Contribution by Andrea Davis
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, you'll want to prep your kitchen for the work ahead. Don't wait until the day before to get everything cleaned and organized. Here are some tips from HomeAdvisor to make sure your kitchen's ready for the big day:
Clean, Clean, Clean!
Clear and clean your countertops, butcher blocks and dining tables to ready them for the slew of groceries, dishes and ingredients to come. Store unnecessary items somewhere out of the way. If you have a countertop microwave that you won't be using for the holiday, consider moving it to make more room. Also move blenders, drying racks and any other non-essentials that might free up space. Next, wipe surfaces down with a washcloth dipped in soapy water. If you have harsh stains, break out the sponge to scrub them off.
Make Sure Your Equipment is in Working Order
Make sure that any equipment you'll be using is in working order. This includes everything from your range hood, stovetop, dishwasher and oven to your can opener, electric mixer and corkscrew. If you're the adventurous type, it might even include your grill. It's a good idea to perform this exercise even if your appliances are in good condition -- just to avoid any last-minute holiday disasters. If you find that any of your appliances are in need of repair or maintenance, you'll need to call a repair service to see if they can fit you in on short notice.
Pay special attention to items like your sink and garbage disposal, which will get heavy use on Thanksgiving. Run the disposal a few times before the holiday to make sure it is working properly. If it begins to clog, assess whether its one of the few issues you can fix yourself or a major issue that requires plumbing assistance, such as a complete disposal replacement.
Purge Your Storage Areas
If you'll need additional cabinet or shelving space during the holiday, consider rearranging or purging your storage areas. This is a good opportunity to discard or donate anything you no longer have use for. If you're making room in the pantry, it's a chance to get rid of food past its expiration date -- or to donate spices and non-perishables you'll never use to a charity or a local shelter. If an item is useful but will be in your way, find temporary space in a closet or a different room.
Organize Your Fridge
You'll need to make room in your refrigerator for all the food you'll have to store before and after Thanksgiving. To make sure your fridge is holiday-ready, empty out the entire refrigerator and repeat the process you used with the cabinets and shelves. Anything that's expired should go in the trash. What's left should be placed back as succinctly as possible.
Pro tip: Condiments, produce and dairy products should be kept in the drawers or door of your refrigerator to save room on the shelves. Try to fit beverage cans and bottles in the door on the bottom rack. Leave extra room on the bottom shelf for your turkey.
Get Your Dining Table Ready
Once you've prepped the kitchen and freed some space on the countertops, you'll need to clear the dining table to set it for dinner. Clear off any leftover groceries or dishes and move them to the kitchen. Then clean the table and chairs -- and run tablecloths, pillows and cushions through the wash as necessary. Next, you can set your table to impress your guests and showcase all of your hard work.
Conclusion
Preparing the Thanksgiving feast can be stressful. And waiting until the last minute to get your kitchen in order can make it even more stressful. Take some time to prep your kitchen in advance of the holiday so you're ready to tackle the big job without any surprises or disasters. That way, you can cook the meal and enjoy the holiday with your family without a hitch!