After purchasing a vacation home, the owner will begin the busy work of stocking it with the necessities, and the kitchen is a good place to start. What should be kept in that kitchen? A vacation home kitchen should be stocked based on the owner's vacation lifestyle, and there's no need to over do it or under do it. They should ask themselves what they realistically plan to do while on vacation in the home.
The vacation home kitchen basics
Even if he doesn't plan to lift a finger in the kitchen very often when on vacation, a vacation home kitchen will still need the basics, including:
- Microwave
- Casual dinnerware
- Flatware
- Glasses.
At least one kitchen drawer should contain these minimum utensils items:
- Cheese grater
- Wine or bottle opener
- Ziploc storage bags
- Spatula
- Barbeque fork
- Can opener
- Butane lighter or matches
Under the sink they'll need dish detergent, some dishcloths and a few pot scrubbers.
Additionally, it's a good ideas to stock disposable dinnerware, cups and plastic forks for those really lazy times or when they find themselves heading out for a picnic, a trip to the beach, fishing, etc.
The vacation home kitchen for the culinary type
If the owner of a vacation home loves to cook and likes the idea of whipping up a souffle or something chef-like while on vacation, then they should make sure their kitchen is equipped additionally with:
- Baking pans
- Mixer or food processor
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- For breakfasts, they might want a waffle iron or griddle.
"Classing up" the vacation home kitchen
On the opposite side of convenience in the kitchen, is the need for creating ambiance. If the homeowners are wine drinkers, they should stock real wine glasses. If they like margaritas, they'll want a blender and margarita glasses. They can keep it simple, but nice. There's no need to resort to paper, plastic or styrofoam for the things that need a touch of class!. Wine from a chilled wine glass feels like a resort vacation, sipping it from a paper cup doesn't. Also, when barbequeing at a vacation home, real plates will make the steak dinner much more enjoyable than eating off cardboard!
Food to stock in the vacation home kitchen
The kitchen can be stocked with basic food stuff, such as salt and pepper, spices, cooking oil, vinegar, or whatever tastes dictate. But some items, such as flour, sugar, cereals, rices, etc might not be a good idea, since these foods can spoil, become infested with bugs or attract ants. If the homeowner plans to vacation often, a minimal amount of this type of food could be stored at the vacation home, but that food should be kept in airtight containers or the refrigerator, since insects love vacation homes!
In summary, a vacation home kitchen should be stocked so that the owner doesn't have to bring their cooking utensils with them on vacation and then take it all back home every visit!. But it is just as important to be realistic about what they plan to do in the kitchen and only stock what is really necessary.
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