Pro Tips And Tools: Kitchen
Things that make life better, and me happy.
Every April, August and December, I take a wee break away from regularly scheduled programming and into a themed month. This time around, I’m sharing things that make life a little easier. Which, of course, is a pathway to being happy.
I love being in the kitchen…even though I don’t always love my teeny tiny kitchen. It’s a place we typically view through the lens of necessity (must eat, be nourished), but it’s really a hub of creativity. Still, most of the time, we’re rushing through it instead of enjoying our time there. So, here are some things that make my time in the kitchen more functional, and make me happy…
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A Whistling Kettle
As a writer, I’ve learned (the hard way) that I can’t have pretty kettles that don’t make noise. No. I need a workhorse that’s going to shout, “Hey, lady! Your water’s boiled!” I ruined a lovely Japanese kettle by putting it on the stove in order to make myself a cup of tea, only to go back to my desk to write and then wonder, some time later, “What’s making that rattling noise?” I went into my kitchen, which was by then a steam room, and went, “Oh.”
And, no, I don’t have the counterspace for an electric kettle. But I’m old-fashioned anyway. I like to use the stove. (Don’t even get me started on microwaves.)
When a former boss was kind enough to gift me a Mackenzie Childs checkerboard tea kettle, I really wanted to make it work. Alas, it had two strikes against it: 1.) You had to heat it slowly; and 2.) It didn’t whistle. (Back to the shop it went where I exchanged it for a checkerboard champagne bucket and some matching coasters.)
This is my perfect kettle. Sturdy and not too pricey. Throw that burner on high, walk away, and she’ll let you know when she’s ready.
A Timer
This seems obvious, but it’s not always. As a writer, time means nothing. Really. It can evaporate in a blink because writers go into that weird world in their heads and lose all sense of what’s going on, especially when it comes to seconds and minutes passing. Thus, if it doesn’t whistle (like my kettle) or shut itself off (like my toaster oven), a timer is required.
I’m a 3-minute gal. My bone broth only needs three in the butter warmer I heat it in. When I settle on a can of soup for dinner (Amy’s low sodium split pea, anyone?), I set the first round for three and likely the second round for three (low and slow is always the way). It’s to the point now that I instinctively know when those three minutes are about to end…but I set the timer for good measure.
And I suggest having more than one timer. Sure, Siri can step in, too, but I prefer to have my timers going for different dishes/tasks. This is a favorite. Or go for a playful backup with this. (Fun fact, a timer like that was given to me by my film school bestie as sort of a gag. It’s lasted 20+ years.)
By the way, no links I post are affiliate/sponcon. These are just things I dig. You’ll also notice that I don’t link to Amazon. On purpose. 😘
Bonus Tools and Tips:
The aforementioned butter warmer. So useful in so many ways! Making a homemade latte? This and a mini frothing wand and you’re good to go.
The aforementioned toaster oven. Which I use at least once per day, usually twice or thrice…and never for toast. I love anything I can walk away from and not have to babysit. From breakfast sausage to roasted veg, I set the temp and the timer and go on with life. (Also, I did not pay that list price; closer to the sale price.)
Kitchen hamper. Seriously, why aren’t these more of a thing? Dishtowels, cloth napkins, miscellaneous rags. They should have a place to go. And not next to my smalls. I have a hanging canvas bag (something similar to the first image) on the back of my kitchen door (which is my only door), to serve this purpose. And it makes life so easy!
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Earworm of the Week
When two of my favorite bands do a favorite song, you get BOTH!
These are great tips Sandra. I've thought about getting a toaster oven for ages and this is an excellent reminder. I never knew a butter warmer was a thing but that would be awesome.
Charming. :)