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6 kitchen mistakes you don’t know you're making

The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can also be an area where we make the most mistakes in the way we use it. Check out our top tips to help keep your kitchen ship-shape. Clean the inside of the dishwasher You may not realise that the appliance that keeps everything clean can in fact be quite dirty. The inside of the dishwasher can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Run a hot cycle with nothing but a cup of white vinegar in the top and bottom shelves. Then simply wipe clean the sides and seams of the dishwasher. Don’t wash your chicken You may think this is necessary, but in fact washing your chicken can spread bacteria across your work surface, towels, cloths, and your hands. You can avoid it altogether as cooking will get rid of anything harmful on your meat. Change your kitchen towel The towel can be harbouring many kinds of bacteria, so it’s best to change them daily. Don’t rely on the sniff test to see if it needs a wash. A dirty towel used to dry your clean dishes can quickly spread germs that can make you sick. Avoid putting wooden items in the dishwasher The heat from the appliance can cause wooden items to warp and crack. That means wooden chopping boards, salad servers, or pots and pans with wooden handles need to be hand washed. Never wipe up floor spills with the dishcloth or tea towel If you wipe up some spilled milk off the floor and then use that same cloth to wipe your bench, germs can quickly spread. Same goes with a tea towel. Always use paper towel for cleaning mess from the floor. Fix leaking taps It’s too easy to ignore the drip drip of a leaky tap. But did you know a leaking tap could use over 6,000L of water in a month? Save the Earth (and reduce your water bill) by staying on top of any leaks around the home. Have a separate chopping board for meat Cross contamination can occur if you chop raw meat on a chopping board and then use it later (even after cleaning) for chopping fruit or vegetables. It’s best to have a board designated just for meat – it’s great if it’s a different colour to your everyday boards. Wash in hot soapy water after each use. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

15 great kitchen hacks to extend the life of food and save on waste

If you’re sick of throwing food in the bin (and wasting money), try these simple tips to reduce your wastage in the kitchen. 1. Use food scraps to grow vegetables Save the odds and ends from veggies such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, leeks, spring onions, celery, bok choy, garlic and even onions. These can all be replanted in some soil and will grow back. Just don’t forget to water them. 2. Reheat leftover slices of pizza in a frying pan If you aren’t a fan of floppy microwaved pizza, just pop your pizza into a hot fry pan instead. Your crusts will stay crispy and it will heat through much faster than it would in the oven. 3. Bring stale potato chips back to life in the microwave If you left the bag open overnight, fear not. Pop your stale chips in the microwave on high for 10 seconds or until crisp. 4. Use leftover herbs to make herb butter If your herbs are on the turn, just chop them up and mix with some melted butter. Pop it into some ice cube trays and freeze. Then you can enjoy the perfect portion of herb butter to use on your steak or to make homemade garlic bread. 5. Keep bananas fresher by wrapping the tips If you want your bananas to last longer in the fruit bowl, just wrap their tips with some cling film. They should keep for around three to five days longer. 6. Keep greens fresher in foil Celery, broccoli, and lettuce all last much longer in the fridge if you wrap them in foil first. 7. Keep pineapples sweet by storing upside down The sugars in this fruit can all end up on the bottom after the time spent in transit. So keep your pineapple upside down when you get home and the sweetness will be redistributed evenly. 8. Use a glass to peel a mango You can use a glass to slide the skin off your mango. This will avoid wasting any fruit that you’d normally toss after peeling with a knife. 9. Make a two-ingredient Nutella milkshake When you need a sweet treat but you’re nearly out of Nutella, just add warm milk to the jar and shake well. 10. Avoid sprouting potatoes by storing them with apples The ethylene gas in the apples helps to stop your potatoes from sprouting. 11. Keep leftover avocado fresh by storing it with a sliced onion There is sulfur in the onion and this keeps the avocado from going brown. 12. Keep cake fresh by covering with sliced bread Cover the exposed cake with some bread held in place with toothpicks and it will stay soft. 13. Extend the life of your eggs with vegetable oil By rubbing the eggshells with vegetable oil it will keep them fresher in the fridge for three to four weeks. 14. Keep lettuce fresh by storing in a brown paper bag No more sad and limp leaves! Keep your lettuce wrapped in a brown paper bag in the fridge. Plus, keeping the outer layers in place even if they have gone brown will keep the inside fresher for longer. 15. Reuse coffee grounds in the garden Plants such as roses, hydrangeas, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes will all appreciate a liberal sprinkling of your used coffee grounds. Image credit: Shutterstock

Home Hints & Tips

Aussies race to the kitchen as CorningWare prices soar

For decades, CorningWare’s collections have been a staple of kitchen cupboards all across the country. And now, those family favourites have collectors everywhere reaching for those old casserole dishes, with prices skyrocketing online. The news may come as a surprise to some, given CorningWare’s US-based parent company Instant Brand’s announcement - just a few days prior - that it had initiated the process for voluntary court-appointed bankruptcy. The brand encompassed the likes of Instant Pot, Corelle, Pyrex, and CorningWare. Its products could be found on the shelves of major retailers all across the country, but with the rising challenge of inflation in the market and a reported $500 million USD in debt, Instant Brands had to make the difficult decision. And while some may have assumed things would go downhill from there, CorningWare items had other ideas, as people took to online marketplaces to list their old collections with never-before-seen price tags on the wares. When one seller listed their “Wildflower Spice of Life” casserole set on eBay, they asked for a staggering $25,000 - a price that topped the previous online auction high of $10,000. Another dish from the range was asking for much less, and still more than many would have bargained for - $13,000. Other dishes included more ‘rare’ designs from CorningWare’s previous collections, with its 1971-1972 “Floral” pieces making an appearance. A 5-piece L’Echaloto would given its next owners more than a few dishes to choose from, as long as they had another $25,000 to spare to get their hands on the set in the first place. And as one seller - who dipped her toes into the CorningWare online marketplace realm a few years prior - told 7News, the success of the dishes was certainly a surprise, though not a bad one. The items she’d managed to sell were off to a better life, too, as they’d just “been gathering dust in our home for years.” “I sold off a few pieces - with my mum’s blessing, of course - and have made about $9000 so far,” she said. “I have another one listed at the moment, which I’m hoping to get around $2500 for. “I would never have thought that it could be so valuable. When I was younger, I thought it was just daggy. “Now it’s making us more money than I ever dreamed.” Images: eBay

Money & Banking

6 essential tips and tricks for your kitchen

Whether you’re friends with a professional chef, watch every cooking show on which you can lay your eyeballs, or your mum was some kind of wise, kitchen magician, it seems that everyone has their very own secret cooking tips to make life easier, or at least less stressful, in the kitchen. We’ve gathered a few of our own just in case no one’s ever shared them with you until now. 1. Where there’s smoke… People often think that setting off the smoke detectors is a sign of an unskilled cook, but, as long as you’re not burning anything, don’t be afraid of a little smoke or vapour. Some foods just need that extra heat to reach their flavourful best, and that’s okay. Just make sure you’re safe. 2. Dressing in a jar If you’re not a fan of off-the-shelf salad dressings, the natural solution to lifeless salads is making your own dressing. The annoying part of that is mixing such small quantities of ingredients in a bowl can be ridiculously fiddly. Next time, pop those ingredients into an old (clean) jam jar and give it a good shake. Not only will it be easier, you’re guaranteed to combine everything much better than you could with any whisk. 3. When life gives you lemons If you’re using lemons or limes when you’re cooking, save the leftover skins once you’ve juiced them. You can use them to disinfect your chopping board without any chemicals. Plus, the smell is pretty fantastic. 4. Perfect pasta When cooking pasta, the best tip we can offer is to remove the noodles from their water just before they’re completely cooked. Then, with just a little bit of the starchy water, pour them into the same saucepan in which you’re cooking your sauce. Cooking the pasta with the sauce for at least a minute or two will help infuse the flavours. If you’re not already cooking your pasta this way, you soon will be. 5. You crack me up If you find that you’re constantly picking tiny shards of eggshell out of your dishes before you cook, you might want to adjust the way you crack your eggs. Rapping the eggs onto a sharp/thin edge of a bowl of counter causes these small fractures. If you crack the egg onto a flat surface, you’ll avoid a lot of the fuss. Plus, it’s really easy to do that cool one-handed egg crack this way. Bonus! 6. No-stick cheese There’s a reason buying pre-grated cheese is so ridiculously expensive – grating cheese yourself is one of the most loathed kitchen tasks around. But if you spray your grater with a little cooking spray before you start, it will help the cheese glide over a little easier. Plus it’s going to make cleaning a dream. Images: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

Surprising items to never take into the kitchen

Keeping your kitchen clean may seem like a never ending task at times, what with constant food preparation and other crumb and mess producing activities taking place all day long. There’s a difference however between a “messy” kitchen and a “dirty” kitchen with the latter providing a breeding ground for nasty germs and harmful bacteria. Here’s what to ban now for a cleaner, healthier kitchen space in a snap. 1. Sponges – You’ve probably heard it before but the kitchen sponge is a breeding ground for bacteria. Keep yours spick and span with a weekly soak and wash in bleach followed by a dry in the sun and chuck them out once they start to show signs of wear and tear. 2. Shabby re-usable grocery bags – If your reusable grocery bags are starting to show their age, it may be time to replace them. Your bags can harbour plenty of bacteria from the loads of groceries you use them for. A quick wash and dry can help solve the problem and prolong the life span of your bags. 3. Your mobile – Your mobile phone is crawling with germs. Taking it into the kitchen while cooking is a sure fire way to transfer the yuckiness to your food. Try and keep your device out of the kitchen or if you need it for cooking, set it somewhere away from the food and wipe your hands and device down with an antibacterial wipe after you’ve finished cooking. 4. Pet food – While keeping your dog or cat food in the house can help prevent outdoor pest problems, the kitchen isn’t the place for food bowls. If their food sits out for a longer period of time it can attract indoor pests and create a less than appealing smell. Try moving your feeding station to the laundry for a more sanitary solution. 5. Your handbag – Similar to your mobile, your handbag is literally covered in grime. Think about where you take it on a daily basis! Keep it out of the kitchen when and where possible. Image credit: Shutterstock Related links: <a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2015/10/keep-food-fresher-longer/">10 clever tips to keep produce fresher, longer</a> <a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2015/09/fun-facts-about-tupperware/">8 things you didn’t know about Tupperware</a> <a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2015/09/foods-you-shouldnt-store-in-the-fridge/">10 foods you shouldn’t store in fridg</a>e

Home & Garden

How to deep clean your kitchen bin

Cleaning the kitchen bin is household chore that can be easily overlooked until a stench begins to creep into your home. To rid your bin of the odour, follow these deep cleaning steps so that you can have a fresh-smelling and clean kitchen bin. 1. Put on your rubber gloves Cleaning a bin requires you to handle an object that has been full of food scraps and questionable liquids, it is best to wear some rubber gloves to protect you from the germs. 2. Empty the bin Begin by emptying your bin and ensuring that there are no lingering food particles in the bottom. Your main objective is to remove any gunk that can be seen. 3. Wash the bin If you have access to an outside area, take your bin outside and hose it down. If you can only clean your bin indoors, then you can do this in the bathtub. Once the bin has been rinsed, pat it down with paper towel. 4. Spray with disinfectant Using a disinfectant cleaner of your preference, generously spray down the inside and outside of your bin. Also include the top and bottom of the bin as you spray. 5. Scrub the bin Use a toilet brush or other long-handled nylon bristle brush to scrub your bin thoroughly. After you have finished scrubbing all over, let the disinfectant cleaner sit for five minutes. 6. Rinse and dry After the five minutes has passed, rinse the can thoroughly. Depending on what you prefer, let the bin dry in the sun or dry it with a towel. Once you have deep cleaned your bin, maintain your hard work by wiping down the inside and outside of the bin with disinfectant spray every time you empty the trash can. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Kitchen organisation ideas you’ll wish you knew sooner

<h2>The benefits of keeping your kitchen neat</h2> They say everything has its place and this was never more true than in the kitchen. An organised kitchen can save time, prevent food waste, and let’s face it, it’s a lot more attractive and cheaper than renovating. With the help of a few experts, we put together kitchen organisation ideas and helpful tips to organise your kitchen cupboards, clean up your kitchen counters, pantry organisation ideas, and more. The best part? Most of these kitchen organisation tips are fast, easy, and free or inexpensive, to implement. <h2>Purge your drawers and cabinets</h2> Maybe you loved the idea of a juicer but only ever eat toast for breakfast. Or you used to be into baking but now you’ve put your focus into healthy meals. The top kitchen organisation idea is to stop thinking about the stuff, and start thinking about your life and how you want to live, says Laura Cattano, professional organiser and founder of Organisational Design. “If it’s not adding to your life, it’s directly taking away from it because it’s taking space away from something else.” <h2>Group by need, not by item</h2> You might keep your masher and microplane grater by the stove with other long-handled items like cooking spatulas, but that’s not the most convenient setup. “There are three things that happen in the kitchen: prep, cook, and serve,” says Cattano. “The best thing is to zone out your kitchen by those categories.” You might keep your spatulas by the stove, but your potato masher belongs near your countertop and big bowls. Take it a step further by asking exactly when you use each item. For instance, there’s no reason your mugs need to be by your water glasses, but putting them next to the coffee maker will save you from running all over your kitchen in the morning, says Cattano. <h2>Set up a drop zone by the door</h2> “The kitchen is still one of the first places we go when we enter a home,” says Maeve Richmond, founder and coach of organising company Maeve’s Method. “All the stuff of life that comes in the door accumulates in the kitchen.” To keep your meal space from becoming a catchall for your handbag, wallet, and gym bag, Richmond recommends setting up a “drop zone” by your door to set those things as you’re walking in. You might make it a permanent home for your wallet and keys, and a temporary place to drop your workout gear while you’re putting away groceries. <h2>Make a place for mail</h2> Taking just five minutes to go through your mail daily or every other day will keep that pile of papers under control so you don’t lose documents in the shuffle when you actually do need them. “The mail just keeps coming,” says Jodie Watson, founder and president of Supreme Organisation. “Keep trimming it down so you’re not losing items in the mix.” Instead of leaving it by your eating space, designate an area that has a basket for papers, and hang a bulletin board to write messages and reminders, she says. <h2>Adjust the height of your shelves</h2> Don’t let your shelf height define how you use your space. People tend to put cereal on a top shelf because that’s the one with the most space, but it’d be easier to reach on a lower shelf, says Watson. On the other hand, too much space for canned goods and you’ll probably start stacking items into an ugly, unstable pile. If your shelves aren’t already adjustable, buy shelf dividers to split one shelf into two, says Richmond. “Re-spacing the shelves takes away the messiness because things aren’t stacked,” says Richmond. <h2>Store small appliances you don’t use on a daily basis</h2> Feel free to leave appliances you use daily, like a coffee maker or toaster, on the counter. But anything you aren’t using every day should be stored in a cabinet to make more room on the counter. “Nobody likes to have to put the appliance away, but balance that against the precious countertop space,” says Richmond. “There’s the convenience of having it out, but it’s more convenient to be able to chop more vegetables or have a cleaner space.” <h2>Keep your cooking utensils within reach</h2> Store your spatulas, servings spoons, etc next to the stove in an attractive ceramic container or jar. But don’t overstuff it, cautions Cattano. “Not every single cooking utensil needs to be right by the stove,” says Cattano. Leave out the ones you use most often, but hide the rest in a drawer. <h2>Buy only what you need</h2> If you find yourself leaving food out simply because you don’t have room in a cupboard, it might be time to start cutting down. “We want to save money, and it’s good to buy in bulk, but if you don’t have space for it, changing the way you shop might be more helpful,” says Watson. She recommends first going through your pantry to take stock of what you already have. Then head to the supermarket less often so you have a chance to use up what you have before refilling your cabinet. <h2>Organise your oils</h2> Exposure to light can make cooking oils go rancid. If you like having them on the counter, put them in opaque containers and stylise them so they don’t just look like clutter. “Put a tray under them so it looks intentional,” says Cattano. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/kitchen-organisation-ideas-youll-wish-you-knew-sooner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. Images: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

7 ways to clean your kitchen with simple household items

The folks at <a href="http://food52.com/blog/14173-7-kitchen-cleaning-tricks-that-really-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Food52</a> have exhibited some inspired thinking and shown how we can solve various household problems with simple household items. Some of these are way too clever. 1. Get rid of fruit flies in your kitchen Before you flood your kitchen with Mortein, consider this method. Simply halve a lemon, put both sides in your oven and leave the door propped open overnight. In the morning close the door and turn the grill on for a few minutes. Turn it off, let the oven cool, throw away the lemons, clean the bottom of your oven and voila, no more fruit flies! It sounds strange but it really works. 2. Remove hard water deposits using just vinegar Forget toxic chemicals, you can brings your dingy sinks back to their glory by simply applying vinegar. It’s not just good for fish and chips – it’s pretty much a ready-made, powerful household cleaner. 3. Clean kitchen cabinets with baking soda The perfect cleaner for your gunky kitchen cabinets is actually already sitting in your kitchen! Make a solution that’s one part vegetable oil, two parts baking soda and you can clean those gunky kitchen cabinets in no time at all. All you need is a sponge, toothbrush or even just your fingers. 4. Cleaning white sinks with lemons When life gives you lemons, you actually have the perfect tool for cleaning your sink. White sinks can look dodgy with the smallest bits of mess, so combine baking soda with a lemon half to kill germs and bring back shine. Sprinkle the soda in the sink and use your lemon wedge as a scrubber. 5. Toothpicks for mixers and machinery Electric mixers and other devices can open up a world of possibilities in the kitchen, but they get dirty fast. A good way to get around this is by using a toothpick to get into any cracks and crevices that may have opened up. Then simply wipe off the residue with a damp cloth. 6. Get rid of grout with baking soda and vinegar These two common household items combing to make a gentle solution that's very effective at getting rid of stains. Simple make a paste, apply it to the grout and let it sit for a little while. Before too long spray it with vinegar. It will fizz a little, then scrub with a toothbrush and voila – clean! 7. Clean the air in odd smelling kitchens Sometimes no matter how hard we try we just can’t get our kitchens to smell clean. But before you go all gung-ho with the bleach, try this solution. Simmer some vinegar on the stove. This will help you clean the air and restore it to a more neutral smell for cooking and cleaning. Images: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

5 kitchen gadgets you need (and 5 you actually don’t)

If you’re trying to save valuable cupboard or bench space in your kitchen, knowing which items you need and which you don’t can be a big help. 5 gadgets that are actually useful Slow cooker: add your ingredients in the morning and come home to a delicious home cooked meal. In a pinch though you can just use a casserole dish with a lid, in a low oven (but unlike a slow cooker you can’t really leave the house when it’s on). Vegetable peeler: you can get some great peelers now that make peeling a breeze with very little wastage. Non-stick pans: life is too short for soaking and scrubbing regular pans each night. Garlic press: no need to fiddle about peeling garlic cloves when you can just throw it in the press. Plus you can avoid having smelly garlic fingers. Stick blender: takes up minimal room and is great for blending soups, smoothies or batters. 5 items you could get rid of Knife block: save your valuable bench space and keep your knives in a drawer instead. Meat mallet: these are used infrequently and their bulky size means they aren’t exactly drawer-friendly. Use a small, heavy based saucepan instead. Sandwich press: these bulky items can take up a whole cupboard. Pop your sandwich in a frying pan and place a heavy pot on top. Icing bag: these are tough to clean and most likely get used once or twice per year. Just fill a zip lock bag with icing or cream and snip the corner off for a disposable icing bag. Avocado or egg slicer: these one-trick ponies just clutter up your utensil drawer without making life that much easier. Just use a sharp knife. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

"Back to the kitchen": Granny Guns flexes down at online trolls

A body-builder granny has hit back at trolls after showcasing her killer biceps online. The TikTok star, 62, shows herself pumping iron, and doing various workouts on her account, with nasty individuals leaving comments saying she belongs in the kitchen. The 62-year-old enjoys making TikTok fitness videos, and she’s proved to be extremely successful online, having just shy of 800,000 followers. In one video, the granny is pumping iron at the gym. The video then cuts to her dancing around with a tray of homemade cookies, which she says is how she acts “any other time”. However, trolls online labelled her as just a woman made for the kitchen, and that’s when the biceps came out. <div><iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7208386374041423146&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%4065_strong%2Fvideo%2F7208386374041423146%3Flang%3Den&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F632c57901f47459e97728aea3dbe7729_1678333249%3Fx-expires%3D1678683600%26x-signature%3DQUziUnUI1Gk%252FIjO45MfLA8OhWNk%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> The granny made a video where she threw shade at a few hate comments such as “women are weak” or “back to the kitchen”. The video then cuts to her friends lifting weights in a show of strength. The gym granny was showing off a tough move at the bicep curl machine. As she pulled the bar to her chest, her biceps flexed to reveal some serious muscle. She captioned her TikTok, “For all my fellow female fitness lovers”. Fellow users flocked to the comments to show their support. “I have a crush on everyone,” one user said. Another exclaimed: “I love this! And all the amazing women in this video!” “I love you grandma”, a third gushed. To which the granny replied, “Love you back”. Image credit: TikTok

Body

Top tips for a kitchen cleanup

Whether you’re gearing up for a move or just looking for a little more space in your crowded cupboards, downsizing is both an effective and rewarding activity. Plus, the whole family can hop in and lend a helping hand. The concept of a downsize is no new thing, but with the likes of Netflix’s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo taking the world by storm, it’s become bigger than ever with people eagerly taking to cutting down on household clutter. From keeping only their most treasured items to only keeping those that are absolutely necessary, households around the world have benefitted from putting in a little elbow grease. However, as many can attest, one of the best spots to tackle is none other than the kitchen. Downsizing and minimising the items you have in your home isn't a new concept, but it's become more popular as of late. This simple act of pairing your current items down and keeping only the essentials is proving to be worthwhile, and one room that can definitely benefit from this kind of attention is the kitchen. This is one of the most trafficked and used areas in the home and if you're not careful, kitchens can become a hoarding ground for things we don't always need or use. The kitchen, with cupboards, drawers, and pantries galore, is a breeding ground for items that will have anyone exclaiming “I forgot I had that”. From removing unnecessary appliances, dining ware, four sets of mismatched cutlery, and old food, here are some top tips and tricks to keep on top of the task, and master the art of the kitchen downsize. <ul> <li dir="ltr">Set achievable goals </li> </ul> The first critical mistake any budding (or avid) downsizer can make is to set a goal that isn’t realistic - whether that be in scope or in time frame. When setting your goal, make sure to factor in things such as the size of your kitchen, how long it’s been since your last cleanup, how many helpers you may be able to rope in, and when you’d like to be finished. Start from the end: decide the date you want to be able to check this item off your to-do list, and work back from there, figuring out how long you’ll realistically have to spend on it each week or month, and allow yourself some wiggle room should you have to skip a day. Give yourself checkpoints along the way in the form of smaller milestones. Is cleaning out your pantry your top priority? Do you consider finally emptying that overflowing second utensils drawer an achievement in itself? Would removing the old jam jars from the back of the fridge give you the boost you need to tackle the next shelf? If so, these little accomplishments could make all the difference. <ul> <li dir="ltr">Remove duplicates </li> </ul> It is common advice that when starting out, you should remove everything from the area you plan to work on. While this isn’t always possible, especially if you’re short on room, it can make the world of difference to see exactly how much space you have to work with, and to be able to group together any similar items that may have been lying around - utensils with other utensils, pots with other pots, and so on. Once this is done, the next step is to remove any duplicate items from your collection. While it can help to have a few of each thing - surely there’s no such thing as too many wooden spoons - this can be a great opportunity to get rid of the unnecessary items chewing up space in your kitchen. This, of course, will vary from household to household - those who cook larger meals for bigger households may require more than those of a single person household, for example. It’s important, of course, to hold on to the one from the set that you’ll get the most use out of. Often, these are the ones in best conditions, or that are the best quality. It can help too to remove the largest one from your collection, especially if saving space is why you started this project. For those who’d prefer to hold on to your favourite one instead, that’s okay. Downsizing is meant to help, not upset. <ul> <li dir="ltr">Cut back </li> </ul> We all have that kitchen gadget sitting in the back of a cupboard from Christmasses past - probably still in the box, waiting to see the light of day. From gimmicky single-use items (keep the ones you use, stop hanging on to the rest) to bulky specialty appliances, we’ve all been there, and we could all gain some room back if we cut the ties. The key, when deciding which devices to keep, is to focus on the ones you actually use. Pasta makers, smoothie blenders, ice cream machines, bread ovens, and vegetable slicing contraptions are all well and good to have - if you’re making the most of them. But if their primary purpose in your kitchen is to collect dust, it might be time to let them go. If you’re unsure, it’s suggested you ask yourself if you will use the appliance in the next few months. If your answer is no, it’s probably a sign. And the best part? Gifting it is always an option, especially if it’s still snug in its box. <ul> <li dir="ltr">Storage solutions </li> </ul> Organised pantries are all the rage, from orderly labelled tubs to chaotically unique household solutions, everyone wants to know exactly what’s in there and where to find it. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/category/home-and-living/pantry-storage/">Clear containers</a> are a hero item, and as with most things reusable, you can feel like you’re doing your bit for the environment, as an added bonus. Plus, you’ll feel good opening those doors to see the order in your shelves. When it comes to cupboards, a top tip is to look into a <a href="https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/variera-shelf-insert-white-50177727/">shelf raiser</a> or two. Being able to see everything in your collection as soon as you peer inside can put you at a great advantage when it comes to keeping on top of your cleanup in the long term. This goes for all areas of the kitchen - from the fridge to the pantry, spice rack, cupboards, and saucepan spot - and is crucial in avoiding going through the entire process faster than you can tell people “I sorted my house and I feel so much better now”. Images: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

8 kitchen tricks that will save you money

Get more from your food with these smart kitchen tricks that will make your produce last longer and save you money. 1. Freeze leftover wine to use in recipes that call for a splash of wine. 2. Stop brown sugar from turning hard by adding a couple of marshmallows to the bag. 3. Onions and garlic need to breathe to stay their freshest so store in ventilated paper bags. 4. Turn vegetables that are no longer fresh enough to eat raw into homemade veggie chips. 5. Stop potatoes from sprouting or shrivelling by storing an apple in your potato sack. 6. Make bananas last longer by wrapping the crown of a bunch with cling wrap. 7. Dry leftover fresh herbs in the microwave. 8. Wrap celery, broccoli and lettuce in aluminium foil before storing in the fridge – it will stay crisper for a couple more week. 9. Store asparagus like flowers in a vase. It will keep them looking and tasting fresh for up to two weeks. Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

My Kitchen Rules to return in 2023

My Kitchen Rules is set to return in 2023. The cooking show’s future was up in the air following former judge Pete Evans’ stance on Covid. Despite this the show did make a comeback with French judge Manu Feildel and beloved Nigella Lawson appearing as a guest judge for a few episodes. Other big names included former Masterchef judge Matt Preston, and Colin Fassindge, however it is still too early to know who will be joining the show as a judge next year. In a Facebook post, the show announced that it will be back for another season of home cooks showing off their skills. “Australia's most-loved cooking show, #MKR, will return in 2023 with more great food, engaging home cooks and all-round family fun,” their caption read. Fans however were disappointed in this year’s season which was just under four weeks long. They are calling on Channel 7 to bring back the old style of the show. “Hope it is a longer show next time and more lovely people like they had this year as it was a great series just too short,” someone wrote. “Please make it a full length series,” another commented. “Needs to go back to the original format. This year didn’t advance the cooks enough. Too rushed,” another person wrote. If you want to be a part of the show’s chef’s click <a href="https://go.mycastingnet.com/Apply/Show/MKR2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Facebook

Tips to save energy in the kitchen

One room in the house where big energy savings can be made easily is perhaps the least expected: the kitchen. Here’s what to do to cut down on those power bills. Refrigerator <ul> <li>Ensure door seals are working effectively by placing a piece of paper between the seal and door. If the paper moves in and out, your seal isn’t doing its jobs. Adjust the door or replace seals.</li> <li>Defrost fridge and freezer regularly. Frost build up should never be more than half a centimetre.</li> <li>Refrigerators work most effectively if they are mostly full. Make sure there’s enough room between foods for air to circulate.</li> <li>Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. The recommended temperatures are between 0°C to 4°C for fresh food, close to -18°C for the freezer and close to 0°C for the chiller compartment.</li> <li>Know the contents of your fridge so you don’t spend unnecessary time with the fridge door wide open. It’s drilled into you when you’re kids but it’s always worth remembering: the less you open the door, the less electricity is used.</li> <li>If you are going on holidays for an extended period of time, it may be worth turning off you refrigerator. </li> </ul> Oven, rangehood and cooktops <ul> <li>Clean door seals regularly and check for signs of wear. Replace flat or split door seals.</li> <li>Regularly clean surfaces for full heating benefits.</li> <li>Turn off the rangehood lights when not needed and use exhaust fan on the lowest speed. </li> </ul> Dishwasher <ul> <li>Most of the energy used by a dishwasher is for water heating. Check the manual to see if your dishwasher has internal heating elements that will allow you to set the water heater to a lower temperature.</li> <li>Only run dishwashers when full but not overloaded.</li> <li>Scrape, don’t rinse, leftover food on your plates. </li> </ul> Other <ul> <li>Small appliances like electric kettles, toasters and grills generally provide better value than using the stove or oven.</li> <li>Place the faucet level on the kitchen sinks on cold. Placing the tap on hot position draws hot water even though you are not using it. </li> </ul> Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

UK couple strike gold under their kitchen floor

A UK couple have made a surprising discovery while renovating their home, with their find selling for £754,000 ($AU 1.3 million) at auction. After ripping up the existing floorboards and jackhammering through the concrete in the kitchen of their East Yorkshire home, the couple uncovered a small urn containing 260 ancient coins. The BBC reported that the coins dated from 1610 to 1727 and belonged to the Fernley-Maisters, a family who traded through the Baltic region. Auction house Spink & Son said Joseph Fernley and Sarah Maister were married in 1694 and lived in Ellerby. Joseph died in 1796 aged 76, and Sarah died aged 80 in 1745, with the family line “dying out soon after” according to the auction house. Auctioneer Gregory Edmund told the outlet that the sale sum was an “absolutely extraordinary” result and said the costly urn was no larger than a can of soft drink. “Picture the scene – you’re choosing to re-lay your uneven kitchen floor, you put a pick-axe through the concrete and just beneath you see a tiny sliver of gold,” he said. “At the time, you think it must just be a bit of electrical cable, but you find it’s a gold round disc and beneath it there are hundreds more. “I will never see an auction like this again.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/coins-find.jpg" alt="" /> The coins were found during renovation works in an East Yorkshire home (left) before being sold at auction. Images: Spink & Son Though the couple made the discovery in 2019, they have only just sent the coins to auction. Spink & Son said the collecction was “one of the largest hoards of 18th Century English gold coins ever found in Britain”. The coins are only represent about £100,000 in today’s currency, but they attracted such a high price due to their rarity, which only skyrocketed after the find gained global attention and became the subject of media coverage. Selling in lots, the highest individual price for one of the coins was a hefty £62,400 ($AU 108,000), paid for a 1720 coin described by the auction house as “imperfect”. Mr Edmund described the bidding as “electrifying”, with the auction attracting the interest of collectors around the world. Image: Spink & Son

Real Estate

Historical home renovators share kitchen tips and tricks

A US couple who have renovated several historic homes have made a splash on social media, with nearly two million people following their process of restoring old residences. But, the number of people tuning in to see Adam and Jessica Miller’s renovating ventures grew to a fever pitch because of their latest and much more personal project: renovating Jessica’s childhood home, that also happens to be 115-years-old. After buying the home from Jessica’s parents, the Millers were eager to preserve the home for future generations, including their four sons, but taking on the 1906 home hasn’t been easy. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJWgfz2pfPH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJWgfz2pfPH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Adam Ramsey Miller (@oldhouseadam)</a> </div> </blockquote> “When Adam and I decided to purchase my family home from my parents, the main concern was to keep all the original woodwork on the outside intact,” Jessica told <a href="https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/kitchen-renovation-tips-tiktokkers-historic-home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Realtor.com</a>. After replacing the significant amount of water-damaged columns, the couple spent nine months restoring the outside of the home before turning their attention to the kitchen. Since breathing new life into the space all while maintaining its character, the couple have shared some tips and tricks for those planning on renovating their own ageing kitchen. Make your renovation suit you No matter the extent of renovations you’re planning for your kitchen, any changes you make to this frequently-used space should prioritise function - which can differ person to person based on your lifestyle. “Be very aware of what you need out of the kitchen in terms of function. Let it work for your family and lifestyle,” Jessica said. In their home, she said they chose two different countertops - nonporous, spill-friendly quartz and heat-resistant soapstone - to make their kitchen feel “like it was all found in the house and opened up to reveal a grand kitchen space”. Avoid blindly following trends Though it may be tempting to follow the latest trends, the Millers suggest leaning into the concept of designing a space that suited and highlighted the beauty of their historic home. “Once we leaned into this concept, it opened up a whole new world free of restraints,” Jessica said. “We were inspired by Old-World European functionality mixed in with the vibe and history of the home.” If you do want to incorporate certain trends, such as a large island or natural wood finishes, you still can in a way that stays true to the look and feel of your home. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPhGEdwpClH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPhGEdwpClH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Adam Ramsey Miller (@oldhouseadam)</a> </div> </blockquote> Work with what you have Old homes come with plenty of quirks which make them unique, and adjusting the existing layout rather than ripping down walls and cabinets can help maintain the home’s unique character. “Don’t assume that you need to start down to the studs,” said Jessica. “Most of the time you can use the existing layout and cabinets.” Since Jessica’s parents renovated the kitchen 11 years ago, Jessica said they didn’t feel the need to tear out cabinets, opting instead to tweak the “vibe” of the space. “We also kept the range hood but adjusted the colour from cream to a warm white to change with the overall vibe. The kitchen layout was solid, so we didn’t have to adjust anything there,” she said. Expect costly surprises Renovations can be a costly undertaking for any house, and rehabbing an older home is no exception - and can even come with surprise costs. The Millers can attest to that fact, and suggest saving a buffer of at least 10 percent of your expected costs just in case. “We ran into more water damage in the island than we expected based on a small leak from the sink. This led to a complete island rebuild and new plumbing from the sink into the house,” Jessica said. “Since we worked with a local plumber, we only had to increase our plumbing budget by a couple hundred dollars. “I would say keep a solid 10% set aside for any unforeseeable expenses.” Image: @oldhouseadam (Instagram)

Home Hints & Tips

My Kitchen Rules makes its highly-anticipated return

My Kitchen Rules is once again hitting the screens on Sunday August 7. The cooking show’s future was up in the air for a bit following terrible ratings as well as the controversy around former judge Pete Evans’ covid conspiracy theories and anti-vaxx stance. But alas, fans have been given an air date with Manu Feildel coming back to judge the food along with newcomer, television cook Nigella Lawson. "Going to restaurants can be a treat, but for me, the true story of food is told through the cooking we do at home,” Nigella said. “So, to have the chance to champion home cooks and be given the intimate privilege of being invited into people’s homes to eat their food fills me with gratitude and excitement in equal measure!” The show will go back to its roots of everyday Aussies showing off their culinary skills and love for food as they compete for the winning prize of $250,000. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgk2z5ghkJC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgk2z5ghkJC/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by MKR (@mykitchenrules)</a> </div> </blockquote> Manu recently spoke on the I’ve Got News For You podcast about missing Pete by his side judging the food but said the pair remain “good friends”. “Of course, Pete and I have known each other for a long time, we’re still good friends today, so yeah – missing that,” he told host Andrew Bucklow. “At the same token, you know, it was nice to work with someone new and someone different. The show has been on the shelf for a couple of years, so it was exciting to be working with someone else.” The new season of My Kitchen Rules airs on Sunday August 7 on Channel 7 at 7pm. Image: Instagram

How to organise kitchen cabinets, according to the pros

Learning how to organise kitchen cabinets is an essential kitchen skill, and these organisation tips from the pros ensure you’re getting the most out of your space. When you start practising smart ways to clean and organise your cupboards, you’ll be amazed at how much space is created in the process. From pots and pans organisation to kitchen storage ideas for all home sizes, you’ll wish you knew these priceless organising tricks sooner! How to organise kitchen cabinets “One of the easiest ways to organise kitchen cabinets is to edit them often,” suggests home organiser, Britnee Tanner, who suggests pulling everything out and starting fresh. “Nothing helps eliminate clutter quite like going through every nook and cranny to expose the food, appliances and random kitchen gadgets that you never use or forgot you had.” Tanner also tells her clients to create organisational zones that make finding tools and ingredients quick and easy. It’s one of her favourite pantry organisation ideas too. “It’s ideal to create zones for each kitchen cabinet so you can easily find what you’re looking for when you need it. This means having a cabinet or specific shelf in a cabinet dedicated to one type of category such as snacks, baking supplies and dinnerware.” Julie Harris, organisation expert, emphasises keeping cabinet zones practical. “Use cabinets under the kitchen sink for cleaning products, dishwasher detergent, extra dish towels and sponges. Large, heavy appliances like standing mixers, slow cookers and air fryers belong in a lower cabinet. If it’s only used occasionally, put it in the back of the cabinet.” Cabinet organisation tools These genius kitchen organisers make cabinet organisation easier than ever. Swedish dishcloths: you’ll want a high-quality, reusable cloth to wipe down your cabinets before putting items back in. These dishcloths can be used, washed and reused hundreds of times. Lazy Susan: invest in a few affordable turntables to keep spices, condiments and other musts-haves within reach. Lady Susans are easy to clean and keeps food and cleaning supplies within sight. They are inexpensive, so grabbing a few of these turntables won’t break the bank. Under the sink organiser: keeping cleaning supplies tidy beneath your sink is a must. An expandable organiser fits most lower cabinets, and it even stretches around pesky pipes. Adjustable drawer dividers: keep cutlery and cooking utensils clutter-free with adjustable dividers. Kitchen drawer organisers are some of the most important clutter-killers out there, and they’re especially important for busy households. Pots and pans organiser: finding a home for your best cookware is a feat of its own, especially if you’re short on cabinet space or have awkwardly-shaped cabinets. A pots and pan organising rack keeps cookware clutter-free. Take inventory Pull everything out of your cabinets and take inventory of what’s in-stock, expired or broken. Throw out expired and broken goods and consider donating excess items. Wipe down cabinet doors, shelves and back walls. Optional: consider adjusting your shelf heights to accommodate large kitchen appliances. Organise lower cupboards and shelves Arrange cleaning supplies in the cupboard below your sink with an under the sink organiser or turntable. Place cleaning supplies like sponges, dishcloths and extra dish soaps on the turntable or organiser of your choice. Dedicate a second lower cupboard for most-used benchtop appliances. “Air fryers belong in a lower cabinet,” says Harris. She advises that seldom-used appliances should be stored towards the back while frequently-used appliances deserve front row access. Reserve a third lower cupboard for infrequently-used cookware. “Store pots and pans in a cabinet next to the stove,” adds Harris. “Stack pots and pans to save space or lay them on their side using a pots and pans organiser. Store lids together.” Dedicate space for spices Take stock of spices and seasonings and see what blends can be combined. Chances are you have a few garlic powders that could be consolidated in one spice container. Find a spice organiser solution and assemble spices accordingly. We recommend dedicating a drawer or cabinet (doesn’t need to big) for spices and adding a multi-tiered drawer or cabinet insert. If you’re working with less space, a turntable is also a quick (and affordable) fix. Organise drawers Use adjustable drawer dividers to create space for everyday cutlery like forks, knives and spoons. Reserve a separate drawer for serve ware, cooking utensils and handheld kitchen gadgets. These shouldn’t co-mingle with everyday cutlery – it’s clutter waiting to happen. Clean out the junk drawer. (We know you have one.) Organise what’s in the junk drawer into categories and determine if there’s a better place for some of the items. One junk drawer is OK, but it shouldn’t be so cluttered that you can’t find anything in it. Pro tip: if you’re short on drawer space, cooking utensils and serve ware can live on the countertop in a ceramic or metal container. Arrange upper cabinets The upper cabinets are your final frontier. These are the cabinets that are used the most, so it’s important to put extra love and care into them. “Place all coffee items (mugs, coffee containers and pods) in a cabinet near the coffee maker,” adds Harris. “Keeping these items in one location facilitates a smooth morning routine.” If you have extra space in that cabinet, you can add teas, sweeteners and flavoured syrups. Dedicate a cabinet to plates and bowls and a separate cabinet for drinkware. “I recommend nesting plates and bowls to save space wherever possible,” says Tanner. “I also recommend utilising upper cabinet shelves or deep pull-out drawers for items like plates, cups and bowls. If you have tall cabinets with more vertical space, consider adding a compact kitchen organiser that adds shelf space as it maximises the vertical area and creates the perfect spot for storing plates below and things like bowls or cups on top of it.” How do you decide where to put things in kitchen cabinets? Tanner and Harris agree that creating workstations or zones is the best way to organise kitchen cabinets. Coffee products should be in an upper cabinet near the coffee maker; sponges and cleaning supplies belong under the kitchen sink; and your most-used pots and pans deserve a spot near the stove, preferably in a lower cabinet. How do you organise corner cabinets? Corner cabinets are a prime opportunity to use turntables. They’re ideal for storing smaller items like spices, oils and vinegars. Look into kitchen organisation tools that are designed for tricky spaces to make the most of awkward spaces. How do you organise deep kitchen cabinets? Harris suggests placing infrequently-used and large, heavy items toward the back of deep cabinets. For example, if you only use your panini press a few times a year, it should be stored in the back. This system works for even the most unique kitchen cabinets. Conclusion Learning how to organise kitchen cabinets is daunting, but it’s a life-changing task that’s guaranteed to clear clutter and lighten the load. Just remember to edit out expired or unused pantry and kitchen items every few months. You’ll be a kitchen cabinet organising pro in no time! Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/how-to-organise-kitchen-cabinets-according-to-the-pros?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

7 quick tips for cleaning your kitchen’s trickiest appliances

Microwave: Steam away messes Don’t waste elbow grease on the crusted messes in your microwave – just let them steam clean. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Add the lemon pieces to the bowl, along with 1/2 cup of water. Nuke the water and lemon for three minutes on high, or until the liquid starts to boil. Without opening the door, let the lemon water stand for five minutes. The lemony steam will help break down the gunk, making it easy to wipe off after you remove the bowl. Take out the turntable to clean it, then wipe down the top, bottom, sides and door of the microwave before putting it back. Blender: Let it self-clean Hate the idea of scrubbing every inch of the blade? Let your blender do all the dirty work. Fill the pitcher with hot water as soon as you’re done using it, add a couple drops of dishwashing liquid, and run the blender like you would for a recipe. Rinse it out and it will be ready for your next concoction. Just make sure you take the blender apart and give it a hands-on scrub every now and then for a deep clean. Slow cooker: Deep clean with baking soda A slow cooker makes food preparation easy, but the cleanup? Not so much. When your appliance has a mess that can’t be wiped away after a pre-soak, it’s time for a deep clean. Add ¼ cup of baking soda and a squirt of washing up liquid, then fill with water. Put the lid on, then turn the machine on high for two to four hours. Stand mixer: Use a wet rag Place a wet rag over areas with built-on food residue to loosen it. After a few minutes, the dried gunk should be softer and easier to wipe away. When cleaning the beater, let the attachment soak in water to help dissolve the mess before scrubbing it clean. Toaster: Target the crumb tray Don’t forget about that crumb tray, if your toaster has one. Slide it out and shake off the crumbs, or turn the whole machine upside down and shake lightly if it doesn’t have a removable tray. Wash and dry the tray before putting it back to get rid of any caked-on food. To clean out the inner corners of your toaster, reach in with a pastry or basting brush. Finish by wiping the outside with a damp cloth and mild detergent, or a bit of vinegar if it’s stainless steel. Stove hotplates: Try different tactics for gas vs. electric For a gas hotplate, unclog the port with a pin or unfolded paper clip. Then take off the removable parts of the cooktop and soak them in hot, soapy water. Scrub them clean, then rinse thoroughly. Wipe the cooktop with a damp, not wet, cloth to prevent water from leaking into the burner. Electric hotplates should never be submerged in water, so it can be hard to break down burnt spills, especially when washing up liquid isn’t strong enough. Combine baking soda and water until it has a paste consistency, then use the mixture to scrub the mess. Garbage disposal: Use lemon for a fresh scent If your disposal is starting to smell, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Get rid of grime in the grinding mechanics by pouring half a cup of baking soda into the disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar, two cups of ice, and one cup of salt. With the cold water running, turn on the garbage disposal until the ice is gone. To freshen the odour, cut a lemon and grind the pieces one at a time in the disposal. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/7-quick-tips-for-cleaning-your-kitchens-trickiest-appliances" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Julie Goodwin makes her grand return to TV's favourite kitchen

he wait is over and Masterchef has finally delivered, complete with weird and wonderful dishes, emotional moments on screen and of course, spirited pep talks. Featuring 12 MasterChef superfans and 12 past legends this season, Monday night’s premiere notably saw the return of Julie Goodwin - 2009's talented winner. The pressure of measuring up against a new crop of contestants was not lost on Julie at all, who was a nervous wreck for much of the episode - complete with slicing her finger as her hands shook uncontrollably during the cook for a coveted week one Immunity Pin. Fans on social media were surprised to see her in such a frazzled state, tweeting their appreciation for Julie during the episode. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Poor Julie, she doesn't believe in her abilities, I just want to give her a hug 😭 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> — JEMMY (@jaamie0504) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaamie0504/status/1516004657235382273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Aww Julie's so nervous. Someone give her a damn hug 😭 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> — ... (@DaydreamerAus) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaydreamerAus/status/1516004447641812992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I thought it would feel nice but I didn’t anticipate it would feel this special. Welcome back into our homes Julie <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterchefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterchefAU</a> — Franko (@_thebruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/_thebruz/status/1515989994124746754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2022</a></blockquote> Admitting she felt “intimidated” by the new generation of home cooks, the mum of three stuck with family style cooking for the first challenge, creating a delicious Lebanese feast. Reflecting on her first MasterChef journey over a decade ago, Goodwin was doubtful her style of cooking would be a worthy match for the new comers. “One of our first skills challenges was chopping onions … You think about the things that they’re doing now, it’s just insane,” she told producers. “The standard of cooking has gone through the roof.” Noticeably anxious while presenting her dish to the judges, Julie admitted of the first cook: “I loved it and I felt that fantastic adrenaline rush, but also those nerves man, they just came back like no time had passed at all.” On tasting her dish, Jock, one of the judges, quelled her fears with encouragement. “I feel that you think that because you are the OG and you were the winner from such a long time ago, that you feel as if you’re not at the standard of the years that have come after you,” he mused. “You’re not an OG, you’re a winner. But what you are, most importantly, is a classic, and classics never get old. Classics are very hard to beat,” he said. “Julie, you have every bit as much chance of your name on that trophy again, and with food that tastes that good, and looks that good, I’m banking on it.” Image: Instagram

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