I’m known as a ruthless declutterer in my family. As someone lucky enough to test kitchen appliances and cookware for a living, I also know the importance of a streamlined cooking space. If you have cupboards full of gadgets simply taking up space, even making a quick weeknight dinner becomes a chore.
That’s why I’ve just undertaken a huge clean out of my kitchen space before I move house. As while there are some things that have earned a space on my worktop for the long term, including my air fryer and bean to cup coffee machine, there are plenty of smaller buys fighting for place.
I can’t stand waste, so I keep my local charity shops well stocked with the kitchen gadgets that I’ve tested that I no longer have space for. Here’s the ones that didn’t make the cut this time and the things I’m using instead that have moved into the ‘permanent fixtures’ category.
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Things I’ve decluttered
1. Fancy ice moulds
I love making a fancy cocktail at home on a special occasion so when I was initially gifted a pair of spherical ice cube moulds (similar to these from Amazon for £5.99) at a press event, I was chuffed. They work a treat, creating a huge block of ice that looks great when serving a negroni or similar – giving a cocktail bar experience at home.
But given that you have to store these in your freezer or remember before you want to use them that they need to go back in there, they became more of a nuisance than anything else.
I keep my freezer stocked with meal prep and essentials, so everything in there needs to be of high value (until I can get afford the American-style appliance of my dreams!). As fun as these moulds were, I just didn’t use them enough to warrant a space for them, especially once my Ninja Slushi took over for frozen cocktails. That’s something I’ll definitely be holding onto during my move!
2. An avocado keeper
Avocados are always on rotation in my household but if you’re having lunch for one, you need a good method for storing the other half without it going brown. My love for avos is so prolific that I was bought this dedicated keeper (£8.95 from Amazon) for Christmas.
The USP is the stretchy silicone element that covers over the avocado while you stash it in the fridge. But from day one, I was less than impressed with it. The two sides are fiddly to press together when the avocado is inside and because it creates a domed shape, it’s not easy to stack in the fridge.
(Image credit: Future)
The biggest problem I found with it was that it didn’t extend the life of the avocado either. After a short while the fruit would go brown, even if I’d only put it into the fridge at lunch and wanted to bring it back out for dinner.
I find using my stainless steel food containers (more on those later) with a vacuum seal much more useful than this keeper. Using that method I find an avocado can last for days.
3. A garlic grating plate
My love for kitchen gadgets never ceases, even when I’m on holiday. On a trip abroad a few years ago I picked up a garlic grating plate almost identical to this one from Amazon (for £10) from a little market stall. I was sold by the fact that this is a piece of pottery in style of one that people on the Mediterranean would actually use in their home to make garlic paste. That can then be used to make dips like aoli with the right texture.
I thought I would use it day to day when cooking and adding garlic to dishes. But in reality, it’s more often minced garlic over paste that I’m after. And while the dish is effective for that consistency, it’s hard to use to make the most out of every bulb. Your fingers get very close to the sharp grooves, so you end up with quite a bit of garlic going unused.
For my everyday cooking I ended up reaching for my trusty Microplane much more than this dish, despite how gorgeous it is. In my kitchen, it’s just not a practical pick!
Things I’ve kept
1. Oil spray bottle
One of my biggest cooking hacks is decanting my cooking oil into a spray bottle. It makes prepping food for the air fryer or pan much easier and means you don’t end up over-pouring from heavy bottles.
I was previously using a standard glass bottle with a sprayer nozzle until I discovered Dunelm’s clever 2-in-1 version instead. It’s been a staple in my kitchen ever since.
It allows you to spray and pour by switching the dial on the front and produces a very fine mist that’s perfect for prepping a pan. It’s my £5 cooking saviour!
Dunelm
Oil Dispenser Spray and Pour
Turn this very useful spray bottle into an oil pourer with a lift of the lever at the back, and use it to dress salads or finish meals with a drizzle of oil.
2. Stainless steel food containers
Undertaking a food container audit has to the most satisfying thing I’ve done while decluttering. I’ve banished those flimsy takeaway containers stained with tomato residue and swapped them in for Black + Blum’s incredible stainless steel containers, which I tested a few months ago.
Lighter and easier to clean than glass as well as being microwave-safe, these clever containers are never out of use in my house. They double as excellent food prep bowls too. I’m saving up to grab myself some more for my new place.
BLACK + BLUM
Black + Blum Lunch Box Set x 3
3. Microplane’s box grater
I’ve always been a sucker for a grater/container combo (like this one from John Lewis, £5) but Microplane’s version (£23.99 at Wayfair) takes the concept to a whole new level of usefulness.
I reach for it every single day to grate garlic but it’s also perfect for parmesan, chocolate shavings for baking and ginger. The ability to store your leftover gratings in the pot saves on washing up and thanks to the tight seal, your Parmesan shavings will stay fresher for longer.
Wayfair
Microplane Stainless Steel Grater
My kitchen always feel more functional after a good declutter. Have you got a cupboard or drawer that’s on your clear out to-do list?
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