The kitchen can be one of the most daunting rooms to tackle when it comes to a move. The fragile pieces, weird shapes, and different sizes can make packing and unpacking the kitchen a difficult and frustrating process. Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks that can ease this process. For instance, have you thought of packing an “essentials box” that contains everything you need for eating for you’re the last two days in your old home and first two days in your new home? This should be its own separate box. As kitchen suppliers, we’ve become experts at outfitting new kitchens and the moving process.
1) Donate and downsize the move
Moving is a perfect time to do an inventory analysis. Most people have spices, food, and other perishables that have gone bad and shouldn’t make the trip with you. This move is also a great time to look at the tools you've been using. That pan that has lost all of its non stick surface, the stock pot that is rusting, the pizza cutter whose wheel is about to come spinning off – these items should also either be tossed if they are unsafe, recycled is applicable, or donated. Your local Goodwill will take cookware.
2) Collect packing materials
For the items you have kept for the move, you’ll want large, medium, and small heavy-duty boxes (for wine glasses and fragile plates), newspaper, and cell kits to make the move safely. For pot and pan lids, make sure to tape these items on top of the corresponding piece for safe travel (that is – unless you have a universal silicone lid). We recommend keeping a 4 QT Saute Pan in your “essentials box” as it is the most versatile kitchen piece.
Outfitting the new kitchen with the basics
A lot of our customers use moving as an opportunity to upgrade their cookware and kitchenware. It’s also the right time to make sure you have the bare essentials. Here are the basics that we and our chef friends recommend everyone should have in their kitchens:
- Skip the 14 piece knife set. You can execute most dishes with a simple 3-piece knife set and wood butcher block.
- A carbon steel or cast iron skillet. We prefer carbon steel.
- Tongs
- A few wooden spoons
- A few sheet pans, baking trays or a roasting pan for the oven
- Cookware to match your interest in cooking and spatial availability
Selecting the right cookware for your new home
Your cookware selection is a matter of preference. Some people like to pick and choose their own pieces and shop a-la-carte and others want a quick and easy cookware set that gives them everything they need. The one thing most people agree on is that investing in good cookware not only will make each meal you cook taste better, but also will most likely be the last cookware you ever have to buy, making it much cheaper than rebuying bad cookware every year or two. Here are some options we’ve put together.
The Starter Kit – For smaller kitchens or people who infrequently cook, this cookware kit gives you a stock pot, saucepan, and 10” frying pan that will let you execute most meals at home. Consider adding in a non stick frying pan as well for eggs and delicate fish.
The Sous Chef Kit – Most new movers who like to cook often buy this cookware set. It gives you everything from non stick pans for breakfast to larger stock pots and saute pans for pasta and meatballs, stir frys and other dinner options.
The Executive Chef Kit – With the addition of carbon steel into this kit as well as a few more pieces, this is the perfect cook for the ultimate host. You’ll be able to execute large meals for big families or dinner parties and won’t ever leave you wishing you had another pan. This is not the best choice for New York City apartments.
Carbon Steel Kit – If you’re a messy cook, like to cook on high heat, or love cast iron, the carbon steel kit may be the perfect kit for you. With a wok and two carbon steel frying pans, you’ll most likely have to supplement it with a saucepan and stock pot to execute all dishes, but the carbon steel will make your daily cooking tasks quick and fun.
All these items will work on an induction cooktop if you're new house has one.
Overall, the home and the kitchen, in particular, is becoming a place of expression. It is a part of the house worth investing in as most people spent a lot of time in their home’s kitchens. If you ever need help or advice, always feel free to reach out to us at hello@madeincookware.com . We’ve outfitted everything from home kitchens to Michelin-starred professional kitchens.
Oh, and what goes in my “essentials box?” One plate, bowl, glass, and set of cutlery per person in the household, tongs, a single saucepan and saute pan, a sharp knife, an oven mitt, a dish towel, and cleaning supplies. For these next four nights, I’m drinking wine from the water glass.
Made In is a cookware company that manufactures premium kitchen good at fair prices by not selling to middleman retail. All products are crafted by multi-generation experts in the US and Europe.
