Experts spill the beans on pantry organization for seniors

This article highlights 21 editor-loved kitchen organizers that aim to declutter and optimize kitchen spaces, including cabinets, drawers, spice storage, and general food storage. The recommendations come from various editors at The Kitchn and Apartment Therapy, who have personally tested these products. For cabinet organization, a wire shelf organizer is recommended by Mara Weinraub, groceries and shopping director, to double shelf space and stack dinnerware and cookware. Lauren Miyashiro, Executive Editor, praises the YouCopia StoreMore Adjustable Bakeware Rack for organizing cooling racks, baking pans, skillet lids, and cutting boards, noting its adjustable dividers. Quinn Fish, Senior Lifestyle Editor, suggests the Joseph Joseph DoorStore Chop Cutting Board Set for saving space in tiny kitchens by utilizing cabinet doors for cutting board storage. Two types of lazy Susans are also featured: the YouCopia Crazy Susan Adjustable Two-Tier Turntable for accessible counter and cabinet storage, and the OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Lazy Susan Turntable, favored by food editor Patty Catalano for spices and bottles of vinegar due to its stability and smooth rotation. Drawer organization solutions include the Vtopmart 25-Piece Clear Plastic Drawer Organizers Set, which contributor Rebecca Jones found effective for separating utensils and gadgets, highlighting their clear design and non-slip feet. Lizzy Francis, Lifestyle Editor at Apartment Therapy, recommends the Expandable Bamboo Flatware Tray for its large, expandable design that accommodates various kitchen tools, while Meg Asby, another contributor, favors the spring-loaded Bamboo Drawer Organizers from The Container Store for their custom-fit appearance and versatility in organizing kitchen items. For spice organization, two tiered options are presented. The Copco Non-Skid 3-Tier Spice Organizer is a favorite of editorial assistant Alexandra Foster and Home Projects Editor Sarah Everett for its ability to make spices visible and easy to access, even allowing for alphabetical arrangement. Quinn Fish also recommends the Umbra Bellwood 3-Tier Spice Shelf for its aesthetic appeal and versatility beyond the kitchen, being adjustable and expandable for various items. Additionally, the YouCopia Spice Drawer Liner, praised by Geraldine Campbell, is noted for keeping up to 30 spice bottles organized and preventing them from clanking in drawers. Food storage containers featured include the Secondz Collapsible Food Storage 3-Piece Starter Set, which Quinn Fish finds space-saving and leakproof due to its silicone, collapsible design. Morgan Pryor, Shopping Writer at Apartment Therapy, highlights the Caraway Home Glass Airtight Container Set for its attractive design and stackability, maximizing cabinet space. Quinn Fish also recommends the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece POP Canister Set for decanting pantry items like sugar, flour, and cereal, keeping them fresh and visually appealing. The Bentgo Pantry Airtight Food Storage Containers are another of Fish's favorites for their stackable, BPA-free plastic design, suitable for pantry, fridge, and cabinet organization. The YouCopia ShelfBin Stacking Pantry Bins, reviewed by Pryor, are noted for their sturdy, sleek design that works well even in open spaces, accommodating various random kitchen gear. Lastly, Ball Jar Wooden Storage Lids paired with Ball Mason jars are recommended by Lifestyle Editor Sofia Rivera for bulk pantry storage, offering a streamlined look and clear visibility of contents. Other notable kitchen storage solutions include the Tosca Stackable Countertop Shelf, favored by Editorial Shopping Director Jada Wong for its sophisticated look and extra counter space. Quinn Fish highlights the Wetheny 2-Piece Wall Mounted Wire Basket for its stylish appearance and practical storage of produce or coffee accessories. Finally, the Zwilling Magnetic Knife Bar is recommended by Fish for utilizing vertical space to store knives and metal tools, especially in kitchens with limited drawers or counter space. #KitchenOrganization #HomeDecluttering #StorageSolutions #CabinetOrganizers #DrawerOrganizers #SpiceStorage #FoodStorage #ProductReview #HomeEssentials

Proper storage of food and household items is essential for maintaining freshness, extending shelf life, and ensuring kitchen safety. Chef Molly Gordon emphasizes that not all items belong in kitchen cabinets, despite common practice. This article outlines seven specific items that should not be stored in cabinets and suggests appropriate alternatives to prevent spoilage, contamination, or safety hazards. Unsalted butter, unlike its salted counterpart, lacks the protective qualities of salt, making it susceptible to bacterial growth. While it may be convenient to keep butter at room temperature for spreadability, unsalted butter should ideally be refrigerated unless it will be consumed within a few hours. This ensures its quality and prevents it from going bad prematurely. Bananas are another item often incorrectly stored in cabinets. While protection from light is beneficial, bananas require a cool temperature, specifically between 56 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit, to slow down the ripening process. Storing them on a countertop, rather than in a cabinet, helps maintain this ideal temperature, preventing them from over-ripening too quickly. Cleaning supplies, even natural ones like vinegar and baking soda, should generally not be kept in kitchen cabinets, especially those within easy reach. Products containing chemical ingredients pose a significant risk, particularly if there are children or pets in the household. These items are best stored in an adjacent room or a secure, inaccessible location to prevent accidental ingestion or exposure. Scented products, such as scented trash bags and air fresheners, also fall into the category of items to avoid storing in kitchen cabinets. These products are typically not made from food-grade plastic, and their chemical scents can be absorbed by and contaminate edible items. The recommendation is to store them with other cleaning supplies, away from food products, to prevent any chemical transfer. Nuts, despite being commonly found in snack aisles and often stored in pantries, should be kept out of kitchen cabinets. They contain high levels of unsaturated fats, which are prone to turning rancid quickly. To preserve their freshness and prevent spoilage, nuts are best stored in airtight containers in the freezer. This method helps to protect them from moisture and extends their shelf life significantly. Pure maple syrup, unlike commercial pancake syrups that often contain preservatives, is a natural product and therefore requires refrigeration after opening. Without preservatives, pure maple syrup is more susceptible to mold growth and spoilage at room temperature. Refrigeration helps to maintain its quality and prevents it from fermenting. Finally, natural nut butters, which lack the preservatives found in many major brands, also should not be stored in kitchen cabinets. The natural oils in these products tend to separate and can go rancid if not refrigerated. Similar to whole nuts, storing natural nut butters in the refrigerator after opening helps to keep them fresh and prevents the oils from spoiling, preserving their flavor and quality. #KitchenStorage #FoodSafety #FoodPreservation #HouseholdItems #KitchenOrganization #CookingTips #PantryManagement

This article provides practical advice on how to declutter and organize a kitchen pantry by identifying nine specific items that should be discarded. The recommendations are based on insights from professional organizers, aiming to help readers maintain a more functional and less cluttered cooking space. The first recommendation focuses on near-empty snack bags. These items are often stale, offer insufficient servings, and occupy valuable space, making them prime candidates for removal to create room for new groceries. The article then addresses decanters or storage containers that, despite their initial appeal, prove impractical for an individual's lifestyle. It emphasizes that storage solutions should simplify, not complicate, the process of emptying and refilling after shopping trips. If a system adds unnecessary effort, it is better to eliminate it. "Someday" ingredients, such as exotic spices or specialty sauces purchased with an intention to cook a specific meal that never materialized, are also highlighted for disposal. These items often sit unused for extended periods, contributing to clutter rather than culinary inspiration. The article suggests being realistic about cooking habits and maintaining a pantry that reflects actual meal preparation to ensure a simplified and more enjoyable cooking experience. Extra napkins, particularly those leftover from specific events like children's parties, are another item to consider tossing. These single-use items tend to accumulate without practical future application, adding to general disorganization. Oils and nuts are discussed due to their limited shelf life. The article advises checking these items for signs of spoilage, such as bitter-smelling oils or stale-tasting nuts, as rancid products can negatively impact flavor and digestion. Regarding spices, the article explains that while old spices may not cause harm, they lose their potency over time, failing to contribute much flavor to dishes. It suggests a replacement schedule: ground spices every one to three years and whole spices every three to four years. Outdated baking powder and yeast are critical to discard for optimal baking results. These leavening agents become less effective with age, typically after about a year, leading to less dense cakes and improperly risen breads. Finally, the article advises evaluating and replacing shelf liners and dry good containers. Shelf liners can become torn, discolored, or sticky, compromising pantry hygiene and appearance. Old plastic dry good containers may lose their airtight seals, affecting ingredient freshness, and can even leach flavors into stored items over time, necessitating their replacement with newer, more effective options. #PantryOrganization #KitchenDecluttering #HomeOrganization #FoodStorage #ExpiredFood #KitchenTips #ProfessionalOrganizers #HouseholdMaintenance #CulinaryEssentials