How to Cook During Kitchen Remodel?
Being in a stressful situation like renovating your house is only going to make things worse. Not being able to feed your family as you normally would while your kitchen is being remodeled just adds to the burden of stress on your life. Delivery pizza is exciting, but not every night.
Depending on your circumstances, it’s possible to prepare a quick, nutritious dinner while you wait for your dream kitchen to be completed. You may not have a stove, but there are ways to serve a home-cooked meal without one. For more tips and ideas on how to make the most of your kitchen, be sure to check out the kitchen blog KitchenProfy.
Here we provide ideas for creating a temporary kitchen, delicious recipes for makeshift cuisine, helpful equipment for prepping food, and some smart shopping suggestions.
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for cooking during a kitchen remodel. Keep reading to learn more!
Ways to Prepare Meals During a Kitchen Remodel
Use Countertop Appliances
A few countertop appliances may make all the difference. Consider the appliances you have now or plan to buy (or two). You might find you don’t want to get rid of them after your kitchen remodels are completed.
Consider using the Instant Pot if you haven’t already assumed it’s safe for cooking food in an electric pressure cooker. There’s a lot you can cook in one pot, and it cooks fast, so embrace the Instant Pot – assuming it’s okay to use an electric pressure cooker to cook food.
A slow cooker, on the other hand, might take two to eight hours to cook a meal. You could also use that panini maker you bought a few years ago. It will transform any sandwich into a crispy and cheesy hot dinner by using that panini maker you got a couple of years ago.
An induction burner can still cook popular skillet dishes and pasta even if you don’t have a stove. If you’re planning a long restoration, it’s probably worth investing in one. Set aside at least one pot and one skillet before beginning the project, and make sure the pans you pick are magnetic; only magnetic pans function on induction burners.
Microwaves and toaster ovens are excellent for heating up leftovers and defrosting frozen meals. A blender (ideal for smoothies and pureed cold soups, such as gazpacho), as well as an electric tea kettle (great for tea, pour-over coffee, and boiling water fast), are other items that are nice to have but aren’t required. If you’re interested in reading more about kitchen appliances and other related topics, be sure to check out the KitchenProfy German version.
Set Up A Temporary Kitchen
The best approach to deal with your kitchen makeover is to set up a temporary kitchen. You’ll need a microwave, a workstation, and access to a refrigerator for a short-term kitchen, as well as a countertop oven, and we strongly suggest it.
If our customers have the space in their basement, we always advise them to establish their temporary kitchen there. It’s sufficiently far away from the work that you won’t be concerned about the dust.
Cover a six-foot table with a plastic tablecloth and set it up. We recommend obtaining one of those vinyl, fuzzy-backed tablecloths that you would use on a picnic table from a dollar store. These are sturdy enough to withstand your kitchen remodel and can be easily cleaned by simply wiping them down.
However, if you have a countertop oven, you may want to avoid using the tablecloth on the area where it sits. Some ovens can get quite hot, causing the plastic tablecloth to melt. Fold the tablecloth in half and place the oven on the side with no tablecloth.
Make sure there is a microwave setup. For the time being, you may safely connect it to a conventional outlet – however, for this limited time, you should use a dedicated outlet.
Use Crock Pot and Instant Pot
One of the simplest things to do while preparing for your kitchen makeover is to cook some meals ahead of time and create a menu. We propose planning meals for 4 weeks in advance. Although you won’t need this much time, it’s better to be over-prepared than underprepared.
You can always plan to cook some of your meals on the BBQ, regardless of the time of year.
Hotdogs, burgers, steak, chicken, and kebabs are all quick and simple meals cooked on a barbecue. You may also wrap potatoes in aluminum foil and griddle them as an alternative to roasting or boiling them.
Have you ever tried cut-up vegetables drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with your favorite spices before being wrapped in aluminum foil and cooked on the grill? They’re fantastic!! During a kitchen renovation, your BBQ could be your closest buddy.
During a kitchen reno, your slow cooker and Instant Pot can also come in useful. Simply prepare the food to take, “dump” it in, and set it to cook. What could be simpler during a kitchen makeover? You can even prep the dinner ahead of time and leave it in the crock pot when you get home from work!
Freezer Meals
Another tip for cooking during a kitchen remodel is to take advantage of your freezer. If you have the space, kitchen experts recommend making large batches of soups, stews, and casseroles and freezing them in single-serve portions. This will make reheating and cleanup much simpler once your new kitchen is complete.
You can also buy pre-made frozen meals from the grocery store. While they’re not as healthy as home-cooked meals, they’ll save you time and effort when you don’t feel like cooking. Just be sure to check the sodium content on these items; some can be quite high.
Eat Salads and Sandwiches
A final tip for those wondering how to cook during a kitchen remodel is to keep it simple. Stick to sandwiches, salads, and other quick and easy meals that don’t require a lot of cooking. If you have a George Foreman grill, now is the time to use it!
You can also get creative with your sandwich fillings – try using different combinations of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and spreads.
And don’t forget about snacks! Cut up some fruits and vegetables ahead of time so they’re ready to go when you’re feeling peckish.
Cook in Advance
Before any work begins, fill the freezer with meals that will keep. Soups, stews, lasagna, cooked grains, and others freeze well. Set them out in small amounts so they thaw quickly and only need a microwave to reheat.
Think of Oven Alternatives
Microwave
One of the first things you should do when thinking about how to cook during your kitchen remodel is to think about oven alternatives. If you have a microwave, you can use it to cook many items that you would typically cook in an oven. This includes things like casseroles, lasagna, and even pies. Just be sure to follow the cooking instructions on the packaging to ensure that your food comes out properly cooked.
Electric Panini Maker
Another alternative to cooking in an oven is to use an electric panini maker. These devices can be used to cook a variety of items, including sandwiches, burgers, chicken, and fish. Just like with the microwave, be sure to follow the cooking instructions that come with your panini maker.
Hot Plate
If you don’t have a microwave or an electric panini maker, another option is to use a hot plate. Hot plates can be used to cook many items that you would typically cook on the stovetop. This includes things like eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes. Just be sure to use caution when cooking with a hot plate, as they can get very hot and cause burns if not used properly.
Slow Cooker
Another option for cooking during your kitchen remodel is to use a slow cooker. This appliance can be used to cook just about anything, including meats, vegetables, and soups.
Slow cookers are especially convenient because they allow you to set them and forget them while you work on other aspects of your remodel. Just be sure to follow the cooking instructions that come with your slow cooker to ensure that your food is cooked properly.
Outdoor Grill/BBQ
If you have an outdoor grill or BBQ, this is another great option for cooking during your kitchen remodel. Grilling is a great way to cook meats, vegetables, and even fruits. Just be sure to use caution when grilling, as the flames can get very hot and cause burns if not used properly.
FAQ
How do you set up a temporary kitchen in a remodel?
If you’re planning to do a full or partial kitchen remodel, you’ll need to set up a temporary kitchen to cook in during the construction. This can be as simple as setting up a hot plate and mini fridge in another room or renting kitchen space from another household.
Here are some tips for setting up your temporary kitchen:
- Choose appliances that will fit in the available space. If you’re limited on countertop space, consider getting a hot plate or portable induction cooker instead of a full-sized stove;
- Make sure you have all the necessary cooking utensils, pots, pans, and dishes;
- Stock up on non-perishable food items and easy-to-prepare meals;
- Set up a dining area in another room so you can still enjoy meals together as a family;
How do you eat healthy when renovating?
Eating healthy during a kitchen remodel can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.
Here are some tips for eating healthy during construction:
- Plan ahead and stock your pantry with healthy, non-perishable snacks and meals;
- Take advantage of quick and easy cooking methods like grilling, microwaving, or using a slow cooker;
- Get creative with your food choices and try new recipes that don’t require a lot of time or effort to prepare;
- Eat out less often and take advantage of delivery or takeout options when you do need to eat out;
Where do you wash dishes in a kitchen remodel?
If you don’t have a dishwasher in your temporary kitchen, washing dishes by hand can be a pain. To make the process easier, invest in a dishwashing station that includes all the necessary supplies and a place to wash and dry dishes. You can also try washing dishes in batches to make the process more efficient.
Finally, be sure to scrape food scraps into the garbage can before washing so they don’t end up clogging your sink.
How do you store kitchen items when remodeling?
If you’re planning to do a full kitchen remodel, you may need to move all of your kitchen items out of the construction area.
This can be a challenge if you don’t have a lot of storage space in your home. To make things easier, consider renting a storage unit or borrowing space from another household.
You can also try using creative storage solutions like hanging pots and pans from the ceiling or storing dishes in cabinets that are not being remodeled.
What do you need in a temporary kitchen?
The items you’ll need in your temporary kitchen will depend on the size of the space and the type of appliances you have. However, there are a few essentials that you’ll need regardless of the situation.
These options include:
- A way to cook food (e.g., hot plate, portable induction cooker, toaster oven);
- Non-perishable food items and easy-to-prepare meals;
- Cooking utensils, pots, pans, and dishes;
- A dining area;
- A place to wash dishes;
- Storage for kitchen items;