Stock me up for a kitchen remodel

[Anonymous]

We are going to be living in the basement for 2-3 months while the main floor is being renovated, including a total gut job of the kitchen.

I have an air fryer / convection oven, instant pot, crock pot, single burner induction cooktop, microwave, and toaster, plus a grill outside. So I'm pretty confident in our ability to actually cook food. But, all prep work is going to be on a tiny folding card table, and all dishes will be washed in the bathroom sink. So, I'm looking for things I can pop straight into/onto the cooking appliance of choice, with minimal prep or dishes.

I have stocked the freezer with a couple weeks worth of soups, stews, chili, lasagna, and casseroles. Looking now to supplement with some store-bought freezer meals and some easy-prep fresh meals.

What should I have on hand?

[Anonymous]

We did a total first floor gut in 2018 and were without a kitchen for a six week project that stretched into 12 weeks because of some delays with our granite and other unexpected things.

You won't want to do dishes in the bathroom sink - stock up paper plates, cups, plastic silverware - things you can put in the trash after using. I saved all the utensil packets we got with takeout prior to starting the remodel and those helped a lot.

I also stocked a lot of soups and leftovers in the freezer, but by the end of the project what saved us were the grab-and-go meals at Wegmans we could just nuke in the microwave for dinner.

Good luck with your project - I remember that it sucked going through it (and I swear we will never do a kitchen remodel again!!!), but the end result will be worth it.

[Anonymous]

For dishes -- what about a large tub and a handheld shower attachment? Plus some sort of strainer. I would NOT want to try to wash my instant pot liner in my bathroom sink.

Will you have a fridge, or need to use coolers?

I'd go for cereal-only breakfasts, no lunch at home, and a standard by-night rotation of dinners.

Sunday -- soup + grilled cheese
Monday -- tacos
Tuesday -- grill meat, plus bread & salad (you can mix up this formula in a bunch of ways)
Weds -- easy pasta meal
Thursday -- something from the freezer

I'd find local takeout spots that would do prepped pieces for you. If I'd go to my local taco place and ask for a pound of cooked al pastor, then heat it in the microwave and make up tacos at home with tortillas and a bagged salad.

[Anonymous]

Definitely allow yourself to use paper plates. Prepared foods are a plus. Grilling outside also helps - less cleanup. We kept our old fridge in the dining room - definitely need a fridge.

[Anonymous]

Dishes in a bathroom sink was the biggest challenging - mostly the cookware. Switch to paper products to save your sanity.

[Anonymous]

I assigned everyone one melamine plate and bowl (patterned, so obvious whose was whose) and everyone was responsible for washing their own to the level they were comfortable with. The dishes/cleanup are the worst part. I barely used my crockpot or induction plate because cleanup was too much. (We have a small bathroom sink and scouring a saucepan in it was gross). We grilled a ton (bought prepped things, but you could pre-prep and freeze), used the toaster, and ate a lot of sandwiches for dinner. Also, tons of takeout. Probably every other night or more by the end. Also, I try not to use paper plates for eco reasons but also because they are unappealing, but we went crazy on canned seltzers and drinks: easier than glasses.

[Anonymous]

Also used the microwave and kept a dishpan ticked out of view for any dirty dishes accumulated during the day.

[Anonymous]

Good luck! By week 4 I was so sick of it, but by week 6 or 7 we had a mostly usable kitchen. I’m glad we did it and I hardly remember now. If you are able to get away for a little while and have a break, it helps.

Have you put away absolutely everything you do not want dust on? I suggest decluttering the upstairs and putting extra pillows, knickknacks and toys in bins or in the closet. Even with sealing you will get dust, and you will have less to clean at the end.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! Great tips here. I'm definitely planning on paper plates, I normally try to avoid them but I think this calls for it. Hoping that the weather will warm up enough by April that we can mostly get by with grilling and eating outside.

We will have a fridge and a stand-alone deep freezer in the basement.

I'm telling the kids that we will be washing dishes camping-style, in rubber totes. Wipe the dish clean, soak as needed, wash in a tub of sudsy water then rinse in the sink.

[Anonymous]

Frozen Trader Joe’s food and cans