20 things and products that don't belong in your kitchen

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A checklist that will help free up space and stay healthy.

Dishes

1. Scratched pans and pans. If the non-stick coating has worn off, the food begins to stick to the surface, it becomes unpleasant to cook and eat what happened, too. In addition, particles of the coating can enter food, and scientists have not yet decided whether this is safe.
2. Plastic containers with missing lids. They are simply useless: neither take lunch to work, nor put the leftovers from dinner in the refrigerator. They only take up space.
3. Disposable plastic containers. Plates, cups, water bottles, containers in which shops sell desserts or salads. All of these may contain bisphenol A, a substance that some studies have found can accumulate in body tissues and adversely affect health.
4. Plates and cups with chipped edges. Firstly, you can get hurt, and secondly, it is simply unaesthetic.
5. Cracked wooden spoons and scoops. It is inconvenient to use them, and they do not look very nice. In addition, wooden dishes are difficult to sterilize: in the dishwasher or under hot water, they deteriorate - and pathogenic bacteria, such as salmonella, can remain on its surface. However, this is a moot point, some experts believe that microorganisms seep deep into a piece of wood, cannot multiply and die. But in any case, it is better not to risk it and get rid of the old dishes.

Kitchenware

1. Old sponges and rags. They are constantly in contact with moisture, grease and dirt, therefore they become a refuge for many microorganisms, including pathogenic ones. Moreover, sterilization in a microwave oven or dishwasher helps to destroy only 60% of them. So once every 2 weeks, the sponges need to be replaced with new ones.
2. Stained towels and oven mitts. If you can't wash it, throw it away. They look messy and give the kitchen a messy look.
3. Old cutting boards. Small chips may start flying off the wooden planks after prolonged use. It will be unpleasant if they get into food. In addition, they, like wooden spoons, become home to various microorganisms that live well in cracks, and then can get into your food. However, plastic boards are not much safer: they also become scratched over time, and even washing in hot water does not guarantee their sterility.
4. Dull can openers. It is impossible to sharpen them - just throw them away.
5. Rusted bakeware. It's unsafe and doesn't look good.
6. Accessories you don't use. All these carrot spiral knives, tea strainers, curly graters, tiny spoons, egg coasters and more. As a rule, we use them a couple of times, and then we throw them in a box, where they gather dust for months, if not years, and create a mess. Give them to whoever needs them, or put them in the trash can. By the way, the same applies to the equipment bought in a fit of culinary zeal: waffle makers, pancakes, egg cookers, fondue dishes, intricate food processors with fifty blades. If in a year you have never taken them out of the boxes, then you do not really need them, you can sell them on sites for used goods.

Products

1. Sprouted potatoes. It contains glycoalkaloids, which in large quantities can lead to a sharp drop in blood pressure, headaches, confusion and even death. There is a hypothesis that if the potatoes are washed, peeled and fried, unpleasant consequences can be avoided. But it is not exactly. So it's better to throw these potatoes away.
2. Old condiments and spices. Yes, they also have an expiration date. When stored properly, they are unlikely to rot or mold, but they can lose aroma and taste. Most spices are believed to have an average shelf life of three years. The same applies to tea.
3. Rancid vegetable oil. Some oils you do not use very often, and during this time they can deteriorate. Check your supplies regularly and dispose of those that are no longer edible.
4. Expired canned food. Industrial canned food can be stored for 2–5 years (it is better to look at the expiration date on the can), domestic canned food - up to one year. If you make the blanks yourself, be sure to indicate the date of conservation on the label and regularly revise your stocks.
5. Opened can of tomato paste. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three months. If during this time you have not emptied it, throw it away without regret. By the way, don't forget to check other sauces too - for example, mayonnaise. Once opened, it can only be stored for 15 days.

Miscellaneous

1. Advertising brochures. Food delivery menus, various flyers, leaflets that you once sculpted stickers from grocery stores to buy dishes or knives at a discount. All this is lying on the shelves, falling out of boxes and creating a sense of disorder. Throw it away without regret.
2. Plastic bags. If they no longer fit anywhere, and cannot be used - for example, because of the inconvenient size - collect them and take them for recycling. Well, in the future, try not to buy such packaging in stores.
3. Lonely sushi sticks. It will be quite difficult to eat something with one stick.
4. Used batteries. Collect them in a jar or box and then take them to recycling points. IKEA and Vkusville also accept batteries.