I know most kitchen experts tell you that you need to buy more, but I’m here to tell you about my declutter kitchen mission so that you know what not to buy for your kitchen.
We need less, not more!
Here are my tried and true findings for kitchen items you can swap out or avoid altogether. Why? Because more stuff means more clutter in the kitchen which makes cooking more complicated.
What Not to Buy for Your Kitchen! Swap Out
Personally, I prefer to work in a sparsely outfitted kitchen with plenty of space to move around. What does this look like?
I want to open drawers that are half empty and 100% organized.
I’m on a declutter kitchen mission, and unlike every other food blogger during this time of year, I’m going to teach you what NOT to buy.
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The Declutter Kitchen Secret? Less is More!
Decluttering is the secret to kitchen success. It makes cooking fast, fun, and easy! Below are my favorite kitchen tools, all multi-purpose, if they’ve landed a coveted spot in my line-up.
You don’t need more than this. Here we go!
Instead of a 4 Slice Toaster Use a Cast Iron Skillet
Fun fact? I’ve never owned a toaster.
I set up my first toasterless home over 30 years ago. Each subsequent house we’ve lived in has been the same. Why? Toasters take up space, contributing to a cluttered kitchen.
More important though, is that a toaster is a scary hiding place for gluten filled crumbs. One piece of bread with gluten creates a danger zone for me and my older son, who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2001, a couple of years after I was.
Finally, toasters are expensive. Instead, I use a cheap and sturdy cast iron skillet.
Instead of a Stand Cake Mixer Use a Cuisinart Food Processor
True confession! I haven’t ever owned a stand mixer machine, and this is a key component of my declutter kitchen mission!
Where do people find the space to store those things? It’s like landing an aircraft carrier on the kitchen counter! They’re freakin’ expensive too.
My favorite kitchen appliance, an all time multi-tasker and WAY cheaper, is a food processor, which I use it to mix:
And much, much more!
I keep my immersion blender stowed away in a drawer for when I want to make whipped cream since I don’t have a stand mixer to do that job.
These two small kitchen appliances –food processor and immersion blender, take up less than half the space of a stand mixer!
Instead of a Dehydrator Use the Oven
Guys, if stand mixers are an expensive way to clutter your kitchen, then foregoing the purchase of a dehydrator machine is a no-brainer.
Use the oven with the light on and the temperature off. Dehydrating is like placing something in the sun, you want it to get crisp and dry out. Your oven does a dang good job of this.
Mine has worked for this since I started seriously cooking during my Ayurveda and Yoga Teacher’s Training back in 1993.
Instead of a French Press Use a Tea Strainer
I’m a total grinch when it comes to the French press. Instead, I make coffee and herbal tea in a mason jar with a tea strainer. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
Instead of a Coffee Grinder Use a Vitamix Blender
While we’re on the topic of coffee, let’s talk about coffee grinders. They’re very cute…little Vitamixes. Anything a coffee grinder can do, a Vitamix can do better.
And the Vitamix does far more than grind coffee.
Instead of a Small Slow Cooker Use an Instant Pot 6 Quart
I bought my Instant Pot a few years ago and never looked back. It de-cluttered my kitchen, replacing my crock pot, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, and more.
Instead of Small Plastic Containers Use Small Glass Containers
Glass mason jars are perfect for making coffee, storing food, pencils, flowers, and everything else you can think of.
Small glass jars don’t leach like plastic and are far safer when they come into contact with food.
But enough of that, to learn more about the benefits of using glass, check out my article called, Why Glass?
Instead of Paper Towels Use Cloth Kitchen Towels
I keep paper towels in my kitchen for really tough messes, things like broken glass, cat vomit, and the like. However, they’re hidden away for these “special” occasions.
My go-to? Cloth kitchen towels which I keep within easy reach for everyday cleaning and wiping up the counter.
I ran an environmental consulting company in the early 1990s, and conservation is near and dear to my heart. I started using reusable dish clothes and hiding the paper towels a few decades ago.
Reusable kitchen towels are a win-win for the environment and your pocketbook.
Use Rubber Bands Instead of Chip Clips
I confess I have total chip clip envy. Those little do-dads are just the cutest thing!
But do I really need one to seal a bag of pork rinds? Actually, no. A rubber band saved from a grocery store produce purchase will easily get the job done.
Instead of Disposable Plastic Spray Bottles Do This
We are spending money to throw things away. It’s that simple.
I’ve been making my own non-toxic cleaning sprays in the same plastic spray bottles for decades in order to avoid buying and throwing away single use plastic bottles.
I also don’t want to bring toxic scented products like Windex into my home.
If you don’t want to make your own cleaning products, use Branch Basics to reduce the use of single use plastics and money!!!
Dryer Balls vs Dryer Sheets
I recall when a friend walked into the house, and I asked if she had been burning a scented candle. No, she told me, her clothes were “fresh” from dryer sheets.
This is not a simple, innocuous household product that merely makes your clothing smell good. It does much more than you bargain for.
Dryer sheet dangers: this product is made with polyester, now known to contain BPA, as well as toxic chemical fragrances with endocrine disrupting substances that can interfere with thyroid function and lead to weight gain.
Personally, with a compromised blood brain barrier, things like dryer sheets literally smell fifty times stronger to me than they do to the average human. Some days this is torture.
But I digress. Protect your sense of smell, reduce waste, and save money with these reusable wool dryer balls.
My Declutter Kitchen Mission
The holidays are a great time to protect the planet, clean out the clutter, and give away what you don’t use.
Buy Less and Give More
Instead of buying a friend more stuff, give a friend or loved one the gift of your time. You can bake, clean, or organize, and do something fun together!
Offer to support a friend with an activity that will be a bonding experience to make their life easier. Right now is the time to buy less and give more.
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared My Declutter Kitchen Mission in 2019.
Arleen Petteys says
I agree with all the kitchen tools we could do without, but I find a food processor a lot more time consuming to clean than a stand mixer. I do love my cast iron pots and use them all the time, but never thought to use them for toast. Good point. I also have an expensive dehydrator, which I have not used for a long time, because I know one can just use their oven. Been thinking I should get rid of it, a big space user. Thanks for your info.
Elana says
Arleen, agree, though I love my food processor because it can make pesto and such in addition to batters and dough. Glad you found this helpful and thanks for being on this easy cooking path with me :-)
Eva Bates says
You forgot something… Instant Pot instead of Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Electric Steamers, Yogurt Makers, etc. etc. Talk about decluttering!
Elana says
Eva, you’re totally right! I’ve updated this post to include the Instant Pot :-)
Sheena McKinney says
I am a recovering kitchen gadget-aholic and agree wholeheartedly with your thinking and ideas. Kitchen knives alone can replace many a gadget. FYI– Branch Basics now sells beautiful glass bottles!
Elana says
Thanks Sheena!
Susan de Gallery Beal says
Loved your idea about using the oven light as a dehydrator. Do you know if the “dehydrate” time is the same as if you were using a stand-alone dehydrator? Thank you, and thank you for the delightful and informative Web site! You are a blessing to those of us who follow you!
Elana says
Susan, thanks for your question! I haven’t ever used a stand alone dehydrator so not sure how the time would compare. I’m so glad we’re on this healthy eating path together :-)
James says
Elana’s Pantry is literally the BEST keto community anywhere. I read it everyday, and I’m also so grateful
Elana says
Thanks James!
KAREN says
I use Branch Basic too! Fantastic product turns into lots of products.
Elana says
Karen, I love Branch Basics and I’ve given it as Christmas gifts to so many people!
RuthAnn Timperley says
I am so glad that you wrote this column today, since I’ve been thinking about getting a food processor…I’m 76 years old and never owned one! I use more and more recipes now that call for a food processor, and so glad to know that I can get it on Amazon for less than $100 and free shipping. Merry Christmas to you and thank you!
Elana says
RuthAnn, you’re welcome! I love my food processor and use it for so many things. It’s truly my favorite multi-tasker in the kitchn. Merry Christmas :-)
Susan says
As much as I agree with everything you’ve said, I still take my lunch in plastic containers. I take public transit, and must carry my bag (with shoes, lunch, 2 phones, etc.) a couple blocks. Glass just weighs too much to add to that.
I never heard of making toast in a frying pan, but good to know if I’m visiting a gluten-filled home! I use my toaster oven frequently, and that allows me to leave the big oven off.
Elana says
Susan, that’s a great point about your lunch –I totally agree and would do the same. Practicality over perfectionism :-)
Carla says
I use plastic for my lunches too (not all of us are 100% remote, LOL). I tried glass years ago and ended up breaking it in transit and it’s just too heavy. I compromise by not heating up the plastic and just eat the food cold.
Evie says
You are so right…. Also I’m on a mission to stop friends and relatives using disposable wipes that are adding to landfill and pollution too. I’m fed up with celebrities endorsing makeup remover wipes and sheet masks in the beauty industry. Working as an educator I teach beauty therapy and I constantly explain that wipes just move the dirt around. Use cloths and throw them in washing machine for goodness sake !!!!!
Elana says
Evie, yes! Wipes are the worst. And I think a good coating of jojoba oil on my face is better than any mask :-)
Eliza says
Hi Elana,
I am so glad to discover that we both consider useless appliances in the kitchen. I am 75years old and I can tell you that I never had either of these :
a toaster — a simple non stick pan does the job
a stand mixer — my little food processor is fine
dehydrator — never thought of it
dishwasher — I have 2 hands, and so have I to whip cream
dryer — the garden does it
never used paper towels (my children never had “pampers” either! Vinegar is a good cleaner and essential oils are perfect for any “smell” and disinfectant.
I do not use any plastic boxes…always glass…and so on. You see you are not the only one not
to waste .
Elana says
Eliza, I would be as comfortable in your home as I am in mine :-)