes them much more convenient than bigger pureeing devices such as food processors or juicers, and they are incredibly easy to store. Most bullet blenders are dishwasher-safe, but their compact size makes them easy to clean by hand.
Countertop dishwasher: Some people opt for the convenience of disposable plates and utensils during a kitchen remodel, but if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, then a countertop dishwasher may be just what you need to minimize your post-meal cleanup. These powerful, portable appliances have all the convenience of a full-size dishwasher, while taking up only a fraction of the space.
If it is warm enough, cook on the grill
There’s nothing like a barbeque to cap off a sunny day. If your kitchen remodel is taking place during warmer weather, we recommend using your outdoor grill for home-cooked, mouth-watering meals, such as shish-kebabs, barbequed meat, and more. Enjoy spending quality family time on your outdoor patio or porch, while eating nutritious and delicious meals that everyone will love.
Dine out
If you find that you’re in need of a break from your temporary kitchen, there’s nothing like carry-out or restaurant dining to take the edge off a stressful week. There’s so much more to carry-out today than just fast food. As more and more restaurants begin to offer nutritious, filling options, eating out does not have to mean compromising on your diet. For instance, check out your local organic grocery store for hot, pre-prepared meals that accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and even keto diets.
Don’t let fear over losing your kitchen for a month keep you from getting the remodel of your dreams. At Showcase Kitchens in Long Island, we provide upscale kitchen remodeling and interior design service, to make your home the envy of all who enter it. A temporary kitchen may seem like a downer when you’re used to luxurious living, but remember that it’s only for a short period of time. Before you know it, you will be preparing your meals in a room full of custom cabinetry and other one-of-a-kind design features. Contact Showcase Kitchens today to learn how we can help you create a gorgeous and unique kitchen.
