The kitchen is the heart of the house, where family members gather to prepare meals and catch up. However, clutter can easily accumulate, especially when multiple people use the space.
For food safety and fire prevention, here are six things you shouldn’t leave out on the kitchen counter.
Knives
Knife blocks often take up a lot of prime real estate on a kitchen bench. Also, if there are curious children in the house, a knife block is a recipe for disaster. Experts advise that knives should generally be stored in a designated drawer or magnetic rack to prevent accidents.
Besides the safety concerns, knife blocks are also a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that are caused by knives being replaced after not being properly cleaned. When removing the knife or putting it away, the repeated scraping of the blade against the block can lead to dulling of knives over time.
Instead of a knife block that takes up unnecessary space, you can use magnetic knife racks that are wall mounted or a child-safe knife drawer.
If you have a lack of rack space in the kitchen, knife bags made of high-quality canvas or leather are a good storage option, as these can save space and hold many knives at once.
Rarely used appliances
If you do not use it every day, store it away. Appliances such as waffle makers and blenders can take up too much space on the countertop and also pose a safety hazard for a home with small children, who may pull on the plugged-in wires if left unattended.
Take a month to evaluate which kitchen appliances you use frequently, and those you don’t. It is better to store the rarely used appliances in cabinets or the pantry when not in use to free up counter space.
If you have limited kitchen space, larger appliances that you use seasonally can also be stored in a designated area outside the kitchen. Storing these appliances out of sight creates a clean, organised kitchen counter that is a joy for cooking.
Paper products
Napkins and paper towels should never be kept on the kitchen countertop. They are easily disposable and thus create a lot of clutter, which makes the kitchen seem messy and disorganised.
These paper products are also highly flammable and can easily catch fire if they come into contact with an open flame.
Also, paper towels or tissues placed on the countertop without a cover can become moist from oil splatters or steam, reducing their usability and increasing the risk of food contamination.
For easy access to paper towels, you can use a wall-mounted dispenser or fit a tension rod in one of your spare drawers to easily use the roll.
Oils
Oils should never be placed on the kitchen countertop for several reasons. Storing oils in large, transparent containers and exposing them to air and sunlight can cause them to go off more quickly. The large bottles can also create unnecessary clutter and prevent efficient meal preparation.
When oil is constantly exposed to air and sunlight, the taste and quality can be severely affected.
If you use oil frequently in cooking, then place a smaller amount in a tinted bottle in a cool, dark place away from the stove.
Modern oil dispenser bottles are made of stainless steel, which is safer, BPA-free, and more eco-friendly than glass bottles.
Dirty dishes
Dirty dishes should never be left on the kitchen counter, as they can attract harmful microorganisms and create unpleasant odours when they are left out for too long.
After use, clean the dishes immediately or store them in the dishwasher to keep the kitchen clean and dry.
Leaving dirty dishes on the kitchen counter can also create clutter and lead to disorganisation.
It is also important to clean and disinfect the countertop regularly to reduce the risk of contamination.
Medicines
Medicines should not be placed on the kitchen counter, as they are hazardous, especially if there are children or pets in the home. The best way to store them in the kitchen is to keep them in a locked cabinet.
The chemical composition and overall effectiveness of most medicines are negatively affected by the heat and moisture in the kitchen.
Not only will storing these items away efficiently free up vital bench space, but it will also reduce food contamination and fire hazards. By freeing up the counter space, you can create a safe and clean kitchen that is a joy to work in.
How many of these things have a designated spot in your kitchen? Are they out on full display? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: How to embrace technology in your kitchen for an easier life
Knives are in their scabbards in the second drawer, and will never be on the bench.
Paper towels are on the bench well away from the stove or anything that may light them (I only have electric appliances).
Dirty dishes – washed when I have the energy to do them – usually the same day. I usually clean them of food scraps after I’ve eaten, then rinse them.
Medicines sit beside my armchair, and don’t move from there.
Due to living in a rented unit, there’s not much space on the benches anyway. The regular items of microwave, toaster, kettle, air fryer (there’s no space in the under bench cupboards, and I can’t get to the bottom of the cupboards anyway), and vertical grill are the only appliances that sit on my benchtop.
I don’t have visitors that have young children, so there’s no way what I have stored on my kitchen bench can harm anyone.
These articles twhile being basic suggestions, rarely consider the kitchen, the room or the location of the people to whom they are offered. Most of us are old enough and wise enough to work out our own placements of the listed items and apart from a couple of areas, I do not have a so-called kitchen bench. Hundred year old homes weren’t created by modern designers. However I manage quite well and would probably pass the writer’s test to some degree. Probably shouldn’t have the cat under the table or the dog lying down nearby as I type this. Ah well, I’ll chat to them when they wake up.