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Keep Edibles Fresh With These Easy Walk In Pantry Organization Ideas

By Peter Moore


Having a separate pantry space can be a blessing and a curse for those who love to cook but hate to organize space. People who enjoy trying out new spices and other edibles may find they love stocking their shelves full but after a while, things get lost in the crowd. The good news is there are many walk in pantry organization ideas that are simple to follow.

Height can play a role in this type of situation, as cabinets and storage spaces can be very tall in height. A counter chair step stool or a folding stool with 2 or 3 tiers is ideal for those who may need a few inches to see over the items. Also, items that are not used often, such as bulk packages should be stored in overhead cabinets.

The next should be determining whether something can still be consumed. If uncertain, looking up food storage resources can help determine the approximate shelf life. Sometimes expiration dates are just dates used for the retailer or grocer stocking the food. A good suggestion for future items would be to write the date of purchase on each item.

Another way to make a pantry more efficient is to date items or note their expiration date. Although canned items tend to last for years, if the container is small it can be easy to overlook. This is why it helps to take inventory every season and move items with a close expire date to the front or where it can be seen easily.

Another thing that helps in the sorting process is being able to see everything in the cabinet or on a shelf. If shelving is above eye level, this is the ideal place for large items that are not used often. Everything else should be within reach and risers can be used for small things like seasonings or anything in a small container.

Adding shelves that pull out is not necessarily a job for a licensed carpenter. If a person is handy with basic tools, they can probably do this in a matter of an hour or so. Otherwise, it may help to speak with a professional that can present some ideas, based on size and need.

For those with kitchen accessories that take up a lot of cabinet space, blank pantry walls are the perfect place for hanging. Things that may not be used often, like cooking woks and other large pans, along with bulky electrical appliances. This also helps to clear kitchen counter space.

For the person that cooks a lot of full course meals, it may help to categorize items. An example is having baked goods in one area while outdoor cooking is on another section or shelf. When sections are created, it prevents having to search around for items.

Shopping for food is seldom cheap, especially if a person has a large family or enjoys cooking for others. The best way to use the extra space is to store food properly so that it does not go to waste. Anyone who maintains their supply not only saves money and time spent in line replacing spoiled food.




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